Replies

1. 
   McMark | Apr 18, 2002 07:55am | #1

   In a word, carpentry.  case a door with 1x material,  and you have 3/4" wood,  and 5/8" rock.

1. 
   Danford_C_ | Apr 18, 2002 05:24pm | #2

   18 ga brads are not suitable for trim work.  Finish carpenters that do use air nailers use 15 ga, there are still some of us left that use, gasp.....real nails.

   Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright

1. 
   McMark | Apr 19, 2002 03:14am | #3

   Uh uh,  we hang doors with 15ga guns,  and shoot the trim with both 18 and 15/16 ga guns.  With a door frame 3/4 of an inch thick,  and a 3/8" reveal,  a big gun can really foul things up.  A finish gun works great for shooting the casing to the door buck though.

2. 
   bostoncarp | Apr 19, 2002 06:04am | #4

   TSTCFORD,

   Try this.  Using 18g 2" brads, nail a 3/4" pine casing to a door jamb and into the stud before you put up the header.  After you have nailed it to your satisfaction, put your hand up and pull the casing forward.  I assure you that once you see how easily you can pull it down, you will never use 18g 2" brads for door casings.

   I agree with Dano.  You cannot do better than "real nails".

   Jim

1. 
   BKCBUILDER | Apr 20, 2002 04:06am | #5

    BUT.....when we are running smaller casing, that is only 1/4-1/2" thick where it meets the window and door jambs, we use 1-1/4" 18ga. brad guns to nail it to the jamb, then switch to the 15 ga. to nail it to the studs. Then we cross nail the corners of the mitres with the 18 ga. also. Shoe mold= brad nails.

    I've got an older Makita(before safety nose) and would be lost without it.

3. 
   PlaneWood | Apr 20, 2002 07:24pm | #6

   A 2" brad?  Gads, that 3/4" more steel to penetrate your hand when the nail shoots out sideways!

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
   PlaneWood

4. 
   sschefer | Apr 20, 2002 10:03pm | #7

   Brad nailers with a 2" capacity are being produced because the gun, which is now commonly refered to as a pin nailer, is commonly used to just pin things together. It eliminates the need for clamps in many cases and is a flexible enough attaching mechanism to allow for final adjustments if necessary. Since it is now being used, as mentioned before, in finish carpentry, there are many instances where a 2" brad might be just whats needed to reach a solid anchor point.

   Manufacturers are just trying to widen the market by making these a mainstay in the construction/finish carpentry business. 

   Do be careful with these longer brad's. 18 guage is pretty small and the slightest defect in the wood will send them right out through the side and possibly into your hand. I've come pretty close with my 1 5/8". 

   Steve - in Northern California