Check Out the ULTIMATE CARPENTRY CHECKLIST!! *Get your free interactive ebook here* : www.thehonestcarpenter.com/the-ultimate-carpentry-checklist This *150-item Visual Glossary* covers every important topic in carpentry. Check off the tools you have, the concepts you understand. And if you don't know a topic, just click on it for an explanation. Every carpenter and DIYer needs this free guide!
Dude, this video is perfect. I usually hate when someone loves to hear themselves talk too much at the beginning and doesn't get to the point. You got straight to the point and moved on to the next thing. I never write anything in the comment section but I needed to applaud you and give you encouraging credit. I wish you were my UA-cam guy to explain everything in life.
I should have watched this before yesterday. I was Brad nailing some miter joints because I didn't have any other way to hold them together. I had my hand holding the joints as I shot in the Brad nails. One of those 2" nails must have been directed by the wood grain out the side and it managed to go through my thumb...in the top of my thumb and out the side. OUCH ! Lesson number 5 learned the hard way.
First time using my brad nailer. I watched 10 videos amd didn't get questions answered. This answered everything and gave me extra to take note of. Awesome!!thanks
To avoid possible nail blowout, be sure to shoot the nails perpendicular to the underlying stock. Look at time 00:43. Turn the nail gun vertical, less chance the nail could come out of the finished piece. At time 2:41, that's a much better way to shoot a nail. As nails are going into the underlying stock, they tend to bend to the left or right. The Spring out example at 2:52 is a great case in point (no pun intended), and a better reason to turn that gun 90 degrees in order to avoid spring out. Same thing at 3:16. Turn that gun 90 degrees. Great informational video.
If you're shooting a stubborn trim board to a wall with no wood behind the sheetrock to grab. Close the gap by shooting two adjacent nails at opposite angles for a stronger hold
@@mattpearce5294 sometimes you have no choice. some jobs do not allow time or materials for adding something behind the sheetrock. so alternating angle nailing is the only way to ensure a tight fit for trim.
Here's another protip for you: Brads won't come flying out the sides of your work piece if you turn the gun sideways. The tips of brads are sort of a wedge shape, so by orienting your gun so the wedge is cutting through the wood fibers instead of spreading them apart, the brad will go straight and never fish hook out the sides. This is also a good trick to use when you're nailing close to the edge of a work piece where it might split. It took me a long time to figure this out, and I've never met anyone else that knows about it.
even when hand nailing finish nails, the finish nails when they are stamped have a cutting edge to them, orient it across the grain and you will minimize splits. You can see the line also across the head of the finish nail.
@taheelur I noticed that at the beginning and at 3:00 plus after that. The tips are chiseled, if he turns the gun 90 degrees, the pins will tend not to blow out the side. This is the sign of a rookie or someone who doesn't know or care. When this happens in window trim it makes it difficult to repair, How do you pull the pins out as most 'finishers' load only with 2" for everything. You can't grab the head to pull it out and the edge of the liner is blown out. Putting a putty knife on the face of the liner and small vice grips or? and pull it thru. Fill with wood filler and sand..Generally Dap which leaves a depression. What a pain
@@bradleythebuilder8743 the problems blowouts cause right beside a window. Liner blown out and if 2 or 3 brads don’t do the job 10 will. What a mess trying not to crush trim pulling out a 2” brad when a 1 1/8” would be adequate.🇨🇦
I am truly grateful for your clear and straightforward instructional videos. I have learned a lot watching dozens of them. They’re my go-tos because I know that they are condensed and efficient training methods. Well done!
@@TheHonestCarpenter I got a new battery Dewalt 18 gauge because I thought the old one had a problem but I noticed the new one still stops shooting out around the last 8 nails??
110% vid Well done sensible comments and very sensible advice For anyone just starting out using these tools this is probably the only vid you need to see !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a handyman, I bought a Ryobi 18v brad nail gun a couple of years ago. Works great. It is not fast, neither am I, but it sure does beat hauling air hose and compressors through a clients home for shooting a few brads to replace a damaged trim board.
@C W I think it is. Very few malfinctions. Most caused by weak batteries and the user. Only thing I do not like, When storing remove the battery. It is possible something in the tool box or bag can activate the trigger and turn on the lights. It wont fire but will drain the battery. Has happened with the laser on the small circular saw also. Best to remove the batteries.
Sooo helpful! I recently (finally) bought a small compressor to use on DIY projects at home including installing baseboards, moulding, light woodworking, etc. What a lifesaver - wish I had bought one years ago. This video was really informative and useful as I begin the various projects. Lots of good-to-know stuff especially with regard to nail length and compressor pressure. I was using too much pressure on one project causing the nails to just shoot all the way through the material failing to hold it in place. Shoud have watched your video first!
Good discussion! The potential for blow-out by the brad following growth rings can also greatly be reduced by orienting the wedge of the brad by keeping the nail gun perpendicular to the stock whenever possible. If the length of brad belt / nailgun is parallel to the axis of the growth rings, they are much more likely to follow them.
Great video! The one thing I'd add is in relation to spring out. Hopefully I'm remembering this correctly (I always have to stop & think to remember!), but they are much more likely to bend to the side than fore and aft. Knowing this, you can minimise risk by holding the gun perpendicular to the material you are pinning to, so if it does spring out you aren't going to see it. It will still be embedded in the wood.
