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A nailer is among the power tools mostly used in wood workshops and among DIY enthusiasts because it is useful for nearly every project. The two most common nailers are Brad nailers and finish nailers. These two convenient power tools look identical. Their fasteners equally look alike. Because of their physical resemblance, a lot of woodworkers will find it difficult deciding which one to buy.
Also, the majority of beginners think they’re interchangeable and utilize them for tasks that they are not meant for. However, veteran carpenters and woodworkers are aware that these tools are different and their function varies. In fact, despite their physical resemblance, Brad Nailers and Finish Nailers vary significantly.
In this article, we will help you to understand the differences and equally explain the uses of each of these power tools to help you decide which of these power tools is suitable for your specific project.
The DEWALT DCN680 18 Gauge Brad Nailer drives 18 Gauge brad nails from 5/8" to 2-1/8" which makes it ideal for fastening decorative molding, casing, kitchen crown, and shoe molding. With its brushless motor powered by a DEWALT 20V MAX* Lithium-Ion battery the DCN680 is ready to go to work without the hassle of using gas, compressor, and hose.
The Makita 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer (model AF601) combines a myriad of features and powerful performance in a compact size. 
We will also look at the best features and accessories of Brad Nailer and Finish Nailer and recommend our top picks of best brad nailers and best finish nailers. After that, we will look at factors to consider when you are out there in search of the best nailer for your needs.
In the end, you will know whether what you need is the Brad nailer or the Finish nailer and which brand and model you need.
So, if you want to understand how these two power tools differ from each other, don’t go away. You have stumbled on the right article. To make it easier for you to make the right choice for your needs, we will examine each of the tools in detail.
However, if you prefer, you can equally purchase a combination kit that includes different types of nailers. Nevertheless, if you only need to get one nailer at a time, you need to understand what each of these tools can do.
That way, you will know whether what you need is the brad nailer or the finish nailer. Before we dive into the topic in detail, let’s go through a quick overview of the differences between Brad nailer vs Finish nailer.
Main Differences Between Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer
The Main Differences Between Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer are:
- Brad Nailer leaves a small and less observable hole on the wood surface and doesn’t cause splitting issues, whereas Finish Nailer is larger-sized and they leave larger holes on the wood surface.
- Brad Nailer works best for more detailed and delicate tasks, whereas Finish Nailer is used for less delicate tasks like working on baseboards.
- Brad Nailer is less flexible and is not easily adapted for multiple tasks, whereas Finish Nailer is more flexible and can be utilized for any type of task.
- Brad Nailer are cheaper and don’t cause breakage nor necessitate using wood putty, whereas Finish Nailer is more costly and can result in breakage.
- Brad Nailer works best on slender woods and softwoods, whereas Finish Nailer is the best nailer for working on MDF woods.
- Brad Nailer uses thinner and shorter nails that easily break with a hammer, whereas Finish Nailer works with longer and fatter nails.
- Brad Nailer completely blend into the wood, whereas Finish Nailer doesn’t blend as much as the finish nailers into woods.
Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer: Overview
| Brad Nailer | Finish Nailer | |
| Role and Uses | Best for performing more subtle tasks including trims, stops and tiny moldings | Best for working on trims, baseboards, door casing, and so on. |
| Classes of Wood | It works with non-MDF; softwoods and thin woods. | It works best on MDF woods, plywood, hardwoods, and softwoods |
| The size of the Nail Head | 1.22mm | 1.63 to 1.83 millimeter |
| The length of Nail | 5/8 to 2-inches | 1 to 2.5 -inches |
| Gauge | 18-gauge | 14 to 16-gauge |
| Brand | PORTER-CABLE, DEWALT, Hitachi, Freeman, NuMax, Bostitch | PORTER-CABLE, DEWALT, Hitachi, Freeman, NuMax, Bostitch |
| Price | The pricing ranges from 40 USD to 100 USD | The price is 150 USD and above |
| Best Pick | DEWALT DCN680D1 20V 18GA | Makita AF601 16 Gauge |
What is a Nail Gauge?
For a better understanding of the topic, we will, first of all, explain the nail gauge. The nail gauge commonly features the following sizes; 15, 16 and 18.
The nailer with a higher the gauge number will require a thinner nail whereas a smaller gauge number means a thicker nail is required.
The reason behind this is not difficult to understand…
A nail gauge number represents the number of nails per inch. For instance, an 18 gauge need to have 18 pieces for every inch and this would be smaller than the 16 gauge nails, which would contain 16 nails for every inch.
Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer: Comparing the Features and Accessories
If you are in the market in search of the best Brad nailer Vs Finish nailer, it is essential to take time to examine how the features and accessories of each of these two common types of nailers stacks against the other. A nailer that comes with an extra feature can save you time and energy and offer you pre-set functions or capabilities that may normally need extra work.
You can equally save on cost in the long run when if the purchase and use a nailer that comes with extra accessories. Rather than purchasing extra accessories after you have bought your nailer, a few nailers come with supplementary accessories structured to pair with your nailer. The Brad Nailers and Finish Nailers all have extra features and accessories which you will find more beneficial.
Let’s examine which features are more common in a Brad Nailer and a Finish Nailer.
Depth Analysis
The best Brad Nailer vs. Finish Nailer commonly features a depth modification or analysis structure. This makes it possible to manually modify or occasionally automatically fine-tune the puncture depth depending on how thick the wood is.
A depth modification structure provides a guarantee that the nail carefully pierces the wood with the first trial resulting in a better, splinter-free outcome. It’s an especially convenient feature for Finish Nailers because they have the tendency to splinter more frequently and are difficult to eliminate compared to Brad Nailers.
Loading
This is the word used to describe the process of loading the Brad or Finish Nailers with fresh nails. More popular nailers tend to utilize magnetic strips to keep Brad or Finish nails stable during the loading process. This does not merely assist in the prevention of spillage. It as well offers you additional control.
An alternative convenient choice is canister loading. This requires you to but the nails in canisters or packs and loads it into the nailer. This is equally a good way to avoid spills. However, canisters can contain a different number of nails but this depends on the brand.
Adjustable Belt Hook
An adjustable belt hook is an attractive convenient reusable feature. What this feature and accessory do is to offer you the capacity to hook your nailer to your belt.
Because of this, it is portable, easy to move about and this keeps the tool handy. It equally permits you to work with another power tool while at the same time hanging on with the nailer.
Angle Adjustments
This is an especially useful feature that comes with the capacity to alter the nose of the nailer at various angles. It’s essential for refurbishing a home and for doing small renovations around the home.
This can include integrating things like a pre-Finished table. An angled nose will make it easy for you to drive nails deeper and more steadfastly into the wood and this results in longer-lasting effects.
Cord
It’s is essential to consider whether you would need a corded or cordless nailer. Brad Nailers commonly come with cords, whereas Finish Nailers are commonly cordless when they are not a pneumatic.
Although a corded nailer tends to gather a more robust punch, the corded nailers are not easy to move about when compared to the cordless tool you can easily move about.
This is because it takes additional time to untie and loosen the cord. If you choose to buy a nailer with a cord, it is better to go with one that equally comes with a cord storage system. Although corded nailers are not easy to move about, cordless nailers are commonly heavier. This is as a result of its integrated battery.
Warranties
Warranties are perhaps some of the most significant extra features to look for in a nailer you want to purchase. Warranties provide cover for the cost of repairs as a result of potential product defects which may either manifest because of the materials used in the construction or workmanship.
They tend to run for 1, 3, or 5-years. You need to verify with the manufacturer before the time of purchase to check if the warranty incorporates shipping and handling.
Besides the warranties, you can equally check if the product comes with money-back guarantees which commonly run for thirty or ninety days. You can equally check if the product comes with 3rd party safety plans and customer service guarantees.
Pneumatic Nailers Vs Non-Pneumatic Nailers
Pneumatic nailers whether Brad or Finish nailer works with air compressors to use the power of air pressure to drive in nails. The pneumatic nailers are inexpensive, lightweight, and considerably easy to use. They are so easy that beginners or carpentry DIYers can easily use it without any prior professional knowledge.
Again, the air compressor can equally be utilized for a broad collection of other tasks like spray painting, pumping tires, and dusting the worktop.
The problem of pneumatic nailers is that they’re not as powerful as the non-pneumatic nailers. Again, because they do work with a 12-volt air compressor, you’ll be required to buy a different type of air compressor. Besides, you need to ensure that it fastens correctly and that you’ll efficiently maintain the air compressor. Air compressors require specific care and maintenance.
Although non-pneumatic nailers are costlier and weigh more than pneumatic nailers, they possess more power and can easily be maneuvered. This is especially the case with cordless and battery-powered Finish Nailer. Deciding whether or not you want a pneumatic nailer depends on the task you want to perform and your budget.
Brad Nailer Overview
Brad nailers are manufactured with tinnier, 18-gauge wire. The nails equally have a smaller diameter when compared to finish nails. They also have a lesser capacity to hold. They work best for lighter ornamental molding or woodworking trim, stop and hanging panels.
Brad nail gun is equally good for performing more detailed tasks like craftworks. Because the nail size is small, the breakage or tearing issue that is common with finish nailers does not occur. They hardly result in split molding.
A major advantage of brad nails is their tiny size. They come with a little head and diameter which makes then hide easily inside the wood trim. When utilizing brads, you will always likely doesn’t need to hide the holes with the use of wood putty.
