I'm working on some woodworking projects and I need advice on whether to go for a battery or pneumatic nail gun. I have a lot of reclaimed solid oak from old bookcases, which is quite dense, along with some regular pine from a big box store for another project. I'm mainly making a table and a planter box, and I'm wondering what nail type to use. A finish nailer for the table and brad nails for the planter? I want to ensure the nails go deep enough to be covered with putty or stain. Any recommendations? Thanks! ?
3 Answers
I’m a fan of battery nailers, especially the Milwaukee ones. They’ve got plenty of power and can run for days on a single charge. Pneumatic nailers are reliable, but they can be bulky to deal with. I’ve switched to battery nailers over time and have had no issues with their performance.
Honestly, there isn't a specific standard for nail gun force, so you can't just check for a certain impact energy. If it’s a strong nail gun, it should handle bigger nails. I recommend against relying solely on a nail gun for making a table out of oak; there are better methods for securing things together.
What method would you suggest for table construction? I was thinking of doing a brick pattern with short planks.
For a table, using nails isn't the best approach. If you’re building a planter, a narrow crown stapler can give you a better hold if you don't mind visible fasteners. In terms of battery versus pneumatic, both can shoot similar fasteners, so it really comes down to the type and size you need. If you want a strong hold, go for 2-inch fasteners that can handle hardwoods, and a battery gun might be more convenient for you!
Good to know! I think convenience is key for me, so I'll look into the battery options.
Thanks for the recommendation! It's good to know they've been reliable for you.