Brads vs finishing nails

Special Interest Groups
#1

I have both a brad nailer 18 gage and a 16 gage nailer. I want to avoid counter sink but when I use the brads on the 16 gage nailed the brad head is not buried
What am I doing wrong?

Ron Sanzone

#2

Ron,

From my experience, when this happens it usually has to do with either inadequate air pressure at the compressor or the gun is out of adjustment. Probably the latter.

Check the manual if you have one and look for an adjustment that controls the depth. If you don’t have the manual try googling your make, model, and the word manual. You can usually find one online pretty easily.

-e

#3

thanks for your input. I looked at some videos online and it looks like the nail gun needs adjustment. Problem is I bought the gun at Tool Depot without a manual, there is no brand name on it and I can’t find any place for adjustment. I do however have a 16 gage nail gun- are there brads for a 16 gage gun?

Thanks

Ron Sanzone

#4

I guess you’ll have to experiment with the adjustment. Yes, there are 16 gauge brads.

-e

#5

my experience with nailers is that it’s all in the pressure you deliver to your nail gun and the wood density. Nailing pine with a slight counter sunk head will result in quite a bit of the nail sticking out if you try the same on oak.

#6

thanks for your input. I worked on the compressor setting and discovered that there is no setting on the gun. It’s clear to me that I bought a piece of junk. I’ll but a better one.
Ron