Best Finish Nailer In 2023/2024

The best finish nailer or nail gun for you, will depend on what you need to do with the tool.

For example, there’s 15 gauge & 16 gauge finish nailers for molding, trim, baseboards & more

Compared to a brad nailer or pin nailer, a good finish nailer will give you a stronger and longer fixing – generally speaking.

The downside to a finish nailer is they leave bigger holes (because the nails are thicker), the nail heads are more visible, and they can split light/thin material, or fine wood easier.

To save you time & money, we’ve put together for you a list of the best finish nailer reviews which you can check out below if you’re running short on time.

Otherwise, you can browse over the full guide which should only take you a few minutes.

 

(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)

 

Top Rated Finish Nailer & Nail Gun List

Best Cordless Finish Nailer

DCN660D1 20V Cordless 16 Gauge Finish Nailer Kit on Amazon

 

Best Value For Money 15 Gauge Finish Nailer

Hitachi NT65MA4 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer (on Amazon)

 

Best Value For Money 16 Gauge Finish Nailer

Hitachi NT65M2S 16-Gauge Finish Nailer (on Amazon)

 

Best Nail Gun For Thick or Heavy Trim

Hitachi NT65MA4 1-1/4 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer with Air Duster  (on Amazon)

 

Best Air Compressor For Finish Nailer

PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor Kit (on Amazon)

 

Best Finish Nailer & Nail Gun: Reviews

Best Cordless Finish Nailer

Best 15 Gauge Finish Nailer

Best 16 Gauge Finish Nailer

Best 18 Gauge Finish Nailer

Best Finish Nailer For Crown Molding

Best Finish Nailer For Trim

 

Best Finish Nailer & Nail Gun: Buyer’s Guide

Other Names For Finish Nailer

Finish Nail Gun

Brad Nailer

Pin Nailer

Pneumatic Nailer

Air Nailer

 

What Is A Finish Nailer/Nail Gun?

A finish nailer is a gun type tool that is usually pneumatically (air) powered (but, can be battery powered too).

This tool shoots finish nails of usually 15 gauge, 15.5 gauge or 16 gauge.

These nails are thicker and usually longer than the 18 and 23 gauge brad nails and pin nails.

Being that the tool is usually air powered, they run off compressors of usually 3 to 6 gallons via an air inlet nozzle and hose.

 

What Is A Finish Nailer/Nail Gun Used For?

A finish gun is used for finishing type activities such as fixing baseboards, crown moldings, different types of door and window casings, exterior trim, staircases, furniture and more.

This is in comparison to say a flooring nailer used for fixing floors, or a framing nailer used for fixing frames.

A finish nailer would not be used for thin, fine or delicate moldings or wood – as the nails can split the material.

Also, consider using a pin nailer or brad nailer if you want smaller holes, or smaller heads on the nails (pin nails are usually headless).

With a finish nailer, you would have to use wood putty for example to cover holes if nailing into wood.

 

What Does A Finish Nailer Do?

A finish nailer is pretty simple – it shoots nails into medium to thick finishing type materials to fix them into other materials.

 

Types of Finish Nailers/Nail Guns

Finish nailers come in different types depending on the different gauge nails they shoot:

15/15.5 gauge finish nailer – the thickest and biggest finish nails. Usually somewhere between 1 inch to 2-1/2 inches long. Medium heads.

16 gauge finish nailer – slightly smaller than the 15 gauge finish nails. Usually between 1-inch to 2-1/2-inches long. Medium heads.

 

These nail guns can then also have other things that define them like:

Pneumatic (air) or battery powered (cordless)

Straight or angled magazine (angled are good for getting into tight spots, and usually shoot bigger nails)

Being a 2, 3 or 4 in 1 tool, or just a standard tool that does one thing

 

Finish Nailer/Nail Gun Bits & Accessories

Straight Finish Nails, or or Angle Finish Nails (for angle magazines)

Air Compressor (for pneumatic nailers)

Air Hose (for pneumatic nailers)

Re-chargeable battery (for battery nailers)

Oil or lubricant

 

How To Choose A Finish Nailer/Nail Gun

Firstly, look the work you want to do – is it thin and light, medium duty, or heavier type finish work?

