The Best Nail Gun is now firmly within the reach of all DIY handymen, and even part timers have been getting in on the act. And so should you! If you have, or if you aspire to buying an air compressor, then you have everything you need to run your very own air powered, pneumatic nail gun.
Which is the best nail gun – electric nail gun or pneumatic nailer?
Air tools have long been recognized as having superior performance in terms of power and size, and this is certainly true of the best pneumatic nail gun. A pneumatic nail gun allows you to get the job done much faster than with hammer and nails. When using an air nailer, the quality and reliability of the completed job is second to none.
Which one is the best nail gun?
The best air nailer is classified in terms of size as well as the nail size capacity. For example, the small end of the trade incorporates staple guns, and brad nailers, which includes small gauge nails, generally up to 1 or 2 inches long.
Finish Nailer
The next size up is described as the pneumatic finish nailer, which is suitable for most interior building and carpentry jobs. Capable of medium sized jobs, involving nails around 18 gauge and between 2 – 3 inches. The best pneumatic finish nailer should be a great all round tool that can handle most tasks with ease, and really improved the finished quality of the job.
Framing Nailer
The larger sized nail guns are referred to as framing nail guns, or framing nailers. These pneumatic framing nailers can typically handle bigger nails, up to 3.5 inches long and can handle much larger gauge nails. However, framing nailers should not be limited to framing applications, as there are other the pneumatic nail guns that are used for specialist applications such as roofing tasks and flooring jobs.
Best Nail Gun Combo Set
1. Porter Cable PCFP12234 3 in 1 air tool combo kit
Here is a bargain available on Amazon right now – a combo purchase, 3 in 1 air tool kit with Porter Cable pancake air compressor. This is an ideal opportunity to secure a bargain, with an extremely versatile nailing kit, that has you covered for all types of jobs. You will be able to do a range of carpentry jobs from framing, roofing, decking, and interior finishing work.
Porter Cable Nail Gun
This means you don’t have to worry about changing over nailing heads, or swapping out magazines of different nails, because now you can buy one of each size pneumatic nail gun, with this combo set. It contains the Porter Cable FN250SB finish nailer, the BN200SB brad nailer, and the TSO56 heavy duty staple gun. And don’t forget the superb Porter Cable 6 gallon pancake air compressor that supplies up to 150 psi maximum air pressure. Added to that, you also get a 25 foot long pressure hose, and all the quick release connectors to get you up and running.
Summary: PORTER CABLE PCFP12234 Air tool Combo Kit
- 6 gallon pancake compressor
- Portable and easy to move around the work site
- 150 psi operating pressure
- allows users to drive a large quantity of nails on a single tank charge
- rapid tank recharge
- 3 in 1 air tool combo kit
- FN250SB; 16ga 2-1/2-Inch Finish Nailer
- BN200SB; 18ga 2-Inch Brad Nailer
- TSO56; Heavy Duty 3/8-Inch Crown Staple Gun
- All accessories required to start work straight away
- 25ft pressure hose
- Quick release connectors
What we like about it: No matter whether you are a professional carpenter, a busy contractor, or a part time DIY handy man, the Porter Cable PCFP12234 Air tool Combo Kit represents great value for money. You can add as many other accessories and air tools to this air compressor kit as you like, and you can build a completely self contained workshop, with excellent versatility, at a very reasonable price. Don’t forget, you get a fantastic combo of Porter Cable nail gun, including the best brad nailer, best finish nailer, and the best pneumatic stapler all in the one package.
Check out the Porter Cable PCFP12234 Air tool Combo Kit at Amazon today!
Continue on with our list of the best pneumatic nail gun reviews:
Best pneumatic Nail Gun
The best air nailer gets the prize due to versatility, and this means it is not limited to just a single application. And the winner is the Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer since it is capable of a wide range of purposes, such as framing, flooring, building, and all sorts of carpentry applications.
2. Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer
This Bostitch nail gun is extremely versatile owing to the ability to feed multiple nail feeders into the magazine. This awesome framing nailer allows this nail gun to be used for a multitude of applications. The Bostitch Framing Nailer can feed round head nails with plastic coating, as well as metal connector nails. It can handle nails anywhere between 1.5 up to 3.5 inch nails, simply by swapping out the change nail head, depending on which type of nail feeder you choose to use.
The Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer is so versatile because it has one of the best power to weight ratios amongst any of the nail guns, and that includes pneumatic, electric and even cordless nail gun systems, which just don’t have the power and versatility of the Bostitch nail gun and Bostitch Framing Nailer. The casing is made from the lightweight and durable magnesium alloy, so it is tough, and will last forever.
What we like about it: The Bostitch F21PL Nail Gun is the best Framing Nailer and it is powerful enough for almost any job, yet light enough to make it easy to use. This is important when you are holding pieces of the job together with one hand, and you can pick up the nail gun in the other hand, and drive the nail in with no fuss or bother.
Click here to buy the Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer.
Best Floor Nailer
For specialist operations such as Hardwood Floor Nailing, the NuMax SFL618 is the best flooring nailer that has everything covered. So the NuMax floor nailer can actually shoot nails, staples and cleats, all from the same nail gun. This means that professional flooring specialists can use this single tool to get the whole job done. It even comes with a rubber mallet attachment, which is more than handy to get those flooring tasks finished as quickly as possible.
3. NuMax SFL618 floor nailer
The NuMax SFL618 floor nailer can be easily changed from nail gun to staple gun to cleat firing gun by simply changing out the nose of the nail gun. It can handle up to 100 nails in a magazine, or 120 staples, depending on what task you are focused on. Made from tough and durable aluminum casing, the NuMax nail and staple gun is light and strong.
What we like about it: The NuMax hardwood floor nailer is so versatile that you only need this one tool to complete an entire flooring job, from floor nailing, to stapling and shooting cleats. Designed to avoid scratching and damaging the floor boards, the NuMax has a revolutionary double contact plate which ensures the nail gun is always fired perpendicular to the job surface.
Click here to see where you can buy the NuMax SFL618 Floor Nailer at Amazon.
Best Roofing nail gun, or Roofing Nailer:
4. Bostitch RN46-1 Roofing Nail Gun
The Bostitch RN46-1 Roofing Nail Gun is yet another specialist tool for the professional roofing contractor. With an operating pressure of 100 psi, and a speed of 100 nails per minute, the Bostitch RN46-1 Roofing Nail Gun is guaranteed to hit the mark. For a roofing specialist, speed is a major factor, and waiting for a nail gun to recharge and build back up to pressure is not a viable option. The Bostitch nail gun or roofing nailer is built with user convenience in mind so that the roofing specialist can get the job done quickly and safely, without worrying whether the roofing nailer can keep up the pace. As we come to expect from Bostitch, this top quality Bostitch nailer is designed to keep ahead of the game.
The Bostitch Nail Gun
With a side loading magazine, and a double acting firing mechanism, the Bostitch roofing nail gun is designed to be simple to use. The firing mechanism can be set either for sequential firing, or set for repetitive contact firing. This means that you can simply run the nail gun along any structural member and continually drive nails to secure long runs of material, just like in roofing applications.
What we like about it: The RN46-1 Roofing Nail Gun is designed to be fast and convenient to use, which is why it is perfectly suited to the professional roofer, or contractor who needs a high capacity and highly reliable roofing nail gun. This Bostitch nail gun comes with a 7 year warranty, which really speaks for itself.
Check out the Bostitch RN46-1 Roofing Nail Gun on Amazon.
The best nail gun reviews
Here are some other great options for nail guns that offer plenty of performance, depending on the particular application you have in mind. Here is our detailed list of the best nail gun reviews.
1. Porter Cable FR350B 3-1/2 Framing Nailer
The Porter Cable FR350B Framing Nailer is yet another reliable product from the renowned manufacturer of air compressors and air powered tools. When you need a power tool that can go all day, and do most of the jobs on site, then this is the one to go for. The Porter Cable FR350B Framing Nail Gun has the power and also the accuracy to drive in the big framing nails, as well as the finesse to do the finishing nailing as well.
The best part about using the best pneumatic tools is that these tools are much smaller and lighter in weight. The reason is quite simple because they don’t need to have an electric motor, or a 12 volt batter pack attached to them. With a pneumatic power tool, all you need is the high pressure air supply, which can be connected via a quick lock pressure hose back to an air compressor in the corner of the workshop or garage. The Porter Cable FR350B Framing Nail Gun is the perfect example, being small enough to use all day, yet powerful enough to do the heavy duty nailing as well as the finish work.