The 18-gauge nails of brad nailers offer a cleaner finished look that is hardly possible with thee finish nail. The length of a brad nail can range from 5/8-inches to 2 1/2-inches. They’re the go-to nails for performing renovation tasks that require delicate nailing and narrow holes prominence.
So, the best place to utilize a brad nailer is on tinnier applications that you are concerned about the wood splitting or the head of the nail becoming very visible. Because a nail head commonly leaves a hole in the wood, you don’t want a nail that’ll make a large hole and this where the strength of a brad nailer shines out visibly.
An 18 gauge brad nailer will have a reduced hole’s size which leaves less of a mark in your woodwork. Depending on the material you’re using, you may not even need to fill it in before painting. In most cases, a brad nailer is somewhat smaller than a finish gun. The brad nailer does not have much holding power compared to the finish nailer.
The key reason is that they do not make use of standard nails. Rather, they utilize brads, which have a smaller metal gauge that has little or no heat in the end. Finish guns are usually used to attach lightweight trim or finish work.
Brad nailers are great for carrying out minor household projects, repairs, and crafts. It is the tool you will rely on when you want to finish trims or cabinets. Besides the smooth and near immaculate finishing surface it leaves, it can be put into versatile uses.
Brad’s nails are comparatively thin when placed side by side the 16 or 15-inches nail gauge on a standard finish nailer.
Brad nailers are best for many finishing woodwork applications. They can work for holding two pieces of wood together while waiting for the glue to dry and when it is all dried, you can remove the glue with pliers.
So, in general, the brad nailer is best for giving finishing touches to woodworking projects and for fastening molding or trim. Besides, a brad nailer is useful for many household projects and refurbishments, repairs and craftwork.
Check out how Brad Nailers compare to Pin Nailers.
Types of Brad Nailers
Brad nailers are of two types: Pneumatic and Electric nailers. Pneumatic Brad Nailers work with air compressors and are highly effectual. They need constant air supply to work. Electric Brad Nailers are commonly pricier and heavy. Nevertheless, they have more punch than Pneumatic Brad Nailers.
How to Use A Brad Nailer
As specified earlier, Brad Nailers work for gentle nailing projects, like nailing a tiny piece of cardboard or trim. It’s a desirable tool for a lot of DIY-ers and standard carpenters. Despite it is somewhat a safe tool, you should always wear protection and be cautious anytime you’re dealing with power tools.
That’s why you ought to arm yourself with a couple of safety goggles, impenetrable gloves, and an ear protector like earplugs or earmuffs.
After you are fully protected, you’ll want to position the Brad slightly close to the periphery of the board but not on it. Positioning Brad very close to the edge will result in splitting. Therefore, you ought to position Brad far from the edge. You can judge the distance from the edge depending on the thickness level of the board.
If you’re utilizing a Pneumatic Brad Nailer, ensure it is firmly connected to the portable air compressor. Remember though to oil the nail feed and load it with a suitable size of nails before you start your project.
It’s essential to know that Brad Nails are more slender than the majority of nails. This implies that they may not go down through the entire length of the stock and when you try to drive them in with a hammer, they can easily bend. When it occurs, don’t try to hammer it all through. The best thing to do is to take it out and try all over.
Hammering the nail may cause a section of your wood stock to chip or snap and result in observable damage to your task.
When To Utilize a Brad Nailer
Because 18-gauge nails are thinner and smaller than standard-sized nails, you should avoid using them with thick woods. This can be plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). You should only use Brad Nailers when you want to add Finishing touches or attaching trim or molding. It’s not the primary tool for the many woodwork projects.
They are best for working on woodwork projects where splitting may be an issue or where you can do with an only tinnier nail and smaller hole. Brad nailer can be used for a lot of things and this can include any of the following:
- Trim work
- Paneling
- Securing decorative molding
- Casing
- Baseboard
Pros
Comparatively tiny nail holes
When working with a brad nailer, you get comparatively small holes on your workpiece when matched with what you get on a finish nailer. This is possible because it works with thin gauge nails.
In several instances, a woodworker will not need wood putty to fill the hole and where he needs to fill the hole it requires far less concealing than when you utilize the finish nailers.
It doesn’t tear wood
Because the brad nailer makes use of thin gauge nails, it lacks the tendency to tear wood which is commonly an issue when working with delicate trims.
The large gauge nails of finish nailers commonly cause some damages to workpieces particularly when you have to work with thin and delicate wood pieces.
Handy when gluing pieces
The brad nail can work for applying pressure to two wood pieces while the glue dries. What makes it great for such works is because the thin 18-gauge nails leave an insignificant whole on the workpiece.
You can easily take them off with pliers when the glue is dried. Also, the gauge nails will damage the surface of the wood.
Ideal for narrow trim and molding
The 18-gauge brad nails feature a thinner cross-section compared to the 14 to 16-gauge finish nails.
Thus, brad nails will work best for finishing narrow trim and molding because they have less tendency of splitting these delicate pieces. The implication of this is that brad nailers are ideal nailers to use for baseboard shoe molding, stop and cove moldings.
The nails are great for tiny projects such as making jewelry boxes, picture frames or fastening decorating trims and edges to cabinets.
Cons
Unsuitable for large workpieces
One of the disadvantages of the brad nailer is that the nail will not pass through thick pieces of woods like MDF woods and thick plywood.
They won’t also pass through walls. When working with big pieces of wood, the finish nailer works better because they are much stronger than the thin 18-gauge brad nails.
You will need to purchase an air pump if you go for a pneumatic nailer.
Brad Nailer Buying Guide: Factors to consider
What determines a perfect nailer for your needs depends on the tasks you would be utilizing the nailers for.
Do you work as a contractor and require a nailer that is robust, easy to use, and adaptable? Or are you a DIY enthusiast who wants a basic power tool for tiny jobs around the house?
Once you know precisely what you need, you can begin to look more closely at the various features of Brad nailer to know which ones you need and those you need to forfeit.
Air-powered vs Battery Powered brad nailer?
Most of the models and brands of brad nailers we have recommended in our top picks are either powered by air or powered by a battery. Every one of them comes with merits and demerits.
Battery Powered brad nailers
When you are using battery-powered nailers, you shouldn’t be concerned about a compressor or utilizing air hose while performing your woodwork projects. Battery-powered tools are commonly very easy to move about.
They work great when you need to climb ladders for your woodwork projects and when you want to fit your nailer into more minute spaces. However, they weigh more than air-powered nailers because the weight of the battery adds to the overall weight of the nailer.
One main issue with a battery-powered brad nailer is that you will be able to work as much as the battery life of the nailer allows you. Besides, the tool’s efficiency lasts as long as the battery is functioning optimally but as soon as the battery quality starts to depreciate, so also the ability of the tool to function effectively.
To be able to work with the tool for a longer period, you need to always carry a spare battery and a charger with you. Therefore, to boost the time you can spend working with the tool, you should start to charge the old battery while utilizing the new one and keep interchanging in that order.
However, this comes with a greater cost implication requiring you to purchase an extra battery. Also, you must not be off the power grid to convenient recharging any battery that runs down.
Air Powered Brad nailer
Air-powered brad nailers will require an air compressor and a hose to work. If you already have one because you use it for something else, that’s great and will save you the cost of having to buy a new one. But, if you don’t have one, including an air compressor in your budget can be prohibitive.
Air-powered tools are generally really lightweight which makes them a little easier to hold than a heavier battery-powered nailer, but the attached air hose can get in the way. This can be a little dangerous, especially when climbing stairs or ladders.
Depth of Drive
The depth of drive is a feature that determines the extent of penetration of the brad nails into the woodwork and it commonly depends on the softness or hardness of the wood. Generally, to penetrate a hardwood, the nail will need to possess a stronger penetrative power or force.
Therefore, you must be able to fine-tune the drive depth to ensure you will be able to sink the nail to a suitable level irrespective of the type of wood material.
Various brands of brad nailers possess differing different systems to regulate the depth of drive. A few brands come with buttons whereas other brands come with switches or dials. All of them are fairly simple to use.
Extra features to look for in a brad nailer
The following are a few great features that you want in your brad nailers. Although you can do without them, they make your life much easier when you have them:
- Storage case – Acquiring a tool that comes with a storage case makes for more convenient storage. This especially significant if the tool you want to purchase is not an everyday tool. It provides you with comfortable and safe storage. Besides, it equally makes moving the tool from one point to the other easy.
- Jams that are easy to clear – Irrespective of the performance of a nail gun, you cannot eliminate the issues of occasional jamming. Although a few of these nail guns will jam more than the others, a gun that was structured to eliminate jams easily greatly minimizes the hassles or extra frustration.
- LED lights – Although not many nailers come with LED lights, it is a great feature to have in your nailer particularly if you work in a location with tighter spaces. It assists you to see your work environment and ensures you place your nails rightly.
- Dry Lockout – The dry lockout feature prevents the nailer from firing when the amount of nails remaining in the magazine is minimal. The essence is that the feature prevents you from shooting when the nails in the magazine are completely used up as that could constitute some damage to the nail gun.
If you are using a nailer that doesn’t come with this option, you will lookout for some form of window which would make it easy for you to see the number of nails remaining in the magazine and gives you an idea of the right time to re-fill.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a good brad nailer, you can check out the DeWalt DC608K. It features double-precision modes and increased speed. Also, it comes with easy jam clearing access. It is a battery-powered brad nailer that makes an excellent selection if you want to engage in DIY carpentry projects.
