16 Vs. 18 Gauge Nailer. What Are The Key Differences?
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As a newbie in woodwork projects, you may find it difficult to understand the differences between a 16 vs. 18 gauge nailer. For professional reasons, you must understand how these tools work and how to use them.
Not to worry, in this guide, we will explain to you all the key differences you need to know.
Nailer Gauge Explained
Simply put, gauge refers to the thickness of the fastener. It is also defined as the number of nails that are lined up. This means that a 16-gauge nail is thicker and stronger than an 18-gauge brad. We can state that the thinner the gauge number is, the thicker the nail.
What Are Brad Nails?
Brads nails are thin and have an 18-gauge steel profile. It will have a higher gauge if they design a super thin nail. It is therefore safe to assume that a thinner nail will have a greater gauge.
A brad nail is ideal for wood trimming and paneling. This is because they are pretty good for projects with a small diameter. Also, as compared to finish nailers, they have smaller head that are less likely to split thinner wood.
Brad nailers are a great tool for woodworkers. They can give you a smooth finish and subtle appearance. Because it makes holes in the wood, it’s easier to paint. These are great for plywood and fibreboard projects. You can also use a brad nailer.
What Are Finish Nails?
Finish nails are known to be composed of 15 to 16-gauge steel wire. The main difference between a brad or finish nail is its diameter. The diameter of the brad is slightly larger, which gives them a better grip.
These nails can also be used for heavier applications. These are projects that involve cabinets or baseboards. You cannot use them for delicate projects, as they may ruin the wood trim.
They are not as useful as brad nails and have the same features. These nails are stronger, their nails are headless, and they can make the surface blend with the wood.
Differences Between 16 And 18 Finish Nailers
Every pro or novices dream is to achieve quality results with their woodworking project. As we all know, the key to getting quality results with your woodworking project is having the right fastener.
It is therefore important to understand the differences between the various guns and the features they offer. The key to achieving this is selecting the proper nail thickness, which we will elaborate in this comparison of a 16 vs. 18 gauge nailer:
What Are 16-Gauge Finish Nails?
16-gauge finish nailers are about 0.0635 inches thick, and they can hold better when compared to 18-gauge brads. They are the ideal finish nailer for projects involving thick pieces of wood.
Therefore, they are favorites for cabinet, exterior trim work, door frames, flooring, casing, and chair rails woodwork projects. Although with several advantages, they also have notable drawbacks.
They are not recommended for delicate projects.
Pros
- They can accommodate different sizes of nails
- You can make use of them for different purposes
- It can easily penetrate thicker woods because of their larger head.
- They have extra holding power as compared to an 18-gauge brad.
- This is the ideal choice for thick trim and thick wood.
- They are able to reach tight places where the hand might not be able to reach.
- They can be used to fasten thicker or denser wood pieces.
Cons
- They are not ideal for thinner wood trims and narrow boards
- Finish nailers leave visible marks on your project that you will have to cover up
- They are not a good choice for thin woods.
What Are 18-Gauge Brad Nailers And How Do They Work?
When it comes to fragile items, 18-gauge brad nailers are the best choice. They are ideal for trimming, paneling, casing and decorative molding. Their nail length is about 0.5 6 cm, with a thickness of 0.0475 inches.
These nailers can be used to achieve complex finishes with ease. In fact, because of their small heads, they leave little or no noticeable holes in your wood.
This means you do not need to worry about filing or sanding. In fact, this is why they are good for dry lumber. This is the main drawback of these nailers. Their thin shank means that they are not very strong and can hold their own.
Pros
- They are perfect for thin wood trims and dense pieces as they will not split them
- They don’t require filling, as they don’t leave any traceable holes.
- They accommodate nails of different length size
- They can be used for delicate pieces and fine and delicate projects.
Cons
- They have little holding power
- You cannot use them for hard-to-reach corners
- They are not suitable for heavy wood and large boards
- You may have difficulty penetrating MDF boards using them.
Nails
Brad nailers can only shoot nails of 18 gauge, while finish nails guns can fire 15 or 16-gauge nail. An 18-gauge brad nailer measures 0.0475 inches in length, while a 15-gauge brad nailer takes 2 cm and a 16-gauge takes 0.0625 inch.
Hole Size And Driving Capacity
The tools can drill different holes in wood and have different driving capabilities. You will need to fill or sand larger holes with finish nails to make them invisible.