@Tim Elley Thanks Tim! You're right--plain sawn wood tends to have a grain that forces the brad through the wider faces of the board. So, truly vertical nailing is your best bet. And sometimes it still bends a brad out. Thanks for watching!
Yes. As Eugene is saying, the brads have a chisel point which gives them a chamfer on each side. It's that chamfer that can deflect the brad when it hits harder grain. Turning the nailer 90° to the grain puts the flat sides of the brad towards the grain.
Thanks! I finally bought a brad nailer and this really helps to keep me safe in my workshop. An old retiree like me needs info like this! An old dog CAN learn new tricks. LOL. 😎👍🏻
Omg, this was the perfect video for me! Just bought a brad nailer, and I am a complete beginner... Thank you so much for this, it was really good to watch what you shouldn't do!!!
Always point the gun in a safe direction when hooking up an air hose and test a gun and it’s safety features after a repair. Several years ago I had a 18 gauge brad nailer repaired by a local tool repair center. When I got it back I put nails in the gun, hooked an air hose set to the correct pressure and a nail fired and bounced off the concrete floor. Luckily I had safety glasses on and no one else was around. I took it outside and with the nail gun pointed towards the grass the same thing happened two more times. I did a function/safety test and everything else worked fine. They had repaired the original problem but created another. I took the gun back and they corrected the problem free of charge. The gun has functioned fine ever since. Ron
I have an electric DeWalt stapler that also drives 18ga brads and works like a charm. also have a porter cable driven by compressed air. did a project last week with the porter cable and wish I had seen this video first. I made many mistakes with the worst being using brads that were too long for the wood being used. also, want to mention - do not break a strip and put two separate strips into the mailer. I did this and they got crosswise in the mailer and jammed up. it took me two hours to get the jam out using channel lock pliers. it was like pulling teeth. always use just one strip and check it often to make sure they don't get sideways in the tool.
Great video. I owned the porter cable hated it... and one note is when i switched to metabo or hitachi brushless 18 and 15 g that is a real game changer. Makes the porter cable look like a toy
Hi! I think you missed something in "Mistake #4", by not mentioning brad orientation. As you know, the nail bends much easier left/right (from the gun perspective) than fore/aft. Shoot the nail so if it curves, it stays in the material (eg, on a board edge, shoot with the gun at right angles to the edge.
My uncle bought me an 18 gauge Metabo HPT for my birthday for small project use, and I’m just trying to pick up the tricks before I get into it. My first project is building sound panels with rockwool. I appreciate the insight.
I’m insanely grateful 🤩 I found your video. Learning to use my new Ryobi Brad nailer before putting together my first real wood project!! GREAT tips that I hadn’t seen from others~> yet seem extremely important‼️ More experienced woodworkers may take them for “common knowledge”however this greenhorn really needed to hear them!!🤓Thank You!!
Wow this the best video on UA-cam that has the best explanation in Detail on how to use a Brad Nail gun. Thank you. I'm about to buy my first 18 gauge Brad nailer and wanted to learn how to properly use it. This was a BIG help.
2:46 Spring Out is lessened if you shoot with the gun perpendicular to the wood exterior surface. The nails are much more likely to bend leftright not topbottom of the nailer because they are not share but rectangle shape.
Great tips. I got an electric nail gun and learning how to use it in different ways. I use glue with the nail gun to hold in place temporarily and find I don't know why I never had one before but the ones I did have were hand held with no power and I had to hammer each nail in fully after and a bit of a pain. What I'm trying to figure out now is matching where the nail comes out of the gun to where exactly I want it to penetrate the wood but hard to line it up correctly great video
ProTip: If you shoot out the side, the brads will break just below the surface if you bend them and work them back and forth. I was adding some trim to cabinets and had a brad hit one of the fasteners and come out the face. A cabinetmaker friend happened by and showed me that trick. Works like a charm!
so the check your magazine one is super good to know and I've never considered it.... also brad nails tens to flex more side to side in comparison to front to back so to avoid the blow out situation it also helps to shoot with your back board ( in a 90 degree situation) facing sideways in relation to the tip of the gun
good info, thanks. i've just recently revived my old hobby of woodworking and although i've used air nailers a little, my experience is limited. i just ordered a brad nailer and a pin nailer, so this was a good video for me to watch.
Thanks honestly!! One suggestion in your mistake #6, when replacing nail magazine, remove the battery to prevent any accidental discharge!! These tools have a capacitor that could have some energy stored in them. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Love the video! However for length of nail I've always heard the 60 40 rule. Stating that you want 60% of the nail to be in the medium you are nailing into.
10: Make sure you are using the correct gauge. I work in a large box store and I have had so many customer come in with jammed up nailers that have been using the wrong gauge and/or angle brad/nail.
Just picked this up for a large job. Tried using it with some old 18 gauge 2" nails I had in the tool box. Don't know the make. Gun kept jamming or refusing to fie eevery 2nd or 3rd nail. Frustrated, I went and bought some Metabo brads. After examining all the available brands at Lowe's, they looked the cleanest in the package. The difference was staggering. Have shot 2000 nails with less the 3 misfires. Brand makes a difference.