We, equally, have a list of other great brad nailers that you also want to check out. Which one you finally settle with depends on the project you are embarking on and the type of wood you are using for your woodwork project.
The Best Brad Nailer with Reviews: Our Top Picks
1. DEWALT DCN680D1 Cordless Brad Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is powered by 20V MAX Li-ion batteries
- Magazine capacity: it can accommodate up to 110 nails
- Nail gauge: 18-inch gauge
- Nail size: ? to 2 1/8 inch
- Weight: 10.8 lbs
The DeWalt DCN680D1 is one of the primary cordless brad nailers that is entirely powered by the battery and eliminates the need to use an air compressor and continue to obtain remarkable functionality.
Its nail driving capacity ranges from 5/8 inch to 2-1/8 inch and this ensures that it effectively delivers and keeps your trim secure. It can also work for securing door or window frames, baseboards, and moldings.
The downside of this brad nailer, however, is in the weight. It is larger and weighs heavier than pneumatic brad nailers. The weight and large size can be a bit prohibitive, however many professionals prefer to deal with the weight than having to carry air compressor around.
In general, it’s a solid tool that has enjoyed a lot of high ratings from users, both pros and DIY enthusiasts.
The DEWALT DCN680 18 Gauge Brad Nailer drives 18 Gauge brad nails from 5/8" to 2-1/8" which makes it ideal for fastening decorative molding, casing, kitchen crown, and shoe molding. With its brushless motor powered by a DEWALT 20V MAX* Lithium-Ion battery the DCN680 is ready to go to work without the hassle of using gas, compressor, and hose.
Pros
- It comes with a Micro nose to ensure accurate positioning of the nail.
- The automated shut-off feature safeguards undue discharge of the unit’s battery
- It comes with a battery and a charger.
- The diagnostics feature that comes with the LED indicator lets you know what the charge state of the battery is.
- It comes with a convenient belt hook
- It’s a top-rated brad nailer
- It is great for professional use.
Cons
- It is a bit pricier than most related models.
- It weighs more than pneumatic nailers as a result of its cordless feature and the need to use a battery which adds to its overall weight.
- It is bulky and doesn’t work well for doing the task at tight corners.
Makita AF505N 2″ Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: The machine is powered by an air compressor at 60 to 115 psi
- Magazine capacity: It accommodates as much as 110 nails
- Nail gauge: 18-gauge per inch
- Nail size: ? – 2 inches
This brad nailer from Makita has a narrow structure which makes it great for working into tight spaces. It’s even enclosed with a neoprene nose and bumpers to safeguard the material from damages or dents. The incorporated hook spins 180 degrees. Thus, it is always convenient to use and seldom constitutes any form of obstruction.
The tool-less penetration alteration permits it to be utilized in lots of different types of surfaces. Thus, it can be used for both hard and softwood. It comes with exhaust which spins 360 degrees to make it easy for you to blow the air away as you perform the task.
The Makita AF505N brad nailer lacks the dry lockout feature. It comes with a double indicator window that you can view anytime you ought to reload. A few woodworkers love a tool that comes with an automatic lockout feature because it makes it easy for you to know when to reload without any extra effort on your side.
However, it prevents efficient use of nails as there must always be left-over nails on the machine. If jamming ever occurs while utilizing this Makita, the cam-lock easily without necessitating the use of extra gear. This ensures easy cleaning of jam and allows you to return to work as soon as possible.
Besides, this product comes with safety goggles, oil, and a fantastic hard plastic case which makes it easy to carry with you anywhere you go and to store it when not in use. The brad nailer comes with an ideal performance without any functionality issue. However, the bad side of this nailer is that it lacks a fast fire mode which minimizes its productivity.
Pros
- It features hard plastic carrying or storage case
- It comes with easy to clear jamming feature.
- It comes with a narrow structure and this makes it easy to fit into tight corners.
- The machine is affordable.
Cons
- It lacks the dry lockout feature.
- It doesn’t come with fast fire mode.
- The depth modification feature cannot always be relied upon.
- Indicator windows could be more easily visible.
3. Hitachi NT50AE2 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: The brad nailer is air-powered at 70 – 120 psi
- Magazine capacity: It accommodates 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 18
- Nail size: ? to 2 inches
This brad nailer comes with excellent value for the price. Produced by one of the top manufacturers of power tools, it is reliable and hard to beat. This is an especially lightweight tool that weighs only 2.2 lbs. That it’s lightweight doesn’t in any way affect its power and functionality.
It is structured with an aluminum core to minimize the weight. It equally comes in an ergo-dynamic structure to make it extremely comfortable to utilize. The magazine loads through the side and accommodates 100 regular size nails.
One problem with this brad nailer is that it lacks a dry lockout feature. However, it comes with a yellow indicator window to allow you easily figure out when you need to refill. Some brad nailers will give you a warning if the available nails get low to a specific number in the magazine.
Once the specified number of nails is left, the machine will no longer allow you to fire more nails. This is a safety precaution because if you shoot a pneumatic nailer when the magazine is not empty could cause some damages to the tool. Therefore, you need to be cautious about the indicator while you perform your tasks.
Although you can adjust the exhaust to prevent it from blowing air into your face, you will not be able to adjust the air hose port. This makes it less convenient when you are performing your task because the hose can limit the movement of your tool and you have to ensure that it doesn’t negatively affect the overall functionality of the tool.
The brad nailer is reasonably priced and the tool functions quite well. It’s a good alternative when you’re looking for a reliable brad nailer for your DIY projects or minute tasks around the home.
The Hitachi NT50AE2 comes with everything you would desire in a brad nailer. Besides, it is easy to allow comfortable and comes with a comfortable feel. This is because it utilizes an elastomer grasp that makes it comfortable to hold it over a long period. The units jam-free feature offers to the tool additional convenience.
It equally comes with a selective actuation feature which allows you to select from two different shooting modes depending on the nature of the task you have at hand. It weighs only 2.2 lbs which makes it lightweight and sufficiently balanced even when you need to utilize it for a longer period.
Regulating the drive depth of the fasteners is equally not an issue when you are working with this brad nailer because of the depth-of-drive button.
Pros
- It is lightweight.
- It features an adjustable exhaust system.
- It utilizes a standard nail size.
- It offers you great value for the cost.
Cons
- Some woodworkers prefer working with a heavier brad nailer
- It lacks the dry lockout feature
- The nozzle connected to the air hose is not rotational which can get frustrating while working.
- Clearing jams is a bit tasking.
4. WEN 61720 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: The brad nailer is air-powered at 60 to 100 psi.
- Magazine capacity: it holds a maximum of 110 nails.
- Nail gauge: 18
- Nail length: 3/4 to 2 inches
WEN has created a minor, powerful brad nailer that comes with a price tag that is only a percentage of the price of other models. Although it comes with a basic design it comes with impressive functionality.
The chassis is made up of cast-aluminum and this contributes to its lightweight. So, you can rely on this to conveniently serve you for a long time without suffering from a weak hand.
The grip is of the WEN 61720 Brad Nailer very comfortable thanks to its rubber material. Also, you can enjoy a fast release system with this brad nailer and this allows you to reload the magazine fast and remove any jams of the nail gone pretty easily.
Although it tends to jam, the jam can easily be removed, so you don’t get restricted from working for a longer time. It comes in a simple design and this greatly boosts its ease of use. It is equally easy to maintain. You don’t need to carry out maintenance after every task but frequently.
You’ll require an air compressor to work with this brad nailer. However, one good aspect of it is that it functions with any type of compressor you can find in the market. If you want a low-priced brad nailer with a simplistic and easy to use design, this nailer is your go-to tool. It can assist you with the majority of minor home projects.
The simple design of this brad nailer means you will hardly make a mistake while using it. It comes with a lot of features and is not difficult to get used to its modes of operation. If you are looking for a budget-friendly and yet reliable brad nailer, this is a good model to utilize.
The WEN 18-Gauge Brad Nailer effortlessly shoots brads anywhere from 3/4 to 2 inches in size. With a lightweight 3-pound aluminum body and a comfortable rubber-grip handle, this tool is the perfect companion for any job site.
Pros
- It offers great value for the cost
- It is very simple to utilize without professional help.
- It features a quick-release system that readily eliminates jams.
- It comes with little and infrequent maintenance.
Cons
- It tends to jam occasionally
- It won’t easily manage the pressure of veteran usage.
- The performance of 2-inch nails differs from its performance with other smaller sized nails.
- The nailer lacks a rubber tip.
5. PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX Cordless Brad Nailer Kit, 18GA (PCC790LA)
Product Overview
- Power: The brad nailer is powered with a battery of 20 Volt.
- Magazine capacity: It accommodates up to 100 nails.
- Nail gauge: 18
- Nail length: ? to 2 inches
This is another great battery-powered option for woodwork enthusiasts who want brad nailer from Porter-Cable. Battery-powered brad nailers are beneficial over air-powered brad nailers for a lot of reasons it eliminates the need and hassle of carrying an air hose around.
This lightweight power tool is easy to move about and you don’t have anything drawing you backward. It equally comes with depth modification wheel which makes it easy for you to suitably countersink nails. It comes with an 18 gauge nail diameter. This brad nailer equally features a tool-free discharge lever, jam release, and depth modification wheel which make things easier.
