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 A finish nailer is
a tool used to insert finish nails in a particular material. Finish
nails are small-headed, medium sized nails that are normally used as
subsidiary nails to add to the sturdiness of a product. Finish nailers
are used in locations where the aesthetic appeal is paramount, as the
finish nail heads are small enough not be seen when covered in paint,
polish or varnish. These Nailers are used mostly in trim work for
hanging doors and hardwood stairs as well as in cabinet making,
paneling, and craftwork. Finish Nailers offer a major time-saving
advantage, enabling the user to drive in a much greater number of
nailers in a particular time period as compared to performing the task
manually. These nailers also ensure that the nails penetrate the
material in a straight line, improving accuracy, an important parameter
taking into consideration the small size of the finish nails. These
nailers are used by carpenters, masons, plumbers, and even by part-time
‘home-workshop’ enthusiasts. With the finish of the product being
important, these nailers enhance the look by preventing any dents in
the vicinity of the nail, which could be a distinct possibility in case
of manual hammering.
Features and working of a finish nailer
Most finish nailers
work either through compressed air propulsion, or through a mini
combustion engine. In the case of the pneumatic finish nailer,
pressurized air is stored in an air tank and this air generates the
force required to shoot the finish nail out of the nozzle. Finish nailers
incorporating a combustion engine have a rechargeable battery of around
six volts that initiates the spark needed to ignite the air-fuel
mixture, when the trigger is pressed. The resulting combustion causes
the gas to expand, pushing the piston downward, driving the nail out of
the gun at high velocities. The same battery performs a dual task of
powering a motor-driven fan that blows away residual gas in the gun’s
combustion chamber.
Finish nailers
have the capacity to generate around 400 inch pounds of torque at an
operating pressure varying between around 70 to 150 pounds per Square
inch (PSI). Most often, these nailers use an oil-free engine, avoiding
the need for lubrication and ensuring a stain-free work surface.
Efficient utilization of the nailer depends
on both lightness and balance, especially when the tool is used
pointing upwards. A judiciously designed magnesium body offers both
requirements. Finish nailers
weigh approximately 3.5 to 6 pounds. The height of a typical nailer is
around 11 inches, while the length is approximately 15 inches.
The depth-of-drive of the nail can be
adjusted by the user through a tool-free setting provided for the same.
Prior depth setting is useful to minimize the use of fillers for the
holes. Nails  can be
loaded into the nailer in two ways; loading the nails first and then
drawing back the follower that catches the nails, or pulling back the
follower before loading the nails. Another parameter that ensures a
continuous supply of nails to the nozzle is the collation angle. Most
finish nailers use either one of two collation angles; 25 degrees and
34 degrees. A 25 degree collation stores around 25 more nails as
compared to the 34 degree collation. The nail sizes accepted with most
nailers vary between 5/8 inch and 2-1/2 inches. The most common
fastener gauge used by these nailers is around 15.
What to look for in a finish nailer
The handle of the nailer is ergonomically
contoured with a soft padding to provide a firm grip for the user, and
also decrease fatigue and hand strain during prolonged use. The
location of the trigger and the other controls should be easily
accessible, to allow one handed operation of the tool.
A lockout feature in the tool will prevent
the trigger from firing when there are no nails in the Magazine. This
will prevent the nailer from firing blanks. Additionally, since this
tool shoots out nails at high speeds it can be a dangerous implement if
it fires in the air. For this reason, most nailers have a safety valve
that does not get released unless the gun nozzle is pressing against
the surface into which the nail is to be driven. No-mar pads on the tip
of the tool prevent the surface of from getting scratched or scarred
due to impact with the nailer. An angled magazine enables the gun to be
used in relatively inaccessible areas too.
Some nailers have a rear loading magazine
with a by-pass pusher that enables the user to reload the tool quickly.
Occasionally, during use, the pathway of the nails within the tool may
get blocked due to jamming of the nails. This can be prevented with an
anti-jam mechanism that incorporates a pop-up nosepiece manipulated
through a tool-free latch.
Some reputed manufacturers of finish nailers
include Bostitch, Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Porter Cable, and Senco.
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