Need Pneumatic trim nail gun for baseboard installation
I am redoing the 4 1/2 colonial baseboard and shoe in my home and I need a pneumatic finish nailer to use with my compressor. I know install finish nails with a hammer and set but this finish nailer is new to me. What kind or size nail gun do I need and what size finish nails should I use for colonial baseboard and shoe on 1/2 drywall? I went to home depot and finish nailers come in various sizes with various length nails so what would be a good size all round gun and nail to buy for this job? Is it necessary to nail into a stud every 16 inches for the base board or is nailing in the base plate sufficient? Couple of things to look for. Get an angle tip rather than straight. It gives you added reach in corners. you'll probable want a 15 gauge that will shoot up to 2 1/2 nails. You can go with the cheaper off brand models and you will probably get through the job. Getting it fixed may be a problem. I use Senco, Porter Cable, and Bostitch in my business and have excellent success with them. I also use an angle Dewalt airless 18v finish nailer, but the cost would be prohibitive in your situation since you already have a compressor. I use a 16 gauge straight nailer but can see where a 15 gauge could be nicer but IMO either will do a good job. Let availability and price help you decide You should also nail your base to the studs, If you only nail to the bottom plate you won't have anything holding the top of the base tightly to the wall. Nail in the studs near the top 1/3 of the board. The drywall has a tapered bottom edge; nailing too close to the bottom edge of the base board will cause the base board to kick out at the top edge. Locate one stud near a receptacle and place your measuring tape on the floor. Line up one of the 16 in. marks with the stud and nail in line with the other 16 in. marks. I would suggest an 18 gauge nailer for nailing the base shoe moulding. In general terms, 16 gauge nailers will use a maximum length 2.5 in nail and an 18 gauge nailer will use a maximum length 2 in nail. Good luck with your project. My vote is for the 18 gauge Bostitch, I love mine, smaller hole left and enough holding power. It is easier to manipulate into corners than the 16 gauge. Make sure you don't hold the wood to close when you nail it in. The brads have a tendency to deflect off nails and metal plates and you can get a brad through your finger, don't ask how I know. Yes, I was a stupid newbie finish carpenter once, not that much has change, don't tell anyone. Bill Ok so the 18 gauge nailer is too small to put up colonial baseboard and would only be good for the shoe? Could I get by with just one nailer for both jobs and if so what size would that be? I really don't want to buy 2 nailers for base and shoe if I can get away with one. I found some really good buys on refurbished nailers. If you can only get one then I would suggest the 16 gauge with an angled tip as Chandler stated and 2 nails for the base. As I have mentioned before Harbor Freight sells the 18 gauge for about $18 dollars and on sale sometimes for about $12 dollars. I've used my 16 gauge nailer on both baseboard and shoe molding. I've seen some carpenters on the job use small pieces of cardboard as shims to keep the base flat - so it won't fold under with the drywall. mgmine; all 16 gauge nails are straight, the 15 gauge is angled. What length brads for the shoe are best. It was suggested to me to use #18 X 1 1/4 brads. I just ordered my nailgun and should have it Monday. I ordered an #18 gauge gun since it looks like all I am going to be doing is putting on the shoe now. Thought that would work best. 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 should be fine. Remember..the shoe is nailed to the base..not the floor. Even though its a small nail..it will still split the shoe if you get too close to the end. Practice on a few scraps first.
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