Yup most of the time cheap ones or Porter Cable work well ..DeWalt nails suck. Also make sure the driver is lifting all the way up if not it won't feed the next nail
the porter cable gun is pickey which nails it takes. They can't be longer than 50mm. For the 2'' nails only Bostich and Grip Right seem to be the correct length (even the PC 2" brads are 51mm and don't work well with the gun)
Tip #4A: While brads do often bend due to grain or if hitting a harder backing wood, they tend to bend along certain axes. If you're looking straight down on the nailer, the brad usually (9 out of 10) bends left or right - this is due to the way the brads are manufactured; they're stamped flat and that's the weaker dimension. So, for certain applications you can minimize the possibility of punch out by holding your nailer in a certain position. An example: if you're putting up thin door casements and sinking brads along the door side of a vertical (into the jamb), hold the nailer horizontal. This way, if the brad does deflect in the material, it'll stay IN the material and be less likely to pop out of the jamb material.
10 out of 10 times they bend to the left or right if they do bend, I've never seen one bend up or down, turn the gun sideways always keep in mind they bend left or right, aim straight and you won't have nails pop thru
I knew there had to be some way to consistently avoid those toe marks (bruising). You touched on that #2. Its a new gun and I think the toe is a bit thin and sharp. I'll pick up a soft tip or use some tape next time I use it. Thanks for a concise and quality video!
Thank you for taking the time to make another great video. Some thoughts....1. How do you decide what gauge brad to use, particularly 18 vs 16? 2. I find that when orienting the gun 90 degrees to the grain minimizes the chance of the nail bending out...
I'm a novice and just learning woodworking. Bought a decent used battery nailer. Put up new door trim and love the ease of usage. Your advice is great. Gotta go...trim awaits!!
Really enjoying your videos! You break it down to simple and easily understandable examples that are very useful. As a DIY person, there is no doubt I learn something from each of them. Thanks for the time and effort you put in doing them!
Just learning woodworking and my s-dad has given me free range of his garage (shop). He has so many tools. Sadly he is bed bound and on hospice so I’m trying to finish a couple projects to show him so he will know his tools are in good hands that know how to use them. We worked on cars together, but he started woodworking more when I was older, working and had my daughter so I couldn’t learn from him. My bio dad just passed. I learned many life lessons from him as well, and soldering. Unfortunately never enough time to learn everything before they leave you. So thank you for this information, it’s already helping me
Thank you. My brad nails were not going all the way in and there is literally a knob that I could rotate to choose the depth. I feel like an idiot but you saved me a good amount of money.
3:52 check the magazine. don't forget to disconnect power supply if performing maintenance - disconnect the air hose, disconnect the battery. that's how i shot myself during the pandemic, pinning two fingers together. magazine was empty, but there was still one in the chamber, and the airhose was still connected.
I know you kind of went over it , but kind of not. I got this tip from I think Studpack on crown molding I believe. So when shooting in a nail to have your material going the same direction. The nail wants to bend vertically if it hit something hard like a knot, so instead of blowing out the side it’ll just bend in between material. Really helps with delicate finish work and since I have got that tip, it’s worked. Been doing this for years and always room to learn something I never knew. Don’t mind the critics, I and many other enjoy your channel and tips, especially the finger tip. I can’t tell you how many times I cringe seeing people do this cause I have seen nails go completely through material and imbed into whatever’s behind it…
I am in the process of purchasing a bradnail gun. Thank you for keeping it simple and straight forward for someone like me who is a novice in this area!
Nails have a pointed tip (they are ground on two sides), they tend to bend to one side which has a grind on it. I always try to hold the gun in a right angle to the length of the workpiece. Never had a blow out accident this way
This is actually what manufacturers recommend as a way of preventing spring-out. I am amazed how many UA-cam woodworkers fail this most important recommendation all the time.
The nails are thinner on their sides so they are designed to bend that way....always hold the gun 90 degrees to the face. I haven’t had a blow out since
Hey buddy, was thinking it was.a video with tips for the pros ,but it wasn't and I learnt more.than you could believe........about non pro stuff that I think everyone knows about, but they don't.......so it's really a hands on first hand encounter for those who have never held a nail gun......
@2:56 You gun is 90 deg out of phase. The skew point will track better i.e. stay in the receiving wood it is bending with the wood rather than narrow ways of the piece.
I can add a few to this. Try to nail trim into studs, not just drywall. Use a stud finder that is capable of locating plumbing and electrical wiring. I once put a Brad nail thru and ice makers water line that was hidden in the wall. Try to avoid doing that lol
Learned the hardway nail bent sideways and got my Finger. So first I use finish nails to help hold the piece. If it blows out my hand is nowhere around the piece. Good job
Thanks for the tips buddy. I just brought my first Bradnailer ( it's a Ryobi) and I'm super excited to use it. I watched your video first and I'm super glad I did?
FYI, I've had the Ryobi brad nailer for almost 3 years now. Tip: if your nailer starts getting "stuck"... just making a winding sound and not firing, you need to turn down the depth dial in the nailer and it'll work again. I spent many hours taking mine apart, oiling parts, etc, only to find that it's something goofy with these things that requires you to dial down a bit after having not used it for a long time. No idea why.
