By User:LPNalini @timeAndDate(1274227870)
Brad nails are very thin, narrow-headed nails used for molding, trim, decorative woodwork, and wooden finishing in general. Brad nails are not for applications where the nails will be required to hold a lot of weight or stress. Instead, the main purpose of a brad nail is to be unobtrusive, so that people will notice your woodwork, and not the fasteners you used to hold it in place.
Typically, a brad nail will be very thin: 18 or 16 gauge usually. Also, it will have a very small, solid head which will not protrude far from the wood. A small head will not only be less noticeable, but also will prevent scratches and injuries wherever woodwork might be touched or rubbed up against. Brad nails usually range in length from 1 to 2 inches; try to pick the smallest nail size your work will accommodate to get the most out of your nails. Also, keep in mind that brad nails are available with galvanized finishes for a bit of added strength and corrosion resistance. Galvanized brad nails will be more ideal for finishes and items to be kept outdoors.
Brad Nail Guns
Of course, collated nails are specifically designed for use with a nail gun. A strip of collated nails consists of a series of nails glued side by side as a sort of cartridge ready to be fed into a nail gun. Brad nails are great for use with nail guns, because they do not require as much power to be fixed in place as larger, load bearing nails will.
Brad nail guns will tend to be light and easily manipulated, and are, in fact, recommended for use with brad nails above a hammer. It is very easy, when working with a hammer, to bend, deform, or break brad nails which are typically made out of softer metals and will always have a smaller cross section than loadload applications, the finishing you are fixing in place can probably be simply glued down before the gun is applied. With heavier and load bearing parts you'll usually need to put a couple of starter nails or clamps in place before jumping into the nail gun.
Also, many brad nail guns will typically accept and drive staples also. It's always good to have multi-purpose tools around.
Electric vs. Pneumatic
Brad nail guns are available in two types: electric and pneumatic.
* Pneumatic (compressed air) guns are superior in terms of power and dependability.
** However, a pneumatic gun will require a more elaborate setup, including an air compressor.
** Also, pneumatic guns are susceptible to water damage from water created by the compression and decompression of air.
** Practicing good maintenance of your nail gun, including consistent oiling, will reduce the risk of water damage.
* Electric guns will be easier in terms of setup, no compressor is required, but tend to be less powerful and reliable than pneumatic guns.
** An electric gun is best recommended for home enthusiasts looking to do small jobs around the house.
Top Sellers
Here are some of the top selling collated brad nails on the market today.
