Brad Nailer
Affiliate link — we may earn a commissionA brad nailer drives 18-gauge brad nails, which are thin, small-headed fasteners used for trim, molding, and light assembly. Brad nails are 5/8-inch to 2 inches long. The 18-gauge wire is thin enough that it leaves a tiny hole that's nearly invisible after filling. Brad nailers come in pneumatic (connected to an air compressor via a hose) and cordless versions (battery-powered or fuel-cell-powered). Cordless brad nailers from Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita run on the same batteries as their drills and saws. A brad nailer is not a framing nailer. It doesn't have the power to drive structural fasteners.
Why It Matters
For trim carpentry, a brad nailer is faster than hand-nailing and leaves smaller holes than a 16-gauge finish nailer. It holds trim in place while the glue dries, tacks thin panels and back pieces to cabinets, and attaches small moldings that would split if you tried to screw them. If you install trim, baseboards, or crown molding, a brad nailer pays for itself on the first job.