Choose a finish nailer for heavier finishing work where you want a stronger fixing, you don’t mind bigger holes, and where the material thicker and not delicate.

Then secondly, decide on the following things about your nailer based on the work:

1. Decide if you want a cordless/battery operated, or pneumatic finish nailer?

2. Decide what gauge of finish nailer you want – 15 gauge, 15.5 gauge, or 16 gauge?

3. Decide specifically what length and type of nails you want to use – check the nailer fits them

4. Decide if you want a straight or angled nail magazine – the angled nailers often take different types of nails

5. Decide if you want a tool that offers 2 in 1, or 3 or 4 in 1 capabilities

6. If you have an existing air compressor and you get a pneumatic nailer, make sure the CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) the nailer uses isn’t too great for the air capacity of your compressor.

 

Features To Look For In A Finish Nailer

How it’s powered

Gauge of nails it shoots

Length and type of nails it shoots

Straight or angled nailer

If it’s multiple tools in 1

Recommended CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) & PSI (air pressure) of the nailer by the manufacturer is a pneumatic nailer

Whether it comes with an air hose

Whether it comes with a battery

How many nails it holds

Settings for shooting the nails e.g. sequential or contact nailing, depth of nail drive

Adjustable exhaust

Look at what the nailer is actually designed for, along with the nails you buy

 

How To Use A Finish Nailer

  1. Load the nail magazine
  2. Lubricate/oil the hose and gun if air finish nailer
  3. Attach the air hose (or attach the battery)
  4. Set the air pressure on the compressor
  5. Adjust the settings of the gun – type of nail shooting, depth of nail shooting etc.
  6. Mark or set out where you will be fixing
  7. Turn the gun on, or turn the compressor on
  8. Use the finish nailer

 

Best 15 Gauge Finish Nailer

Finish nailers shoot 15 or 16 gauge nails.

In this quick read guide – we discuss the best 15 gauge finish nailers which are the slightly thicker of the two nail gauges.

15 gauge nails are the strongest fixing you can get for finishing type activities like nailing baseboards and molding, but they also leave the biggest holes to fill.

The best 15 gauge finish nail gun reviews, and top rated list below should save you time and money in searching for a 15 gauge nailer.

 

Best 15 Gauge Finish Nailer: Reviews

 

Hitachi NT65MA4 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer

What’s Good About This 15 Gauge Finish Nailer?

Affordable compared to other 15 gauge finish nailers on the market

Designed for installing crown and base moldings, window and door casings, chair rails, cabinets, exterior trim and staircases.

Shoots 15-Gauge nails ranging in length from 1-1/4″ up to 2-1/2″

Integrated air duster for clearing dust/debris

Angle magazine – better sometimes for getting into tight or awkward work spaces

Tool free nail clearing in the situation of a jam

Nail settings available for sequential or contact nailing

Nail settings available for depth of nail drive

360 degree adjustable air exhaust (can direct air away from you)

Lightweight – only 4.2 lbs

No marking tip

100 Nail capacity magazine

Tool comes with safety glasses, 1/4″ NPT Male Plug and carrying case

 

What Are Some Potential Improvements For This Nailer?

No belt clip for hooking to your belt for extended use

Doesn’t come with oil or lubricant – you’ll have to get your own (although oil is fairly cheap)

 

What Else Might I Need With This Nailer?

15 Gauge Nails 2 inch length – Senco A302000 15-Gauge by 2-Inch Bright Basic Finish Nail (on Amazon)

15 Gauge Nails 2.5 inch length – Senco A302509 15 Gauge by 2-1/2-Inch Electro Galvanized Finish Nail (on Amazon)

A Pancake Air Compressor –PORTER CABLE 6 Gallon Pancake Compressor Kit (on Amazon)

 

Where Can I Check Out This 15 Gauge Finish Nailer?

View the Hitachi NT65MA4 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer (On Amazon)

 

Best 15 Gauge Finish Nailer: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

What Is A 15 Gauge Finish Nailer?

A 15 gauge finish nailer is a nail gun that shoots nails which are 15 gauge.

’15 gauge’ is a way to describe the size/thickness and length of the nails the gun shoots.

A finish nailer fits into the range of nail guns that are used for finishing type activities, along with brad nailers (18 gauge) and pin nailers (23 gauge).

