What is a Finish Nail Gun?
A finish nail gun is a tool, which can be used to finish carpentry work. It is designed to make sure that certain nail sizes are to be used for the tool. Finish nail guns can be used for crown molding as well as baseboards. It can use 15, 16, 18, and 23-gauge nails.
Finish nail guns are the best tools that enable you to complete the look you desire. Also, they are a great choice for other projects that require a nail gun. A good finish nail gun will offer you the power as well as the size of the nail for what you need.
Best Finish Nail Guns
| Product Image | Product Name | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | NuMax SFN64 | Air-powered | Check Price |
 | Hitachi NT65MA4 | Air-powered | Check Price |
 | Paslode 902400 | Battery-powered | Check Price |
 | DEWALT D51257K | Air-powered | Check Price |
 | Bostitch BTFP72156 | Air-powered | Check Price |
 | Senco 4G0001N | Air-powered | Check Price |
 | Metabo HPT NT65M2S | Air-powered | Check Price |
 | Valu-Air T64C | Air-powered | Check Price |
 | Makita AF635 | Pneumatic | Check Price |
 | Porter-Cable PCC792LA | Battery-powered | Check Price |
1. NuMax SFN64
It is a pneumatic finish nail gun that is designed to fire 16-gauge straight finish nails that range from 1 to 2.5 inches. NuMax SFN64 is perfect for finishing off interior as well as exterior projects. It can be used on crown molding, window casing, and chair rail molding. The small gauge is great since they disappear in the wood. And there will be less expenditure time filling in as well as sanding holes. However, these nails are quite strong even though they are small-sized.
It has a toll-free, 360-degree adjustable exhaust that is convenient for driving dust and debris away from you. This finish nail gun also has a no-mar tip that protects sensitive work surfaces. It has a lightweight aluminum design with a one-piece drive blade and rubberized o-rings for additional durability. It allows sequential firing that fires one nail per shoot, increasing accuracy.
You can customize the depth of firing for your projects to ensure there is consistency in driving depth. It has a quick release-latch that enables you to access and remove jams easily without the need to disassemble the nail gun. The magazine can hold up to 100 straight finish nails. It has an anti-dust cup that ensures that the internal parts are clean when stored. It weighs 4.5 pounds.
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2. Hitachi NT65MA4
Hitachi NT65MA4 is a pneumatic angled finish nail gun. It is durable and very effective for trim molding installation as well as door or window casings. It accepts 15-gauge nails that range from 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inch. The angled magazine will allow you to work in tight corners and confined spaces easily. This finish nail gun is very easy to load and can take up to 100 nails at a go. It weighs 4.2 pounds.
It has a toll-free drive adjustment dial under the elastomeric grip and non-grip trigger. Adjustments are made as per the density of the material and the air pressure. Nails are set to ensure improved control and a professional finish. It has a 360-degree full adjustable exhaust that can be directed away from you to avoid debris.
Hitachi NT65MA4 needs to be lubricated with oil occasionally, as this ensures the optimal functionality of the tool. It has a selective actuation switch that allows contact or sequential firing with the need for additional tools. It comes with a unique button for air duster, located above the grip. This feature allows air to be removed from a hole that is in front of the nail gun. Also, the feature allows you to remove dust and debris to be cleared.
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3. Paslode 902400
It is a cordless battery-powered nail gun that has an in-can system that is very easy to install. Paslode 902400 weighs 4.5 pounds and comes with a battery. It has a pro-grade drive depth adjustment that drives 1¼ to 2½ inch, 16-gauge angled finish nails.
It comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty as well as a carrying case to ensure that the tool is safe and clean when stored. Paslode 902400 uses Lithium-ion technology that allows for better management of power and shorter charging times. It has an on/off battery lock, which further ensures that the power is conserved, offering longer working hours.
It has a no-mar tip cover that protects the surface against scratches and dings. The angled magazines make it easy for you to work in tight spaces. The magazine allows 100 nails and the cell life lasts for about 1200 nails. The charging time for this nail gun is one hour.
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4. DEWALT D51257K
It is a pneumatic 16-gauge finish nail gun that operates at a pressure between 70 to 120 psi. The magazine can hold up to 100 16 gauge nails and accepts nails with lengths of between 1 and 2-1/2 inches. The nail does not use oil and thus reduces any chance of staining your projects. It also has a 360-degree exhaust adjust that helps to keep dust, debris, and moisture away from you.
The depth adjustment of the nails can be found directly on the tool, this means that you have fewer trips to and from the compressor. It has a no-mar tip feature that ensures that your project surface is safe. The front of the DEWALT D51257K opens easily to ensure that any jammed nails are easily removed. It has a trigger lock that ensures the nail gun is safe to be used.