The downside of powered tools, however, is that they are by standard a bit heavier than pneumatics and, although the weight issue equally applies to Porter-Cable brad nailer, it only weighs 5.1 lbs.
This makes this brad nailer one of the lightest nailers in this category. The nailer is structured with the right balance and this makes it easy to utilize and comfortable in the hand.
Besides, the PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA 20V Max Brad Nailer comes with the LED lights feature which great for illuminating your work area when working in a tight corner. This makes this brad nailer stand out as it is a feature that only a few related tools possess. This brad nailer equally comes with multiple free functions and this includes simple loading procedures that necessitate the push of a button.
The depth drive modification of this power tool is as well tool-less and simple to read. The jam clearing feature is equally tool-less. However, it comes with little amounts of hassles, because to reach the chamber, you must, first of all, take the battery out.
It’s structured to work smoothly. However, it is exasperating to have to stop your task, go through the process to eliminate jam before proceeding further. This brad nailer comes with the tendency to perform consistently even when the battery gets weaker. It can accommodate up to 1300 nails for every charge when you make use of a suitable battery.
This Brad Nailer Kit is 100% battery powered which eliminates need for compressor, hose or costly gas cartridges. The special motor design provides consistent firing power into various materials and climate conditions. This nailer features multiple tool free settings to provide increased productivity and user safety.
Pros
- You don’t have to go through the hassles of air hose or compressor.
- It comes with multiple tools-less features.
- The power still lasts even as the battery gets weaker.
- It is lightweight compared to related cordless brad nailers.
Cons
- It has frequent jamming issues
- It is bulkier and heavier compared to brad nailers that operate through air and compressors.
6. BOSTITCH Nail Gun, Brad Nailer, Smart Point, 18GA (BTFP12233)
Product Overview
- Power: It is powered by air at 70 – 120 psi.
- Magazine capacity: It can accommodate as much as 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 18
- Nail length: ? to 2 ? inches
Bostitch BTFP12233 is another great and dependable brad nailer that would make a great power tool for your woodwork exercises. It comes with a smart point technology that would make it easy for users to drive the nails without requiring a contact trip.
This tiny Smart Point technology structure on the nose allows you to precisely view the direction the nail is moving. The 60 percent tinnier nose equally permits you to work with the nail gun in a more restricted environment.
This makes your tasks more accurate, efficient and professional because it helps you to position everything properly as soon as you see the direction the nail is moving. Similar to the majority of other brad nailers, this nail gun drives 18-gauge fasteners, which can be as long as 2 to 1/8 inches to make them appropriate for numerous applications.
This brad nailer equally utilizes a tool-free jam discharge system which makes the clearing of jams easy, and there is equally a dial-a-depth regulator function you can utilize to determine the extent you will drive the nails.
The machine equally operates free of oil and this rules out the possibility of staining the work environment. And, it as well comes with an adaptable belt hook to make it convenient for you to work with the tool. It additionally comes with other nice-to-have features like sample fasteners, storage case, and incorporated pencil sharpener.
This Nail Gun, Brad Nailer comes easily allows you to work on home improvement projects with ease. This power tool also comes with a trigger system and tool-free jam release mechanism for easy nail removal.
This brad nailer pack come with the nail gun, a storage case, a ¼ inch swivel fitting, and a belt hook. You can equally obtain a-1000 2-inch brads to help you to start allowing you to be prepared for work just immediately out of the box.
he power tool oil-free functionality minimizes some issues of maintenance. It comes with an internal filter that assists to prevent dust and debris from the spoil the motor of the nail gun.
The hand comes with extra mold features and bumper protection to keep the material from spoiling. It comes in the lightweight frame made up of magnesium material which lasts like aluminum but less weighty. In general, this brad nailer is a compact nailer that is not difficult to hold and doesn’t constitute weakness of the hand even you have to work with it for a long period.
You can easily access and use the tool-free jam release feature. Also, the depth drive feature located beneath the trigger is user-friendly and allows you to readily make modifications.
With all its amazing functionalities of this nail gun, including the Smart Point technology, it is an excellent brad nailer for homeowners, DIYers, and veteran woodworkers.
Pros
- Smart Point Technology ensures accurate results.
- It handles is comfortable to grip thanks to the extra rubber mold.
- It features a tinnier nose
- The depth drive can easily be altered
Cons
- It doesn’t provide a very accurate depth adjustment feature.
- It has issues with frequent jamming.
- The Magazine design doesn’t make it easy to see the nails during the work process.
7. DC608K18V CORDLESS 2″ 18 GAUGE BRAD NAILER
Product Overview:
- Length: 5/8 to 2 inches
- Fastener type/gauge: 18 gauge brad nail
- Grip: oversold
- Magazine angle straight
- Magazine capacity: 11
- Power tool type: cordless
- System: 18v
- Height: 25 inches
- Length: 11.5 inches
- Weight: 7.5 lbs
- Width: 3.5 in
This Brad nailer functions on 100 percent battery power and this minimizes the hassle of utilizing gas, compressor, and air hose. It works well with any DEWALT 20 Volt MAX batteries. Its multiple functioning LED lights to assist to illuminate both workspaces and serve as tool diagnostics.
Its tool-free selectable trigger functions for serial or contact firing methods. The low nail lockout features help to stop dry firing and undesirable dents on the workpiece.
The DC608K 18 Volt Cordless 2 inch 18 Gauge Brad Nailer comes with sequential operational and this is a great feature to have in a nail gun. It helps you to shoot with precision. It equally comes with fantastic jam elimination and troubleshooting feature. You equally have a 12-position button which helps you to navigate from one application to the other without any need to reset the depth.
The over-mold feature of the handle allows you to work comfortably with the tool for an extended time without suffering from the weakness of the hand. Also, the tool-free jam removal feature ensures that you get back to work as fast as possible.
The design of the engine makes the nail gun to work fast with continual penetration of nail in both soft and hard joints. Sequential operating mode allows for precision placement and the bump operating mode provides the user with production speed.
It features a straight magazine, which accommodates 18 GA nails of lengths of 5/8 inch to 2 inches. Easy access to the nosepiece makes the removal of jammed easy without requiring the use of screwdrivers or tool wrenches. The cordless form makes it more portable and versatile.
The 12-position control knob system makes it easy for you to switch between applications without necessitating reacquiring the correct depth setting. The magazine is completely enclosed and this prevents dust and debris from damaging the machine or causing it to malfunction.
Finish Nailer Overview
Finish Nailers are nailers that are used to perform the task implied by their names. They perform finish tasks on woodwork projects. Finish nailers commonly utilize larger nail size which can be 14, 15, and 16-gauge nails. The finish nailers nail-gauge commonly come without ahead because they are designed to blend with the wood material.
You can equally apply paint across them to provide a flat, nail-less look. The nails utilized for Finish Nailers jobs are 1 to 2.5 inches in length. DIY enthusiasts commonly give preference to Finish Nailers compared to hammers or nail guns due to the long-lasting effects they create. Nevertheless, finish nailers cost more than Brad Nailers. They can run for hundreds of dollars more.
The nailers either feature a straight or angled structure. Angled Finish Nailers are preferred because they easily slip into tight corners. The angled Finish Nailers, in reality, comes with magazines designed to hold nails perpendicularly.
These nailers can feature strip models which range from 50 to 100 and can accommodate up to 2000 nails. Again just like the brad nailers, there are two types of finish nailers. These are pneumatic and cordless finish nailers.
Pneumatic finish nailers are nailers that use the potent force of air compressor to drive in nails. On the other hand, the cordless or battery-powered finish nailers make use of battery power to drive in nails into woodwork materials.
Cordless, or battery-powered, Finish Nailers are not as powerful as the pneumatic finish nailers. They are equally heavier because the weight of the battery adds to the overall weight of the tool.
Finish nailers are designed for attaching small trim boards and molding onto the woodwork materials without much disturbance. These small finish nails can be driven across the trim board into plywood, softwood or hardwoods.
They can equally nail MDF wood material without leaving a significant visible sign of the nail. Finish nails commonly leave small holes on the woodwork as opposed to the brad nailers because they make use of larger nail sizes.
However, these holes are commonly concealed with wood putty or other fillers before painting the work or applying the finish. The finish nailers are more versatile than a brad nailer. Because of the type of nails they utilize, hardly creates perfect effects on thin or delicate wood.
Look at the materials you are utilizing for your tasks and decide logically which wood nailer would be the most useful for the task. You don’t want to use a nailer that would cause damage to your wood material because you made use of an inappropriate fastener. Such a mistake would cost you more because you will be repairing or replacing the wood material.
A finish nail equally comes with stronger holding power. This makes it perfect for fastening heavy trim and large pieces of wood. It is the best tool for baseboards, cabinetry, and wide crown molding. The brad is probably not able to hold heavy pieces of wood together for a long time.
The main difference between finish nailers vs brad nailers is the nail gauge it uses. The majority of people refer to finish nailers as thicker nails that range from 15 to 16 gauge, whereas brad nailers utilize 18 gauge alone. The term used is less important than the gauge size of the fastener that each of these tools operates with.
Finish nailers hold large pieces of wood better than a brad nailer. For this, they are used to fasten heavy baseboards, cabinets, and crown molding. Brad nailers would normally not work with these tasks. Also, finish nailers come in both straight and angled designs whereas brad nailers only come in straight designs. The angled designs are beneficial when you want to work in tight spaces.
