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Using a brad nailer or pin nailer to fasten and attach? Both offer distinct differences and advantages.
Frankly speaking, the conversation about these two types of nail guns can be very confusing. This brad nailer vs pin nailer review will help you understand the differences in the two nailers and provide you the information you need to make your purchasing decision easier.
I will tell which one is best as well. While there are a few isolated situations suited for the best pin nailers, brad nailers are far more versatile.
| Feature | Pin Nailer | Brad Nailer |
|---|---|---|
| Nail Gauge | 23 gauge | 18 gauge |
| Nail Head Visibility | No visible nail hole | Visible nail hole |
| Wood Thickness Suitability | Thin wood pieces like veneer | Thin and thick trim work |
| Primary Use | Temporary support | Permanent adhesion |
| Damage to Delicate Wood | Doesn’t damage | Can damage |
| Functionality | Specific use cases | More versatile |
Contents
What is a Brad Nailer?
Brad nailers are powerful nail guns you can use to drive nails into wood trim or other finishing treatments that you are using attaching in your home or woodworking project. Check this Porter-Cable PIN138 23 Gauge Pin Nailer
These nailers typically uses 18-gauge nails to adhere to surfaces together. These nails are 3/8 inches to 2 inches in length. They have a smaller head and leave only a small mark as they are driven into a wood piece.
These nail holes, in most instances, are not terribly noticeable and may not require any further action to cover them up.
Because these nailers are most often pneumatically-powered, or cordless in some models, you can make your way along a lengthy wood piece adding nails where you see fit.
A high quality brad nailer is able to drive nails in thinner wood trim pieces with ease and unlike other nailers prevents splitting unless, of course, the wood is extremely thin such as a piece of veneer.
When to Use a Brad Nailer?
You will want to use brad nailers to adhere two pieces of wood together such as trim pieces or cabinetry. A brad nailer does not, however, work well when driving through very thick pieces of wood such as plywood or MDF.
In most instances, it is used as a temporary holder to affix to wood pieces together until the glue dries and is strong enough to hold on its own, or to align the pieces so you can screw them together.
You can also use them to adhere baseboard wood. However, for lighter projects that include upholstery, a crown stapler might be a good consideration.
It leaves a relatively small hole with the nail head which can easily be covered with putty. But, in most instances, it is small enough that no cosmetic coverage is necessary, making it an ideal nailer to use to quickly complete a woodworking project.
What is a Pin Nailer?
Pin nailers, on the other hand, are power nail guns that you shoot pins or nails without a head into thin pieces of wood. These nails are smaller than a brad nail at 23-gauge and are typically only 1-inch long. Check this Porter-Cable PIN138 23 Gauge Pin Nailer.
Like brad nailers, you use pin nailers in a similar fashion to move along a wood piece and pneumatically drive nails into a wood piece.
This leaves only a very small hole as there is no head of the nail to contend with. A powerful pin nailer can shoot these nails through many surfaces with ease. They more closely resembles a finish nailer than a brad nailer.
There is no need to use wood putty to cover a pin nailer’s tracks as you won’t be able to see the pin’s head since there isn’t one at all.
When to Use a Pin Nailer?
You will want to use pin nailers in wood applications that are temporary. The pins that these nailers drive are designed to not be the permanent connection between the two pieces. They work well in jobs where you are using glue as the primary adhering source.
The pins from these nailers can add extra support and allow your wood piece to stay together until it has dried.
They are also a good nailer for very thin finishing work. Veneers, as well as delicate furniture trim, can be added simply with a them along with wood glue.
It will not split these fine woods and doesn’t require any wood putty to cover its tracks after. It can turn out these wood trims with relative ease and without damaging the wood surface in any way.
Brad Nailer vs Pin Nailer
Now its time to talk through what these two nailers have in common, where they differ, and when you’ll want to use each. When considering a pin nailer vs brad nailer for your home DIY projects, start by understanding what characteristics they share.
Similarities
Both nailers have a lot in common (that’s why they are so easily confused). Lets review some of the similarities in the pin nailer vs brad nailer:
- Both are designed to drive nails into wood surfaces without leaving a large hole
- Both allow you to adhere two pieces of wood together easily without worrying about having to add wood putty to cover the hole left by the nail
- You can use both nailers to drive nails into a wood piece as a temporary holder
- One of the advantages of both pin nailers and brad nailers is their ability to drive into thin wood pieces without splintering
- While both nailers have a decent amount of driving force, they are both unable to go through thicker wood like plywood or MDF. Not only are the nails that these nailers use smaller in diameter, but they don’t have the driving force to penetrate these wood surfaces.