On a scale, the nails could be described as the following:

15 Gauge Finish Nails – thickest and strongest fixing

16 Gauge Finish Nails

18 Gauge Brad Nails

23 Gauge Pin Nails – thinnest and weakest fixing

 

So, the lower the number, the thicker the nail and stronger the fixing.

 

What Is A 15 Gauge Finish Nailer Used For?

15 Gauge finish nailers are used for the thickest/heaviest finishing tasks where you need a strong fixing.

Example of this are thick baseboards, crown moldings, window and door trim, stairs, and picture rails – among other finishing materials.

You can even use 15 gauge finish nails for exterior molding and trim.

They would not be suitable where you want small nail holes, where you don’t want to putty up the holes, or where you are fixing small or fragile materials which could split when shot with a 15 gauge finish nail.

 

15 Gauge Finish Nailer Bits & Accessories

15 Gauge Finish Nails – you get them in differing lengths

Air Compressor – a pancake compressor is usually OK

Air hose with connection to attach to the gun

 

How To Choose A 15 Gauge Finish Nailer

Refer to the finish nailer guide.

 

Features To Look For In A 15 Gauge Finish Nailer

Refer to the finish nailer guide.

 

Best 15 Gauge Finish Nailer: Resources

1. http://www.hitachipowertools.com/

 

Best 16 Gauge Finish Nailer

This quick read guide is about the best 16 gauge finish nailer.

We’ve already written about 15 gauge finish nail guns, and 16 gauge finish nail guns shoot the slightly thinner nails of the two.

Because it is a finish nail, you still get a strong fixing, but just slight less support than a thicker 15 gauge nail.

Finish nails while stronger than brad and pin nails, will leave bigger nail holes and can split thin or delicate materials like molding – so cater that in.

Let’s have a look …

 

Best 16 Gauge Finish Nailer: Reviews

 

Hitachi NT65M2S 16-Gauge Finish Nailer

What Is Good About This 16 Gauge Finish Nailer?

Affordable – a main reason we chose this finish nailer is because of the price compared to what you get with it – it’s a value for money deal for most people

Designed for installing molding, chair rail, cabinetry and other fine finish type applications.

Fires 16 gauge finish nailers from 1″ up to 2-1/2″ in length

There is a switch which allows you to change between nail bump fire or nail sequential fire modes

Air duster that clears dust and debris away from the surface you’re working on

Can clear nail jams tool-free

Depth of nail drive dial – easy to change depth you are driving the nail

Light – only 3.7 lbs

No marking tip

Along with the tool, includes tool fitting, safety glasses, no-mar tip, hex bar wrench and case.

 

What Are Some Potential Improvements?

There is no belt clip if you want to attach the gun to your waist while you aren’t using it

Straight nail magazine – some people prefer angle nail magazines for getting into tighter spots

When set to it’s deepest nail setting, the nail doesn’t always set all the way in – it sits flush or sits above flush level. Not great for countersinking

This nail gun seems to need a solid and flat contact with material to set the nails properly. If you have it at a slightly off angle, you can have issues getting the nails to set properly. Kind of defeats the purpose of the angled magazine in some instances

 

What Else Might You Need With This Finish Nailer?

2 Inches Long 16 Gauge Finish Nails – DEWALT DCS16200 2-Inch by 16 Gauge Finish Nail (Box of 2500) (on Amazon)

2.5 Inches Long 16 Gauge Finish Nails – DEWALT DCS16250 2-1/2-Inch by 16 Gauge Finish Nail, Box of 2500 (on Amazon)

A Pancake Air Compressor –PORTER CABLE 6 Gallon Pancake Compressor Kit (on Amazon)

 

Where To Check Out This Finish Nailer?

View the Hitachi NT65M2S 16-Gauge Finish Nailer on Amazon

 

Best 16 Gauge Finish Nailer: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

What Is A 16 Gauge Finish Nailer?

A 16 gauge finish nailer is a nail gun that shoots nails which are 16 gauge.

’16 gauge’ is a way to describe the size/thickness and length of the nails the gun shoots.

A finish nailer fits into the range of nail guns that are used for finishing type activities, along with brad nailers (18 gauge) and pin nailers (23 gauge).