The angled design maybe your best option if you need to work more in tight spaces. You should get a pneumatic finish nailer if you have an air compressor. It is more powerful and lighter.
However, the battery-powered brad nail would equally do the job. If the tasks you have involve mounting a ladder, the best option would be the battery-powered finish nailer.
While the brad nailer is great for finishing a few delicate wood pieces or sticking them together pending when the glue sets, they have weak holding power. When you need a lot of holding power for your project, the finish nailer is most suitable.
How You Can Make Use of A Finish Nailer
Finish Nailers are especially beneficial for driving in thicker nails to give a lasting effect. Similar to brad nailers, a finish nailer is good for trim work and molding. However, they also work for door casing and baseboards. Ensure you always follow suitable safety precautions.
So, you need to ensure you wear good eye protection, put on thick gloves, and hearing protection which can either be an earplug or earmuff. Once, you are fully protected, before you start to use your finish nailer, try to depress the safety nose.
The safety nose prevents the trigger from pulling coincidentally when the Finish Nailer is not being utilized. When you are done, pass the anti-damaging ring rubber over the tip of the nose to stop damage.
Point the nailer continuously and stop when its tip is the point where you want to insert the nail. Ensure that the nailer is positioned in the trim direction. If the nail cannot be driven deep down, you can utilize a hammer to drive in the remaining part.
Features of Finish Nailers
- Finish nailers utilize different types of nails and these range from 15 to 18 gauge.
- They can come with straight or angled magazines and this means that you can fasten them in the nailing direction or at an angle of 20-degree.
- Finish nails equally come in strips of 50 to 100 pieces, basically in boxes of roughly 200 nails.
- The nails utilized by brad nailer vary from 1-¼ inch to 2-½ inch length range. Finish nailers can as well take tinier pins known as brad nails.
- Like other pneumatic or cordless nail guns, finish nailers are fitted with a safety nose for preventing firing nails into woodwork by accidents. Before firing the gun, you must depress the nose.
- Some finish nailers come with features like rubber and anti-damaging tip which is structured to slip through the nose of a finish nailer and assist to inhibit any form of damage to the trim, moldings or the remaining softwood?
What is the use of a finish nailer?
Finish nailers are useful for performing heavy-duty projects which require extra strength and holding power. They commonly make use of 15 or 16 gauge nails which are sufficiently strong for performing a different type of woodwork project.
These include MDF woods like plywood, hardwoods, and softwoods. They have fewer tendencies to cause chipping compared to Brad Nailers. Also, they produce a Smooth Finish. This is why both veteran woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts love finished nailers. They can perform standard jobs like:
- Installation of the crown and base moldings
- Building windows and door casings
- Building the rails of chairs
- Manufacturing of cabinets
- External trim
- Building of staircases
- Hard and softwood floor
Pros
- Extra holding power: The big and longer nails utilized by finish nailers come with extra holding power compared to that of brad nails. While the brad nailers hold pieces of nails together until they dry, the finish nailers are non-removable and are meant to act as a permanent fastener to the work-piece.
- Best for heavyweight trims: They are the best option for attaching heavy trims and bigger pieces of wood. This includes things like baseboards, crown moldings or cabinet which cannot be done with brad nailers.
- They are highly versatile: They are more versatile than the brad nailers because they can be utilized to fasten different types of wood materials ranging from baseboard to MDF and plywood. They equally work fine if you need to attach such woodwork to different types of surfaces, including woods, drywall, and plaster.
- The nails for these nailers feature long strips which minimize frequent loading.
Cons
- They are not good for working with delicate wood or trim. Using finish nailers for working on thin and delicate woods can result in splitting. This can damage the wood and so for delicate trim and wood pieces, the brad nailers are most frequently utilized instead of finish nailers.
- They almost always result in holes that need filling. When the nails that work with finish nailers blend into the surface of the wood, they commonly leave large nail holes that require filling. So, they nearly always need wood putty for filling the holes up and this can take more time to complete.
- If you are using pneumatic nailers, you’ll be required to buy an air pump, if you don’t possess one already.
The Best Finish Nailers Reviews: Our Top Picks
Your job will be easier when you have the right type of power tool for the task. So, whether you are DIY enthusiasts or a professional woodworker, the best finish nailers make your work faster and more accurate.
With different brands and models of finish nailers in the market, it can be a hassle to narrow down to the right choice. To make navigating the market easier we have researched the market and provided in this part of the article the best finish nailers that are sure to fulfill your needs. Follow us as we review them one by one.
Brad nailer Vs Finish Nailer Compared: Top 10 Best Finish Nailers
1. DEWALT DC618K Angled Finish Nailer
Product Overview
- Cordless Finish nailers
- Power: It is battery powered, 18 Volt
- Angle: It is angled finish nailer and the angle is 20 degrees
- Magazine capacity: It can accommodate up to 110 nails
- Nail gauge: 16
- Nail length: 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inch in size
The DeWalt DC618K Angled Finish Nailer comes with a lot of fantastic features and accessories. It assists you to work fast and obtain regular reliable results. It has both soft and hard joints. Besides, the magazine can hold as much as 110 nails and this means you won’t require frequent reload. This allows you to concentrate on completing more work.
Besides the large-sized magazine, it loads through the back which makes things easy. If you ever experience a jam, it features a nosepiece that you can easily remove without using any tool.
The finish nailer can operate through both the sequential and bump operating modes. It can drive in five nails every second. Besides, the inbuilt LED lights will assist you in precisely know where to position the tip even when you work in a dark environment.
This nailer kit equally comes with a single battery and a 1-hour charger, which is a welcomed perk as most related models don’t come with these. You need to purchase them as separate units. Besides, the battery works with any DeWalt tool. The nailer pack equally comes with an adjustable belt hook, no-mar tip, and safety.
You equally have a 3-year warranty and 2 years of free service when you purchase this nailer. The nailer comes with great value and can be used by both pro woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts.
Pros
- The pack includes both the batteries and the charger.
- It comes in both sequential and bumps mode.
- It features a big back-loading magazine.
- Lovely warranty and service package.
Cons
- Pricey
- Necessitate the purchase of a supplementary battery
- A bit large sized
2. Hitachi NT65MA4 Angled Finish Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is air-powered at 70 to 120 psi
- Angle: The nailer is angled at 34 degrees
- Magazine capacity: It can contain as much as 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 15
- Nail length: 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inches
The Hitachi NT65MA4 is a suitable nailer for woodworkers looking for a convenient tool to install crown moldings and exterior trim finishing. The finishing nailer equally comes with selective actuation that allows you to select either contact or sequential nailing which comes handy and makes it suitable for multiple projects.
The nailer features an in-built duster which helps to eliminate dust from the wood surface before you begin to nail. Besides, you equally get a 360-degree alterable exhaust for guiding debris and oil out of the work surface.
The finish nailer is as well angled for easy access in tight corners. The nose design makes eliminating jams easy without the use of tools. The elastomer grip handle makes it easier to grip and allows you to achieve accurate and precise positioning.
This nailer will require a little occasional oiling to ensure it operates at optimal capacity. You equally get a handy carrying case, safety glasses, and a no-mar tip with this finish nailer.
Pros
- The nailer features a handy carrying case
- It operates either through sequential or contact mode
- It comes with a tool-less depth of drive alteration
- You get air duster.
Cons
- It is risky to work with contact mode if you lack experience.
- It only works with Hitachi’s nails
- It misfires and double-shoots occasionall
3. PowRyte 2″ Straight Air Finish Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is air powered air, 70 to 110 psi
- Angle: none
- Magazine capacity: It accommodates roughly 110 nails
- Nail gauge: 16
- Nail length: 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inches
The PowRyte Basic is a budget-friendly finish nailer. It comes with a lot of features and yet cost-effective because it was designed for DIYers and starters. It features with a tool-free depth of drive alteration to countersink nails correctly into a lot of surfaces.
The magazine comes with a reloader indicator that makes it easy for you to see and know when to reload. This prevents issues of dry firing which can spoil the nailer. When there is a jamming issue, the special release system ensures the jam clears up easily.
You equally obtain a modifiable 360-degree exhaust port that can inhibit the air from blustering in your face when you work. The magazine is straight and not an angled type. Therefore, it is unsuitable for jobs that need to get into tight spaces.
It’s structured with plastic and cast aluminum. Thus, it is a bit sturdy but you need to utilize the plastic with caution because they can break if not handled properly. Nevertheless, the nailer still packs a lot of useful features at an affordable price.
It is a good option if what you want is how to install molding, chair rails, or other minor tasks in the home.
Pros
- Reloader indicator
- It has a tool-less depth of drive modification
- The nailer feature 360-degree adaptable exhaust port
- Easy to clear jams
Cons
- The unit features some plastic parts which are less durable
- The straight magazine is limiting
- It is suitable for DIY projects but not for professional work.
- Creates mixed effects with hardwood.
4. Paslode T250A Pneumatic Angled Finish Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is air-powered at 80 to 120 psi
- Angle: It is angled 20 degrees
- Magazine capacity: It can accommodate roughly 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 16
- Nail length: 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inches
The Paslode T250A is a great finish nailer to use both for professional works and DIY projects. It can handle tasks that range from the simple installation of baseboards to assembling of stairs.
It comes in lightweight design and soft textured grip which is easy on the hand and minimizes fatigue so you can work for a longer time at a stretch. The directional exhaust assists you to stay comfortable when you work.
