In some cases of finished joinery and carpentry, large veneers or dowels simply won’t work. These fasteners often act like wedges through thinner pieces of wood, causing them to split or crack. When they do not crack, large holes remain that need to be repaired and filled with wood putty. The good news is that there is another option: a discreet, compact nailer.
Nailers, also known as micro staplers, nail very thin fasteners that are really just strong wire. The pins themselves are stacked, similar to those that are inserted into plywood or pin nails, but they do not have heads, which means that the potholder can be hammered without leaving a noticeable hole. While they don’t pack a lot of power, the best nailers can be a huge asset in decorating, woodworking, and crafts.
With equipment that shoots such small fasteners, choosing the best nailer requires a lot of knowledge. Below is the most important information on what to look for and how to choose a microretainer.
There are two types of nailers: compressed air and battery powered. They are both powerful enough to drive such small fasteners, but each has its pros and cons.
Pneumatic miniature nailers use a can of compressed air to drive nails into wood. The tools are connected to the air compressor with a long flexible hose. When the trigger is pulled, a small stream of air is released, pressing the pin into the workpiece. An air needle nailer will work as long as it has an air compressor. However, the portability of these instruments depends on the compressors that power them.
Battery-powered nailers power the same fasteners, but use electricity stored in a battery to compress heavy springs. After the user pulls the trigger, the spring is released, actuating the mechanism that drives the pin. These tools are very portable, but when the battery dies, projects can freeze.
As with most fasteners, the pins powered by the Micro Nailer come in a variety of lengths. They come in pin sizes from ⅜ to 2 inches. The nail gun fits several of these sizes, eliminating the need to have multiple nailers for different lengths of fasteners. Some nailers may have adjustable depth, allowing the user to adjust the depth of nailing.
The length may vary, but the thickness of the pin never will. All conventional needle guns use 23 gauge needles. This thin gauge and lack of studs allow high capacity magazines, up to 200 needles in some products.
Although the pins and needles are small, they are not safe. The lack of a head means the pins can easily pass through the skin, which is why manufacturers include safety features in their nailers to prevent accidental strikes.
Some nail guns may have a safety device on the front. The nose must be pressed against the surface so that the user can pull the trigger. Others may have dual triggers that require the user to activate both separately in order to trigger.
Manufacturers have also built security features into these tiny holders. The dry fire mechanism disables the nailer’s ability to fire when it runs out of nails, preventing unnecessary shortening of the device’s life.
Comparing the weight of the needle nailer with other nailers such as frame or finishing nailers, they are undoubtedly the smallest nailers. However, air nailers tend to be the lightest (usually only about 2 pounds). A battery-powered stapler weighs two to three times as much, which can be an important consideration for some home DIYers. However, for occasional or shop nailers, weight is not necessarily the deciding factor.
Ergonomics is also key. Reusing any tool can be tiring for the user, so rubber grips, tool-less depth adjustment, and even directed air release all make nailer work more enjoyable.
There are a few extra features that can make one miniature nailer more attractive than another. Some may come with special drops called “no-mar” and use special polymers to prevent scratches or dents on the work surface. Others may have very narrow tips, allowing the user to stick the tip of the nail gun into very narrow spaces for precise nail positioning.
Also, it might be worth looking into a nailing carrying case to protect the tool and make it easier to store. Be sure to check this box for safety goggles, as they are very important when working with any power tool, especially a nailer.
Post time: Nov-18-2022