If you have ever undergone a DIY project, you know how important it is to choose the best pneumatic brad nailer. Every nailer in the market uses the same nail length with the 18 gauge nails. There are more features on the tools than the basics. Such as sir pressure, magazine size, weight balance & many others.
Dewalt DWFP12231 is such a tool that speaks for itself from a quality perspective. It’s perfect for those who are looking from a professional standpoint. The Metabo HPT Brad Nailer is an excellent tool for both amateurs & professionals on all sides.
Options for the Best Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Here we’ve covered the best pneumatic brad nailers in the market. All the features & factors are present for you to make an informed decision.
1. WEN 61721 Pneumatic Brad Nailer
For our first product, we have the WEN 61721 Pneumatic Brad Nailer. Wen has been making a wide range of household equipment for almost 68 years now. The same quality is seen in the WEN 61721. It has a lightweight aluminum build combined with a rubber-lined handle. You can also look at their 61720 nailer.
It weighs almost 2.08 lbs. This puts less pressure on your hands while you work for long hours. The nailer is capable of driving 18 gauge brad nails. Again, the size of the nailer ranges from ⅜ inches to 2 inches. Moreover, you can have a variety of applications due to the nailer size variety.
The operating pressure for the nail gun is 60 to 115 PSI, with the nailer consuming 0.028 CFM of air per nail at 88 PSI. The magazine has a total capacity of 106 nails. You can see how many nails are remaining through the window at the side of the magazine. An adjustable wheel can adjust the depth.
Adjustable air exhaust allows users to direct the airflow in any direction. To add more, the hassle-free nose latch lets you clear jam quickly & easily. And finally, WEN 61721 has a 2-year warranty backed by the manufacturer.
One thing we didn’t like was that no carrying case or nails are coming with the nailer. This can be a pain as you need to think of other options to carry the nailer.
Pros
- Aluminum built with a rubber handle
- It weighs only 2.08 lbs
- Magazine capacity of 106 nails.
- Depth adjustment.
- 2-year warranty.
Cons
- No carrying case or nails.
2. DEWALT DWFP12231 Brad Nailer Kit
DEWALT has been around a long time in the power tools industry. It has created a reputation for making the most durable tools out there. Lightweight, durable magnesium construction makes it resistant to wear & tear. Integrated rubber grips make handling the device a delight.
The overall weight of the nailer is around 2 lbs. You won’t have to worry about any hand fatigue at all during long working periods. The nailer is capable of driving 18 gauge nails from ⅝ inch to 2-inch in length.
This unique kit has a compressor that provides a consistent pressure of 70 to 120 PSI. Additionally, it has a 100 nail working capacity which is slightly lower than the WEN 61721. And, interestingly, the tool-free depth adjustment gives you proper settings of the nail head.
An adjustable belt hook allows the tool to be hung neatly. Of course, the removable non-marring nose tip secures the surface from scratches. The nail gun comes with a carrying case. The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty.
Although this is a quality nailer, there have been a few complaints about jamming issues. The rear exhaust is not adjustable, so guide the airflow away from you.
Pros
- Lightweight Magnesium Built.
- Tool-free adjustable Depth.
- No-mar tip.
- Includes carrying case.
- 3-year warranty.
Cons
- Few jamming issues.
- The rear exhaust is not adjustable.
3. Makita AF505N Brad Nailer
If you are thinking of a convenient tool to use, then Makita AF505N has got the perfect addition for you. The body of the device has an Aluminum finish, giving it a solid look. It weighs 3 lbs, more significant than all other nail guns here.
Eighteen gauge brad nails are compatible with the nail gun. The nail size ranges from 5/8″ to 2″ inches inside soft or hardwood. Lovely to see that its magazine capacity is up to 100 nails. This is the same as the Dewalt nail gun. There is a dual nail indicator to alert you from firing blanks.
The working pressure is around 60 to 115 PSI. Non-marring rubber nose & bumper protects the surface you are working on from scratches. Adjustable depth allows you to work on several applications. The nose piece is cast & machined for precise firing.
The quick-release feature allows fast clearing of any jams in the magazine. 360-degree exhaust exists to divert the airflow from the user. Plus, Makita provides a 3-year warranty on the product.
You may face some issues while using this nailer. It’s not the best option when you are considering toe nailing. The depth doesn’t allow the gun to sink 45 degrees nails with enough power.
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum finish.
- Adjustable depth.
- Nor mar nose tip.
- Three years warranty.
Cons
- Not suitable for toenailing.
- It doesn’t work well with 45-degree nails
- Greater weight.
4. Metabo HPT Brad Nailer Kit
When it comes to professional power tools, Metabo offers sustainable solutions from their quality tools. The Metabo HPT Brad Nailer Kit is no different from that. It has an aluminum construction making it durable.
The overall weight of the tool is 2.2 lbs. You can work for long hours with the device without any aches. Depth adjustment allows you to adjust the depth according to the surface quickly. The operating pressure is between 70 to 120 PSI.
The nail length ranges from ⅝ inches to 2 inches for 18-gauge brad nails. Nor mar tip is available for protecting the surface you are working on. There is also an indicator present to let you know about low nail quantities.
The magazine is capable of holding up to 100 nails. The 360-degree exhaust eliminates dust & debris away from the site. Metabo has an extended 5-year warranty backing up thor tool.
There are some issues that you should be aware of. You will need some oil maintenance while working with this tool. You also need to be careful as the side load magazine can catch the end of your nail strip.
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum build.
- Dual trigger safety mechanism.
- Adjustable depth.
- 360-degree air exhaust.
- 5-year warranty.
Cons
- Needs oil maintenance
- I can’t get the pin with the no-mar tip on.
| Attribute | WEN | Dewalt | Makita | Metabo |
| Build | Aluminum | Magnesium | Aluminum | Magnesium |
| Weight (Pounds) | 2.08 | Around 2 | 3 | 2.2 |
| Warranty | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Operating Range | 60-115 | 70-120 | 60-115 | 70-120 |
| Nail length | ⅜ to 2 | ⅝ to 2 | ⅝ to 2 | ⅝ to 2 |
| Magazine | 106 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What nail goes best with the brad nailer?
Brad nailers shoot 18 gauge nails for thin trims & moldings. Eighteen gauge nails are the most delicate in the market, which doesn’t have much holding power. If you have a light trim, then regular-sized nails won’t work. You need a brad nailer to do the job.
What is the difference between a brad nailer & a finish nailer?
Although both of these nailers have a similar type of application, there are some differences. Brad nailers won’t split or crack the wood or sheet. Also, the finish nailer is designed to use either 15 or 16 gauge nails, whereas the brad nailer uses 18 gauge.
When to know whether to use a brad or finish nailer?
This depends on the thickness of the surface you are working on. If it’s hardwood or thick plywood, you are best suited with the finish nailer. But for thin applications, you can use the brad nailer.
Conclusion
There are a lot of options to choose from in the power tools department. It’s normal to get overwhelmed. But you need to keep an eye on the build, depth adjustment & weight of the nail gun. Most importantly, make sure the nail gun is compatible with your working nail length.
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