On a scale, the nails could be described as the following:

15 Gauge Finish Nails – thickest and strongest fixing…usually around 0.0720 inches, or 1.829mm thick

16 Gauge Finish Nails – usually around 0.067 inches , or 1.70 mm thick

18 Gauge Brad Nails

23 Gauge Pin Nails – thinnest and weakest fixing

 

So, the lower the number, the thicker the nail and stronger the fixing.

 

What Is A 16 Gauge Finish Nailer Used For?

16 Gauge finish nailers are a slightly thinner nail than a 15 gauge finish nail.

They also might be headless and straight nails (look more like a brad nail), compared to a 15 gauge nail which is quite round with a nail head,a nd is usually an angled nail – a different profile to the rest of the nails.

So, use a 16 gauge finish nailer on baseboards, crown moldings, window and door trim, stairs, and picture rails – where you want a strong fixing, but a smaller nail than the 15 gauge.

You can even use 16 gauge finish nails for exterior molding and trim.

They would not be suitable where you want small nail holes the size of pin nails, or where you are fixing small or fragile materials which could split when shot with a 16 gauge finish nail.

 

16 Gauge Finish Nailer Bits & Accessories

16 Gauge Finish Nails – you get them in differing lengths

Air Compressor – a pancake compressor is usually OK

Air hose with connection to attach to the gun

 

How To Choose A 16 Gauge Finish Nailer

Refer to the finish nailer guide.

 

Features To Look For In A 16 Gauge Finish Nailer

Refer to the finish nailer guide.

 

Best 16 Gauge Finish Nailer: Resources

1. http://hitachipowertools.com/

 

Best 18 Gauge Finish Nailer

If you’re looking for an 18 Gauge Finish Nailer …

 

1. If you are looking for a finish nailer, read above about the 15 gauge & 16 gauge finish nailers

2. If you are looking for an 18 gauge nail gun, read our guide on the 18 gauge brad nail guns

 

Traditionally – manufacturers of finish nailers make 15 and 16 gauge nails guns.

While brad nail gun manufacturers make 18 gauge tools.

 

Best Cordless Finish Nailers

Cordless finish nailers are different to most standard finish nailers, as they are battery operated as opposed to pneumatic.

The best cordless finish nailer on the market at the moment in our opinion belongs to DeWalt, but Paslode also produce a good cordless finish nail gun.

For those who don’t know what a finish nailer is – it is a nail gun that is in the same group as a brad nailer and pin nailer.

They all belong to a group of nail guns that are used for finishing activities like installing baseboards, trim, shoe & crown molding, & more.

Finish nailer in particular usually shoot 15 or 16 gauge nails – the thickest of the group.

Let’s have a look at the best cordless finish nail gun on the market at the moment …

 

Best Cordless Finish Nailer: Reviews

 

DCN660D1 20V Cordless 16 Gauge Finish Nailer Kit

What’s Good About This Finish Nailer?

Cordless and portable – don’t need to spend money on an air compressor or have to worry about an air hose

Shoots 16GA 20 degree finish nails 1-1/4″ to 2-1/2″ lengths

Shoots 800 nails per charge

Good for strong fixings for finishing tasks – designed for baseboard, crown molding, casing and decorative trim installation

Has a 20V MAX* 2.0Ah Battery

20 degree magazine angle – good for getting the gun into awkward wall and ceiling angles

Has the ability to set nails in 3/4 inch hardwood

Lights which light up the workspace, and provide tool feedback

Tool free stall release lever – in the event of tool stalling

Tool free nail jam release

Tool free nail depth setting – good for countersinking nails

No mar tip – so you don’t mark your crown molding

Belt hook – good when you are up in the air or moving around to hold the tool on your belt

Two nail actuation modes – 1. sequential (for precision) and 2. speed/production mode

Compatible with all DeWalt 20 volt batteries

110 nail capacity

Kit includes tool, charger, battery, and plastic carry case

 

NOTE: this is the updated version of the older 18V Battery Cordless DeWalt

 

What Are Some Potential Improvements?

Not for the largest baseboards and crown moldings > use a 15 gauge finish nailer for that or air nailer

5.2 lbs weight – not light, but not super heavy

Not a cheap tool

 

What Else Might I Need With This Finish Nailer?

