Which to buy? a brad gun or a nail gun? whats the difference?

Question

I want to buy either a brad or nail gun for projects around the home plus a couple things i would like to build later on. Which should I purchase? a brad gun or nail gun? what is the difference if any? any company better than the other? remember, its for home projects not construction quality work. I'd like to keep it under $150 if possible. I know i need a new compressor too so I'd like to keep cost moderate.

Answer 1

the size of the nail is the difference the brads are smaller in diameter than the Finnish nailers you can purchase them at www.harbor freight.com

Answer 2

Yes the combo kit is the answer. The Porter Cable kit w/ pancake compressor is your best bet. Home Depot has the combo for about 250 plus tx. You can always add  a framing gun to your collection later.

You will never be the same.

Small caution on the compressor. Newer units small and large are some times maintain free non lube. For light use they are great. For heavy use or xtended run, you can burn them out. My good oil lubed Emglo I have had over 25 years and you can not kill it.

The Porter Cable combo is a good one, don't burn her out !!

Answer 3

I would try and find a combo deal if I were you.  Sometimes you can find 2-3 guns plus compressor fro about $250.00

As for the difference between brad and nail guns, it all depends on the project.  A brad gun is usually aroung 18g, where as a nail gun is either a framer, a 15g or a 16g. Length of nail also corresponds with the guage.  About an inch to an inch and a 1/4 is max for a brad gun where as a 15 guage will go to about 2 1/2".

A 15g nailer with longer nails is great for crown molding and larger projects.  An 18g (brad nailer), IMHO, is more of a specialty gun.  It comes in real handy in cabinet making and such (real thin moldings and trim).

The best all around is probably a 16g and choose the length of nail for project.  Don't go cheap as cheap nailers fail all the time.  Porter cable, Accuset, Bosch are good choices.

Answer 4

The primary difference is the gauge (diameter) of the fastener it uses.  Most of them accept a range of fastener lengths.

Brad nailers are for applying small trim and holding things together while the glue dries.  They don't have a lot of strength on their own.

Going up one notch is a finish nailer that you can use for finish carpentry.

Up another notch is a framing nailer for doing 2x framing work.

So it really depends if you are building picture frames or garden sheds.

Almost any tank compressor has enough to keep up with occasional nailer use.