In the carpentry world, different people may have different opinions about certain topics or techniques. However, all of us agree on one thing: nail guns are one of the most adaptable tools present. It can be a lifesaver for DIYers who have just started crafting. But how do we know which is the best nail gun for crafts?
To assist you in discovering an answer to that question, we’ve compiled a list of five of our top picks, each with a detailed analysis. Thus, let’s not waste any more of our time and dive right into the reviews, shall we?
Quick Overview
Our Top 5 Picks Of Best Nail Gun For Crafts
NuMax S2-118G2 Pneumatic 2-in-1 18-Gauge 2″ Brad Nailer- If you’re a crafter who gets multiple types of DIY projects, this is the one that is indefinitely the best for you. With its versatility and your skills, nothing can stop you.
Metabo HPT Pin Nailer Kit’s NP50A – This nailer is going to be your best friend if you’re in the trimming sector of the carpentry industry.
Metabo HPT NR83A5S Framing Nailer – This nail gun is highly effective for launching nails at different angles. Therefore, this will help you a lot if your work requires you to drive nails in various angles.
DEWALT 5-in-1 Multi-tacker and Brad Nailer– Installing carpets and sheets of insulation have never been easier with this one. Therefore, you should always have this at your disposal if you perform light-duty DIY projects.
Arrow PT18G 185GA Brad Nailer – This is hands down the best nail gun for you if you’re on a tight budget and you’re involved with minor trimming and interior moldings.
NuMax S2-118G2 Pneumatic 2-in-1 18-Gauge 2″ Brad Nailer
Top Specs
- Weight: 3.08lbs
- Dimensions: 2.6 x 9.65 x 9.85 inches
- Power Source: Air Powered
- Voltage: N/A
Our analysis
First and foremost, the NuMax S2-118G2 is the pinnacle of pneumatic nail gun versatility. Furthermore, the aluminum body of this dual-faced device is robust and less dense, making it quite comfortable to hold. To top it off, the anti-vibration handle means you won’t have to deal with the discomfort that vibration can create. It even has a tool-less depth adjustment control. However, the best thing is that it’s a nail gun for under 50 dollars only!
The S2-118G2 is one of the most dependable nailers we’ve tried, and it’s perfect for applications like chair rail, decorative trim, and even crown molding. Moreover, the tool employs two types of fasteners- 18 gauge brad nails and ¼” crown staples. And speaking about nails, it is highly compatible with nails that range from ⅜”-2″ and staples ranging from ½”-1-⅝”. We weren’t kidding when we said this is the best nail gun for DIY.
It is in NuMax’s nature to craft the most durable products. That’s why you’ll never see their patrons have any complaints about them. However, the S2-118G2 took this to the next level. The sawdust and debris are blown away from your face and working area by the 360° rear exhaust. In addition, it’s also equipped with a non-marring safety contact that prevents unintended firing until the nailer is safely in touch with the surface.
- Versatile
- Non-marring safety contact
- Sequential firing mode
- 360° rear exhaust
- Cheap
- Requires an air compressor
- It might misfire
Metabo HPT Pin Nailer Kit’s NP50A
Top Specs
- Weight: 3.3lbs
- Dimensions: 10.25 x 2.25 x 9.6 inches
- Power Source: Air Powered
- Voltage: N/A
Our analysis
If there’s one thing we’ve seen Metabo HPT do over the years, it’s definitely their consistency in designing professional tools. Especially their collection of pneumatic nailers. Therefore, we were pretty excited when we got our hands on the Metabo HPT Pin Nailer Kit’s NP50A. And believe us when we tell you; the experience was glorious. There’s a reason why we think it’s the best cordless nailer you can get for trim.
When it comes to safety, there’s none other like the NP50A. It has a trigger lock switch that prevents you from firing unintentionally. In addition, the device is also equipped with an automated dry-fire lock, which restricts the gun from ejecting if there are less than six nails in the magazine. Oh, and the magazine itself consists of high-grade aluminum. This makes it very sturdy and eliminates the risk of jams. The NP50A is capable of driving in 23 gauge pin nails up to a depth of ½”-2″.
When working with wood, we frequently run into issues with debris. It flies in our faces or makes it difficult to see at times. Fortunately, the tool’s outstanding 360° rear exhaust solves the issue for us. Moreover, the exhaust has a built-in suppressor for decreasing noise pollution. Lastly, you will be able to precisely set your nail thanks to its sequential mode.
- Durable
- Lightweight
- 360° rear exhaust
- Dry-fire lock
- Sequential firing mode
- May start to jam
- The plate may not detach the pins
Metabo HPT NR83A5S Framing Nailer
Top Specs
- Weight: 8.8 lbs
- Dimensions: 21.2 x 4.25 x 13.2 inches
- Power Source: Air Powered
- Voltage: N/A
Our analysis
If you work in the woodworking industry, you’ve probably seen people using a Metabo HPT power tool. Like we have mentioned before, they are well-known throughout the world for their unrivaled and superior products. That’s one of the reasons why we actually believe the Metabo HPT NR83A5S Framing Nailer is a serious contender for becoming the best nail gun for framing.
After using the nailer ourselves, we believe the NR83A5S is identical to the original fan-favorite NR83A but with an enhanced trigger design. Moreover, if you couldn’t figure it out by now, this one also has a sequential and rapid-fire mode! Just press the trigger, and you’re good to go. In addition, the engineers took the fantastic decision of adding an ergonomic rubber grip for superior control.