1.5 Inch 20 Degree 16 Gauge Nails – DEWALT DCA16150 1-1/2-Inch by 16 Gauge 20-Degree Finish Nail (on Amazon)

2.5 Inch 20 Degree 16 Gauge Nails – DEWALT DCA16250 2-1/2-Inch by 16 Gauge 20-Degree Finish Nail (on Amazon)

 

Where To Check Out This Finish Nailer?

View the DCN660D1 20V Cordless 16 Gauge Finish Nailer Kit on Amazon

 

Best Cordless Finish Nailer: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

What Is A Cordless Finish Nail Gun?

A cordless finish nail gun is a nail gun that does not run on the standard air hose and compressor system.

Battery powered finish nail guns are the most common cordless finish nail guns.

 

Cordless Finish Nail Gun vs. Air Finish Nail Gun – What’s The Difference?

Cordless finish nail guns are powered by batteries.

Air finish nail guns are powered by an air hose and air compressor.

Some people would suggest that air nail guns have slightly more power than a battery powered finish nailer. This is particularly noteworthy for those looking to install thicker and heavier materials.

 

What Is A Cordless Finish Nail Gun Used For?

You would use a cordless finish nailer for some of the following reasons:

If you don’t want to purchase an air compressor

If you don’t want to be restricted by a compressor or air hose

If you are OK with potentially compromising some power for the portability of a battery

 

Features To Look For In A Cordless Finish Nail Gun?

Refer to this finish nailer guide for the general features to look for in a finish nail gun.

However, some specific features to look out for and questions to ask in a cordless finish nail gun are:

Voltage of the battery

Can other brand and tool batteries be used with the tool if the same voltage?

How long does it take for the battery to charge?

How many nail shots can you get with each charge of the battery?

Does the kit come with a battery and charger?

What is the power of the tool like compared to an air nail gun?

 

Best Cordless Finish Nailer: Resources

1. http://www.dewalt.com/

 

Best Finish Nailer For Trim

The best finish nailer for trim will be a 15 or 16 gauge finish nail gun.

15 gauge finish nails will give you a slightly stronger fixing, but are also slightly thicker nails that leave bigger nail holes.

Thicker nails also means a greater chance of trim splitting if it’s thin across its width or depth, or if it’s a fine surface.

So, consider the size and profile of the nails, but also how heavy and thick the trim is when selecting a finish nailer (and what strength of fixing you need).

If the trim you’re installing is quite thin or delicate, consider either a brad nailer, or the thinner pin nailer for the job.

Let’s have a look at the best finish nailer for trim …

 

Best Finish Nailer For Trim: Reviews

 

Hitachi NT65MA4 1-1/4 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer with Air Duster

We’ve reviewed this finish nailer previously in our guide on the best nail guns for trim.

That guide is well worth a read if you’re considering buying a brad nailer or pin nailer for thinner trim.

Back to the Hitachi, this finish nailer is a 15 gauge finish nailer, and some of the things that make it the best finish nailer for trim are:

It’s designed for installing internal trim like crown and base moldings, window and door casings, chair rails, cabinetry trim, exterior trim and staircases

It’s affordable – if you use it for one medium sized job, you will already get your value back for it compared to renting a nail gun

34 degree Angle nail magazine – allows you to get into tight spaces and awkward angles around trim where a straight magazine might get in the way

Can shoot in two nail modes – sequential or contact nailing for either precision or fast paced nailing

Can adjust the nail depth for different thickness trims and finish nails

It also comes in both a 15 and 16 gauge model – check out the 16 gauge version below

 

Check out the review of the 15 gauge Hitachi here.

You can also read the review of the 16 gauge version of the Hitachi finish nailer.

 

Best Finish Nailer For Trim: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

What Is Trim?

Trim can be a number of materials including most commonly drywall, timber, aluminium or MDF.

Trim is a decorative or finish piece used to conceal edges and joints.

Common places where trims are installed are:

Floor and wall joints

Wall and ceiling joints

Windows

Doors

 

Other names for trim are baseboards, crown molding, beading, and chair and picture rails.

 

What Is A Finish Nailer?

There are 3 types of nail guns used for finishing type activities like installing trim:

Finish Nailer

Brad Nailer

Pin Nailer

 

Finish nailers come in 15 and 16 gauge models, and shoot finish nails, which are thicker than brad nails and pin nails.

