Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer vs Pin Nailer
Pin nailers fire tiny headless 23-gauge pins that almost disappear; brad nailers fire thin 18-gauge brads for light trim; finish nailers fire thicker 15- or 16-gauge nails for baseboards, door casings and cabinets. The thicker the nail, the stronger it holds and the bigger the hole you’ll fill.
Gauge is the nail’s thickness: a higher gauge number means a thinner nail.
Pin vs brad vs finish nailer at a glance
| Pin nailer | Brad nailer | Finish nailer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nail gauge | 23 | 18 | 16 or 15 |
| Typical nail length | 3/8 to 2 in | 5/8 to 2 in | 1 to 2-1/2 in |
| Head | None (headless) | Very small | Small head |
| Holding power | Very low | Light | Strong |
| Hole left | Almost invisible | Small | Needs filling |
| Splits thin wood? | Rarely | Rarely | Can, on thin or small pieces |
| Best for | Tiny moulding, veneer, holding glued parts | Quarter round, shoe moulding, light trim, crafts | Baseboards, door and window casing, crown, cabinets, stairs |
These lengths are typical ranges; each nailer’s manual lists the exact nails it takes.
Brad nailer: the most common first nailer
An 18-gauge brad nailer handles most small trim jobs around the house: shoe moulding, quarter round, picture frames, small shelves and light casing. The brads are thin enough that they rarely split wood and the holes are easy to fill. It’s the best first nailer for most DIYers.
Finish nailer: for trim that has to stay put
A 16-gauge finish nailer holds baseboards, door casings and cabinet parts firmly. A 15-gauge finish nailer usually has an angled magazine, which reaches into corners and drives slightly thicker nails for doors and stair parts. Use a finish nailer whenever the trim is thick, tall, or will be knocked.
Pin nailer: for when no hole may show
A 23-gauge pin nailer fires pins with no head, so the hole is tiny. Pins don’t hold much on their own: they hold glued parts while the glue sets, attach delicate moulding, and fix veneer and small decorative pieces.
Where framing nailers, palm nailers and staplers fit
- Framing nailers drive large 2 to 3-1/2 in nails for walls, floors and decks. Their magazines are set at angles (21°, 28°, 30 to 34°) that must match the nail strip; see can you use 21 degree nails in a 22 degree nailer.
- Palm nailers drive individual nails in tight spaces, like joist hangers.
- Staplers fire narrow- or wide-crown staples for upholstery, insulation, sheathing and cabinet backs.
Air or cordless?
- Pneumatic (air) nailers are lighter and cheaper but need a compressor and hose.
- Cordless nailers use the same batteries as your drill, with no hose to drag around. They’re heavier and cost more, but for trim work in a finished house they’re far more convenient. If you already own a battery platform, check which tools share it in are cordless drill batteries and chargers interchangeable.
How to choose
| Main job | Nailer |
|---|---|
| Baseboards, casing, cabinets | 16-gauge finish nailer |
| Small trim, crafts, quarter round | 18-gauge brad nailer |
| Tiny moulding, glue-ups | 23-gauge pin nailer |
| Framing, decks, sheathing | Framing nailer |
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can a brad nailer be used for baseboards?
For thin baseboards in a light-use room, yes. For tall or thick baseboards, and anything people kick, a 15- or 16-gauge finish nailer holds much better.
What does gauge mean on nails?
Gauge is the nail's thickness: a higher number means a thinner nail. 23-gauge is thinnest, 15-gauge thickest of the finish nails.
Do pin nails hold anything?
Very little on their own. They're meant to hold small parts while glue dries, or to attach tiny mouldings where any bigger hole would show.
Related guides
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Can You Use 21 Degree Nails in a 22 Degree Nailer?
Whether 21-degree nails work in a 22-degree framing nailer: why many nailers accept a range of angles, when it jams, and what to check first.
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What Is a Palm Nailer and When to Use One?
What a palm nailer is, how it works, the jobs it suits (joist hangers, tight spaces, short and full-size nails), air vs cordless, and how to use one safely.