How important is it to have a 2″ brad nailer vs. a 1 1/4″ brad nailer? Most compressor combo kits come with the smaller brad nailer. Can one get buy in woodworking with the smaller brad nailer and a 16 gauge finish nailer or is the longer nail brad nailers worth the investment?
– Lyptus
Replies
Depends on what you want to use it for. What do you normally make ? Extra capacity is always nice to have
paul
Currently, I am only using my 16 gauge nailer for assembling a deck railing. Next summer though, I plan to build a set of kitchen cabinets. My 16 gauge nailer fires up to 2 1/2" nails but it is 16 gauge, not 18 gauge. So do I really need an 18 gauge nailer to fire brads from 1 1/4" to 2" for kitchen cabinetry or should the shorter 18 gauge lengths combined with the longer 16 gauge nails do the trick?- Lyptus
I think what you have now should do the trick.
Paul
I use an 18ga. pin nailer that shoots from 5/8" to 1 1/2". I use an equal amount of all lengths. This gun satisfies nearly all my needs in the furniture and cabiinet trade. I also have a 15ga. finish gun that can shoot from 1 1/4 to 2 1/2". This is good for crates, rough cabinetry, and trim work when I need to/have to do it.
Back in the day, a 2" brad nailer was really a marketing game played by the tool manufacturers to claim their tool shot longer nails than the competition as most tools shot up to 1 5/8" long. If you constantly shoot 2" nails, then you'll probably need a nail that's thicker than 18 gauge. A 16 gauge or 15 gauge finish nailer would be more appropriate. You'll also get a more consistent shot with less blow out and stronger holding power.
Mike
Most of my 18ga work is with 1 1/4" brads, but I do have a 2" gun and will occasionally load it with bigger nails when assembling cases. Nothing wrong with securing a 3/4" face to a carcase with a 2' brad, assuming you don't get a blowout. It's stronger than using a 1.25" brad, but theres no need to move up to a 16 or 15ga nail.
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