Asked by: Esohe Fradique
style and fashion nail care

What gauge finish nails for trim?

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Nailers that shoot the biggest trim nails—15 and 16 gauge—are usually called “finish nailers.” Midsize 18-gauge nailers are called “brad nailers.” The smallest nailer, the 23-gauge, is usually called a “pinner” or “micro pinner.” This is the gun I usually grab for nailing large 3/4-in. -thick baseboard and trim.


Hereof, what size nail should I use for trim?

Mouldings can be fastened using brad nails or a power nailer but you should never use nails that are more than 2 inches. Unless you know exactly where your homes electrical wires run you might be in for a shocking experience. 1 ½ inch nails are the perfect size for installing baseboards with a brad power nailer.

Also, what is the difference between a brad nailer and a finish nailer? Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer Comparison. The primary difference between a brad nailer vs finish nailer is that the brad nail gun shoots 18-gauge nails whereas 16-gauge or 15-gauge nails are used in the finish nailer. With a brad nailer, you can attach thin trims and moldings without the need for using putty.

Also asked, can you use 18 gauge nails for baseboards?

Both are commonly used for installing baseboard, chair rail, door and window casing, crown molding, and door frames. One advantage to 15-gauge nails is that they are collated at an angle, which allows the nose of the nailer to reach into tighter spaces. Brad nailers use smaller 18-gauge nails up to 2 inches long.

What is better 16 gauge or 18 gauge nailer?

The common gauge sizes for nailers are 15, 16 & 18. Simply put, the higher the gauge number, the thinner the nail. The number stands for how many nails per inch. For example, an 18 gauge would have 18 pieces per inch which are going to be thinner than 16 gauge nails, which would have 16 nails per inch.

Related Question Answers

Rodaina Heinrich

Professional

What gauge nail gun do you use for trim?

Buying or Renting Nail Guns
If you can afford it, buy both a 15-gauge finish nailer and an 18-gauge brad nailer. The two guns make a winning combination. The 15-gauge nails, ranging in length from about 1-1/4 in. to 2-1/2 in., are strong enough to secure door jambs and other heavy trim materials.

Yannik Zemter

Professional

Can you use 16 gauge nails in a 18 gauge nailer?

Like 15-gauge nailers, most 16-gauge guns shoot nails up to 2-1/2 in. You'll pay about the same for a name-brand 16-gauge nailer as you would for a 15-gauge gun. 18-gauge brad nailer. If you plan to buy only one trim nailer, this is the size to get.

Voichita Vinidiktov

Professional

What's the difference between 16 gauge and 18 gauge nails?

16-gauge nails are fired by finish nailers, whereas 18-gauge nails are shot from a brad nailer. Both of these nail guns serve different purposes, and it all comes down to the holding power of their respective nails. Only get/rent an 18-gauge brad nailer if you're attaching trim molding and other delicate trim pieces.

Borys

Explainer

What is a 18 gauge brad nailer used for?

18-Gauge Brad Nailer Uses
They provide a strong bond between wood objects while reducing the need to apply putty to an unsightly nail hole. Due to the thin size of the nails it drives, brad nail guns are perfect for attaching narrow, thin pieces of wood to larger wood objects.

Ndiasse Nicula

Pundit

What kind of nail gun do I need for trim?

Finishing Nailers
The finishing nailer is your best all-around nailer for indoor trim and similar jobs. This uses shorter, lighter gauge nails, usually 14 to 16 gauge, 1” to 2½” nails. This is used for mouldings around windows and doors, baseboards, chair rails and such, as well as cabinet making.

Remigia Guan

Pundit

What kind of nails do you use for quarter round?

Attaching Quarter Round
Because it's finish trim, install quarter round with finish nails, which have smaller heads than standard nails. A finish nail gun, fitted with 1.5- or 2-inch finish nails, works well. You can also drive finish nails the old-fashioned way -- with a hammer.

Armen Talvik

Teacher

How do you nail baseboard without a nail gun?

