Nail guns: features, types and tips for choosing

The nailer is a very useful tool and is widely used in construction and renovation work. The device is especially popular in professional circles, however, it has recently begun to be actively mastered by home craftsmen.

The nailer is an automatic hammer that drives nails without impact using human muscle strength. The design of the pistol is quite simple and includes a solid body, comfortable grip, nail magazine, trigger and working piston. The principle of operation of the nailer is also simple and consists of the following: when the trigger is pulled, the drive energy is transmitted to the firing pin, which, in turn, hits the hardware and drives it into the working surface. Further, the piston automatically returns to its original position, a new hardware from the holder enters the barrel and the process is repeated again.

The area of ​​use of nail guns is quite wide.

• The devices are actively used in the installation of roofing materials, including tiles and roll-sheet coverings, for fixing insulation and communications, as well as for assembling battens, installing brackets and hanging consoles.
• You cannot do without a nailer when fixing ready-made panels, arranging and sheathing the frames of houses, laying a sub-floor, assembling formwork and erecting stairs.
• Automatic hammers fix glazing beads, baseboards and moldings, fix suspended ceilings, nail carpets and fix plaster mesh on the walls.
• They are used in the assembly of door frames and furniture, as well as in the manufacture of wooden packaging and the construction of fences.
• The scope of application of neulers is not limited to purely wooden surfaces. Particularly powerful models are capable of hammering thick nails and dowels into brickwork, concrete walls and steel structures.

The main advantages of nailers with an automatic nail feed over classic hand hammers are:

• high speed of work and no risk of injury;
• working with a nail tool eliminates damage to the working surface and the formation of dents and chips on it, which often occur in case of misses when working with a classic tool;
• the ability to work with one hand, which is not possible with a traditional hammer.

Neilers also have disadvantages, however, each model has its own number of disadvantages, which are not characteristic of devices of another type.

The classification of neulers is carried out according to a number of signs, the main of which is the type of energy serving as the main driving force of the working piston. According to this criterion, 6 types of pistols are distinguished.

This tool acts as a stapler and is designed to work with staples and small nails. The main operating mechanism in it is the spring, which, due to the compression energy, exerts a powerful effect on the working piston. The principle of operation of such a device is quite simple and consists in firing a staple or small nail into a soft base. Mechanical naylers are indispensable in the production of upholstered furniture, as well as when working with plywood, fiberboard and cardboard.

The advantages of this type are:

• low price:
• compact size;
• little weight;
• ease of use;
• safe use.

Network models are designed for fine finishing of premises and are capable of driving only small hardware, such as hairpins and pins. The power tool is small and well suited for securing plastic panels and other lightweight materials. The device operates from a 220 W electrical network and requires the presence of a power source in the immediate vicinity.

The advantages of electrical models include:

• no harmful exhaust:
• little weight;
• low vibration;
• ease of use.

Among the minuses are noted:

• volatility of the instrument;
• the inability to use it in the field;
• low moisture resistance;
• high cost;
• weak power of the shot;
• low rate of fire.
• the ability to make about 1 blow per second, which is the lowest indicator among nail guns;
• for all electrical appliances there is a maximum nail size that is limited to a length of 65 mm.

Instruments of this type are much more popular than their network counterparts, due to their complete mobility and high working qualities. The main unit of the pistol is a pneumatic cylinder, which contains compressed nitrogen. It powerfully pushes the firing pin forward, after which an electric motor, powered by a battery, returns the piston back. A fully charged battery lasts about 500 shots.

The main advantages of cordless nailers are:

• the ability to work in hard-to-reach places;
• lack of wire;
• low cost per shot.

In addition, the device does not emit harmful exhaust gases, it is capable of firing 3 shots per second, it is not demanding in maintenance and has a high power comparable to that of pneumatic models.

These devices, like the battery samples, are completely autonomous and mobile. The implementation of the shot occurs with the help of energy that is released during the explosion of the gas-air mixture. The principle of operation of the pistol looks like this: gas from a special cylinder enters the chamber, where it is mixed with air by means of a fan. Then the spark plug, powered by the battery, emits a spark, which ignites the combustible mixture. As a result of the ignition, a micro-explosion occurs, releasing a large amount of energy necessary to deliver a powerful blow to the working piston.

The firing force of gas nailing guns is quite high, which makes it possible to use them for driving dowels into metal and concrete surfaces. One gas cylinder is enough for about 500-700 shots, and the battery is capable of providing up to 1500 blows. When working with wooden surfaces, these values ​​increase by almost one and a half times, while the impact force of some models reaches 100 J.

Advantages of pistols of this type:

• lack of wire;
• complete autonomy;
• great impact force;
• ease of use.

Moreover, the use of the device does not require a special permit for use and expensive maintenance. And also among the advantages are the easy trigger stroke and the versatility of the device, thanks to which it is able to replace a hammer drill, an electric drill and a hand hammer.

The disadvantages include:

• the presence of exhaust gas exhaust;
• the need for periodic cleaning of the combustion chamber;
• high cost;
• large size.

In addition, during operation, it is necessary to monitor the battery charge level and charge it periodically.

Powder nailers are distinguished by a very strong shot, superior in power to gas models. This allows you to drive dowels into metal and concrete, as well as use the devices as a professional tool. The principle of operation of the device is similar to the principle of operation of a firearm and consists in the ignition of gunpowder in a construction cartridge. Thanks to the energy released as a result of the explosion, the working firing pin shoots powerfully forward and drives the nail into the working surface. Construction cartridges are of different calibers and have multi-colored markings.

