Selecting the Right Nails for your Power Nailer

If you were thinking all nails are the same and you could just stroll into the local hardware shop for your nail gun, you couldn’t be more wrong. There are long and short nails, brass nails and galvanized and different types of nail heads. We present the five most common types of nails for your power nailer depending on the job at hand.

Common Nails:
The common nail is used a lot with wood that doesn’t require finish work. Places to use the nails are on 2x4s and other boards surfaces such as particle board and regular wood panels. Use in all of your remolding efforts around you home or garage.

Casing Nails:
The casing nails are for all of your finer work needs when dealing with wood. Cabinets and molding trim work is perfect for these types of nails

Finishing Nails:
The finishing nails are another nail type, but they can be used interchangeably with casing nails for the fine work at home. The rounded nails heads can be counter sunk or not.

Common Brads:
They are good for very light work, and can be used like the casing nails for trim work. The nails are of lighter weight, and are shorter than the common finishing nails.

Box Nails:
Box nails are like a common nail but the head on them is much larger. The shank of the nail is much larger, and is used primarily for framing and decking. If you need extreme holding power then this is the nail for you to have.