The magazine loads through the back and comes with a two-step hanger-on that makes it easier and faster to load. It accommodates up to 100 nails and comes with a nail lockout feature.
Thus, it locks you out anytime, it remains 10 nails. Therefore, you do not have to struggle with the issue of shooting dry. Besides, its angled design allows you to utilize the nail in tight corners so it can be put into multiple uses.
The 16 gauge nails are great because they are less likely to cause splitting of the material. One fantastic thing about the nailer is that it utilizes 16 gauge nails and features an angled magazine.
The nailer comes with a lot more benefits. It comes with a sturdy plastic carrying case, a supplementary no-mar tip, safety glasses, and plenty of references, cleaning, and user guides.
Pros
- It is a top pro-grade finish nailer
- It is easy and fast to reload
- Directional exhaust
- Nail lockout
Cons
- It’s pricey
- You need some learning curve before you can start to get the right firing depth
- You need to alter the pressure of the air before you get a suitable depth.
5. DEWALT D51257K 2-1/2″ Finishing Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is powered by air at 70 to 120 psi
- Angle: nil
- Magazine capacity: It can accommodate up to 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 16
- Nail length: 1 to 2 ½ inches
The DEWALT D51257K is lightweight and comes with a no-mar pad for protecting the surface of the material from damage. It yields accurate results and is great for both pro tasks and beginner DIY enthusiast. This is because of its internal piston catch which yields even, optimal power with every shot of the nail.
A fantastic feature of the nailer is the sealed lube dial technology. The feature allows the nailer to function effectively either with oil or no lubricating oil. This implies that the motor can function well with or without any lubricating oil. Thus, the machine needs little or no maintenance and increases the versatility of the tool.
The back-loading magazine makes reloading easier. The jam is equally easy to clear because of its tool-free design. The nailer fires nails progressively to ensure accuracy and safety. It features over-molded grips.
Therefore, you can hold the handle firmly when you work for a long time without resulting in fatigue. You equally have a belt hook that you can attach to any side of your waist to keep it from getting in the way when you need to work with other tools.
The belt hook also keeps the tool handy, so you can easily reach it when you need to. The demerit of this nailer is that some parts of it contain the plastic feature. Therefore, you need to handle it with care if you want it to last for a long time. If you rough-handle it, it can result in breakage.
Innovative DEWALT technology allows you to use the D51257K with or without oil, offering you the versatility to complete a wide range of jobs quickly and efficiently. With its operating pressure of 70-120 PSI, this versatile nailer takes one- to 2-1/2-inch 16 gauge straight collated nails.
Pros
- The over-molded grips offer additional comfort when you need to work for a long time.
- It comes with a protective non-mar pad
- The interior piston yields optimal power
- It comes with sealed lube double technology
Cons
- Irregular jamming issues
- A bit difficult to reload
- A bit costly
- It is not easy to clear jams
6. Senco 4G0001N FinishPro 42XP 2-1/2″ Finish Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is powered by air, 70 – 120 psi
- Angle: The nailer is angled 34 degrees
- Magazine capacity: It comes with 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 15
- Nail length: 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inches
The magnesium casing makes this Senco 4G0001N lightweight and sturdy. This is a fresh version of this nailer and an overhaul of the previous version. This fresh version comes with a long-lasting driver, enhanced durability, and improved ergonomics.
It comes in a 360-degree adaptable exhaust and balanced lightweight structure to keep you at ease when you work. This is a high-functioning nailer that drives in nails into the toughest types of woods for professional effects.
A few great and outstanding features of this nailer include the tool-less depth of drive fine-tuning which you can easily do with a thumbwheel. The two no-mar pads keep the work surface from any accidental injury that can ruin your work surfaces.
The inbuilt rule ensures that you get accurate and precise measurements. The te EZ-Clear latch feature is fantastic for clearing the jam. You don’t need to apply oil to use the nailer due to it’s brand’s NeverLube technology. This nailer equally comes with a hard plastic cover for easy transportation and storage.
Designed for the unique demands of dedicated professional use, the Senco FinishPro 42XP 1-1/4-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch 15-Gauge Finish Nailer is packed with the powerful, innovative features you need to tackle virtually any job.
Pros
- You’ll get a lovely carrying case
- It is suitable for professional woodwork tasks
- It comes with an easy depth of drive fine-tuning feature
- It has an inbuilt ruler which ensures accurate measurement
Cons
- It misfires irregularly
- It is heavy-weight and the most weighty on the list
- It has issues with periodic jams.
- They are not as sturdy and long-lasting as expected.
7. Paslode 902400 Angled Finish Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is powered by a 7-volt battery
- Angle: The nailer is angled 21 degrees
- Magazine capacity: It accommodates as much as 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 16
- It is Cordless model
- Nail length: 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inches
This Paslode finish nailer is battery powered and is structured for performing trim work. However, it is sufficiently versatile to perform a lot of different types of tasks. If you need to do any task that requires climbing on top of a ladder or when you need to work in tight corners, these finish nailers are your go-to tools.
They come without a cord, air hose or compressor. This cordless nailer is battery powered. It comes with a fuel cell that is a bit more powerful than the normal standard for battery operated fuel cells.
The battery of this nailer ignites the fuel in the cell which powers the nail. The nailer can drive-in nails into harder woods more than when you utilize a tool that makes use of just the battery power.
The nailer is equally fully packed with features. Its tool-free depth of drive fine tuning can be achieved merely by dialing. The ergonomic handle is structured with an angle that offers you a fantastic line of sight which ensures that you constantly get the nail to any direction you want correctly.
The reversible belt hook of the nailer allows you to keep it handy when not in use for easy reach anytime you require the tool. It comes with a no-mar tip to prevent any unintentional damage to the wood surface if you mistakenly try to fire blank.
There are a lot of features with this tool. You get the following in a pack: a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, battery charger, safety glasses, and a carrying case. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a fuel cell. You need to purchase it differently. While it is a little costly, it comes with sufficient value for your money.
Pros
- Although it comes in a cordless design, it is very powerful
- Tool-free depth of drive alteration
- A good line of sight to increase accuracy
- You get both the battery and charger
Cons
- It is costly
- You need to purchase fuel cells discretely
- It misfires infrequently
- The depth of drive is not very accurate
8. Freeman PFN1564 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer
The Freeman PFN1564 Finish Nailer features soft-grip assists to give a comfy hold as you perform your tasks. Thus you can work for a long time without experiencing hand fatigue and this minimizes the overall time it takes you to complete a task.
The most striking feature of this nailer is the whooping 7-years warranty. It is the greatest warranty ever offered by related brands we have come across. Such a long-year warranty assures you of the manufacturer’s confidence in the ability of their product to last.
It boosts your confidence, knowing you are purchasing a product that is built to last. Also, it comes with anodized aluminum magazine and cylinder which makes the power tool lightweight and at the same time very durable.
The nailer equally comes with a tool-free fast release feature which makes it easy to clear jams whenever they occur. The anti-dust lid prevents dust and debris from getting into the interior part of the tool. Teflon O-rings that come with this nailer help the interior surface to always function appropriately. The no-mar tip protects your work surface from accidental blank firing.
It is a bit tasking to figure out the depth adjustment button. However, you will get used to it if you practice with a few junk planks of wood before switching straight to use your regular woodwork material. Also, it is equally a bit tasking to find the nails too.
Top off your projects with Freeman PFN1564 Pneumatic 15-Gauge 34 Degree Angle 2-1/2" Finish Nailer. Use it to install door and window casing, moulding, trim, chair rails, cabinetry and other fine finish applications. This air powered nail gun is compatible with 15 gauge tape or glue collated 34 degree finish nails from 1-1/4" to 2-1/2".
Pros
- You get a 7-year warranty with this nailer
- It’s lightweight and sturdy
- Soft ergonomic handle
- Anti-dust cap to safeguard the interior of the tool
Cons
- It is easy to get the depth drive of the tool right
- You will hard time finding the nails in hardware stores
- 15 gauge nails are a bit more conspicuous
- It can only accommodate 100 nails
9. Makita AF601 16 Gauge, 2-1/2″ Straight Finish Nailer
Product Overview
- Power: It is air-powered, 70 to 120 psi
- Angle: Nil
- Magazine capacity: It is made up of 100 nails
- Nail gauge: 16
- Nail length: 1 to 2 ½ inches
The Makita AF601 nailer kit comes with a lot of fantastic features. The magazine works with typical 16 gauge nails. It doesn’t just come with a nail lock-out to prevent you from firing anytime the magazine runs out; it features a large window that can enable you to monitor your supply.
There are many features integrated into this nailer which makes it a fantastic tool to use. The reversible belt hook offers you an opportunity to keep the tool handy when not in use. It also works well for both right-handed and left-handed people.
The exhaust port comes in multiple directions which ensures that the hot air blows away from you instead of focusing on you. It also features a built-in air duster to allow you easily clean debris from your work surface or clean up after you finish.
A problem with this nailer is it comes in a 3straight design instead of an angled design which makes it hard to get into tight corners.
One downside to this nailer is that it’s not angled, so you might have a difficult time getting into smaller spaces. Another issue is the nail lock-out is a bit jumpy. It sometimes doesn’t offer sufficient protection against dry firing.
Pros
- The exhaust port comes in multiple directions
- It comes with a reversible belt hook which makes it suitable for both or left or right-handed use.
