A powered nailer is useful for any form of DIY home construction or remodelling job, as well as some types of repair work. Electric nail guns are much safer and simpler to operate than manually pounding in nails. They also provide a lot more precision.
However, there are two main categories of nailers: angled and straight. The front of an angled nailer has a “angled” magazine that lets you use the nail gun at, you guessed it, an angle. Straight nailers have straight mags in the meantime. Although the distinction appears to be rather simple, it ultimately has the potential to have a significant impact on your project’s functioning and applicability.
To help you decide which finish nailer to buy for your project or jobsite, let’s compare the differences between angled and straight finish nailers.
Also check the best lumbuy electric nail gun.
Angled Finish Nailer:
An Angled Finish Nailer is what? Angled nailers, as the name implies, are nail guns that have an angled magazine. As it ascends the nailer, the magazine itself will be slanted back towards your arm and fastened to the base. This is what sets it apart from a straight nailer in terms of look.
The 15 gauge finish nailers often have angled magazines, whereas the 16 gauge finish nailers typically have straight magazines. These tools’ nails can’t be used in other tools. You require collated nails whose angles match those of the magazines for your nail guns.
Size and Fitness:
When you need to install crown moulding boards or put nails in any corner area, an angled nailer’s shape is helpful. Many small places can be navigated without hitting a wall with the nailer’s handle.
Capacity of Nails:
Different nail capacities or acceptable gauges are available for nailers. A gun’s gauge capacity, in a nutshell, specifies the size of nails it can fire. Thinner nails are produced by larger gauges. An 18-gauge nail is thinner than a 15-gauge nail, for example.
Because their magazines are longer, angled finish nailers can typically hold more nails. They frequently go down to 15-gauge nails, which makes them useful for heavier construction tasks. These tools are ideal for building or repairing cabinets and other furniture. This is crucial because corner components are frequently held together more effectively by bigger nails.
Weight/Portability:
Angled nailers are typically built with less material, which frequently results in a reduction in their overall weight. However, if the magazine for a particular nailer is empty, this might not always be the case (thicker nails obviously weigh more).
But generally speaking, angled nailers are lighter and simpler to store.
PROS:
- More flexible in varied environments.
- Can be used in confined spaces.
- Is effective for corner nailing.
- less heavy and portable.
CONS:
- A little more expensive overall.
Straight Finish Nailer:
A Straight Finish Nailer: What Is It? This kind of nailer utilises a straight magazine and a 16-gauge nail. Although it takes up additional space, it is common practise to attach the magazine to the front of the nailer, which is highly effective.
An efficient instrument is also a straight finish nailer. In a right angle to the barrel, its magazine extends the entire length of the handle. As a result, the nail gun has a boxier design than its angled sibling.
Size and Fitness:
In contrast to an angled nailer, the design of the straight nailer makes it difficult to manoeuvre into any confined corners or small places. This does considerably restrict its use (since angled nailers can still be used for regular spaces as well).
Capacity of Nails:
A straight nailer utilises smaller nails than an angled nailer; in fact, most straight nailer magazines won’t take nails smaller than 16 gauge. They are therefore only appropriate for light construction work and working with thin boards or other materials. Great applications include picture frame installation and panel installation.
Weight/Portability:
Compared to angled nail guns, straight nailers are typically heavier and more cumbersome to transport. Depending on how you intend to use the finish nailer, this might not be a deal-breaker, but it’s something to be aware of.
PROS:
- Excellent for completing work.
- beneficial for lighter nailing.
- less expensive.
- Nails are less noticeable.
CONS:
- Poor for confined spaces.
- Corners can’t be done as well.
Which Finish Nailer Should You Use: An Angled or Straight One?
In actuality, angled finishing nailers are a bit more versatile and can be used for a variety of tasks, so if you only plan on working on a few projects here and there, you might want to spend a little more money on one. However, if you’re a professional who will frequently work on trim and crown moulding, you’ll likely need both of these equipment.
Simply put, straight finishing nailers are perfect for big spaces when a relatively small nail needs to be inserted at a straight 90-degree angle.
An angled finishing nailer, on the other hand, is the best option if you require slightly larger nails, you must squeeze into small spots, or you must insert the nail at an angle.
Conclusion:
In the end, both kind of finish nailers can be great tools for DIY or repair projects around the house. If you have the money, you can purchase one of each; if not, choose the nailer that will serve your needs the most effectively right away.
Hopefully, this article has helped to clarify the differences between angled and straight finish nailers. Now that you know more about the two options, you should be able to choose the one that would work best for your upcoming job.