Most guys who do this brand of videos are usually have a lot of tools, with the biggest tool being themselves. I can't believe how many times they are incorrect or partially incorrect yet, wear arrogance like a badge of honor. That said, I've only watched a couple of yours so far, but they're Pretty good man. It's refreshing to see a video that's just doing what the title says without any additional crap trying to strike their ego and what-not..... keep it up man, you're ding a great job imo
on the last one about using adhesive you said it isn’t used for interior trim which is true for use between the trim and drywall but use it on any joints. and wood to wood contact that is hidden needs glue
Been using brad nailers for a long time but learned a couple of things and was reminded of some. I honestly don't think I've ever had a brad stick in the chamber when I've changed sizes, but I also tend to be using the same size for extended jobs and may not change sizes for weeks or months. I may start paying more attention.
Re: #4: The tip of a brad nail is cut with one or two bevels. They tend to veer perpendicular to that bevel, which means that, for most brads, they veer left or right from the gun, not forward or back. Therefore, if you turn the gun perpindicular to the workpiece, the nail is unlikely to shoot out the side of the wood. If the nail veers left or right, it just goes into more of the workpiece.
The keeping your hands away from the area being nailed applies to all powered nailers. While supporting HFH on a build one of the volunteers was using a Paslode framing nailer. He shot to close to the edge and the 16p 3 1/4" nail went through the wood and hit me in the knee several feet away. Luckily I was wearing jeans that day.
I've been using the porter gable 18 and 16 gauge 20 volt for about a year and a half now they are great finish guns, no mus no fus get the job done tools. I have found when nailing hard wood trim to hard wood like maple the nail length needs to be as short as possible or you don't get a counter sink or worse. A nail you gut to cut off to set it properly. Its especially important when working with prefinished trim. I do wish porter gable would make a 22 gage 20 volt pin nailer. Nicely done video.
Thank you Stephen! You're right, I've had to do a little walnut construction, and I couldn't get the nail heads to countersink. Just doesn't quite have the impact. For anything softer though, I've had plenty of penetration. We oughta write them about that pin nailer!
How to avoid nails driven only partially with head sticking out? For example, pine board to wall- the nail drives almost all the way except for nail head, which causes the need for a nail punch. I have a Wen battery operated 18 gauge gun.
Check Out the ULTIMATE CARPENTRY CHECKLIST!! *Get your free interactive ebook here* :
www.thehonestcarpenter.com/the-ultimate-carpentry-checklist
This *150-item Visual Glossary* covers every important topic in carpentry. Check off the tools you have, the concepts you understand. And if you don't know a topic, just click on it for an explanation. Every carpenter and DIYer needs this free guide!
Dude, this video is perfect. I usually hate when someone loves to hear themselves talk too much at the beginning and doesn't get to the point. You got straight to the point and moved on to the next thing. I never write anything in the comment section but I needed to applaud you and give you encouraging credit. I wish you were my UA-cam guy to explain everything in life.
Finally, a decent video explaining in detail about brad nailers cause we ain't all experts. Thank you very much sir.
Maybe you don't understand what the word decent means... This is an excellent video.
I should have watched this before yesterday. I was Brad nailing some miter joints because I didn't have any other way to hold them together. I had my hand holding the joints as I shot in the Brad nails. One of those 2" nails must have been directed by the wood grain out the side and it managed to go through my thumb...in the top of my thumb and out the side. OUCH ! Lesson number 5 learned the hard way.
First time using my brad nailer. I watched 10 videos amd didn't get questions answered. This answered everything and gave me extra to take note of. Awesome!!thanks
I am beginner and this was really helpful. I feel anyone starting to use a nailer should watch this video. :)
To avoid possible nail blowout, be sure to shoot the nails perpendicular to the underlying stock. Look at time 00:43. Turn the nail gun vertical, less chance the nail could come out of the finished piece. At time 2:41, that's a much better way to shoot a nail. As nails are going into the underlying stock, they tend to bend to the left or right. The Spring out example at 2:52 is a great case in point (no pun intended), and a better reason to turn that gun 90 degrees in order to avoid spring out. Same thing at 3:16. Turn that gun 90 degrees. Great informational video.
If you're shooting a stubborn trim board to a wall with no wood behind the sheetrock to grab. Close the gap by shooting two adjacent nails at opposite angles for a stronger hold
If you are shooting anything to sheetrock with no timber behind it you shouldn't be shooting
@@mattpearce5294 sometimes you have no choice. some jobs do not allow time or materials for adding something behind the sheetrock. so alternating angle nailing is the only way to ensure a tight fit for trim.
Yeah, like this \/ if it were going into drywall
yea and add some glob of adhesive, silicone or construction adhesive etc
Nice tip!
Here's another protip for you: Brads won't come flying out the sides of your work piece if you turn the gun sideways. The tips of brads are sort of a wedge shape, so by orienting your gun so the wedge is cutting through the wood fibers instead of spreading them apart, the brad will go straight and never fish hook out the sides. This is also a good trick to use when you're nailing close to the edge of a work piece where it might split. It took me a long time to figure this out, and I've never met anyone else that knows about it.
Great tip. Thanks!
even when hand nailing finish nails, the finish nails when they are stamped have a cutting edge to them, orient it across the grain and you will minimize splits. You can see the line also across the head of the finish nail.
