How to choose a nailer or stapler: job and nail type

For carpentry, formwork and timber roofs you need a framing nailer, which fires long nails: in the AMES catalogue the lengths go up to 110-160 mm. For finishing work, mouldings and thin panels, a brad nailer or a finish nailer is enough: they are lighter and take nails from about 15 to 50 mm. For insulation, sheeting and fabrics, you use a stapler. First decide which nail or staple the job calls for, then choose how to power the tool: compressed air, gas or battery.

The types

• Framing nailer: fires long, heavy nails for timber structures, walls, roofs and formwork. It is the heaviest and the most robust.
• Coil nailer: the nails are collated in a coil, so the magazine holds many shots and needs reloading less often. It suits work where you nail continuously, for example packaging and pallets.
• Roofing nailer: designed for fixing bituminous membranes and shingles, such as the Milwaukee M18 Fuel M18 FRCN45 roofing nailer.
• Finish nailer and brad nailer: thin nails and brads that leave a small mark. They are used for skirting boards, mouldings, cladding and furniture. One example is the Makita AF550H pneumatic brad nailer.
• Insulation nailer: for fixing insulation boards and sheeting without tearing them.
• Gas nailer: runs on a gas cartridge and works without a compressor and without a hose, like the Makita GN900SE gas nailer for wood.
• Pneumatic nailer: runs from a compressor; it is light and suited to working all day in the same place.
• Cordless nailer (18 V): no hose and no cartridge to change, just the battery. Examples are the DeWalt DCN692P2-QW, a 90 mm brushless model, and the Milwaukee M18 brad nailers.
• Electric nailer and stapler: models such as the Stanley TRE650 electric nailer or the Stanley TR45 stapler (Type A staple), for light jobs such as fabrics, cardboard and thin panels.

How to choose according to the job

The features to look at

• Nail length: in the catalogue it runs from 15-27 mm for finishing work to 55-90 mm for structural timber, up to 110-160 mm for the framing models. The nail must pass through the piece being fixed and bite well into the substrate.
• Magazine capacity: values range from about 30 to 120 pieces. Higher means fewer pauses to reload, but also a longer, heavier tool.
• Weight: from about 1 kg to over 4 kg. If you work overhead or for long periods, every half kilo is felt.
• Sound pressure: the data sheets show values from 76 to 90 dB(A). Even the lowest still call for hearing protection.
• Application and type: the data sheet states whether the tool is for wood on wood, for bitumen and shingles, for construction connectors or for packaging. It matters more than any other figure.
• Power source: air with pressure regulation, gas cartridge or battery. For the latter, check the voltage and capacity.

Common mistakes

• Choosing the tool first and the nail afterwards: each model accepts only certain nails in terms of angle, diameter and length. Start from the nail you need.
• Using a finish nailer for structural work: thin nails do not hold and the fixing is not reliable.
• Forgetting the compressor: a pneumatic nailer without air is a paperweight; the hose matters too.
• Clearing a jam with the tool still connected: disconnect the air or the battery first.
• Working without safety glasses and ear defenders, or pointing the nose at another person.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a compressor?

Only for pneumatic models. Gas and cordless nailers work on their own, so they are handy on site and at height.

Gas or battery: which is better?

The battery means no gas cartridges to replace and suits brad nailers and 90 mm nailers well. Gas avoids depending on charge level; which to choose depends on your working rhythm.

What does brushless mean?

The motor has no carbon brushes, so it wears less and is more efficient.

Can I use any staple or nail?

No. Use only those specified for that model: staple type, diameter and length are shown on the tool and on the packaging.

You will find all the machines, from brands such as SPIT, Makita, DeWalt, Stanley and Milwaukee, in the Staplers and Nailers collection: if you are not sure which model suits your job, request a quote or ask the AMES technicians for advice.