A nail gun is one of the most versatile tools you can keep in your toolbox. Whether you are an avid DIYer or a carpenter, a good nail gun will make your work easier.
Finding the best nail gun for building furniture is not an easy task. There are various types of nail guns providing different types of service. Nail sizes can differ from one gun to another. Some will not work on all sorts of surfaces either. To save you from this dilemma, we have dug through the top 6 best nail guns for building furniture for you.
If you are in a rush and looking for a quick recommendation, we have the winner ready for you. Among the top 6 best nail guns for building furniture, the PORTER-CABLE Cordless Brad Nailer Kit is the winner.
This battery-powered cordless nailer kit drives 18 GA nails through all types of surfaces and is considered one of the best power tools of 2021.
However, if you do have time, then we would urge you to go through the list and check out the detailed reviews. So, without further ado, let’s get started with the reviews!
6 Best Nail Gun For Building Furniture Reviews
1. PORTER-CABLE Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
Our winner, the porter cable cordless brad nailer kit, is not only our favorite but is a consumer favorite too. A quick peek at their amazon page will tell you so. If we think and compare the service it offers at a limited price, we will be able to understand why this is the first choice among consumers.
Features
Forget About Splurging On Air Compressors Now: When it comes to a cordless, battery-powered 18GA brad nailer, nothing can beat this. You don’t have to splurge on gas cartridges or air hoses at all because this all-rounder cordless nailer kit has got your back.
No More Cramped Muscles: Cordless nail guns are preferable by many due to their hassle-free service. You don’t need to carry an air compressor with you every time you want to use the nailer. But cordless nailers are heavier than pneumatic nailers. Most cordless nailers are quite heavy for regular usage. This puts the buyer in a great dilemma of whether they should opt for a lightweight pneumatic nailer or a heavier cordless nailer.
To solve this problem, we present you with the porter cable cordless brad nailer. This nailer is one of the most lightweight cordless brad nailers available in the market allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Hassle-free Setting Adjustment: This nailer not only performs great but also is designed for ultimate user comfort. Tool-free adjustments are quite common in cordless nailers these days but this nailer lets you experience the premium service of this feature. This nailer has a tool-free depth adjustment setting, multiple LED lights for better visibility.
The most amazing quality according to us is the tool-free jam releasing the lever. It is one of the most perfect and easy jams releasing features we have ever come across in nailers.
Pros
- Despite being a cordless nailer, it is lightweight.
- Cordless nail gun
- Tool-free depth adjustment
- Comes with LED lights ensuring better visibility
- Tool-free jam releasing lever
Cons
- Does not come with a carrying case
- Does not come with nails
2. DEWALT Brad Nailer Kit, 18GA (DWFP12231)
When it comes to a pneumatic brad nailer for woodworking, trim work, or building furniture, nothing can outperform the DeWalt brad nailer kit. This nailer is considered one of the most perfect brad nailers available in the market due to its wide variety of features, precision in nail firing, and efficiency.
Let’s see in details what features this nail gun has to offer:
Features
Strong 18GA Nail Driving Power: This nail gun is built with more nail firing power than being the average brad nailer available in the market, making it a great nailer to use on various surfaces. You no longer have to worry about misfiring finicky 18GA nails with this nailer kit.
No Hassle Of Choosing The ‘Right’ Air Compressor: One of the biggest issues most pneumatic nailers have is that they are not compatible with all types of air compressors.
Some even require a certain air compressor to operate. However, with this nail gun, you no longer have to worry about finding the right air compressor. Because it is compatible with all types of air compressors.
Lightweight Body Makes It Perfect For All Day Usage: This nailer has an ergonomically designed magnesium body and a rubber-coated contoured handle. Magnesium makes it sturdy yet lightweight and ergonomic design ensures the evenly distributed weight of the gun.
Pros
- No maintenance required for the motor
- Compatible with all types of air compressor
- Perfect for all-day use
- Drives 18GA nail into various wooden surface effortlessly
Cons
- While some nailers come with nails, this doesn’t.
3. BOSTITCH Brad Nail Gun (BTFP12233)
Your journey of finding the most precise, efficient, and lightweight pneumatic gun will come to an end with the Bostitch smart point brad nail gun. This gun is specially designed for those who have difficulty aiming.
Some other features you’ll get with this nail gun are:
Features
Wizard Like Aim: This nail gun is built with a feature called smart point, which makes the tip of the gun smaller and narrower than usual. This allows the nail gun to get into the smallest creeks of a surface.
Due to the narrow size, it also allows better visibility of the target. This is the reason behind the perfect aim of nail firing with this gun. This nail gun delivers so precisely that you will feel like a wizard working with it.