@taheelur I noticed that at the beginning and at 3:00 plus after that. The tips are chiseled, if he turns the gun 90 degrees, the pins will tend not to blow out the side. This is the sign of a rookie or someone who doesn't know or care.
When this happens in window trim it makes it difficult to repair, How do you pull the pins out as most 'finishers' load only with 2" for everything. You can't grab the head to pull it out and the edge of the liner is blown out. Putting a putty knife on the face of the liner and small vice grips or? and pull it thru. Fill with wood filler and sand..Generally Dap which leaves a depression.
What a pain
Goddamn I was watching him explain blow out and how to avoid it while doing the number one thing that causes it to happen
@@bradleythebuilder8743 the problems blowouts cause right beside a window. Liner blown out and if 2 or 3 brads don’t do the job 10 will. What a mess trying not to crush trim pulling out a 2” brad when a 1 1/8” would be adequate.🇨🇦
I am truly grateful for your clear and straightforward instructional videos. I have learned a lot watching dozens of them. They’re my go-tos because I know that they are condensed and efficient training methods. Well done!
Thank you, Brian! 🙂
@@TheHonestCarpenter I got a new battery Dewalt 18 gauge because I thought the old one had a problem but I noticed the new one still stops shooting out around the last 8 nails??
Really good tips for a newbie on a brad nailer thank you!!!
@Heavyrain 420 You're welcome! Thanks for watching :)
110% vid Well done sensible comments and very sensible advice For anyone just starting out using these tools this is probably the only vid you need to see !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Super tutorial dude! Painters tape on the end is brilliant!
Thank you Ken! Saved me a lot of wood filling over the years 🙂
As a handyman, I bought a Ryobi 18v brad nail gun a couple of years ago.
Works great.
It is not fast, neither am I, but it sure does beat hauling air hose and compressors through a clients home for shooting a few brads to replace a damaged trim board.
Shawn, if I never haul a compressor upstairs again, it’ll be too soon 😅
@@TheHonestCarpenter No chyt.
@C W I think it is.
Very few malfinctions.
Most caused by weak batteries and the user.
Only thing I do not like,
When storing remove the battery. It is possible something in the tool box or bag can activate the trigger and turn on the lights.
It wont fire but will drain the battery.
Has happened with the laser on the small circular saw also.
Best to remove the batteries.
Sooo helpful! I recently (finally) bought a small compressor to use on DIY projects at home including installing baseboards, moulding, light woodworking, etc. What a lifesaver - wish I had bought one years ago. This video was really informative and useful as I begin the various projects. Lots of good-to-know stuff especially with regard to nail length and compressor pressure. I was using too much pressure on one project causing the nails to just shoot all the way through the material failing to hold it in place. Shoud have watched your video first!
For a novice and weekend warrior like myself. This was as simple and informative as I needed it. Nice job and thanks
Good discussion! The potential for blow-out by the brad following growth rings can also greatly be reduced by orienting the wedge of the brad by keeping the nail gun perpendicular to the stock whenever possible. If the length of brad belt / nailgun is parallel to the axis of the growth rings, they are much more likely to follow them.
I just bought the same 20 v Porter Cable brad nailer and I love it a total game changer and I don't have to carry my compressor all over the job site
Great video! The one thing I'd add is in relation to spring out. Hopefully I'm remembering this correctly (I always have to stop & think to remember!), but they are much more likely to bend to the side than fore and aft. Knowing this, you can minimise risk by holding the gun perpendicular to the material you are pinning to, so if it does spring out you aren't going to see it. It will still be embedded in the wood.
@Tim Elley Thanks Tim! You're right--plain sawn wood tends to have a grain that forces the brad through the wider faces of the board. So, truly vertical nailing is your best bet. And sometimes it still bends a brad out. Thanks for watching!
The Honest Carpenter. I think you missed Tim’s point. The way the head of the brads are cut makes them move perpendicular to the direction of the gun.
Yes. As Eugene is saying, the brads have a chisel point which gives them a chamfer on each side. It's that chamfer that can deflect the brad when it hits harder grain. Turning the nailer 90° to the grain puts the flat sides of the brad towards the grain.
You nailed it in this very informative video .thanks man.
@BigFoot Seahawk You're welcome! Thanks so much for the positive feedback 😀
Thanks! I finally bought a brad nailer and this really helps to keep me safe in my workshop. An old retiree like me needs info like this! An old dog CAN learn new tricks. LOL. 😎👍🏻
Excellent info. Great delivery ... quick, concise with great visuals. THIS is how I want all UA-cam videos to be.
Absolutely Loved the
NO NONSENSE APPROACH. STRAIGHT TO THE POINTS
Omg, this was the perfect video for me! Just bought a brad nailer, and I am a complete beginner... Thank you so much for this, it was really good to watch what you shouldn't do!!!
Always point the gun in a safe direction when hooking up an air hose and test a gun and it’s safety features after a repair. Several years ago I had a 18 gauge brad nailer repaired by a local tool repair center. When I got it back I put nails in the gun, hooked an air hose set to the correct pressure and a nail fired and bounced off the concrete floor. Luckily I had safety glasses on and no one else was around. I took it outside and with the nail gun pointed towards the grass the same thing happened two more times. I did a function/safety test and everything else worked fine. They had repaired the original problem but created another. I took the gun back and they corrected the problem free of charge. The gun has functioned fine ever since.