However, brad nailers dont. You can hide the holes with putty, even though you may see very little when working with weak or thin materials.
Strength
A 16-gauge nailer will provide strength and holding power. They are 0.0635 inches thick and hold up better. They will give improved stability when compared to 18-gauge brad.
Power Source: Battery Or Air
You can use battery if you don’t like wires. It gives you the option of moving your nailer wherever you want. It eliminates noise so no need for an air compressor. It is important to ensure that your battery is fully charged.
If the battery is not charged or drained, this can affect your work. Therefore, it is essential to have a spare rechargeable battery. You can get lithium or other types of batteries.
Lithium batteries are susceptible to physical shocks and can break, while general batteries wear out easily. You will need to buy more batteries if you use your nailer frequently. However, if you cannot afford to buy batteries, ensure you charge your battery at all times.
Battery Power
You can use battery power if your shop doesn’t have compressed air or you don’t like the hassle of dealing with a long hose. The hose can be carried wherever you need without having to tie it to the gun.
Pneumatic Power
Using an air compressor gives you an endless stream of power. The only thing you will need to do is ensure that you keep loading the nails. Another advantage of this power source is it allows you to deal with a hose that makes it difficult to reach some areas
It is noisy and can cause disturbances. Also, it requires lots of accessories, such as connectors, hoses, and fittings. This can incur additional expenses, especially if you are into mobile operation.
Overview Of Features: 16- And 18 Gauge Nailers
Loading A Finish Nailer And A Brad Nailer
After you have chosen the nailer that best suits your needs, it is time to load it before you can use it. Although nailers work in a similar way, they serve different purposes. Besides being useful tools, they are available in various sizes for various woodworking projects.
16-Gauge Nail Gun
A finish nailer can be used in either straight or angled directions. The nailers style determines whether the unit holds the nails perpendicular or at a 20-degree angle. The 16- gauge nail gun can hold up to 100 strips of nails no longer than two and a half inches.
Simply attach the tip of your finish nailer to the board. Adjust the nail to ensure it is correctly placed. Double-check that the nail is fully set and loaded.
18-Gauge Nail Gun
18 gauge nails because of their smaller size studs are safer than a finish nail. Be careful as the tool can cause injuries. Unlike a finish nailer, an 18-gauge brad nailer is frequently used to secure a small and thin piece of wood without splitting it.
To avoid splitting the material, position the nailer far into the board. Check the splitting properties of the wood as well, as they differ from one another.
There Are Other Types Of Gauge Nailers
Aside from finish and brad types, here are other gauge nailers you can use:
Framing Nail Gun
A framing nailer, or nail gun, is a handheld device that uses compressed air or electricity to drive nails at a high speed.
Floor Nail Gun
These nailers are different from other types and have a unique design that allows you to make groove floorboards or lay tongue. There are two types: pneumatic and manual flooring nailers.
Roofing Nail Gun
Like framing nailers, roofing nailers are heavy-duty. They are usually only used by professionals, although DIY enthusiasts and beginners might be able to use them. A roofing nailer will nail into roof materials efficiently.
Palm Nail Gun
A palm nailer is like a mini nail gun. Although they work the same as full-size models, they are smaller. The adjustable strap on nail guns for palms keeps them in place while they are being used.
Pin Nail Gun
The pin nailer is the tiniest finish nailer you can buy, and it is generally used for finishing carpentry projects. The tools are compatible with 23-gauge headless nails that resemble pins.
Siding Nail Gun
The purpose of a siding nailer is to install siding on the side of a house. The material is ideal for projects where you must join a non-wooden material to a wooden subject. Furthermore, these nailers have a lower velocity power and are ideal for working with softwoods.
Staple Gun
The staple gun differs from any other nailers we have listed, but it can still drive staples into a wide variety of materials. They are used for home repairs, carpeting, and upholstery.
FAQ
Is it possible to use 18 gauge nails in a 16-gauge nailer?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. It is best to use the gauge nailer at the correct size.
Which nails should I use for crown molding?
You will need a 5 cm finish nails to install a crown mold. This is ideal for this type of project.
Conclusion
These nailers are different in their functions due to the differences in their sizes. If you are working with thinner trims, such as paneling, your ideal choice is a 18 gauge nailer.
A 16 gauge nailer is the best choice if you are looking for durable wood projects such as crown molding or staircase.