- The inbuilt air duster can easily eliminate dust and debris from the work environment
- It is compact and heavy-duty
Cons
- It’s is not angled finish nailer and this doesn’t make it suitable for work in tight spaces
- The Nail lock-out feature is not very effective
10. Bostitch N62FNK-2 Angled Finish Nailer
This Bostitch N62FNK-2 finish nailer is an angled model. This makes it a very suitable nailer to use when working on surfaces with limited spaces.
However, apart from this, there are as well a lot of other features that make the finish nailer a high-quality nailer.
Examples of such features are adjustable depth control which allows you to figure out how far you can drive the nail. Also, you can easily re-load the magazine without any tool.
The finish nailer allows you to adjust the nail depth to fit a lot of materials, and it as well comes in a lightweight and durable magnesium casing to boost its durability.
And apart from the lightweight and durable structure, this finish nailer equally comes with four profile tips which make it more convenient and boosts its versatility.
This 15 GA "FN" style angled finish nailer kit is a convenient tool that offers an led work-light for jobs that go into the night and a rear exhaust that directs the air away from you while you are working.
Finish Nailer Buying Guide
Before deciding on the best suitable finish nailer for your needs, you need to consider the type of task you want to do with it. So, if you are a professional who needs a finish nailer that is sturdy enough to withstand seasons of heavy work, you need a nailer that s built for professional usage.
When you already know which type of nailer you need, the next thing to consider is your budget. When these two factors are taken care of, start looking into a few specific factors like the following:
Gauge and Angle
The finish nailers in our top picks are either 15 gauge or 16 gauge. These are frequently used types. They’re equally the only two nailers that a homeowner or casual user would require.
The difference is that they are like wire gauge which gets thinner as the number increases. What it implies is that the 16 gauge is a bit tinier than the 15 gauge. Although the difference between these two gauges is not much, you ought to take your projects and wood materials into consideration.
The last thing you need to consider about the gauge is the angle of the nailer’s magazine. This is significant because when the magazine angle is larger, it helps the tool to easily work in tight spaces.
The majority of 16 gauge nailers are straight while those of them that are angled move as far as roughly 20 degrees. If you want a tool with a curvier angle, your best choice is the 15 gauge nail whose angle goes as high as 34 degrees.
Nails
The length of the nails you can utilize for your finish nailer is significant as long as you need the nails to work for your project. The majority of the nailers come in length that ranges from 1 to 2 ½ inches long. This is sufficient for the majority of the projects. Thus, if you are a woodwork contractor who utilizes the nailer for professional jobs, the higher range is better.
Power Source
The Finish nailers are our list are either powered by air or battery. Each of these two types of nailers comes with specific benefits and disadvantages.
Air-powered finish nailers
If you are using a nailer that is powered by air, you will equally need a compressor. If you’re a pro, you may already have one but if you are a DIY enthusiast, you may not already have one and so need to consider the cost of an air compressor before making your buying decision.
Air-powered nailers have more power compared to nailers powered by the battery. They’re more trustworthy and each shooting is backed with related amount of power. The problem with these nailers is that you have to constantly attach the nailer to the hose of a compressor to work.
The tube integrates tension and weight to the nailer. It can be awkward and sometimes dangerous depending on how you want to work around it.
Battery Powered finish nailer
The battery-powered tool issue is that you will work with it as much as the power of the battery allows. You need to be constantly aware of the level of the battery and acquire a supplementary battery to be able to work for a long period.
This can cost a lot when you are purchasing it for the first time. Some battery-powered nailers come with a battery charger and a battery. If you are going with these models, you’d need to get a spare battery.
Some nailers powered by batteries equally come with a fuel cell. These models imitate the related amount of pressure that comes with air-powered nailers. For these models, the battery powers the fuel cell, which is a compressed gas and this in turn powers the nail.
These types of battery-powered nailers are fantastic and a bit more powerful than those powered by batteries alone. However, to use this type, you’d need to additional purchase the fuel cells.
Irrespective of the drawbacks, a battery-powered or cordless nailer is highly convenient. You can work with them anywhere without struggling with the hassles of dragging the air compressor around.
Extras
There are other extra features that you can see in some models of finish nailers. They are not must-haves but they are good to have. These features include the following:
Tool-less depth of drive modification
Although sometimes these are not correct, you can normally get the hang of them is you take a bit more time to study how the nailer works before using it for your tasks. The feature increases the versatility of the tool and is great to have it in your nailer if you’re engaged in professional work.
Air duster
This is another essential feature in a finish nailer. It eliminates dust and debris from your work surface and is handy when you need to perform a lot of work on site. It equally helps you to clean up when you are done.
Multi-Directional exhaust
This is great as it diverts the air from the nailer away from you instead of channeling it towards you. Overall, there are a lot of finish nailers in the market including the ones we have reviewed here. The DEWALT DC618K XRP, for example, is a great tool to have.
It comes with massive battery power and features a charger. It equally comes is both sequential and bump operation mode. With the great manufacturer’s warranty and service package, it makes a good buy.
However, if you think it is not the best suitable choice for you, you can consider any of the other finish nailers we have on our list.
Brad Nails VS Finish Nails
Pneumatic Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer
Pneumatic nailers are nailers that utilize compressed air inside an air compressor to power the nailer.
?The benefit of a pneumatic nailer over the battery nailer of fuel cell operated nailer is that in so far as the compressor is plugged, it will always provide you with a sufficient amount of force to drive the nails into the wood.
Besides, they are fairly mobile, although many will dispute this fact. However, not as mobile as the cordless nailer, you can take the compressor and the nailer to work in locations where there is no power if you charge it completely.
?Also, pneumatic nailers are far cheaper than cordless nailers but then you need a compressor. If you don’t already have a compressor, it could mean a significant investment. However, if you are a professional, chances are that you already have a compressor as they are multi-purpose tools. They equally work for filling tires and blowing specks of dust off work areas.
BOSTITCH Nail Gun, Brad Nailer, Smart Point, 18GA (BTFP12233)
The Bostitch Smart Point Brad Nailer is a good all-inclusive brad nailer. Bostitch is a popular brand that is famed for manufacturing durable and innovative tools.
It is an 18 gauge brad nailer that is very suitable for embellishments or working on lightweight trim.
It comes with a new Smart Point technology which is a small nose that helps to easily pass through complicated pieces of trim.
It equally comes with a Bostitch yellow head which results in enhanced visibility.
This Nail Gun, Brad Nailer comes easily allows you to work on home improvement projects with ease. This power tool also comes with a trigger system and tool-free jam release mechanism for easy nail removal.
Hitachi NT65MA4 1-1/4 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer with Air Duster
Hitachi is another brand reputed for manufacturing high-quality nailers. The Hitachi 15GA Angled Finish Nailer is an excellent pneumatic finish nailer for great functionality, flexibility, and modernization.
The Hitachi 15GA Angled Finish Nailer is an all-around nailer that will carry out most finish woodwork tasks.
One important feature of this Hitachi pneumatic nailer is the built-in Air Duster. The Air Duster is a nozzle attached above the nailer which allows the user to blow away debris such as sawdust away from the work environment.
The Air Duster feature on the Hitachi 15GA Finish Nailer is an ingenious and convenient feature to have in your nailer.
This Finish Nailer is the ideal nailer for installing crown and base moldings, window and door casings, chair rails, cabinets, exterior trim and staircases. The NT65MA4 nailer has a compact body and angled magazine making for easier placement and operation in tight angles. 
Cordless Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer
Cordless nailers are highly convenient if you don’t mind paying the additional cost over that of the regular pneumatic nailers. A lot of contractors who work with cordless nailers discover that although cordless nailers are more costly they provide values far more than the extra cost of acquiring them.
With a cordless nailer, you can easily take your tool to work anywhere without dealing with the hassles of dragging around the air compressor. It is particularly useful if you are a professional. DIY enthusiasts may not consider the extra expense worth the money but veterans who use these can very well testify to their exclusive values.
So, before you buy, ensure you properly understand what each type of nailer requires to function properly. For example, you need an air compressor if you are working with a pneumatic nailer. You will equally need a long hose and a close-by electric socket for charging the compressor.
Although you don’t need an air compressor for the cordless model, you’d need to purchase fuel cells and additional batteries, which eventually can cost an equivalent amount as the compressor.
See a few best cordless brad nailer vs finish nailers below:
The Paslode 901000 18 Gauge Finish Nailer
The Paslode 901000 is a high standard cordless nailer for a very long time. They are highly durable and equally come with high performance.
The Paslode 90100 18GA Finish Nailer features a depth-of-drive adjustment, a see-through loading magazine, and an extended and narrow nose.
It comes with a sure grip handle and soft trigger that makes it easy on the hand even when you have to work with the tool for a long time.
DEWALT DC608K 18-Volt 18-Gauge 2-Inch Brad Nailer Kit
DeWalt is a popular brand of power tools. The brand is well-known around the globe and the reason is not hard to find.
Although DeWalt started producing nailers later than a few other brands, the company is the first to produce battery-powered or cordless nailers.
The DeWalt DC608K 18-Volt Brad Nailer is a sturdy nailer with an enormous amount of driving power.
Another fantastic thing about this nailer is that it is a good choice if you already have other 18-volt power tools from DeWalt.
This means you won’t have to purchase an extra battery as the battery from other 18-volt power tools will equally work with this nailer.
This way you can minimize a significant cost, overall.