Ron
I have an electric DeWalt stapler that also drives 18ga brads and works like a charm. also have a porter cable driven by compressed air. did a project last week with the porter cable and wish I had seen this video first. I made many mistakes with the worst being using brads that were too long for the wood being used. also, want to mention - do not break a strip and put two separate strips into the mailer. I did this and they got crosswise in the mailer and jammed up. it took me two hours to get the jam out using channel lock pliers. it was like pulling teeth. always use just one strip and check it often to make sure they don't get sideways in the tool.
Great video. I owned the porter cable hated it... and one note is when i switched to metabo or hitachi brushless 18 and 15 g that is a real game changer. Makes the porter cable look like a toy
Hi! I think you missed something in "Mistake #4", by not mentioning brad orientation. As you know, the nail bends much easier left/right (from the gun perspective) than fore/aft. Shoot the nail so if it curves, it stays in the material (eg, on a board edge, shoot with the gun at right angles to the edge.
My uncle bought me an 18 gauge Metabo HPT for my birthday for small project use, and I’m just trying to pick up the tricks before I get into it. My first project is building sound panels with rockwool. I appreciate the insight.
I’m insanely grateful 🤩 I found your video. Learning to use my new Ryobi Brad nailer before putting together my first real wood project!! GREAT tips that I hadn’t seen from others~> yet seem extremely important‼️
More experienced woodworkers may take them for “common knowledge”however this greenhorn really needed to hear them!!🤓Thank You!!
Wow this the best video on UA-cam that has the best explanation in Detail on how to use a Brad Nail gun. Thank you. I'm about to buy my first 18 gauge Brad nailer and wanted to learn how to properly use it. This was a BIG help.
I have the same Porter Cable battery brad nailer. It is also one of my favorite tools. I use it all the time.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am hoping to do my first DIY project and will use a nail gun and having this information is so helpful!
Never thought about the last nail in the chamber before changing the size. Thank You!
@A Patterson You're welcome! I've learned that one the hard way more than once 😅
Alternatively, after changing length, nail into scrap until the new length emerges.
Yes, I have never thought about this either. I'm a newbie. LOL.
You forgot zee one in zee chamber???
Dynamite video. Straightforward, covered all the mistakes I was concerned about, and didn’t waste anyone’s time. Thanks!
2:46 Spring Out is lessened if you shoot with the gun perpendicular to the wood exterior surface. The nails are much more likely to bend leftright not topbottom of the nailer because they are not share but rectangle shape.
Great tips! I've made many of those mistakes over the years. Especially working fast and not keeping hands in safe area. Ouch!
@JC Moreno Thanks man! I've definitely pinged myself with some brads before. Never fun, best avoided! 😅
Great tips. I got an electric nail gun and learning how to use it in different ways. I use glue with the nail gun to hold in place temporarily and find I don't know why I never had one before but the ones I did have were hand held with no power and I had to hammer each nail in fully after and a bit of a pain. What I'm trying to figure out now is matching where the nail comes out of the gun to where exactly I want it to penetrate the wood but hard to line it up correctly great video
Thanks the tip about checking to be sure one nail wasn't left over from old job was helpful as well as the sharp angle. Good video!
They're great for pre-framing small framing jobs. You can undo any mistakes before or proceed with final 3" nails or screws.
ProTip: If you shoot out the side, the brads will break just below the surface if you bend them and work them back and forth. I was adding some trim to cabinets and had a brad hit one of the fasteners and come out the face. A cabinetmaker friend happened by and showed me that trick. Works like a charm!
Also, rotate you gun 90° so "sideways" runs along the board. The flat nails tend to curve left and right more than up and down.
so the check your magazine one is super good to know and I've never considered it.... also brad nails tens to flex more side to side in comparison to front to back so to avoid the blow out situation it also helps to shoot with your back board ( in a 90 degree situation) facing sideways in relation to the tip of the gun
good info, thanks. i've just recently revived my old hobby of woodworking and although i've used air nailers a little, my experience is limited. i just ordered a brad nailer and a pin nailer, so this was a good video for me to watch.
Great video! I use 18 g nailer from time to time and by watching your video, I learned a lot.
I like the use of subtitles and voiceover - this makes for a more polished video.
Too many times have I seen video with wind noise, etc.
Agreed ! Much easier to listen to. Thanks "Honest Carpenter"
Thanks honestly!! One suggestion in your mistake #6, when replacing nail magazine, remove the battery to prevent any accidental discharge!! These tools have a capacitor that could have some energy stored in them.
Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Love the video! However for length of nail I've always heard the 60 40 rule. Stating that you want 60% of the nail to be in the medium you are nailing into.
10: Make sure you are using the correct gauge. I work in a large box store and I have had so many customer come in with jammed up nailers that have been using the wrong gauge and/or angle brad/nail.
Just picked this up for a large job. Tried using it with some old 18 gauge 2" nails I had in the tool box. Don't know the make. Gun kept jamming or refusing to fie eevery 2nd or 3rd nail. Frustrated, I went and bought some Metabo brads. After examining all the available brands at Lowe's, they looked the cleanest in the package. The difference was staggering. Have shot 2000 nails with less the 3 misfires. Brand makes a difference.
