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Nailer Basics
Nail guns (also known as nailers) are appropriate for most large jobs. There are exceptions, though, and using a nail gun entails a certain amount of risk. This article will provide an overview of nai
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You’re building a new deck, and you’ve got only 1,395 nails to go. In the old days, all your fingernails would be black by now. Today, though, you cheerfully slam in another ten nails. Why are you smiling? Because you’re using a nail gun!
All right, perhaps we’re overstating it – but only by a little. If you’ve ever spent seven hours hammering two-inch nails by hand into pressurized wood, you know just how much time and effort – not to mention fingernails – a nail gun can save.
Nail guns (also known as nailers) are appropriate for most large jobs. There are exceptions, though, and using a nail gun entails a certain amount of risk. This article will provide an overview of nail guns so you can decide if buying one is right for you.
Uses for Nail Guns
Nailers are good for just about any situation where you’ll have to do a lot of hammering, but they’re especially suited to the following situations:
* Jobs requiring a lot of nails. If you’ve spent much time hammering, you know that it doesn’t take long before you start wishing for an easier way.
* Jobs that must be done quickly. Even if your project isn’t extensive, you may need to finish it fast. For example, you might need to repair a roof before a rainstorm, or build that dog house before you go to the animal shelter tomorrow.
* Jobs done by someone with limited strength. Nail guns provide the muscle power you’d normally have to provide yourself. Women, in particular, may find they can complete jobs that would otherwise be much too difficult or time-consuming.
* Jobs needing some extra “sticking power”. Nail-gun nails are connected together by glue. When a nail is fired and penetrates the wood, it generates a considerable amount of friction heat. The glue on the nail melts, so the nail is actually glued into the wood!
Still, there are three cases when a nailer might be the wrong tool to use. First, you should use a regular hammer if you think you may need to remove the nails at some point. Regular nails aren’t glued in, so they are easier to take out. Second, you probably don’t want a nailer if you plan to do one very small job – ever. Finally, if a nail gun is too bulky to give you the precision you need, you may want to hammer the old-fashioned way.
Nailer Types and How They Work
You might be surprised to learn that nail guns aren’t all interchangeable. There are a number of different types, each suited to different situations.
Despite important differences, though, they all work in generally the same way: A force draws back the “hammer” inside the nailer – basically, the equivalent of cocking a pistol. At the same time, a nail is pushed into the chamber, ready to be “shot.” When you pull the trigger, a powerful force causes the hammer to be released, hitting the nail – hard! – and driving it into the wood. At the end of the cycle, the hammer is cocked again, and another nail is pushed into the chamber.
There are a lot of different types of nail guns. What you need depends on what sort of work you want to do and what kind of nails you’ll use. For example, finish nailers use small-headed nails that can be painted and stained later. Brad nailers use small nails that are great when appearance is more important than strength. Other types of nail guns are pretty self-explanatory, such as roofing nailers, siding nailers, framing nailers, and floor nailers.
There are also differences in the type and amount of force used to release the cocked hammer. You can buy heavy-duty pneumatic nail guns, easy-to-manage cordless nail guns, or something in-between. You can learn more about the different types of motors in our Buying Guide.
Learning How to Use a Nailer
On the surface, it might seem like using a nail-gun is a “no-brainer.” Aim and shoot, right?
Well, almost. It is pretty much aim-and-shoot, but it’s definitely not a no-brainer. In fact, it’s essential that you keep your wits about you when you’re using a nailer. Although using a nail gun is not difficult, it is essential that you get some training from someone who has experience. Proper training will not only assure your safety, but also protect your investment in the equipment. Besides, depending on the type of nail gun and on the safety features it has, there may be some important variations on the “point-and-shoot” technique. Read the manual, watch a video, get a good lesson from your neighborhood fix-it person, and you’ll be nailing all kinds of things together – without endangering anyone in the vicinity!
Safety Issues
There’s no question that nail guns have the potential for causing injury. A nailer, used wrong, can wreak a considerable amount of havoc on the human body – everything from puncture wounds to carpal tunnel syndrome. But you don’t have to become a casualty. The bulk of injuries are to people who are inexperienced in the use of nail guns, and to people who bypass the safety features. If you take the time to learn how to use the nailer properly, keep it properly maintained, and follow safety guidelines, there’s no reason you can’t use a nail gun for many years without incident.
Buying a Nail Gun
When it comes to nail guns, knowledge really is power – literally. The keys to buying good equipment are, first, thinking carefully about what you’ll be using the nail gun for; and second, doing some good research about what’s available. We provide some tips on buying nailers on our Buying Guide page.
As you’re making your buying decision, don’t forget to consider some of the accessories you’re likely to need: a power source, perhaps; an air compressor if you’re getting a pneumatic nailer; and oh, yes – the nails.
Happy nailing!
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