This cordless brad nailer combines the precision of hand nailing with the speed and ease of pneumatic nailing. With this compact, portable tool, you can drive brads ranging in length from 5/8 inch to two inches as rapidly as five brads per second. And best of all: no compressor to buy and no air hose to drag around. 
Making use of a suitable nailer for your task
Staplers and brad nailers are frequently utilized for furniture works, cabinets and craft works as a result of the smaller holes they create and because they equally make minimal impact. Finish nailers are best for baseboard, crown molding and related trim.
It’s better to utilize a stronger nail and make your project more secure in so far as it doesn’t result in splitting. Using a smaller and weaker nail for a task that requires a stronger nail could make the nails start to come off after some time.
It is essential to make use of a suitable nailer and also the right nails for the job. When you start to use a nail gun, the best idea is, to begin with, a smaller sized nailer. When you learn how to use it, you can upgrade to larger models that come with extra power like the framing guns.
Tips for Using the Brad Vs Finish Nailers
Similar to how to use other pneumatic or other power tools, the brad nailer and finish nailer requires some learning curve to get a good hang of it. However, it is not impossible. You can learn to effectively use these tools whether you are a veteran woodworker or a DIY enthusiast.
Steps to proper usage a brad nailer vs finish nailer
1. Avoid blow out of Nails
The first thing to learn about if you are just starting to use nailers is to avoid nail blowout. This is a common issue with newbies and occurs due to lopsided trim angling of molding or the nailer. It is when you fire the nail in the wrong direction.
To prevent this from happening, begin by focusing the center of the tip of a finish nail to a position where you want to drive the nail. When you have done this, carefully position the gun in the direction you want to shoot the nail ensuring that you don’t dislodge the tip position.
2. Manage any Nail Jam properly
Roughly all types of nailers experience occasional jamming. Although it is less frequent with finish guns, you ought to know how to manage the issue when it does occur. Luckily, most finish nailers and other types of nailers come with a latch that you can easily open without a tool to eliminate the jam.
What you need to do here is to remove the latch on the front side of the finish nailer to eliminate the jammed nail. Some models equally come with a rear-loading magazine so you can equally easily remove the jammed nail.
If you are working with a pneumatic nailer before managing jamming issues, you ought to unplug the air compressor from the nailer to ensure your safety. Likewise, if you are working with a battery-powered nailer, remove the battery before eliminating the jam.
Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer usage conclusions
To determine between Brad nailer vs finish nailers:
- Define your project needs
- Know the difference between a brad nailer vs finish nailer
- ?If you already have a compressor, go for a pneumatic nailer
- If you’re are a veteran woodwork contractor, go for fuel or battery-powered nailer
- Ensure to take appropriate safety precautions
Brad Nailer is best for:
- Home renovations and repairs like securing the loose trim of cabinets or adding a few baseboards or crown moldings. They’re equally great when you need additional holding power during the installation of interlocking floors.
- Attaching surfaces for gluing. They help to keep your woodwork materials in position after application of glues and while you wait for adhesives like glue to dry. They work for temporary hold and allow you to easily take these off when you need to.
- They are great when you need to perform small-scale crafting tasks like when you need to make picture frames, birdhouses or mock-ups.
The finish nailers are used for:
The finish nailers are great when you need to perform any of the following tasks:
- Fasten big, thick pieces of trim molding.
- Work on door casings.
- To perform crown molding.
- Drive-in nails into chair rails.
- Hoot nails into Baseboards.
- Perform any task that requires a strong structure more than the appearance factor or the finished look.
Brad nailer vs Finish nailer: Which One Should You Buy?
The answer to whether you should buy a Brad Nailer or a Finish Nailer depends on the task you have at hand or the type of task you perform more frequently. The Brad Nailer and Finish Nailer are structured for particular purposes.
Based on this, these two power nailers are different and have their specific uses. So, whether you need the brad nailer or the finish nailer depends on what task you want to perform. The Finish nailer is more versatile and can be utilized for multiple purposes while the brad nailers are pricier.
So, if you don’t need to work on a baseboard and door casing, in my opinion, you should go for the Brad Nailer. If not, your final choice depends on what you want to get in a nailer.
Nevertheless, if you want nailers that come with all-in-1 function, the following two nailers make a great buy:
The DEWALT DCN680 18 Gauge Brad Nailer drives 18 Gauge brad nails from 5/8" to 2-1/8" which makes it ideal for fastening decorative molding, casing, kitchen crown, and shoe molding. With its brushless motor powered by a DEWALT 20V MAX* Lithium-Ion battery the DCN680 is ready to go to work without the hassle of using gas, compressor, and hose. The Makita 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer (model AF601) combines a myriad of features and powerful performance in a compact size.
FAQs
If you are not under budget constraints, you can purchase a 15-gauge finish nailer or an 18-gauge brad nailer. The two nailers are a great mixture for the task. The 15-gauge nails commonly come in length of roughly 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inch. They are robust enough to keep the door jambs and other weighty trim materials secure.
The majority of finish nails can be interchanged in so far as you are working with the precise gauge required which can be either angled or straight.
Yes, a nail gun can be utilized for securing your decking. Doing so makes the whole installation procedure less tasking. However, not all types of tasks can be utilized for decking. It can differ from the type of fasteners required, the power of the nailed you are using and much more.
Pneumatic nailers can make a lot of construction work fast. However, to achieve the desired effect, you must use a suitable size of nailer for the task you are performing. Brad nailers are best suited for building cabinets and interior trim.
However, they make use of very short and narrow fasteners which are unsuitable for fastening exterior fence boards which tend to warp and shift.
Not likely. Finish nails are designed with a weightier 15 or 16 gauge wire whereas Brad’s nails make use of 18 gauge wire. This implies that finish nails ought to be too thick to drive via a brad nailer. You ought to constantly keep an eye at the gauge of the gun and only purchase the nails meant for the task.
1 ½ inch nails are the right size of nails for mounting baseboards using a brad power nailer. If you are worried about the possible splitting of baseboard, drill a hole into the baseboard before you start. To do this, you can utilize a drill bit which is a little smaller than the Brad nail’s size you use.
Brad nailers make use of brads which is where their names are derived. Brads are a smaller gauge of nail meant for attaching less heavy trim. Given that the finish nailer commonly utilizes bigger gauged nails, it is more likely to result in split up or break up of thin pieces of trim you want to set up.
A pneumatic nailer is powered with an air compressor. A cordless, battery-powered nailer provides better mobility than a pneumatic model because you don’t need to use either an air compressor or a hose. This model as well comes with a fast startup period but it is not as powerful as the pneumatic nailer.
A pneumatic nailer or nail gun is a powerful tool utilized for driving nails into wood or other kinds of material. It is commonly powered by compressed air (pneumatic). It can also be powered by electromagnetism, highly flammable hydrocarbons like butane or propane. It is a powder-driven tool.
Both nails and screws can be used on a fence. Nevertheless, screws can get loose faster than nails. Also, screws can secure the fence more than nails.
While both nails and screws work on a wood fence, a few builders fasten the stakes to the supporter rails using nails and after that, they attach the supporter rails/boards to the poles with the use of screws.
First fix nail guns are also referred to as framing nailers, whereas the second fix nail guns are equally referred to as finishing nailers and brad nailers. The major variation between first fix and second fix nail guns is that first fix nail guns have more power and they make use of bigger nails to perform heavy duty installation tasks.
All the compressors utilized by Framing nailers apart from one, the (Central Pneumatic 95275) offer sufficient pressure for framing nailers (basically roughly 120 psi). However, it is just those with ratings of roughly 2 cm and above will function well with a framing nailer if you are performing your task at moderate speed.
To start with, PSI represents pounds per square inch (or pound-force per square inch). A lot of air tools need 70 and 90 PSI. Any light-to-medium-duty air compressor can readily manage 90 PSI. However, you should aim for a compressor that supplies extra flow than required.
Conclusion
The brad nailer has minimal holding power compared to the finish nailer. The key reason is that it does not utilize the regular size of nails. A brad nailer makes use of brads, which are made up of a smaller gauge of metal that lacks a head at the tip.
Brad Nailers are best for carrying out more delicate woodwork projects like fastening trims. They make use of thinner and smaller 18-gauge nails and are more cost-effective.
The finish Nailers on the flipside are stronger than Brad’s nails. They can be used to work on MDF woods, plywood, hardwood, and so on. Nevertheless, Finish Nailers are a little more expensive. The finish nailers are more versatile and can work for a variety of applications including fastening lightweight trim or finish work.
Overall, if you require, a tool for performing a more detailed task, the brad nailer would be the best option. So, if your work frequently involves working delicate trims and wood pieces, you should get a brad nailer because finish nailers tend to result in splitting such materials. The brad nailer should also be your go-to tool if all you want is to fasten wood pieces pending when the glue dries up.
If you are looking for a nailer that you can put into more versatile use and which equally comes with extra holding power, you need a finish nailer. Also, if you are working with larger pieces of wood, you should get the Finish nailers.
So, both these nailers are good. Your final choice boils down to the task you want to perform. If you are not under a budget constraint, the best option is to purchase a combo kit that will provide you with many types of finish nailers at once.
However a lot of woodworkers, nearly always prefer getting one nailer first. So, if you in the market to choose between the brad and finish nailers, the best thing to do is buy which of the two that you need for most of your projects. Although the nailers look alike, they bare differently and perform different types of tasks.
