A cordless finish nailer is more convenient and saves time over a pneumatic or corded finish nailer. Of the finish nailers available, a 16-gauge cordless finish nailer appears to be the most popular finishing cordless nail gun.A cordless finish nailer is like a brad nailer in that it also uses high-gauge nails and can be commonly found in the toolkits of finish carpenters and cabinetry makers. The difference is in the size of the nails. Finish nailers use larger nails than brad nailers.If you frequently work on projects where you have to nail crown molding, baseboards, cabinets, chair rail molding, wood furniture, paneling, shelving, casing, window trim, door trim, hardwood floor, millwork, and larger decorative trim, a cordless model will get the job done faster and make your life on the job much easier.Finish nails are generally longer and larger than brads, but still create a small enough hole that they can be easily hidden with putty and then painted after the nailing is finished.What are some features to look for when considering a cordless finish nailer?Size and WeightFinishing work is typically an all-day job over multiple days. That means that you need to hold your electric nail gun in your hand for extended periods. A cordless model doesn’t have a cord or pneumatic hose connected that you have to drag with you and manage. That reduces the stress on your wrists. Still, if the nailer itself is heavy, it will take a toll on you over time.The battery on some models can add significant weight to the tool. The larger capacity the battery, the more it weighs and the larger it will be.A finish cordless nailer needs to get into tighter spaces and work at odd angles compared to other nailers and so size is an important consideration. Angled models reduce the overall height of the tool and can make it easier to use in tight spaces.Look for a smaller, angled cordless finish nailer with a lighter, modern technology battery that weighs the least amount possible to help you keep working longer without as much fatigue.Nail Firing Operating ModesFinishing work sometimes lends itself to sequential, precise one-at-a-time nailing and sometimes you aren’t as concerned with precision as you are with speed. For those times, you want a nailer that does high-speed bump firing. A nailer with both modes is ideal.Nail DepthAs important as accurately firing the finishing nail is the need to achieve the right nail depth. Some finish nailers come with an adjustable depth control that allows you to precisely control depth. You should expect that any cordless finish nailer you buy will deliver consistent nail depth in a variety of wood types.LightingAs much as any tool, a finish nailer finds its way into dark spaces like cabinets or low-light areas like baseboards near the floor. A cordless model with LED lights can deliver shadowless light directly to the surface so that you can see what you’re doing without needing additional lighting.JammingNo matter how careful you are, eventually you will experience a nail jam. It’s just the nature of the nails you work with. How you deal with the jam is important. If you need to go get a screwdriver or wrench in order to try and remove the jam, you’re wasting time and money. Look for a model that features tool-less access like a swing-open nosepiece that allows you to quickly and easily remove the jam without a lot of downtime.WarrantyA long warranty is an indication that the manufacturer has faith in their materials and workmanship. Look for the longest warranty available and if possible a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the tool.A quality cordless finish nailer saves time for trim carpenters, cabinetmakers, and others who routinely install baseboard, shoe, crown molding, chair rails, paneling, hardwood flooring, staircases, window casings, door casings, or door jambs.We sincerely hope that this article has provided you with valuable information that helps you choose the best cordless finish nailer for your needs!
