How to use a Finish Nailer?

Your hammer will find itself gathering dust in the corner once you have had the pleasure of using a finish nailer. No more bruised fingers and skew nails, only no mess no fuss nailing. Using a finish nailer is probably the easiest thing you will ever learn to do. There are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind but generally they are very user friendly. If you can aim, then you can use a finish nailer. These tools are smaller versions of standard nail guns but they are just as effective. Their smaller size makes them easier to use on smaller projects.

Some models do have an angled head which is able to reach into awkward corners and tight nooks and crannies. Just be sure to place the nail tip exactly where you want it and keep the tool as level with the surface as possible. This will prevent any nail blowouts on your finished project. Sometimes your nailer might experience  nail jams. As distressing as this might sound, it is easy to fix since most nailers come with a tool –free nail jam release which allows you to safely remove any jammed nails from the nose tip.

Depending on your project, you might need an angled magazine or a straight one. This will help you get into any tight corners or confined spaces with ease. Choose a nailer with a No-mar safety tip so that your surface will not be scratched or dinged by the force of nose tip. Once you have these features in order, the rest is easy. All you need to do is press the nose tip against the surface of your project and pull the trigger. Voila!

How to use a nail gun for Baseboards?

Without baseboards your walls will look unprofessional and tacky. These trims are not only for aesthetic purposes, they protect your wall and floor joint from scuffing and damage. The type of baseboards you prefer to use is entirely up to you but you should however purchase them at least 24 hours before installation. This will give them time to shrink or swell according to the climate. Use nails that are long enough to penetrate through the baseboard and into the supporting wall or structure.

Do not use nails that are too long or you could end up nailing into your homes electrical wiring and giving yourself a whole new hairstyle in the process. Finish nailers can either be fired in different modes, depending on how far apart you would like to have your nails you can select the best mode option for the job. Never use nails that are too thick on your baseboards because thicker nails might cause the wood to split. If you are weary, you can drill holes for the nails using a drill bit that is slightly thinner than your nail.

Be sure to fill the holes with wood putty or glue for a smoother finish. After your nails have been fired into the baseboard and you are happy with their position, you will need to fill up the holes. You can do this by filling them with putty or quality wood glue with a great glue gun. Once this has dried, you can sand down any uneven spots to give it a smooth finish.

How to use a nail gun with an air Compressor?

Most finish nailers come with an air powered compressor to help power your finish nailer. Make sure your magazine is loaded with the maximum amount of nails before turning on the compressor. A compressor is a fairly simple tool to use and when turned on, air builds up in the chambers until it reaches the maximum 110psi. The pressure going into the air hose can be controlled by the regulator button. You should typically use you your compressor and nail gun at around about 90psi.

If you notice that the nails are going in to deep then you can turn it down to 80psi. If the nails are not going in deep enough, you can turn it up to 100 psi. With continual use, the pressure will drop down slightly but when the pressure is low enough; the compressor will start itself back up to raise the pressure again. The compressor on/off switch is located on the back of the machine and is easy to reach. While using the compressor and nail gun, it is important to wear safety goggles as well as earplugs.

When you are finished using the compressor, it is extremely important to release all the air from the compressor. If you fail to do this, moisture can build up inside the compressor and cause wear and tear over time. Reduce the pressure by turning the regulator down then pull the safety valve ring. It will close automatically. Once all the air has been released, pull back on the collar to release the air hose and add a drop of penetrating oil onto the nailer’s air inlet.

How to load a nail Gun?

Safety should be your first priority when working with any kind of power tool regardless of its size. Nail guns should never ever be pointed at anything other than the surface you are working on. Unless you are a budding serial killer, you should have a healthy dose of fear and respect for these tools. Over confidence and negligence will lead to serious injuries so pay close attention to the manufacturer’s safety instructions when using them.

A nail gun has an integrated magazine into which you will load either taped or collated nail strips. Your nail gun is perceptible to jams so take the time to load it properly and minimise the time you spend taking care of jammed fasteners.

Follow these easy steps to load your nail gun safely and easily:

• Always make sure your nail gun is turned off and unplugged to prevent electrocution.
• Check out the user manual to see if there are any special procedures you should be following.
• Make sure you have purchased the correct nail clip for your nail gun model. Position the clip directly in line with the sleeve of the nail gun, ensuring that the nail heads are pointed at the barrel.
• Slide the clip into the notch located at the base of the sleeve. Hold the nail gun upside down to allow the nails to fall at the end of the sleeve.
• Press and hold the spring mechanism button which is located on the sleeve and then slide the spring into its proper position. As you slide the mechanism downwards, you should hear a clicking sound. This indicates that the clip is in its proper place and the gun is now ready to use safely.