Hold the finishing tool in one hand, and line it up with your nail. With your other hand, hammer the end of the finishing tool to drive your nail into the trim- nick free. Using spackling compound or wood putty, smooth over the nails completely. Caulk along the top and bottom of the molding.

Izamar Lobaton

Teacher

What is a 23 gauge pin nailer used for?

Overall, pin nailers are best suited for the most delicate of trim pieces, tiny furniture trim, and super thin veneers where other larger-gauge guns might split the wood. Brad nailers are much more versatile guns, and can be used for most any kind of trim work, including door/window casings and wainscoting.

Grober Alianov

Teacher

Where do you nail baseboards?

Nail Baseboard to Wall
Set the scribed baseboard in place. Next, at each stud location, hammer two 8d finish nails through the board, at a slight downward angle, near its top and bottom edges. To avoid marking the wood, use a nail set to drive the heads just below the wood surface.

Boubeker Terwint

Reviewer

How do you install quarter round without a nail gun?

How To Install Quarter Round Molding Without A Nail Gun
  1. Step 1: Cut molding.
  2. Step 2: Lay molding against wall, flush with the floor.
  3. Step 3: Hammer your finishing nail almost all the way into the wall.
  4. Step 4: Use the nail set to drive the nail the rest of the way in.
  5. Step 5: Finish with sealant.
  6. Step 6: Cover nail heads.

Povilas Williamson

Reviewer

Do you need Quarter round with baseboards?

While quarter-round can be installed along the bottom of baseboard, trim carpenters and homeowners tend to prefer the sleeker look of shoe molding, which is taller and narrower than its curved counterpart.

Sebastiano Pesado

Reviewer

Can you use a brad nailer for trim?

Most of the time staplers and brad nailers can be used on furniture, cabinets and crafts due to the smaller holes and less impact. Finish nailers work great for things like baseboard, crown molding and similar trim. For many it's just a preference, and they might use the guns differently.

Xiaofeng Moshkov

Reviewer

What kind of Nailer should I use for shiplap?

Nail Gun: There are a few options when it comes to how you're attaching the shiplap to your sub-surface. Some installers prefer to use a lightweight flooring nailer, such as the Powernail 50F, which drives 18-gauge cleat nails.

Irmantas Whittingham

Supporter

Can I use a brad nailer for crown molding?

Generally, when you are installing baseboards or crown molding, you are attaching it directly to drywall. This is another great example for using a finish nailer instead of a brad nailer.? Because drywall isn't the most structurally sound material to anchor to, a brad, as opposed to a finish nail, will easily detach.

Jianying Feigl

Supporter

What type of nail gun do you use for crown molding?

15g angled finish nailer
Use for trim work, moldings, baseboards, crown molding. The 15g angled finish nailer shoot a larger nail up to 2 1/2″ or more on some models.

Chelo Ponikarovsky

Supporter

Can I use brad nails for quarter round?

The preferred tool for nailing shoe molding or quarter round is an electric finish or brad nailer. Hold the nailer close to horizontal, but angled slightly downward. Hold the trim tight against the floor and baseboard as you fire the nailer.

Banessa Vonderheide

Beginner

What is a finish nailer good for?

The finishing nailer is the sporty convertible. It is used for the pretty work, like fastening trim molding to doors and windows, assembling kitchen cabinets, or attaching wainscoting. Finishing nails also come in a variety of sizes but they all have a small or barely-there nail head.

Leota Zamarripa

Beginner

What size nails should I use for trim?

The rule of thumb is that the bigger the gauge number, the smaller the nail it uses. Nailers that shoot the biggest trim nails are usually finish nailers and range between 15 and 16 gauges. For finer finishes on base boards, it would be best to use a finish nailer with a bigger gauge which means smaller nails.

Arsenia Granata

Beginner

What size nails should I use for framing?

Nail size is more important than you might think when framing interior walls. Nails that are too long or fat are difficult to drive and can split wood, while short or thin nails just don't do the job. The best nails for framing are 3 1/2 inches long. These are called 16-d, or "16-penny," nails.