Power Nailers Really Pay Off

You can hand-nail trim—carpenters have been doing it for centuries—but there’s no reason to anymore. The advantages of using a gun over nailing by hand are numerous. You’ll be able to get trim placed exactly where you want it with one hand while you fasten it with the other. Pieces don’t move around while you’re nailing on them, and of course, no more hammer marks or nail setting. And with some trim gun models selling for under $100, it’s worth getting one of your own. Of course, you’ll need a compressor, too, but kits that have hoses, fittings, a gun and a compressor are available at any home center for about $200. If you’re not ready for the investment, we strongly recommend renting the tools (about $50 per day). Nail guns for trim come in three sizes for shooting 15-,16- and 18-gauge nails, with 15-gauge nails being the thickest. If you only buy one gun, get an 18-gauge unit that shoots nails ranging between 5/8 in. and 2-1/4 in. long. Although the thin nails won’t be hefty enough for anchoring door or window jambs, they’ll work fine for most modern trim. When you need extra strength, pull out the old hammer and hand-nail.

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