In essense, brad nailers are far more diverse, and can be used on a lot more projects, than pin nailers. Lets walk through the differences:
Differences
With all that these two nailers have in common, you might think they are more similar than different. That isn’t the case, however. While many are subtle, there are actually quite a few things that separate a pin nailer vs brad nailer:
Brad Nailers
- Uses a larger 18 gauge nail
- Provides more holding power
- Can not be used on very thin wood
- Can be used on thicker wood pieces
- Can permanently adhere trim
Pin Nailers
- Uses a smaller 23 gauge nail
- Leaves no visible nail hole
- Can be used on very thin wood
- Can not be used on thick wood pieces
- Provides a temporary hold only
For starters, brad nailers use a much larger 18 gauge nail. This nail has a much larger diameter head, which is why a brad nailer leaves a visible nail hold that must be covered with putty.
Pin nailers, on the other hand, use a smaller 23 gauge nail. This is why a pin nail leave virtually no sign of them being put in the wood, and why you don’t need to go back and fill it in.
This is perhaps the best aspect of a pin nailer: you don’t have to come back to fill in the nail holes.
Pin nailers drive pins that have no head, so there is no visible hold from the nail with this nailer. You will probably never have to use wood putty with pin nailers, making it convenient to use this nail gun when you are looking to complete your woodworking project quickly.
However, the thinner nail head means that a pin nail has very little permanent holding power. You’ll use pin nails to temporarily hold something in place, while your wood glue dries or you can drive larger nails or screws in.
And this is perhaps the best aspect of the brad nailer: its convenience combined with its holding power.
A brad nail provides more holding power than a pin nail. This is mainly due to the fact that brad nails have heads on the nail, whereas pin nails do not.
A pin nailer is really a temporary support system that is usually glued before a wood project is completed.
Brad nailers can be used to adhere baseboard trim and crown molding permanently while a pin nailer would not be able to adhere the wood to drywall with any strength or support.
If you don’t like the larger nail head, go back with a filler to hide them. Use the best stainable wood filler if you’re going to be staining or painting down the road.
Wood Type
As you determine which would be best for you, start with the wood application you are most interested in working with:
- Pin nailers are ideally suited to thinner wood pieces like veneer, as it has less driving force and uses smaller gauge nails that will not damage delicate wood surfaces.
- A brad nailer, conversely, can be used on thin as well as thick trim work like crown molding as it uses larger gauge nails and has enough holding power to adhere surfaces together permanently.
You can use a pin nailer on much thinner wood pieces than you would ever be able to use a brad nailer on. Veneer, as well as furniture trim, can easily be affixed to surfaces without having to worry about the splintering of the wood.
A brad nailer would easily damage this thin and delicate wood with its nail driving force. But, a brad nailer can be used on thicker wood surfaces such as wood baseboards and crown molding, making it an ideal nailer for home improvement projects.
When comparing a pin nailer vs brad nailer, the thickness of the wood is an important consideration
Fun Nailer Facts
- The nail gun was designed by Morris Pynoos the Spruce Goose. The wooden fuselage was nailed together and glued, and then the nails were removed. The civil engineer Pynoos was credited with the invention. Wikipedia
- The very first nail gun utilized air pressure and came onto the market in the mid-1950’s to help with fast construction of floors. Wikipedia
- Approximately 42,000 people every year go to emergency rooms with injuries from nail guns. CDC
Nailer Safety
Even though they can seem harmless, nail guns are dangerous, and it is important you take precautions when using them. Watch this video to ensure you are using your nailer properly and to help stay safe.
Final Verdict
When it comes down to choosing a pin nailer vs brad nailer for your workshop, a brad nailer is a more flexible nailer that can adhere two surfaces together with as much strength as other traditional nail guns. It can operate as a temporary support and also be permanent in its holding capabilities.
You’ll find that you are able to get more functionality out of a brad nailer compared to a pin nailer and be able to use it in more woodworking applications for your home. It is the ideal nailer for a variety of wood projects and would make a nice addition to any woodworking shop.
Opt for a pin nailer only when you need to hold two pieces of wood together temporarily. This is a great option for this situation, though, as a pin nailer doesn’t leave visible nail holes in your wood.
