It can be tough for people, particularly beginners, to choose the type of nail gun to use for each type of project.
Nail guns are fantastic equipment for completing a high-quality project in a short amount of time. Generally, you’ll want to choose between framing and finish nailers when selecting a nail gun. How do you choose between the two, and what factors determine which one is ideal for a certain task? In a nutshell, you would use a framing nail for bigger tasks and a finishing nail for fine precision work.
But there’s more to it than that. Continue reading to learn how framing nailers and finishing nailers differ.
What Is A Finish Nailer?
In general, a finishing nailer serves to “finish” tasks. A finishing nailer mechanically injects the nail underneath the board’s external layer using a headless nail. This allows you to cover the nail hole with a little dab of wood filler, finishing the job.
A typical finishing nailer will employ 14 to 16-gauge nails ranging from 1 to 3.5 inches. Finish nails are meant to be headless so that they may be countersunk beneath the board’s exterior.
Finishing nailers are intended to countersink nails instantly. The depth of penetration may be adjusted by modifying the PSI setting. This lets the operator determine the ideal nail holding depth while also decreasing the quantity of filler required to hide the nail hole.
Finishing nailers are often smaller and lighter in weight than frame nailers since they serve a more precise task.
A finishing nailer has the advantage of not leaving markings on the exterior of your project. Most builders want their final job to seem like no nails were used, so this is essential. Its light-duty nature is a drawback because it cannot tackle larger projects.
Pros
- Perfect for detail work and finishing touches
- Doesn’t overpower the subtler details
- Compatible for any small nail
Cons
- Insufficient power for more heavy-duty projects
What Is A Finish Nailer Used For?
Finishing nailers are ideal for fine-detail tasks you don’t want to ruin. As the name implies, you will use these nailers to finish projects requiring finer details.
Finishing nail guns are ideal for the following applications:
- Small DIY projects
- Small furniture
- Baseboards
- Chair rails
- Crown molding
- Exterior trim
- Paneling
- Staircases
- Window and door trim
Finishing nailers only utilize one head type since they employ small nails for detail work. This is because the head is preferably so tiny that the shape is irrelevant. The smaller the head, the less touchup the project needs.
As a result, there are no different types of finishing nailers. All finishing nailers have similar parameters regarding the type of nail that can be used in the nailer. Though the length of the nails may vary, the type of nail should not differ among most finishing nailers.
What Is A Framing Nailer?
Framing nailers are among the most powerful nailers. They are ideal for major construction and building projects. They are known as “framing” nailers because they work on tasks requiring 2×4 frames and other heavy materials. Most nailers can handle nails ranging in length from 114 to 312 inches, which are ideal for nailing down the 2x4s needed for massive projects.
Framing nailers function with nails of various diameters and lengths, but they are only suited for three nail head varieties: round head, clipped head, and offset head. Because of this, there are three framing nailers, which vary depending on the nail head.
Round head nails are just what you picture when you think of a nail. It’s a perfect circle that rests neatly on the nail body. These nails have a strong gripping force and are compliant with construction codes.
Clipped head nails resemble round head nails but have a little piece of the head removed, giving them a more semicircular appearance. These nail varieties reduce the likelihood of reloading since they allow the fitting of more nails per strip. Paper collation also increases safety and improves job quality.
Offset head nails are also perfect circles, but with the head offset from the nail body, thus the name. They can be aggregated closer together to save space if necessary.
Read Also: 21 vs 30-Degree Framing Nailer
Pros
- Powerful
- Powerful enough to hold together larger lumber pieces
- Has in 3 nail head varieties
Cons
- Too powerful for finer detailed work
What Is A Framing Nailer Used For?
Again, framing nailers are ideal for large, heavy-duty building projects. Here is a comprehensive list of frame nailer applications:
● Construction
● Fencing
● Heavy-duty carpentry
● Homebuilding
● Plaster works
● Roof sheathing
The framing nailer you require is determined by the nail head you choose. Many professionals prefer framing nailers with rounder heads. Roundhead frame nailers are more secure and reliable since these nailers ensure that all constructions meet regulatory parameters.
A lot of professionals also like offset head nailers. However, before using these nails, ensure offset nails are permissible in your locality by checking your city ordinances. Offset nails look identical to round, full-head nails but tend to be more efficient.
Hobbyists and homeowners almost mainly use clipped head nailers. Most standards do not permit clipped nails. As a result, they are primarily used for personal projects. They speed up personal jobs by reducing the need for extra nails.
Also Read: Nails vs Screws for Framing
The Difference Between Finish Nailer And Framing Nailer
While both a framing nailer and a finishing nailer serve to drive nails into wood, there are important distinctions between the two.
Holding Power
A framing nailer is perfect for building jobs where strength and durability are crucial since it is made for heavy-duty work and has exceptional holding power. However, larger nails mean that they will crack smaller pieces of wood. On the other hand, finish nailers have the strength to secure moldings and trim pieces in place but are weak enough not to connect construction materials like 2x4s.
Impact
Because framing nailers must push nails into heavy wood, they have a greater impact than finishing nailers. This impact level is fantastic if you precisely set the nail where you need it to land, but the power means you’ll have to make patch jobs if you screw up.
The finishing nailer, on the other hand, has a smaller impact. This is excellent for detail work. It implies fewer goofs, and the nails will not fracture through the material.
However, the reduced impact makes it less ideal for harder materials or heavy projects.
Accuracy
Since framing nailers are intended for quick, heavy-duty work, they are less precise than finish nailers. Finish nailers are made with precision in mind to assure that moldings are put in a straight line.
Nail Sizes
Compared to finish nailers, framing nailers use substantially bigger nails. Finish nailers utilize either 15-gauge or 16-gauge nails, which have a diameter ranging from 0.0625 to 0.0800 inches, while frame nailers use 8-gauge to 12-gauge nails that range from 0.113 to 0.162 inches. Finishing nails range from 1 inch to 2-12 inches, while framing nails are between 1-14 and 3 inches long.
Applications
Framing nailers serve to erect houses, room extensions, garages, and patios. In contrast, finish nailers are utilized to add finishing touches, such as attaching wood trims and moldings to a completed structure.
Cost
In most cases, the price of frame nailers and finishing nailers is roughly comparable. The cost will depend on the particular model you choose; nevertheless, there won’t be a significant gap in cost between the two different types of nailers. One of the reasons for this is that both nailers are equally vital, but for different reasons.
In a nutshell:
| Framing Nailer | Finishing Nailer | |
| Nail Gauge | 1½ to 8-gauge | 14 to 16-gauge |
| Average Nail Length | 1¼”-3½” | 1”-2½” |
| Possible applications | ConstructionFencingHeavy-duty carpentryHomebuildingPlaster worksRoof sheathing | BaseboardsCrown moldingsInstalling decorative trimsPanelingSmall DIY projectsSmall furniture |
What Is Better: Finish Nailer Or Framing Nailer?
Given that each variety of nail guns serves a rather different purpose, choosing the right one should be simple once you have a clear idea of the tasks you intend to complete. Ideally, you would acquire each of them and put it to use in the circumstance where it would perform the finest.
Of course, not everyone can afford two different types of nailers. A nail gun is a costly investment. A decent tool will cost a bit more, although you can get some cheap ones.
To put it simply, the finish nailer is the more flexible of the two devices. This is mostly because the holding power and wood splitting risk of the nails it discharges are both satisfactory for most workpieces.
As a result, a finish nailer is preferable to a framing nailer for do-it-yourselfers and casual woodworkers since it is better suited to the latter’s more generalized tasks. The finish nailer’s increased accuracy and reliability make it a top choice for use around the house.
However, the framing nailer is the superior tool for experienced builders and woodworkers who perform several construction works. The professional framing nailer’s sturdy construction is a plus since it can withstand the rough treatment it receives on the job.