 

What Is a Finish Nailer Used For When Fixing Trim?

Finish nailers are used for providing the strongest and thickest level of fixing for trim by using 15 or 16 gauge finish nails which are shot into the trim.

These finish nails can be angled or straight, depending on the type of magazine on the gun.

 

How To Choose A Finish Nailer For Trim

Look at the trim, and work out the nail gun you need from there:

  • Thin & Light Trim

A pin nailer or brad nailer is best so you don’t split the trim.

 

  • Medium Thickness & Medium Weight Trim

A brad nailer or 16 gauge finish nailer is best, for good support, but also thinner nails than the 15 gauge finish nails.

 

  • Thick & Heavy Trim

A 15 gauge finish nailer is best for the strongest fixing

 

  • Fine Surface Trim

A pin nailer is best so you don’t split the surface of the trim.

 

Trim Finish Nailer Bits & Accessories

Finish nails – either 15 or 16 gauge. They will also be straight or angle nails depending on the whether the magazine is straight or angled

Air compressor – a pancake compressor usually does the job, and make sure either the gun or compressor comes with an air hose

Oil/lubricant

 

Features To Look For In A Finish Nailer For Trim

Refer to our guide on finish nailers for general features to look for in a finish nailer.

 

Best Finish Nailer For Trim: Resources

1. http://hitachipowertools.com/

 

Best Finish Nailer For Crown Molding

When it comes to crown molding, in most instances, a finish nailer is the best nail gun for the job.

Funnily enough, we’ve already reviewed the best finish nailer for crown molding.

In our guide on finish nail guns for crown molding, we review the Hitachi NT65MA4 (on Amazon) – which comes as a 15 or 16 gauge finish nailer.

Below is a mini guide that includes:

  • A quick summary of the Hitachi NT65MA4
  • A mini buyer’s guide of why it’s best to use a finish nailer for crown molding

 

Best Finish Nailer For Crown Molding – Hitachi NT65MA4 Review

Some of the main pros and cons of this tool for use on crown molding include:

Pros:

Affordable compared to other finish nailers on the market

Designed specifically for installing crown molding (among other tasks)

Can be purchased in either 15 gauge, or 16 gauge version – both are strong fixings for crown molding

Angled magazine – can be better for getting into awkward angles when installing the crown molding

 

Cons:

No belt clip for hooking to your belt for extended use

Doesn’t come with oil or lubricant – you’ll have to get your own (although oil is fairly cheap)

 

Summary:

In our opinion, this gun would better suit a DIY type user, compared to a professional.

Although there is no perfect nail gun, the lack of a tool clip/hook would get annoying for someone who has to use the gun regularly.

Apart from that – this is a great value for money finish nailer for crown molding, with a few common drawbacks that you get with most finish nailers.

Don’t forget to get nails and an air compressor with oil/lubricant to use your air finish nailer.

 

Best Finish Nailer For Crown Molding – Mini Buyer’s Guide

What Types of Nailers Are There For Fixing Molding?

There are three types of nailers/nail guns that are used for finishing activities like fixing molding:

Finish Nailers – shoot 15 & 16 gauge nails (largest)

Brad Nailers – shoot 18 gauge nails (middle range)

Pin Nailers – shoot 23 gauge nails (smallest)

 

Why Are Finish Nailers Generally The Best Nailer For Crown Molding?

Finish nailers are the best nailers for crown molding for a few reasons:

15 and 16 gauge nails are the thickest and biggest nails of the above nailers and will provide the strongest fixing

Crown molding has to hang on a wall/ceiling against gravity, and needs to stay tight/not come loose over a number of years

Crown molding is usually thick enough to take a finish nail without splitting

Brad nails can be OK, but will not hold crown molding up for as long as a finish nail will

Pin nails are only for fixing light and delicate materials

 

Note with finish nails – they leave larger holes and generally have larger nail heads – so you’ll usually have to fill the hole with putty or filler.

If you are installing a thinner or more delicate molding, consider a brad nailer or pin nailer.

 

Best Finish Nailer For Crown Molding – Resources

1. http://www.hitachipowertools.com/

 

Best Air Compressor For A Finish Nailer

The best air compressor for a finish nailer is usually a pancake compressor.

