Best Finish Nailer

If you are working on an assembly craft project that involves nailing moldings and trim boards with precision, then a finish nailer is going to be essential to your work. Finding the right tool for the job will save you a considerable amount of time and effort, and will also deliver the cleanest results time after time. Seeing out the best finish nailer on the market is therefore something you should do before any such job, from fitting chair rails, through assembling cabinets, to something as intricate as affixing a window trim.

For anyone looking for the best finish nailer, there will be a range of priorities that you have to consider. Given that you’ll usually be using one hand to hold parts of your assembly in place, it should be possible to operate a finish nailer with one hand, so it is important that the piece be lightweight. It is also beneficial for such a tool to be operable in a tight space, which means that a correctly angled model will go a long way to serving your needs. Some models run on battery power, while others may need to be plugged in to a power source – each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages, but the best models will be easy to work with whatever the power source.

In addition, the importance of convenience means the best finish nailer will also be low on mess and require less intervention from the user; for the latter reason, one with a magazine that holds a lot of nails will be ideal for the job. If you can find a nail gun that offers this ease of use, convenience and versatility, then you’ll have gone a long way towards finding the best finish nailer out there. Let’s look at some of the best models on the market, and see which ones might suit you.

1. Paslode 902400

The Paslode name is synonymous with high quality nailers and it’s no surprise that the 902400 has been well-received by customers. Its light weight makes it very easy to operate one-handed, and means that you’ll find it simple to complete a wide range of jobs, whether you’re up a stepladder or working on an intricate project. The long-life 7V battery also means that you can get a full day’s work in without needing to pause for recharging. That, along with the magazine’s capacity for up to 100 nails, ensures a minimum of downtime when working on heavy-duty projects – the battery life allows for at least 1200 nails to be driven.

Covered by a 5-year warranty, the Paslode 902400 is ideal for a range of carpentry jobs, from installing wood flooring to more intricate work like fitting a bead board ceiling. The dimensions of the gun are 17 x 17 x 5.5 inches, making it a breeze to use in tight spaces, and a definite contender for the title of best finish nailer on the market. Spares and add-ons are also easy to come by, and the gun itself comes with a pack of 100 compatible nails as well as a battery and charger.

A no-mar tip means that you can reliably use this model without worrying about dings and scratches, while its angled magazine makes it the perfect nailer for use in confined spaces.

2. DEWALT DCN660B

Dewalt has earned over the years a reputation for reliability and for providing tools that are “workhorse” elements of any collection, and their DCN660B nailer is no exception from that pantheon of tools. At a handy 6lbs in weight, it’s easy to operate in any setting, while Dewalt has also fitted LED lights to the device in order to make it a breeze to line up even in low-light areas. You can also choose between placing each nail manually and sequentially or operating the nailer on “bump mode”, which offers greater speed and precision.

At just under $300, the DCN660B is cheaper than a lot of models on the market, but you would be hard-pushed to find any loss of quality for the price. Indeed, if you’re already a fan of Dewalt products, you’ll be delighted to learn that you can use the batteries from other models in this machine and vice versa. Such is the versatility of this nailer that you will find it can be used on both hard and soft joints without compromising the finish of the job. The rear-loading magazine can take 120 nails at a time and will work equally well with Dewalt and Paslode nails.

This model also allows adjustment of the depth of nails, so you can ensure the best possible finish for a range of jobs, whether that be assembling a cabinet or fitting crown molding. In short, this power nailer offers everything you would expect from a brand as recognizable as Dewalt, and a little bit more.

3. Metabo HPT NT65MA4

If the brand name gives you pause here, don’t worry: you may not be familiar with the Metabo name, but you’ve probably heard of Hitachi, right? Well, Metabo is the power tool brand under the Hitachi umbrella, and as such, they are powerfully backed by one of the biggest names in the market. Their HPT NT65MA4 model is certainly well-thought-of among regular users, and it just takes a look at the specs to understand why. At 4.2 lbs it’s one of the lightest finish nailers on the market, while its dimensions also make it a dream to handle in tight spaces.

Backed by a lengthy five-year warranty, the NT65MA4 is a paragon of reliability, so lightweight and easy to handle that you won’t regret that it’s not a cordless device. Yes, it comes with a plug, so you will need to be near an outlet to use it, but as long as you have a power source close to hand you’ll find it exceptionally easy to use – the absence of a battery makes the device considerably lighter, and users have consistently voted it one of the best finish nailers out there.

An integrated air duster also ensures that you can easily blow away inconvenient debris to ensure a clean finish to whatever jobs you may be carrying out, and there is a 360-degree adjustable air exhaust attached to the model, which means that you can direct air streams away from both yourself and the nailer. These little touches ensure a greater comfort of use for a finish nailer that stands up to long-term use.

4. BOSTITCH N62FNK-2

For users seeking the most professional finish, the BOSTITCH N62FNK-2 is an ideal option, offering incredible adaptability by way of its choice of four angled profile tips, adjustable depth control, and removable magazine. This is the perfect choice for less experienced users, as the machine offers a wide range of settings that are perfect for different tasks – the depth control and pressure settings allow you to adjust the N62FNK-2 for use in hardwood flooring, molding, and much more besides.

The N62FNK-2 may be the best finish nailer available thanks to features such as the oil-free compressor, an inclusion that makes the device much less messy than some of its competitors on the market, while an integrated air-blower allows you to effortlessly clear dust and debris away from work areas without needing to stop mid-job. You can also remove the magazine easily, meaning that on the rare occasions when you may experience a jam, it’s all the easier to clear it and get back to work.

Perhaps best of all is the fact that the N62FNK-2 weighs just 3.8 lbs, making it simple to maneuver and light enough to use for long periods without getting tired. Add this to the seven-year warranty – an exceptional period of coverage that compares favorably with even the top names in the market – and you have a finish nailer that you’ll be proud to own.

5. Makita AF601

Anyone who knows power tools will know the Makita name, and it’s no surprise to learn that with the AF601 they have provided a very strong candidate for the title of best finish nailer currently available. The Japanese firm have ensured a strong level of versatility to allow users to set this nailer up for a range of purposes. Operators can set the depth of nail, as well as using different lengths of nails in the machine – and according to regular users, you can use a range of appropriate nails in the AF601, with Paslode and Dewalt models working perfectly well.

The Makita AF601 works with an air compressor – and again, the nailer is highly versatile in terms of which compressor will work with it. One important consideration when it comes to finish nailers is whether they suit varying levels of experience, and the positive reviews that this model has received from both beginners and experts indicate that this is a very intuitive piece no matter what your level of experience. As long as you follow the instructions, and use the supplied no-mar tips, this is a finish nailer that will work with a minimum of fuss and mess.

What To Look For In A Finish Nailer

This video gives great advice for buying a finish nailer:

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Sources:

• https://www.osha.gov/Publications/NailgunFinal_508_02_optimized.pdf
• https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/best-cordless-finish-nailer/