I need to buy a finish nailer but don't know what gauge

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › I need to buy a finish nailer but don't know what gauge - 15G or 16G?

davecla

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#303889 17-Mar-2023 19:17

So I'm part way through an extension / renovation, at the install all the skirting and architrave phase.

Four rooms and a hall. Skirting and architrave is all 18mm MDF.

Foolishly, I fell out of a tree 4 weeks ago and broke my shoulder on the dominant arm, so hammering isn't fun, but wife is impatient so work goes on.

I'm going to buy a finish nailer to help out, but cant decide on 15G vs 16G.

I'm leaning to 15G as 16G seems too small, but really I've got no idea.

Any builders out there point me in the right direction?

(either way I'm going Milwaukee, I'm invested in both Milwaukee and Makita batteries but Milwaukee nailers seem to be the business)

Cheers,

dave

mdf

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#3051322 17-Mar-2023 20:22

I'm not a builder, but I use 18 gauge brads for skirting and trim. I've never had any issues with holding power. Even 18ga can split stuff if you get too close to the edge and I use a 23ga pin nailer when I'm feeling nervous.

neb

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#3051339 17-Mar-2023 21:04

Skirting and architrave is all 18mm MDF.

Foolishly, I fell out of a tree 4 weeks ago and broke my shoulder

Sheesh, the lengths some people will go to to avoid working on the house...

One thing with nailing MDF is that you run into an effect call mushrooming where the MDF is pushed up and around the nail because, unlike wood fibres, there's no flexibility in compressed sawdust. So using fine brads will lead to less problems with mushrooming than nails - a 15GA nail is an awful lot of metal to be pushing into MDF that has nowhere to go.

davecla

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#3051345 17-Mar-2023 22:20

Normally I'd use 50mm galv jolts on the framing side of the architrave and 40mm on the side to pick up the window or door frame. 15G seems like the closest to a loose jolt nail - but I'd always pre drill.

Also I have a 18G nailer already, and I don't want to waste an opportunity for a new tool.......

insane

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#3051405 18-Mar-2023 01:16

I've been using my 16ga DeWalt nailer for my skirting, architraves and scotia. Has worked well so far on pine and original Rimu.

It leaves enough of a hole that you do need to fill it though, whereas with a 18ga you can get away with not filling them on the skirting and no one will notice.

A 15ga would be pretty big and any nail that ends up towards the edge will likely split the wood.

I've been using mostly 50mm nails, and some 65mm nails. The 40mm ones just don't hold quite enough for me.

sqw

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#3051852 19-Mar-2023 14:12

16ga is overkill. 18ga brad nailer is plenty.

Bung

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#3051855 19-Mar-2023 14:38

Depends on the flatness of the wall. I used an 18ga pin nailer to put up some t&g strips. If it was necessary to pull the strip into a low spot either the 18ga pin wouldn't hold or if it did the head would pull through the strip. I had to tack with 18ga and use a hammer and panel pins on the problem spots.

Mighty Ape

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davecla

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#3057427 1-Apr-2023 12:44

To close this thread off, no happy ending here🙁

I had decided on the 16G Milwaukee, but ended up not getting one and doing it all by hand.

Apparently I didn't want a new nailer at all, I wanted to spend that money on a new cat instead - or so I was told.

Happy reno's!

Dave

Bung

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#3057431 1-Apr-2023 12:57

If you already had the compressor air nailer are much cheaper. What stops me is I have the hammer that Dad used for over 30 years that's cordless and I can get stainless nails and brads for it without having to buy 1000s of each size.

neb

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#3057455 1-Apr-2023 14:22

davecla:
Apparently I didn't want a new nailer at all, I wanted to spend that money on a new cat instead - or so I was told.

What gauge nails does it take?