What we like about the Porter Cable Nail Gun:
The Porter Cable FR350B Framing Nailer comes with many versatile features. Such as the ability to change the nailing depth, and operate at different air pressures. You can change the firing mode between contact and restrict. You can even feed different gauge nails depending on different types of tasks that you need to do. The Porter Cable nail gun is perfect for the professional as well as the DIY handyman. It is the most versatile and best nail gun available on the market.
Check out the price of the Porter Cable PR350B framing nailer at Amazon.
2. NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer
If you are looking for a reasonably priced nail gun, or if you just need a back up nailer in case your big gun runs out of steam. Then the NuMax SFR 2190 is a reasonably priced alternative. At around half of the cost of the top nail guns, such as the Bostitch nail gun, or the Paslode nail gun, this can be an excellent introductory or backup system.
The NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer is still an extremely versatile tool, and can be used for a wide range of carpentry jobs. From outdoor work like fencing and building, but it can also be used for indoor jobs as well. It supplies plenty of power to drive in large nails, and is more useful as for structural work, rather than finishing tasks.
The best part is the price!
The NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer offers great value for money, as it comes with a quality Magnesium alloy casing. This lightweight material keeps it nice and light and easy to operate. The NuMax nail gun also allows the flexibility to change between single nail firing and contact nail firing. Which is a nice to have feature, normally only found on the more expensive models.
What we like about it: The price of the NuMax SFR2190 Nail Gun is the most attractive feature. But when you consider that it comes in a tough and lightweight magnesium casing, with interchangeable triggers for single and contact firing, as well as the power of a bigger machine, then the NuMax is the best nail gun and represents great value for your money.
Check out the price of the NuMax SFR2190 framing Nailer at Amazon.
3. DEWALT D51257K Finish Nailer
The DeWalt D51257K 1-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch 16 Gauge Finish Nailer is about the best finish nailer on the market. This high quality DeWalt nail gun provides superior accuracy and finesse for the neatest and cleanest finish nailer jobs that you need to do. It takes an automatic feed of 16 gauge nails anywhere between 1 to 2.5 inches long.
The reason the DeWalt D51257K finish nailer is renowned as the best nail gun is that it is extremely compact and light, weighing in at less than 4 pounds. Better still, if you choose, you can use this neat little DeWalt nail gun in oil free mode, to make sure that the job site remains as clean as possible, which is important for finishing jobs. It also has a rubberised nose piece, to prevent the tool from leaving scratch marks on the wood.
What we like about the Dewalt Nail Gun:
With an operating range between 70 and 120 psi, the DeWalt D51257K finish nailer is very versatile and lightweight so that you can handle it easily and drive nail accurately. The nail magazine takes a belt of 100 nails, which is very convenient and lets you finish the job without having to stop frequently to reload.
Check out the price of the DeWalt D51257K Finish Nailer at Amazon.
4. Hitachi NT65M2 16 Gauge Finish Nailer
The Hitachi NT65M2 Finish Nailer is the best value finish nailer because it suits both professionals and the home handyman. And at a much cheaper price tag than all of the top of the range finish nailers. Tools such as Bostitch finish nailer and paslode finish nailer do cost more. You might be concerned about what this product does not offer. Well you will be impressed to discover that this great value little finish nailer provides almost all of the features of the big brands. And still has plenty of power to get the job done.
This Hitachi nail gun is capable of driving 16 gauge nails anywhere between 1 and 2 inches long. The Hitachi NT65M2 finish nailer is perfect for those finishing jobs that leave a neat and accurate finish. This tool doesn’t leave a job that need to be reworked and cleaned up afterwards. It features a 360 degree air exhaust, which can actually be directed so that it doesn’t impact the operator. That means no matter whether you are right or left handed, this nail gun can actually be tailored to suit your personal requirements. Not bad for a very reasonably priced Hitachi nail gun!
What we like about the Hitachi Nail Gun:
With a versatile operating range between 70 and 120 psi, the Hitachi NT65M2 finish nailer is a very handy air nailer. And it comes with a very handy price tag. It is capably of loading up to 100 16 gauge nails in a single load. Hence there is nothing stopping you working like a professional.
Check out the price of the Hitachi NT65M2 Finish Nailer at Amazon.
5. NuMax SFN64 Finish Nailer
The NuMax SFN64 Straight Finish Nailer is another great value option for a finish nailer. With none of the fancy features of the top of the range models. The NuMax is simply a good old fashioned air nailer that gets the job done.