No Jamming, No Oiling: Jamming is a rare sight in this nail gun but if it ever happens, the tool-free jam release will save the day. In most brad nailers you have to remove the misfired nail that is causing jamming by a wrench, but in this case, you can easily remove the jammed nail without additional help.
Ergonomically Designed, Lightweight Yet Packs Quite A Strong Punch: This nail gun has a lightweight, ergonomic body and a contoured handle. The overall weight is distributed evenly and makes it fun to work with.
Pros
- Smart point provides great firing accuracy
- Can drive up to 2 1/8 inch 18GA brad nails
- Trigger lock switch for enhanced safety
- Comes with a rear exhaust
- Lightweight and ergonomically designed body
- Oil-free jam release mechanism
- Tool-free depth adjustment settings
Cons
- It is quite expensive
4. KIMO 20V 18 Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer
The KIMO 20V 18GA cordless brad nailer is one of the most unique and versatile nail guns on our list. A powerful and sturdy nail gun like this will become your best pal in finishing work within minutes.
Let’s see what features KIMO cordless bard nailer offers:
Features
No Cords To Hold You Back: This cordless nail gun is a two in one battery-powered tool that will make your work easier than ever. You don’t have to spend extra on an air compressor. It lets you have nailing and stapling features at a comparatively cheaper price, which makes it a steal.
Lightweight And User-friendly Mechanism: Many battery-powered brad nailers make you choose between weight or convenience. This brad nailer is the perfect mix of a lightweight body and user-friendly mechanism. It also comes with LED lights that enhance visibility while working.
Dual Firing Mode: This nail gun offers two different methods of firing. You can fire a single nail or a series of nails with this feature. This saves time, makes it more portable, and lets you expand your area of expertise. What a deal, right!
Pros
- Two in one nailer and stapler power too
- Lightweight and ergonomic body
- Comes with a nailer kit
- Perfect for building furniture
Cons
- Does not have a tool-free jam release feature
5. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
We have already talked about another nail gun from DeWalt in our list in the beginning. DeWalt is a very reliable name in the world of nailers. All the nail guns from this brand are precise, perform up to the mark while ensuring you are not putting a dent in your pocket.
The DeWalt 20V Max cordless brad nailer kit is not an exception either. Moreover, with the Tool-Free Jam Release feature, this particular model has become quite popular among the DIYers.
Features
Brushless Motor Ensures The Highest Level Of Efficiency: The motor of this cordless nailer is designed with DeWalt’s flywheel technology. Due to this technology, there is no delay or lag between pushing the trigger and firing the nail.
Forget About Air Compressors: Once you have used this nailer, you will not want to go back to your regular pneumatic brad nailer. This cordless nailer lets your experience hassle-free portability and will make working easier.
Tool-Free Jam Release To Save The Day: It is quite impossible to experience jamming with DeWalt’s nailers but sequential firing for a long period can cause it. This nail gun is built with a tool-free jam release which makes your work easier. All you have to do is empty the magazine, open the jam clearing latch, and remove the nail that has bent due to misfiring.
Pros
- Tool-free jam release
- Lightweight and ergonomic body
- Comes with LED lights for enhanced vision
- Comes with a non-marring tip
Cons
- It can jam due to prolonged usage
6. Metabo HPT Brad Nailer Kit (NT50AE2)
If you are looking for a brad nailer that will provide you top-notch service within a very limited budget then the Metabo HPT brad nailer kit is just the thing you need. This brad nailer is preferred and recommended by many professional carpenters due to its versatile performance within a low budget.
Features
Expand Your Area Of Expertise With Metabo HPT Brad Nailer: This nail gun is the perfect companion for 18GA nails and accepts a wide variety of nail sizes. One of the best features of this nailer is that, unlike other pneumatic nailers, this does not misfire at all.
It completes the task with utmost precision. Firing 18GA nails into different types of woods swiftly is just one Metabo HPT brad nailer away!
So Lightweight That It Feels Like You Are Working With Feathers: This nail gun weighs less than 3 lbs. which is a rare sight among brad nailers. This lightweight and ergonomically designed nail gun allow you to work with it all day without feeling a thing.
Unique Dual Firing Mode: Some people think nailers with cheaper price tags are not good quality or don’t offer much. If you are one of them, then the Metabo HPT brad nailer will change your mind within seconds.
Despite being one of the most affordable nailer kits available in the market, this nailer kit offers a dual firing mode, that makes it stand out in the market. It comes with bump firing and sequential firing mode. This feature allows the user to have a hassle-free, all-in-one nailer experience.
Pros
- Unique selective firing mode
- Works with a wide variety of wood
- 5 years of warranty
- Tool-free depth adjustment settings
- 360-degree rear exhaust
- Lightweight body
- Ergonomically designed body with a contoured handle ensures optimal balance
Cons
- Jamming might occur due to long periods of usage
How To Choose The Best Nail Gun For Building Furniture?