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5. Bostitch BTFP72156
It is a pneumatic angled finish nail gun with an 80 percent smaller nose that makes it easy to place nails because of visibility. You will not be required to push against a project for actuation, as this can damage your project. It drives 15-gauge angled finish nails that range from 1¼ to 2½ inches. It has a tool-free jam release feature that will allow you to safely and easily remove jammed nails without the need for additional tools.
Bostitch BTFP72156 has a trademark DIAL-A-Depth adjustment control that ensures nails can countersink. It has a small angled head that allows the nail gun to perform in confined spaces. It also makes it easy to see where you are driving the nails, which is an essential feature when working in tight spaces.
This finish nail gun has a selectable trigger that allows for either contact or sequential firing. It is lightweight as it weighs 4.32 pounds. However, it is heavier than most Bostitch models, but it will not cause hand and arm fatigue when you work for longer hours. Its angle designs and lightweight enables you to work in tight places.
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6. Senco 4G0001N
Senco 4G0001N is a pneumatic, 15-gauge nail gun. It is lightweight and durable because of its magnesium design. It has been redesigned to offer longevity because of the new long-life driver as well as an improved trigger reach. This finish nail gun uses NeverLube technology and thus you will not need to lubricate it and thus you will not have to worry about the mess caused by oil. The EZ-Clear latch technology enables you to clear jammed fasteners easily and safely.
It has two no-mar pads that help in protecting the work materials and surfaces. It has a 360-degree adjustable exhaust that will keep moisture, debris, and dust away from you. Senco 4G0001N comes with a belt hook that offers convenience when storing. Also, it has an integrated ruler for fast measurements. It features an ergonomic and balanced design with a custom grip as well as a trigger that ensures there is maximized comfort when you use the tool.
It has a straight-angle magazine that accepts up to 100 15-gauge finish nails. You can comfortably use the nail gun using sequential firing. It operates with pressure between 70 and 120 psi and can drive both galvanized and bright steel nails. Senco 4G0001N has a dial in-depth adjustment thumbwheel that guarantees precise driving of the nails.
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7. Metabo HPT NT65M2S
Metabo HPT NT65M2S is a pneumatic finish nail gun that accepts 16-gauge nail sizes between 1 and 2½ inches. It features an ergonomic design with a simple flip actuation switch that makes it easy to change from bump firing to sequential firing. It comes with an integrated duster button that allows air from the compressor to pass the nailing function. The button expels air from a hole that is located in front of the nail gun.
It has a tool-free drive depth that will allow you to adjust the depth easily and a professional finish. This finish nail gun has a 360 degree fully adjustable exhaust port that directs air and dust away from you when you are using the tool. It has a no-mar tip that protects your work surface from any damage. Also, it has an elastomer grip that improves comfort and offers a secure hold. Metabo HPT NT65M2S offers a 5-year warranty.
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8. Valu-Air T64C
It is a pneumatic finish nail gun that drives 16-gauge straight finish nails from 7/8 to 2-1/2 inches. It weighs 4.14 pounds, which indicates it is lightweight. Therefore, you will not have arm and hand fatigue if you are planning to use it for prolonged periods.
This finish nail gun is the best choice for decorative trim, furniture, chair rail, molding, paneling, baseboards, cabinetry, bedding, and window casing. It is made of heat-treated aluminum housing that means that you can use the tool for heavy-duty projects.
Valu-Air T64C has a 360-degree adjustable exhaust that keeps air and dust away from your face. It comes with oil, a carrying case, 2-inch nail strips, and two adjustment wrenches. It has a no-mar tip that protects the work surface from any damage. The operating pressure of Valu-air T64C is between 70 and 110 psi.
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9. Makita AF635
It is a pneumatic finish nail gun that allows the nail size of 15 gauge. It weighs 4 pounds, thus meaning you can use it for prolonged periods. Makita AF635 is robust in design and thus, you can be sure of its durability. It is made from magnesium as well as an aluminum magazine. It allows tool-less depth adjustment that ensures precise nailing.
Makita AF635 has an in-built air duster, which helps to keep the worksurface free from debris. It comes with two no-mar tips and rubber bumpers that ensure the workpiece is protected from scratches as well as other damages. This finish nail gun has an ergonomic rubber grip, a narrow nose design, a 2-mode trigger selector, and a multidirectional port that offers a clear line of sight. It also has a nail lockout mechanism for safety. The only disadvantage is that you need to lubricate the tool before and after use.
