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The Best Nail Gun For Quarter Round: 2024 List

Brandon Forder
  Mar 28, 2024 6:54 PM

A brad nailer is the go-to tool for nailing quarter-round.

To avoid splitting or leaving obvious holes in light moldings like quarter rounds, use a brad gun, which fires nails measuring between 5/8 and 2 inches in length.

Also, a quality 18-gauge brad nailer is preferable to a 23-gauge pin nailer for quarter-round projects due to the superior holding strength of 18-gauge brads (which have heads instead of points).

Fastening quarter round molding requires extra length, and most finish nail guns can shoot nails up to 2-1/2 inches in length, so they may be more suited to a finish nailer if you're working with thicker baseboard.

If you decide to go this route, the best nail gun to use for quarter round is a 15 ga finish nailer, as these nails are larger and better suited for nailing into larger baseboards.

Remember that an angled 15-gauge finish nailer can get into more awkward spaces than a straight-shooting finish nail gun.

Finish nails may look nice, but their larger heads mean more effort filling in gouges and dents when you're done.

The most crucial learning is that a brad nailer is commonly prescribed for quarter round and may be the greatest solution to speed up your job.

Good news is that your 18 ga nailer can also be used for nailing shiplapped boards in addition to quarter-round, shoe molding, and baseboard.


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Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Types of Nail Guns

It's possible to find a wide variety of nail guns on the market, each with its own unique size and set of features; for example, the Framing nailer, the Roof nailer, the Brad nailer, and the Finnish nailer. A framing nailer is ideal for large-scale construction jobs. Making use of them in woodworking and other undertakings, such as fence building, can lead to useful insights and answers.

Powerful roof nailers are ideal for such labor. Those roofing nails are your best option for serious projects. Nail your insulation boards without risking damage with this tool.

These brad nailers are great for any job that requires nailing, including carpentry and molding. The steel wires in the brad nail guns came from a small diameter due to the manufacturing process. Everybody calls it brad because these nail guns can actually shoot fire.

Finish nail guns and brad nailers share certain similarities. You can use it to securely fasten wood pieces together. It's comprised of thick steel wire, so it'll hold up against even the heaviest of logs.

Power Source

Most nail guns include dual power options, including battery and pneumatic, making them versatile and convenient. For those who are confident with their nail gun handling skills, cordless nail guns are available. Nail guns that run on batteries are easy to use and don't require any maintenance from the user, but they can be pricey.

An air compressor is required to create pneumatic nail guns. Compare them to battery-operated nailers, and you'll see that these are far superior. They're cheaper, but it takes a while to set up an air compressor so you can use it.

Nail Capacity

Think about how much force it will need to put nails into a surface when shopping for a nail gun. The capacity of your nail gun is often measured in terms of how long it can be used to drive nails. Think about how many nails you'll need to use at once and how many nails your nail gun can handle.

The fact that you'll be using this nail gun for jobs of all sizes means that it needs to be able to hold more nails. Select a nail gun that is suited to the tasks at hand.

Firing Modes

Only the nose can be used with some nail gun variants. In addition, models equipped with nail guns are effective enough to safeguard you. Please pay close attention to the firing mode when making a purchase, as this is the most effective means of changing the depth.

Tool-Free Jam Release

There are a number of potential causes for a jammed nail gun. It's possible the user pressed the trigger too quickly, applied too much pressure, or used nails of the wrong size in the magazine. Inconveniences in the flow of work can occur whenever a bottleneck exists, regardless of the cause.

You should look for a brad nailer that doesn't require a tool to loosen jams. The knurled or textured knobs on these nailers allow the operator to disassemble the device, remove the jam, and reassemble it in a matter of minutes. They can clear a jam from the top of a ladder or scaffold without having to search for a wrench or pliers.

Depth of Drive

Like any other type of fastening device, brad nailers will have varying degrees of success with various materials. For a sleek appearance, a nailer might drive a fastener all the way through a piece of pine and bury the head below the surface. The same nailer could then drive a brad into oak, a considerably harder wood, with the head protruding from the surface by as much as 1/8 inch.

Some brad nailers feature depth settings to help users find the most comfortable driving depth. They often have a thumbscrew for fine-tuning, giving the user individualized control. However, remember that the pressure of the compressor can affect the firing of some pneumatic nailers.