In this case, the through passage of the nail through the surface is excluded: its head stops moving exactly at the point at which the working firing pin stopped. Cartridges can be fed in both automatic (cassette) and semi-automatic (cassette-disk) modes, and some high-tech models are even capable of including a single blow function, which is necessary when driving large nails.

Powder pistols have many advantages:

• high power of a shot, reaching 550 J;
• full autonomy;
• light weight;
• compact dimensions;
• high-quality connection of working bases.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• possibility of direct mounting only;
• complexity in operation;
• the presence of exhaust;
• prohibition of use in flammable areas;
• complex service;
• high cost of cartridges;
• the need to obtain a permit;
• inability to work with one hand.

Devices are the most numerous group of nailing tools and are available in a wide variety. Among them there are also lightweight models designed to work with a topcoat, and oversized devices capable of hammering nails up to 22 cm long and up to 5 mm in diameter. Most air guns require an air compressor capable of operating pressures between 4 and 8 bar, however there are models that require pressures between 18 and 30 bar.

The advantages of pneumatic pistols are as follows:

• compact size;
• ease of use;
• low cost of a shot;
• light weight (1-3 kg);
• high driving force (up to 100 J);
• no need to obtain permission to use.

Neilers have a high clogging rate and are capable of firing 3 shots per second. The models can be used in explosive environments and wet areas, do not make noise and do not give a recoil during the shot.

Among the cons you can find:

• the need to purchase additional equipment;
• volatility of compressors;
• the presence of long hoses that often interfere with work.

Some nail guns require additional accessories, without which the device will not work. These models include pneumatic, gas and battery samples. The first ones require a compressor unit, which is purchased separately and is not included in the basic package of the gun. The main disadvantage of compressors is considered the impossibility of their operation in places where there is no electricity.

However, some manufacturers took this nuance into account and began producing compressors equipped with batteries. A full battery charge is enough for half an hour of continuous operation of the compressor unit, which allows you to perform work away from the power source.A gas pneumatic gun also needs additional equipment, and will not work without a gas cylinder and battery. Usually cylinders are sold in the same set with nails, with the number of nails exactly the same as the volume of gas required to use them. The battery is usually included with the neiler along with the charger.

The range of nailing guns is very large. This greatly facilitates the choice and allows you to purchase a model of the required power and acceptable cost. The samples presented below are in high positions in the rating of neilers and have many positive reviews on the Internet.

• Japanese pneumatic model Makita AN902 costing 26 800 rubles, it has a driving depth regulator and is equipped with a front toe that allows you to remove the stuck hardware. The handle of the device has a comfortable ergonomic shape and a rubberized coating. The body is also covered with a rubber layer to protect the tool from damage if accidentally dropped. The model is equipped with a corner control function and is equipped with a no mar tip to prevent scratches on the working base. The device is characterized by low weight and a wide operating pressure range (from 4.5 to 8.5 bar). The magazine holds up to 300 nails from 45 to 90 mm long, the weight of the tool is 3.2 kg.

• German brand battery model AEG B18N18 LI-201C 4935451536 going in China. It is designed to drive 18 gauge nails and has two hitting modes: fast and single. The brushless motor has a long service life and a long service life. On the case there is an LED-backlight that allows you to work in the dark. The driving depth, as well as the impact force, are adjustable. The model is equipped with a lithium-ion battery with a voltage of 18 V and a capacity of 2 A / h, its charging time is 40 minutes. The magazine holds 105 nails, the length of which can vary from 15.9 to 55 mm. The cost of the pistol is 27,800 rubles.

• Gas nailer Toua GFN3490CHLi designed for woodworking. The model has a comfortable handle, a hook for attaching to a belt and is equipped with a battery charging indicator. The device is capable of working with nails 50–90 mm long, and the capacity of the gas cylinder is enough for 1500 pieces. Neiler does not need lubrication and is used for frame housing construction, the construction of fences and the manufacture of containers. The store holds 48 nails, the weight of the device is 3.7 kg, the cost is 29,500 rubles.

• Palm nailer Pegas has a compact size, rounded shape and is used for driving single nails. The device weighs only 750 g and the working pressure is adjustable from 4 to 7 bar. The model is very convenient for mounting in hard-to-reach places and is used for fastening tape materials and making containers. The length of the nails is 20–120 mm, the price of the model is 2,550 rubles.

• From domestic tools, the nailer has proven itself well. "Zubr", produced in accordance with GOST and costing much less foreign counterparts.

The selection of the right nailer model depends on what kind of work they plan to do. So, for stuffing moldings and baseboards, you should choose finishing guns that shoot thin nails without heads. If you intend to lay floors or make a crate, then you need to buy frame naylers that can punch through surfaces and work with nails up to 22 cm long.For the installation of sheet materials, imitation of timber and lining, it is better to purchase sheathing drum models that hammer nails up to 7.5 cm long and with a hat with a diameter of up to 7.5 mm. The drums of these pistols hold a lot of nails, which is extremely necessary for planking work.

When working with a nailer, you should follow a number of simple rules:

• during work, you must strictly follow the instructions and do not allow persons under 18 years of age to work;
• eyes must be protected with glasses with side protection and in no case use ordinary sunglasses;
• nails should only be used in the size recommended by the manufacturer of this model;
• when carrying out maintenance, the device must be disconnected from the network, gas cylinder or compressor;
• it is forbidden to point the pistol towards a person or an animal.

For tips on choosing a nail gun, see the video below.