Pancake compressors are small air compressors that are usually portable, and around 3-6 gallons in size.

As far as nail guns used for trim & molding type activities go – like finish, brad and pin nailers, they don’t use a significant volume of air per nail shot – hence, the smaller sized compressor.

The good thing about buying a pancake air compressor is they are small and portable enough to be used for other useful activities like filling your car tires.

Let’s have a look at the best air compressor for 15 & 16 gauge finish nailers …

 

Best Air Compressor For Finish Nailer: Reviews

PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit

What Makes This Air Compressor Good For A Finish Nailer?

Affordable, and can be used for other tasks like pumping your car tires

CFM specifications are 2.6 SCFM @ 90 psi – will be enough for most finish nailers

150 psi max capacity

6 gallon total air tank capacity

Has water drain valve and rubber feet

120V motor starts easily in cold weather

Has an oil-free pump

Has a shroud, handle and console for protecting components, carrying and to wrap cords

Has two regulated, factory installed air couplers for two connections at a time

Weighs only 30 lbs – easy to transport

0.8 horspower/10 Amps

1 year limited warranty

Comes with a 13 piece accessory kit including 25 foot long x 1/4″ diameter PVC air hose with coupler and plug assembled, tire chuck with plug, blow gun with plug, tire gauge, blow gun with OSHA saftety nozzle, rubber tip and three inflator adaptors.

 

What Are Some Potential Improvements?

Some people might find this compressor noisy for it’s size as it’s 82 decibels – make sure you have a pair of earplugs or ear muffs if you plan on using it for an extended period

 

What Else Might You Need With This Compressor?

Need to buy a finish nailer separately – check out this finish nailer guide if you don’t have one yet.

 

Where To Check Out This Pancake Compressor?

View the PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor Kit on Amazon

 

Best Air Compressor For Finish Nailer: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

What Is A Finish Nailer?

A finish nailer is most commonly a nail gun that shoots 15 or 16 gauge (gauge refers to nail thickness – the lower, the thicker the nail) finish nails.

Finish nailers, like brad and pin nailers, are used for finishing type activities like fixing trim, molding, baseboards and woodwork like cabinetry tasks.

 

What Is An Air Compressor?

An air compressor is a tank used to power air tools, like air nail guns.

 

What Type Of Air Compressor Is Used For A Finish Nailer, And Why?

A smaller air compressor like a pancake compressor is usually fine for a finish nailer.

The reason for this is that driving a nail does not use a lot of air.

To look at it a bit deeper, let’s use a common finish nailer as an example – the Hitachi NT65MA4 15 gauge finish nailer.

Probably the two essential pieces of information you want to get from a finish nailer owner’s manual when you purchase is PSI, and CFM (air volume used per minute).

For the Hitachi 15 gauge, it tells us it’s specs are

70-120 PSI

Owner’s manual says 0.045ft³/cycle of air at 100 PSI

 

With an air compressor, you want to look at the CFM/SCFM to make sure it matches up.

With the above PORTER CABLE compressor, it does 2.6 SCFM at 90 psi – which meets the requirements.

There are other factors you can look at for an air compressor like tank size and horsepower to name a few, but to simplify it, the above factors are quite key.

 

Finish Nailer Air Compressor Bits & Accessories

Sometimes bits are included, and sometimes not. Common accessories you’ll need are:

An air hose

Outlet attachments

Chucks

Valves

Plugs

Air pressure gauges

For oil compressors, you usually get compressor oil included too

 

Features To Look For In An Air Compressor For A Finish Nailer

As mentioned above, CFM and PSI are important. Other factors you might look at are

Portability

Air capacity/tank size

Horsepower

What accessories are included

Whether the compressor is oil free, or not

What sort of outlets and valves it has

Voltage

Check if the coupler and plug are factory installed or whether you have to install them yourself

 

You also want to take into account what else you will be using the compressor for.

If you are using it for tools like an air chisel for example, they use a lot more air, so you should consider a bigger compressor.

NOTE: some air compressors come with a nail gun included.

 

Best Air Compressor For Finish Nailer: Resources

1. http://www.portercable.com/

2. http://hitachipowertools.com/

 

 

 

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