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10. Porter-Cable PCC792LA
It is a battery-powered finish nail gun that allows the nail size of 16-gauge. It is relatively lightweight with a weight of 6.5 pounds. Therefore, it is portable and easy to handle when used for longer periods and will lead to minimal hand and arm fatigue. This finish nail gun has a long battery life and will fire up to 1000 nails before the next charging.
It is a very convenient finish nail gun that allows a tool-free depth adjustment that is very ideal when used for different applications. The process of jam clearing is very fast and easy and will not require you to have additional tools. It has an integrated multifunctional LED, which is useful for illuminating the workpiece. Porter-Cable PCC792LA offers a 3-year limited warranty. The only disadvantage is that it is relatively expensive.
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Buyer’s Guide
There are various types of finish nail guns available in the market. You should consider various factors before buying one for yourself. Here are some factors to check:
Type of finish nail guns: You can either choose an angled nail gun or a straight finish nail gun. This is entirely dependent on your personal preference. It is, however, important to know the two have their advantages and disadvantages. Straight finish nail guns shoot thinner nails compared to the angled finish nail guns. This means that the head is less visible on the wood and it requires minimal filling. They are also bulkier and less expensive as compared to their counterparts. They are a great choice for simple and straightforward construction.
On the other hand, professional carpenters and woodworkers use angled finish nail guns. This is mainly because they can do much more than the straight finish nail guns. The angled design of these nail guns provides easy access to the hard-to-reach places and eliminates the need to hold the nail gun in an awkward position. They are more precise leaving visibility of the nail head on the wood.
Type of power: Finish nails guns come in pneumatic, electric, or gas. Pneumatic finish nail guns utilize air compressors to fire the nails into the wood. They are quite powerful but it is important to note that they require an air compressor, and thus you need to incur an additional cost.
Electric finish nail guns are dependent on electric current for them to function. They can either be corded or cordless. The cordless is a good choice because of maneuverability. Gas-powered finish nail guns depend on gas and oil for their functionality. They can be messy but are quite powerful.
Type of magazine: They come as either a coil or a nail stick. Coil magazines hold nails in long, flexible strips that are wound in a coil. They can hold 150 to 350 nails, which is more compared to nail sticks. Therefore, you will be able to do more nailing before the next reload. They do not stick out, making it easy to maneuver the nail gain. However, they are more expensive than nail sticks.
On the other hand, the nail stick holds long strips of nails that come in 20-40 increments. The capacity is dependent on the size of the finished nail gun. Some finish nails guns only allow one stick but others may accommodate two or three. They are hard to maneuver because the nail stick pop out.
Type of gauge: It refers to the size of the nails that can be shot. This determines what the finish nail gun will be ideal for. There are four options, that is, 23, 18, 16, and 15 gauge. The 15 gauge shoots the thickest nails and thus offers the most holding power. It is ideal for cabinetry, molding installation, trim, and furniture building.
The 16-gauge shoots thinner nails than the 15-gauge models. They are smaller and lighter. These are good options for trim installation. The 18-gauge is the most popular and they shoot 18-gauge brad nails, which are lighter than 15 and 16-gauge nail guns. They can penetrate soft and thin workpieces without causing damage. The 18-gauge can be used for trim installation, repairing the furniture, and paneling. The 23-gauge finish nail guns shoot the thinnest nails (pins). They are the best options in picture framing, small trims, and assembly of light wood.
Weight and size: This determines how convenient and easy the use of the nail gun will be. If you want to use the tool for longer periods, you require a tool that is lightweight and compact, as this will minimize hand and arm fatigue. Also, lightweight tools are easy to carry around from one worksite to another, which is an advantage to professional contractors.
Depth of the nail: A good finish nail gun is the one that offers greater control over the depth of the nail. The main reason is that too much depth can damage the workpiece and less depth means that have enough holding power. The depth adjustment greatly depends on the model and the brand of the nail gun. You should ensure that the finish nail gun that you choose allows easy, comfortable, and fast adjustment of depth.
Jamming of nails: When you use a finish nail gun, jamming is inevitable, therefore, you should opt for a model that is easy to clear the jamming. Finish nail guns have a tool-free jam clearing feature that ensures you do not waste a lot of time clearing nail jams.
Warranty: Warranties offer assurance that the tool will serve you for longer periods. The best nail gun offers longer warranty periods. However, the length of the warranty will vary from one model and brand to the next. Any warranty period between 2 to 5 years limited warranty is good because very few brands offer longer periods.
Conclusion
Even though there are many finish nail guns in the market, there are some that stand out than others. The products that are reviewed above are most popular with homeowners as well as professional constructors. Additionally, the buyer’s guide above will ensure that you have understood what to look for before you go hunting for a finished nail gun.
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