If you are someone who has never bought a nailer kit before, then the world of nailer kits can be quite confusing to you. There are various things that ensure a nailer kit is safe to use and delivers as much as it is offering. Not all nailer is useful when it comes to woodworking either.
This buyer’s guide will help you to learn what type of nailer will be ideal for building furniture and what other factors you should remember while buying one.
Types Of Nailer
There are different types of the nailer. From brad nailer to framing nailer or finish nailer, the type you want to invest in solely depends on what you are looking for.
A framing nailer is used for wood fastening and newly built constructions. It is considered a heavy-duty nail gun just like a roofing nailer. A finish nailer is quite useful around the workshop but it is considered a “weaker” or nimble nail gun.
When it comes to woodworking, carpentry, building furniture, working with drywall, nothing beats a brad nailer. A brad nailer is considered one of the most well-rounded nail guns available. All the nailers mentioned in our list are brad nailers, designed to provide you maximum precision with lesser effort.
Weight
The weight of a nail gun is one of the most important factors you should consider while choosing one. This is a tool you will be carrying and working with for a long time. If it is heavy then no matter how good it is, you will only struggle to work with it.
However, some nail guns can be lightweight but end up ruining your work due to their low performance. Opting for guns that are built with lightweight materials that will still ensure a sturdy body is ideal.
Features
The features of a nail gun vary from one to another. But some of the most common features you should look for are tool-free depth adjustment that makes jumping from one side of the nail to another easier. Nail magazine capacity is also important.
Some guns offer you different firing modes while some don’t. While this is not an absolute necessity, if you are a professional, this is something you might want to keep in mind.
Design
Most nail guns these days are made ergonomically. This ensures maximum user comfort and keeps the weight distributed eventually. An ergonomic body is a must as it ensures an optimal balance of the gun and the handle.
The handle should be contoured as well. A contoured handle ensures more user comfort than a non-contoured one. A comfortable nail gun is the first condition for safe working!
Power type
Most nail guns are either pneumatic or battery-powered. Pneumatic nailers operate with an air compressor while battery-powered nailers are cordless and operate with a lithium battery.
The ideal air pressure for a pneumatic nailer is 70 to 120 PSI. Any less than 70 PSI will not fire properly resulting in jamming often. 120 PSI is as high as you should go. Yes, it is true that more air pressure means more power but it will also ruin the precision and performance of the gun. So, the ideal air pressure should always be 70-120n PSI.
If you have an air compressor at home, you can opt for a pneumatic nailer. If you don’t want the hassle of splurging on an air compressor, opting for a cordless nailer is preferred. However, cordless nailers are pricier than pneumatic ones.
Another thing you need to keep in mind while buying a pneumatic nailer is, some nailers are not compatible with all types of air compressors. So, the air compressor you have at home might not work. But some pneumatic nailers are compatible with all types of air compressors.
If bought correctly, the power source doesn’t matter in the ways of performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What kind of nail gun do I need for building furniture?
Ans: Some professional carpenters prefer using finish nailers when it comes to carpentry and building furniture. On the other hand, a large number of professionals prefer using a brad nailer for woodworking.
A brad nailer is a compact, lightweight nail gun that is sturdier than a finish nailer and works great when it comes to woods. It is a multipurpose nail gun that is compatible with all types of woods and can be a great addition to your toolbox.
Q. What is the best nail gun for woodworking?
Ans: According to our research, the best nail gun for woodworking is the PORTER-CABLE Cordless Brad Nailer Kit. It is a lightweight cordless brad nailer kit that makes driving 18GA brad nails into wood easier than ever. Its tool-free mechanism and jam releasing lever make it one of the most user-friendly nail guns on the market.
Q. Do I need a brad nailer for woodworking?
Ans: A brad nailer for woodworking is not an absolute necessity. You can always use a hammer and nails. However, if you are looking for a nailer for woodworking and carpentry, a brad nailer is an ideal choice.
Most brad nailers are compact nail guns built ergonomically, lightweight, and comes with a tool-free mechanism. Due to the smaller tip, brad nailers are easier to work within wooden surfaces.
Final Words
A nail gun, if chosen correctly can become your best friend instantly. Yes, the good old hammer and nails might look like a better option than spending money on a nail gun. But the right kind of nail gun will let you do your projects faster, more precisely, and more efficiently.
All the time and effort one nail gun can save you are immaculate. After thorough research and weighing out different options, we can undoubtedly say that, our winner for the best nail gun for building furniture, PORTER-CABLE Cordless Brad Nailer Kit will not disappoint you at all. All the other options mentioned are no less than our winner either as their delivered performance is up to the mark as well. These will make the perfect tool around your house and ensure your safety too.