Capable of driving nails any where between 1 to 2 inches long. The NuMax finish nailer allows you to quickly and easily swap between different nails, different nailing depths and different jobs. This means you can use the same NuMax air nailer for all sorts of indoor finishing jobs. Such as attaching door and window molding, fixing architrave and skirting boards, as well as any small jobs in the garage or workshop.
What we like about it: The Numax air nailer weighs around 4 pounds, and comes with an ergonomic hand grip. You will be able to use this little palm nailer all day without getting tired or fatigued. It holds a magazine of 100 nails, and features a quick release nozzle to fix up jams or bent nails. Therfore you can work as fast or as long as you need to get the job done.
Check out the price of the NuMax SFN64 Straight Finish Nailer at Amazon.
6. DeWalt DWFP12231 Brad Nailer Kit
As we step further into the realms of accuracy rather than structural nail guns, the DeWalt DWFP12231 Brad Nailer is about the best brad nailer on the market. DeWalt nail guns have the best reputation for high quality air tools, and the DWFP12231 is a best seller on Amazon. Built to the finest standards, the body is made of magnesium alloy, so it is tough and lightweight. The internal design is built to be safe and dependable. Thus you can easily use this little DeWalt nail gun in one hand because it is so small and light.
The DeWalt Nail Gun
The benefit of the DeWalt DWFP12231 brad nailer is that you get the highest standards of accuracy and neatness. This is the best nail gun for high quality finishing and leaves a clean and neat finish on the job. Yet the DeWalt DWFP12231 air nailer operates very quickly. With a magazine of 100 brad nails, and a sequential firing sequence, this nail gun lets you get the job done fast.
What we like about it: This DeWalt nail gun is not the cheapest nail gun on the market. But the DeWalt DWFP12231 brad nailer certainly lives up the high standards that we come to expect from a DeWalt nail gun. Therefore you can rely on a DeWalt brad nailer to get what you pay for in terms of quality and reliability, and this best brad nailer will last forever.
Check out the price of the DeWalt DWFP12231 Brad Nailer at Amazon.
7. Hitachi NT50AE2 Brad Nailer
The Hitachi NT50AE2 Brad Nailer is designed to handle 18 gauge brad nails, and represents about the best nail gun on the market. The Hitachi nail gun fits comfortably at the top end of the power rating. but comes in at a lower price range, to suit the home handy man as well as the professional carpenter.
As a point of difference from other nail guns, the Hitachi nail gun is super lightweight because it is made from aluminum casing. It really does make a difference to be able to easily handle a nail gun with one hand. This leaves the other hand free to hold the job steady while the nail gun drives the nail. Better yet, you can adjust the nail depth with a twist of the adjuster dial on top of the nail gun. Therfore you can use a wide range of 18 gauge nails between 1 and 2 inches in length.
What we like about the Hitachi Nail Gun:
The Hitachi nail gun is totally flexible in terms of applications, as well as operating modes. Highly capable of all types of indoor finishing jobs, like molding, skirting and architrave. This best nail gun is fast, and leaves no nasty tell tale scratches. It can be swapped between sequential and bump firing modes. A really neat touch is the user indicator which lets you know how many of the 100 nail magazine. Hence you always know how much of the magazine is left before you have to stop to refill.
Check out the price of the Hitachi NT50AE2 Brad Nailer at Amazon.
8. WEN 61720 18 Gauge Brad Nailer
Never mind if you have never heard of the WEN 61720 Brad Nailer, but this handy little air nailer may be just the right tool to keep handy. Perfect for your shed or garage for those surprise tasks that come up every now and again. As one of the cheapest and most affordable pneumatic nail guns on the market, it won’t break the bank. Even if you don’t have a lot of use for a nail gun, it is still worth looking at this option.
The WEN 61720 is designed as an 18 gauge brad nailer that can handle brad nails all the way up to 2 inches long. This is another palm nailer made of an aluminum housing. So it can easily be handled with just one hand, leaving the other hand free to work. Certainly, other buyers are happy with this unit, and have provided plenty of positive feedback on the Amazon review site.
What we like about the WEN Nail Gun:
Coming in at just about the lowest price we could find, this budget nail gun is perfect for the part timer. If you don’t need a full time nail gun, or if you are not comfortable handling one of the larger nail guns on the market. Furthermore, it comes with a 1 year manufacturer warranty, so you can be assured that it will not let you down.
Check out the price of the WEN 61720 18 Gauge Brad Nailer at Amazon.