🤔
Yup most of the time cheap ones or Porter Cable work well ..DeWalt nails suck. Also make sure the driver is lifting all the way up if not it won't feed the next nail
the porter cable gun is pickey which nails it takes. They can't be longer than 50mm. For the 2'' nails only Bostich and Grip Right seem to be the correct length (even the PC 2" brads are 51mm and don't work well with the gun)
@@benmasse4841 Metabo 2" nails work nearly flawlessly.
This is really good information for someone like me who is a complete beginner. Thanks for posting this It's giving me a lot to consider
Safety should of be the first priority for every one. And you have nailed a few steps here. Very good tips. Thank you for your advise
Thanks, Ethan! Really great video. Clear and professional. You’re the first and only UA-camr I’ve ever subscribed to!
Tip #4A: While brads do often bend due to grain or if hitting a harder backing wood, they tend to bend along certain axes. If you're looking straight down on the nailer, the brad usually (9 out of 10) bends left or right - this is due to the way the brads are manufactured; they're stamped flat and that's the weaker dimension. So, for certain applications you can minimize the possibility of punch out by holding your nailer in a certain position. An example: if you're putting up thin door casements and sinking brads along the door side of a vertical (into the jamb), hold the nailer horizontal. This way, if the brad does deflect in the material, it'll stay IN the material and be less likely to pop out of the jamb material.
10 out of 10 times they bend to the left or right if they do bend, I've never seen one bend up or down, turn the gun sideways always keep in mind they bend left or right, aim straight and you won't have nails pop thru
Thanks brother! Working with Kebony and had a blow out. I didn't have much room for error. You saved me.
Thanks for these tips. I am new with this tool, so this means a lot to me!
I knew there had to be some way to consistently avoid those toe marks (bruising). You touched on that #2. Its a new gun and I think the toe is a bit thin and sharp. I'll pick up a soft tip or use some tape next time I use it. Thanks for a concise and quality video!
Thanks, I needed that knowledge. Never knew a straggler could be left behind when you change sizes either. Thanks for sharing.
I just bought my first brad nailer so I really appreciate all the tips. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for taking the time to make another great video. Some thoughts....1. How do you decide what gauge brad to use, particularly 18 vs 16? 2. I find that when orienting the gun 90 degrees to the grain minimizes the chance of the nail bending out...
What a well made video. Answered a lot of questions I wouldn't even think of asking. Good job.
I'm a novice and just learning woodworking. Bought a decent used battery nailer. Put up new door trim and love the ease of usage. Your advice is great. Gotta go...trim awaits!!
Really enjoying your videos! You break it down to simple and easily understandable examples that are very useful. As a DIY person, there is no doubt I learn something from each of them. Thanks for the time and effort you put in doing them!
Thank you Jeff! I appreciate you watching.
Just learning woodworking and my s-dad has given me free range of his garage (shop). He has so many tools. Sadly he is bed bound and on hospice so I’m trying to finish a couple projects to show him so he will know his tools are in good hands that know how to use them. We worked on cars together, but he started woodworking more when I was older, working and had my daughter so I couldn’t learn from him. My bio dad just passed. I learned many life lessons from him as well, and soldering. Unfortunately never enough time to learn everything before they leave you. So thank you for this information, it’s already helping me
Great tip on the tape. I didn't have a plastic adapter. It worked well.
Really helpful for those of us who've never used these before. Thanks for another great vid. Your vids are really helping me learn. Thanks man!!
Nice! I am still trying to get comfortable with my first air tool project.
very basic stuff but it's a great video non the less and thank you for the time to put it togther, refreshers never get old.
Very cool video. I'm about to use Brad nailer first time this morning, I feel your info made me feel much more informed about what NOT to do!
Thank you. My brad nails were not going all the way in and there is literally a knob that I could rotate to choose the depth. I feel like an idiot but you saved me a good amount of money.
3:52 check the magazine. don't forget to disconnect power supply if performing maintenance - disconnect the air hose, disconnect the battery. that's how i shot myself during the pandemic, pinning two fingers together. magazine was empty, but there was still one in the chamber, and the airhose was still connected.
I know you kind of went over it , but kind of not. I got this tip from I think Studpack on crown molding I believe. So when shooting in a nail to have your material going the same direction. The nail wants to bend vertically if it hit something hard like a knot, so instead of blowing out the side it’ll just bend in between material. Really helps with delicate finish work and since I have got that tip, it’s worked. Been doing this for years and always room to learn something I never knew. Don’t mind the critics, I and many other enjoy your channel and tips, especially the finger tip. I can’t tell you how many times I cringe seeing people do this cause I have seen nails go completely through material and imbed into whatever’s behind it…
I am in the process of purchasing a bradnail gun. Thank you for keeping it simple and straight forward for someone like me who is a novice in this area!
1:51 If you do bruise the wood, it can be easily fixed with a wet towel and cloths iron set to hot.
I also heard , a Wet sponge might help with bruising ??
Nails have a pointed tip (they are ground on two sides), they tend to bend to one side which has a grind on it. I always try to hold the gun in a right angle to the length of the workpiece. Never had a blow out accident this way
Thanks for the tip Alex!