Furthermore, we were taken aback after testing out the NR83A5S’s claw tip. This solidified tip prevents wear and clamps the working piece for thrusting nails at various angles. Additionally, in the rare event where a nail jams, the device’s open nose design accounts for the easy extraction. Apart from this, driving in 3-1/14″ nails into red oak is something you could do in your sleep with the NR83A5S.
- Lightweight
- Claw tip
- Open nose design
- Sequential and rapid-fire mode
- Ergonomic handle
- Expensive
- No depth adjustment
DEWALT 5-in-1 Multi-tacker and Brad Nailer
Top Specs
- Weight: 3lbs
- Dimensions: 12 x 12.25 x 4 inches
- Power Source: Corded Electric
- Voltage: N/A
Our analysis
We are all aware of DeWalt’s contribution to the power tool industry. From being one of the oldest manufacturers to still donning the market even now, DeWalt has felt it all. Hence, there’s no doubt that the DEWALT 5-in-1 Multi-tacker and Brad Nailer are going to exceed your expectations of a cheap nail gun. With a price tag of a little less than $25, we can say with certainty that this is the best cheapest nail gun ever.
Equipped with a durable metal body, the DeWalt Multi-tacker can eject 18 gauge brad and headless brad nails. That’s one of the culprits behind its versatility; you can use this tool for various operations, such as setting up carpets and insulation sheets. Although the Multi-tacker isn’t exactly a nailer, it’s definitely great for light-duty tasks. Hence, we can assure you that you’ll get your money’s worth.
If you’re someone who’s on a tight budget and looking for a cheap stapler plus nailer combo, then we suggest getting the DeWalt Multi-tacker. Moreover, it only weighs 3lbs which makes it highly lightweight and comfortable to hold. Furthermore, you can load up the magazine from the bottom of the device, which makes the loading method a user-friendly one. What a splendid job by DeWalt!
- Cheap
- Lightweight
- User-friendly
- Easy to assemble
- Great value for money
- The largest brad nail it supports is ⅝”
- Staples jam quite often
Arrow PT18G 185GA Brad Nailer
Top Specs
- Weight: 3.5lbs
- Dimensions: 10 x 2 x 10 inches
- Power Source: Air-Powered
- Voltage: N/A
Our analysis
First of all, let us start by stating what an incredible piece of tool Arrow Fastener has come up with. And if we are entirely truthful, the Arrow PT18G 185GA Brad Nailer is probably the best nail gun for crown moldings in its price range. Especially if your tasks mainly include small trims or working with interior moldings.
In addition, the PT18G has a low-density aluminum body, which gives it its lightweight nature. Therefore, you’ll be able to handle it easily. At the same time, it will be sturdy enough to be used in heavy-duty tasks and projects. Apart from this, you’ll also be notified if you’re running low on nails, thanks to the tool’s low-nail indicator. Notable, isn’t it?
Subsequently, you can quickly release a nail jam by using the tool-free anti-jam release mechanism. All in all, the PT18G is a great pneumatic nailer, and it will get your job done. However, it doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Thus, this makes it difficult for newbies to operate this device. Other than that, it’s five stars from us!
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Anti-jam release mechanism
- Aluminum body
- Sturdy
- Low-nail indicator
- Not fully applicable for heavy usage
- The trigger mechanism may turn faulty
Buying Guide
Congratulations for making it this far! Since you’re already here, you must think that investing in a nail gun isn’t bad after all! And to make sure that you’re purchasing the ideal model, here are some of the highlighted features that you should look into. Moreover, if you’re spending your money, you should spend it wisely.
Type Of Nail Gun
The first and most significant factor to consider is the type of nailer you want to use. This is due to the nail gun’s architecture, which allows it to perform a certain task. For example, a roofing nailer fires nails with a great deal of force and isn’t very adjustable. In contrast, a framing nailer is categorized as a heavy-duty tool, and you’ll mainly see its application in construction sites.
Then you have the reliable class of nail guns: the finish nailers. Despite not being quite as ferocious as its framing counterparts, its properties make it suitable for providing a smooth finish to wood surfaces. Apart from this, there’s a different type of pneumatic nailer known as brad nailers. They’re also incredibly strong when it comes to woodwork.
Nail Gauge
When using a nail gun, everyone understands the need to utilize a nail gauge. Furthermore, the majority of the nailers’ designs enable them to work with a wide range of nail kinds and sizes. As a result, it is one of the determining factors in the machine’s operation.
The nail gauge measurement chart ranges from 2d to 60d, with 2d being the smallest and 60d being the largest. The ‘D’ stands for penny measure, which experts might use to categorize nails. Furthermore, a 2d nail is 1″ long, and a 16d nail is around 3.5 inches long. Therefore, nails of various lengths may not be compatible with the design of certain models.
Power Source
Although this is one of the minor aspects of a nail gun, it has a major significance in buying one. A nail gun can either be wired or cordless, but that depends on the nature of your work. However, if you’re looking for a nailer of the latter kind, there are mainly two battery-powered or pneumatic options.
A nail gun running on a battery is much more effective but costlier than a pneumatic one. However, they can easily launch a record number of 400-1600 nails with a single charge. On the other hand, a pneumatic nailer requires the use of an air compressor which limits their mobility. But they will shoot nails as long as they are connected and loaded with magazines.
A Word From Us
Uh-oh. We’ve finally come to the end of our journey. We hope that you had a great time scrolling through the wonderful world of nail guns and grasping the knowledge for getting your very own nail gun for crafting. However, if you’re conflicted, we would suggest going for the NuMax S2-118G2. Its ability to use 18 gauge brad nails and ¼” crown staples are off the charts!
Nevertheless, we would like to thank you for taking your time reading our post to know which is the best nail gun for crafts. We wish you the best of luck and happy crafting!
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