Dry Lockout

A nail shortage is not the end of the world. However, DIYers will have to fill an unattractive mark left by firing an empty nailer against a workpiece. Working above a cupboard, along the floor, or in any other confined space makes it more challenging to see when the brad nailer needs refilling.

Nailers for brads that have a dry-lockout feature make it obvious when the user has run out of brads. The trigger cannot be pulled since the user cannot touch their nose to activate it. This keeps users from accidentally marking workpieces or from believing they have securely fastened through the field of a trim piece only to have it topple over as soon as they step away.

Exhaust Air Control

The ability to control the flow of exhaust air into a room is crucial to ensuring worker health and comfort. Find a brad nailer with an adjustable exhaust air control so you may point the port away from your face or a compound dust pile atop a cabinet.

Some brad nailers have a rotating plastic cover on the back that allows the user to direct the air blast away from their face, eyes, and ears. The instrument is less likely to blast dust behind protective eyewear or into the eyes thanks to the cover, which also improves hygiene and safety.

Other Features

The majority of nailers finally get it. These days, it's unusual for anyone to overlook a crucial detail. Nonetheless, be sure you're obtaining your hands on what you require. You should also check for a dry fire lockout in addition to the firing mode switch. If you run out of nails, you won't accidentally fire "blanks." To put it mildly, it can be annoying. Nail impressions can be made without actually firing a nail, which can be damaging to the material you're working on.

Furthermore, larger tools such as framing nailers should feature adjustable rafter hooks. No, it's not a good idea for roof nailers. Also, a belt hook is more important than anything else to us when it comes to finishing nailers.

Tools that allow you to modify the exhaust vent's angle are useful while working from a variety of locations behind the nailer. When working on some siding a few years ago, I was frequently hit in the face by the exhaust from a nailer that couldn't be adjusted.

Price and Value

Cost is important. After all, you might not need to invest as much in a gadget if you don't plan to use it frequently. Assuming all other conditions are met, if it drives the nail, it will perform the job. Having said that, it is important to prioritize quality when evaluating the cost and benefits of any instrument.

How much you value a tool's features, speed, and cost will determine how much you think it's worth. However, value is relative to the customer and is based on the total of what is received relative to the cost. This is how we see things, and it strongly informs the advice we give.


FAQS

What Size Nail Gun For Quarter Round?

Light molding, such as quarter round, is a form of trim used for finishing. In this case, aesthetics are quite important. Because of this, the smaller-headed nail is the one you should use. Because of its magazine's capacity for smaller head nails, this nailer has been chosen.

To avoid splitting the quarter-round molding, use extra-long finish nails. Nails for 3/4-inch molding shouldn't be spaced more than 18 inches apart. The 18 gauge brad nailer is adequate for the task at hand.

What nail gun do I need for a quarter round?

All you need is a brad nail gun to finish the job on the quarter-round. An 18-gauge brad nailer is necessary for use on light molding tasks like quarter round. With this model of nailer, you can automate the process of recessing little finish nails, and you can work through your quarter round project much more quickly.

How do you use a brad nailer?

Brad nailers can be fired once they have been loaded with brads and connected to a power source or air compressor. Then, press the tip of the nailer on the workpiece where you wish to drive a nail while keeping your finger off the trigger. Once you've gotten it where you want it, pull the trigger.

How do you load a brad nailer?

The bottom of the magazine is typically used to load brad nailers. Insert a brad into the magazine's base. The brads are inserted into the nailer by first pulling the spring-loaded lock down past them.

What is the difference between a brad nailer and a finish nailer?

Finish nailers use heavier nails, typically between 15 and 16 gauge, to hammer in. Nails used by brad nailers are thinner and less likely to crack delicate moldings. In addition, the narrower noses of brad nailers make them more convenient for use in confined spaces.


Conclusion

The entire conversation has been focused on the pursuit of beauty. The purpose of the quarter turn is to provide a more commanding vista. If you're not a perfectionist, you can get away with doing your quarter-round assignment manually. Using a manual process often leads to mistakes and surface damage. Another issue is the potential for trim to break.

Now that you've read this, you know for sure that you need a brad nailer to install the quarter round. We just finished assisting you in selecting, from numerous options, the most suitable nail gun for the quarter round. We've gone with the editor's favorite category of goods, but if you're shopping for anything very specific, be sure to narrow it down even further. With your skills and our advice, you'll be able to finish the job.


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