@@TheHonestCarpenter This is also important to know for reducing the chances of splitting
This is actually what manufacturers recommend as a way of preventing spring-out. I am amazed how many UA-cam woodworkers fail this most important recommendation all the time.
The nails are thinner on their sides so they are designed to bend that way....always hold the gun 90 degrees to the face. I haven’t had a blow out since
Yes, agreed
Really useful to know these as I am new to woodworking and have just purchased my first Brad nailer.
Enjoy it, Stephen. Stay safe!
Hey buddy, was thinking it was.a video with tips for the pros ,but it wasn't and I learnt more.than you could believe........about non pro stuff that I think everyone knows about, but they don't.......so it's really a hands on first hand encounter for those who have never held a nail gun......
@2:56 You gun is 90 deg out of phase. The skew point will track better i.e. stay in the receiving wood it is bending with the wood rather than narrow ways of the piece.
Too bad I didn't see this years ago. I'm pretty confident I've learned every one of those lessons over my late teens/early twenties.
Your videos have been super helpful; thanks! Often times the simple (yet important) things aren’t covered - not the case here!
I can add a few to this.
Try to nail trim into studs, not just drywall. Use a stud finder that is capable of locating plumbing and electrical wiring.
I once put a Brad nail thru and ice makers water line that was hidden in the wall. Try to avoid doing that lol
So true, spot on!
Mistake number 10 is pulling a gun by hand in tight spaces hoping that it will shoot
That nail will bounce off or go only half way 🤔
Cool! I've been trying to figure out how to avoid bruising the wood. Thanks for the tips.
And I'll definitely get the Porter Cable for the next gun.
Learned the hardway nail bent sideways and got my Finger. So first I use finish nails to help hold the piece. If it blows out my hand is nowhere around the piece. Good job
OMG! Top #6 is really a good one, thanks! I never thought to check for any loose nails.
Thanks for the tips buddy. I just brought my first Bradnailer ( it's a Ryobi) and I'm super excited to use it. I watched your video first and I'm super glad I did?
FYI, I've had the Ryobi brad nailer for almost 3 years now. Tip: if your nailer starts getting "stuck"... just making a winding sound and not firing, you need to turn down the depth dial in the nailer and it'll work again. I spent many hours taking mine apart, oiling parts, etc, only to find that it's something goofy with these things that requires you to dial down a bit after having not used it for a long time. No idea why.
Sams !!
Most guys who do this brand of videos are usually have a lot of tools, with the biggest tool being themselves. I can't believe how many times they are incorrect or partially incorrect yet, wear arrogance like a badge of honor. That said, I've only watched a couple of yours so far, but they're Pretty good man. It's refreshing to see a video that's just doing what the title says without any additional crap trying to strike their ego and what-not..... keep it up man, you're ding a great job imo
I am a wood working novice and found this video very helpful. Thank you for the great work!
Great advice, I will definitely incorporate it into my projects
on the last one about using adhesive you said it isn’t used for interior trim which is true for use between the trim and drywall but use it on any joints. and wood to wood contact that is hidden needs glue
Simple, to the point, no fluff, great job
Been using brad nailers for a long time but learned a couple of things and was reminded of some. I honestly don't think I've ever had a brad stick in the chamber when I've changed sizes, but I also tend to be using the same size for extended jobs and may not change sizes for weeks or months. I may start paying more attention.
Great pointers for anyone thinking about buying a brad nailer
Re: #4: The tip of a brad nail is cut with one or two bevels. They tend to veer perpendicular to that bevel, which means that, for most brads, they veer left or right from the gun, not forward or back. Therefore, if you turn the gun perpindicular to the workpiece, the nail is unlikely to shoot out the side of the wood. If the nail veers left or right, it just goes into more of the workpiece.
I just bought a brad nailer and hope to keep injury free so thanks for the information.
The keeping your hands away from the area being nailed applies to all powered nailers. While supporting HFH on a build one of the volunteers was using a Paslode framing nailer. He shot to close to the edge and the 16p 3 1/4" nail went through the wood and hit me in the knee several feet away. Luckily I was wearing jeans that day.
Great video. I'm using my gun for the first time and this was really helpful before I get started.
Thanks Heather! Good luck, be safe 🙂
I've been using the porter gable 18 and 16 gauge 20 volt for about a year and a half now they are great finish guns, no mus no fus get the job done tools. I have found when nailing hard wood trim to hard wood like maple the nail length needs to be as short as possible or you don't get a counter sink or worse. A nail you gut to cut off to set it properly. Its especially important when working with prefinished trim. I do wish porter gable would make a 22 gage 20 volt pin nailer.
Nicely done video.
Thank you Stephen! You're right, I've had to do a little walnut construction, and I couldn't get the nail heads to countersink. Just doesn't quite have the impact. For anything softer though, I've had plenty of penetration. We oughta write them about that pin nailer!
Excellent video! If, like me , you are new to using an air nailer you will learn some very valuable lessons here.
I'm new to brad nailers. This was great and to the point.
How to avoid nails driven only partially with head sticking out? For example, pine board to wall- the nail drives almost all the way except for nail head, which causes the need for a nail punch.
I have a Wen battery operated 18 gauge gun.