How to Use a Nail Gun

Using a nail gun is a simple and straight-forward process. However, a certain order is typically recommended for both safety and efficiency. Here's the basic process for using a nail gun: 

• Remove the battery before you begin. This ensures you won't have any accidents when loading and adjusting your nail gun before a project.
• Press the magazine release button and load nails into the chamber.
• Adjust the air pressure dial according to the density of the material surface. Very dense materials may require greater air pressure to fire a nail securely into place.
• Twist the depth of drive knob if finer adjustments are needed for the desired nail depth.
• Use a piece of scrap wood from your project to test the nail gun and check the depth. Make adjustments again as necessary.
• Align the nail gun at a 90-degree angle to your work surface.
• Locate the first area where you want to fire a nail and press down so the safety tip retracts. Squeeze the trigger to fire your first nail.

Choosing a nail gun can be confusing if you've never used one or had to buy your own. You'll see products labeled as a framing nailer, roofing nailer and a range of more generic cordless nailer styles. In most cases, finding the right type of nail gun depends on what you plan to do with it. Here are some of the most common types of nail guns and how they're typically used: 

• Brad nail gun styles: A brad nailer is typically used for smaller pieces or in place of wood putty. For example, small trim areas on woodworking projects often utilize brad nails. Look for brad nail varieties when using a brad nail gun.
• Finishing nail gun styles: Finish nailers are often used for installing outdoor fascia, securing heavy trim work and installing decorative accents on homes or woodworking projects. Most builders use a finish nail gun when securing a baseboard into place. You'll use finishing nails with this type of nail gun.
• Crown staplers: Crown staplers are best for cabinet building, installing metal siding, installing trim and furniture making. Note that a crown stapler actually uses large staples instead of nails. Many people use these for a variety of building projects.
• Pneumatic nail gun designs: Pneumatic nail guns use compressed air to drive nails into your work surface. Pneumatic nailer styles with air compressors are generally used by professionals for heavy duty products. If you're interested in one, make sure you know how to use it and take extra safety precautions.
• Roofing nailer: A roofing nail gun fires specialized roofing nails into asphalt shingles, helping secure them in place quickly. Many roofing nailers utilize a pneumatic coil or drive mechanism. Extra safety precautions are required. For basic repairs, hand-driving nails is often preferrable to a roofing nailer.
• Flooring nailer: Flooring nailers, as the name indicates, are designed to aid builders and contractors in installing flooring materials quickly and easily. Some models work as a combination floor nailer and stapler, making them more versatile than a single-use tool. These styles use flooring nails.
• Framing nail gun styles: Framing nail guns are designed to quickly drive nails into large pieces of wood like 2x4s when framing a building or structure. These typically use a size akin to a common nail.
• Pin nailers: A pin nailer drives a type of pin that has no head, making it nearly invisible when secured in place. Pin nailers are specialty tools that are often used in place of wood putty for small to medium-sized woodworking projects.
• Cordless models: It's easy to find a cordless brad nailer, cordless framing nailer and a range of other commonly-used nail gun styles. Cordless models tend to provide you with more freedom of movement when you're working. Most styles utilize lithium-ion batteries that require charging. Have a spare battery or two for all-day and heavy-duty projects.

Choosing the correct nails for your nail gun starts with knowing what type of nail gun you have. For example, you'll use finish nails with a finish nail gun. Framing styles typically use framing nails.

Not sure which nails you need for your nail gun or your specific project? Ask one of our knowledgeable pros to help you find the perfect nail size and variety for your DIY job.

You can also check out our guide on choosing the best nail guns for DIY projects. This guide will give you some handy information on picking the right types of nails and nail gauges. 

A nail gun can be a useful tool that helps you get any DIY project done quickly. However, powerful nail guns can also be dangerous if used incorrectly. Here are a few nail gun safety tips you should know: 

• Read your manual before you begin. Your manual will let you know about any special features. It will also inform you on how to properly operate your new nail gun.
• Wear eye and ear protection. Working with a nail gun requires safety glasses, ear plugs or muffs.
• Make sure that you disconnect the power before loading new nails or clearing a jammed nail. Unintended nail discharge is a possibility if the nail gun still has a source of power.
• Use the sequential trigger mode instead of bump mode when possible. Sequential mode ensures that you will have to follow a series of steps to make the nail gun fire. In bump mode, you can hold down the trigger and touch the nail gun to your work surface to make a nail fire. While this is faster, it does increase the risk of a serious nail gun accident.
• Keep your work area free of bystanders. A nail gun can fire through the other side of a wall or piece of work material. Ensure that nobody is behind your work surface or in harm's way when using a nail gun.