Best Brad Nailer

There are some occasions where woodwork requires raw power. A heavy handed and indomitable approach is needed to tame this resistant material to your needs. However, working with timber often also requires grace and finesse. Fail to treat your wood with the proper care when working it and you may find that it is prone to splitting. Especially when hammering nails and brads through its surface. For those new to working with timber, the term brad may be unfamiliar. A brad is simply a more slender nail for use in smaller holes in projects where a larger nail might split or compromise the timber. Usually, a brad will be used when attaching lightweight trim or other adornments to wooden surfaces. And because the head of the brad is so small and discreet rarely will the woodworker need to apply wood putty to cover the hole left when the brad is hammered home.

While Brads can be hammered in by hand, this can be a frustrating process and one that requires just the right combination of finesse, power and precision. As such, many prefer to use a brad nailer to drive the brad home without the risk of damaging the delicate wooden trim.

While many brad nailers are pneumatic, requiring compressors, hoses or costly gas cartridges, there are many electric models on the market which deliver outstanding results and offer unsurpassed productivity. A brad nailer is a great alternative to the more widely used finish nailer as it offers a gentler touch that will help to preserve more delicate woods.

Let’s take a look at 5 of our favorites…

1. PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA

This battery-powered brad nailer by Porter-Cable offers outstanding performance at an appealing price point. Offering consistent driving depth, you can use this model all day long and still be able to countersink 18 gauge brads with visibly identical results.

Everything about this model from its impressive battery time to its tool-free jam release and stall release lever are geared towards harnessing worker productivity and ensuring consistent results. Depth adjustment is easy to control via a little wheel at the side of the device without the need for tools and keys. There’s even a depth adjustment window so you always know exactly what to expect before the brad strikes true.

Weighing in at just 5.9 lbs, this brad nailer is also one of the lightest in its class, so you won’t need to worry about arm strain compromising your precision aim. It even comes with an integrated hook for easy attachment to any tool belt.

The nailer uses 18 gauge brads with cartridges of 100 so that you can remain productive for hours at a time without the need to replace cartridges regularly. Sequential firing and trigger lock also combine for safe and easy working. Dual function LEDs can be used to illuminate working areas for added precision in dark spaces while also indicating errors clearly.

Another excellent addition is the 1.5 Ah 20 volt max lithium-ion battery included with this tool which is longer lasting and more reliable than its nicad counterpart. All in all, this is a great all-rounder that offers quality at an affordable price point.

2. DEWALT DCN680B

If you’re looking for a brad nailer from a reliable brand, you’ll naturally gravitate towards this entry from Dewalt. After all, they’re one of the most widely known and respected names in the power tools industry, trusted by construction professionals and amateur handymen alike.

As you’d expect from Dewalt, this offering combines rugged performance with the sturdy build that makes it appropriate for any construction project or site.

This tool combines great power with accuracy, delivering consistent results with total precision. This is because the micro nose allows for a better line of sight while LEDs provide great illumination in those dark nooks and crannies, while also providing useful diagnostics. These can help troubleshoot and fix performance issues with a minimum of down time.

What’s more, because the brad driver uses a brushless motor you can be assured of greater power efficiency and more battery life for the 20V max (18V nominal) lithium ion battery (which is not included). Automatic shutoff also helps ensure that battery life will never be wasted when the tool is not in use.

This tool is highly versatile, allowing for driving depths from 5/8″ To 2-1/8″ with easy and tool-free adjustment.

For those who prefer the reassurance of a known brand, this entry from DeWalt offers a perfect blend of performance and precision that gets the most out of every battery charge.

3. Makita XNB01Z

Compact, sleek, and lightweight yet robust and powerful with great staying power, this is a great tool for jobs that require consistency, accuracy, and just the right amount of driving force time after time.

Weighing in at just 7 lbs, this entry from Makita is ergonomically designed and perfectly balanced to prevent the risk of hand cramps on long jobs, and with a range of tool-free adjustments, you’ll get accurate results each and every time.

As you might expect from a brand that’s so readily trusted by the construction industry, this tool is well suited to the rigors of regular use, and with an impressive magazine capacity of 110 18 gauge brads, you can keep going all day long. What’s more, when you do run out of “ammo” there’s no need to worry about damage to the wood caused by dry firing. The ant-dry drive mechanism precludes the possibility of dry fire, while the LED battery life indicator lets you know when you need to down tools for charging.

This entry is also 100% battery powered and runs on a 12V max lithium-ion battery which will drive 1000 nails on a single full charge (although as with the Dewalt model this is not included).

The dual-mode operation makes it just as easy to drive brads sequentially or use contact nailing operation and switching between the two modes is fast and effortless.

4. BOSTITCH BTFP12233

Bostitch has really raised the bar with this compact and highly effective brad driver that’s at an extremely affordable and appealing price point yet delivers the same performance you’d expect from a more expensive model.

For those who value precision and finesse in their work, there is no better choice for a range of projects. However, please note that this is a pneumatically controlled tool with 1/4″ air fitting and rear air exhaust. Standard operating pressure is anywhere between 70-120 psi.

This brad nailer uses smart point technology to provide greater visibility and accuracy. And the smaller nose makes accurate nail placement much easier with no need to push the contact tip down to actuate the mechanism thereby risking damage to the delicate wood beneath.

Bostotch’s dial-a-depth control makes it quick, easy, and 100% tool-free to change driving depths at the usual range of 5/8″ to 2-1/8″. Another cool touch, aside from the integrated tool belt loop, is the built-in pencil sharpener. So you’ll never need to worry about a blunt pencil robbing your work of that all-important precision edge. And because the operation is 100% oil-free you’ll never need to worry about your work becoming marred by oil stains.

The nailer comes with a little accessory kit that brings that all-important value-added. Contained within are some sample brad nails, a sturdy carrying case for easy transportation, and some extra no-mar tips.

All in all, this is a highly reliable and precise pneumatic brad nailer.

5. WEN 61721

If you have little or limited use for a brad nailer yet still don’t like the idea of risking the consequences of driving by hand, this is the tool for you… provided pneumatic operation isn’t a barrier for you.

This is by far the most affordable entry on our list, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t offer a useful range of functionalities or promise dynamic performance when you need it most. And weighing in at just over 2.5 lbs you won’t need to worry about fatigue slowing your productivity.

As with other entries on this list you can drive brads from 5/8 to 2” with precision and the tool’s slender profile allows for a clear line of sight and thus, greater accuracy when driving the nails home. The 106 capacity magazines makes it easy to tackle long jobs without stopping frequently to reload and the adjustable exhaust port means that you can direct pneumatic air output in whatever direction you wish according to your setup.

The transparent window on the side of the handle makes it clear to see when your brads are running low and cartridge replacement will be imminent. Furthermore, the hassle-free nose hatch makes the clearing out of jammed nails quick and easy so you won’t have to worry about lost time while you strip down your tool to find errant brad nails.

All told, this is an excellent budget-friendly pneumatic brad nailer.

How To Use A Brad Nailer

This YouTube video does a great job of covering how to use a pneumatic brad nailer:

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Sources:

• https://www.paslode.com.au/how-to/27-the-8-step-guide-to-unjamming-your-nail-gun
• https://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/bostitch-smart-point-brad-nailer.html