Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    46

    Question Difference between Nail Gun and Brad Nail Gun

    Hey all,

    Sorry for what might be a basic question, but I'm wondering what the difference is between these two nail guns?
    Ryobi One+ 18V Li-ion Cordless Nail Gun
    and
    Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Brad Nail Gun

    I'm not sure which one I should get.

    I'm just a hobbyist wood worker, working on things every other weekend, so I don't need anything that's trade level. I really like the Ryobi One+ range (splowling building up my collection) but I don't know which of these two options I should go with.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Luke

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    3,260

    Default

    The difference is the thickness of the nail/brad.

    The smaller (18 gauge) one is more for small stuff (like attaching casing beads to door sills or holding drawers or boxes while gluing), while the 16 gauge is more suited to say, adding architraves to door sills or holding that skirting board.

    Although I have the 18 gauge one (and find it really handy...but I've also got a full range of air nailers, from framing to stapling), from a tool buying perspective I would suggest buying an air compressor if you don't already have one - that'll let you do so much more if you don't mind being tethered to 50kg worth of compressor.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    46

    Default

    Thanks for the reply.

    I suppose the guns can only handle 1 type of nail? I can't buy the bigger one, and then feed it smaller nails if I need to?

    As much as I would love an air compressor, I have no room. My tools all get packed away into the back room when not in use, as I use my carport as a pop up workshop when I'm working on things.

    Also, you've said nail/brad as if they're the same thing, is that the case? Are they just different names for the same thing, or is a brad nail known as being smaller than a normal nail?

    Thanks

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    You could buy the pneumatic guns that Ryobi make and there are tiny compressors that will fit under a bench such as these.
    Small nail guns for handyman usage usually don't require high volumes of air, so a small compressor is all that is needed.
    I assume you realise the links you put in the post are for skins only. All nail/bradders have a min and max length of fastener they can handle so you need to know the range that you will be using. I'm not sure at what point a bradder becomes a nailer, but as MS said, one of your links is 18 gauge and the other is 16 gauge. 18 gauge is very common for small nails. I don't believe you can swap nail diameters between the guns.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    46

    Default

    Yeah I'm aware they're just skins, I've already got a couple of batteries that came with the drill I have, and did plan on getting another 1 or 2.

    Is there any maintenance required on the air nail gun and/or air compressor? The Ryobi One+ one says that doesn't require any (albeit in the Bunnings description), so that's a big plus for me too..

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    I just add a couple of drops of oil each time I get the bradder out to use and then put a drop in before I put it away. Besides that, just keep the mechanism clean and you shouldn't have any trouble. The Ryobi guns have a quick release hatch at the front to clear out any damaged nails if it has a misfire.
    As for the compressor, I can't comment as I don't have one of the small ones, just one of the 40 litre units from Super Cheap and providing you keep oil to the right level and intake filter clean, again it hasn't given me any trouble. The little compressors are certainly a lot quieter than mine.
    Dallas

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by denno020 View Post
    I suppose the guns can only handle 1 type of nail? I can't buy the bigger one, and then feed it smaller nails if I need to?
    You can get combo nail/staple guns (only 18 gauge), but you can't change nail sizes.

    Quote Originally Posted by denno020 View Post
    Is there any maintenance required on the air nail gun and/or air compressor?
    Air tools need very little maintenance; just a couple of drops of oil down the connector every now and then.
    Compressors do need some attention but it's nothing major; lubricate the moving parts and make sure the belt isn't worn. They should also be drained regularly to let out the water that collects inside.

    18 and 16 ga. are usually sold as brads, 15 ga seems to be the changeover point to being called nails

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    3,260

    Default

    The problem with little compressors is that while they may be fine for air nailer use, they run out of puff for some of the more fun functions like spray painting or sandblasting, so they are not so expandable if you decide to widen your range of air tools (and some of the other possible air tools, like an impact wrench, are already available as cordless anyway).

    And as for interchangeability of sizes (fitting the smaller brads into the larger nailer), while it may seem a good idea, it will cause misfiring and jamming of the gun - the brad/nail needs shank support to stop it bending under the impact strike.

    As for nail sizes, in decreasing shank thickness, it's - framing nails, finish nails, brads (or brad nails) and then headless brads.

    There are some dual use bradders/staplers, but it's a narrow head staple (C1, 3-4mm-ish from memory), not a proper type of staple.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

    Default

    The combo guns generally take 6000 series staples (5.5mm crown) and C1 brads

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    46

    Default

    Thanks for the replies guys!

    I think I'm going to work out which size nail I'll need and still go with one of the Ryobi One+ guns..

    I see the advantages of having an air compressor, but I really like the simplicity and cordless-ness of the battery operated one, at least until I have a proper workshop where I can have a permanent air compressor set up

    Thanks again

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    3,260

    Default

    I love my 18 gauge Ryobi bradder!

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
    Age
    68
    Posts
    12,006

    Default

    another option is one of these

    A Maestri ME30/C1Drives C1 Series Brads

    • No compressor needed


    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

Similar Threads

  1. help with nail ID
    By rat52 in forum ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE TOOLS
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 24th April 2014, 06:19 PM
  2. The Brad or Nail Pusher.
    By issatree in forum THE WORK BENCH
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 21st June 2011, 12:08 PM
  3. Air co brad nail gun??
    By nz_carver in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 27th July 2009, 08:36 AM
  4. Hand Nail or Nail Gun??
    By jchristie in forum FLOORING, DECKING, STUMPS, etc.
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 2nd May 2006, 07:31 PM
  5. Nail gun, nail sizes?
    By Santalum in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 13th September 2005, 11:33 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •