18 Gauge Nailer/stapler

[TxDoc]

Was given one of these and it uses the brads/staples listed below. I have used a nail gun, but never a brad/staple gun.

Wanted to know:

1-What can these brads/staples be routinely used to accomplish and what should you not expect to be able to do with it?
2-What is the difference between a brad and staple and what decides which to chose?

18 GAUGE 3/4'' BRADS
18 GAUGE 1'' BRADS
18 GAUGE 1-3/16'' BRADS
1-1/8'' LONG, 1/4'' CROWN STAPLES
1-1/4'' LONG, 1/4'' CROWN STAPLES
18 GAUGE 1'' STAPLES
18 GAUGE 2'' BRADS
Thanks

 

[Jbullfrog]

Staples are a "U" shape and brads are a small nail. It will be fine for furniture and wood work that is also glued, casing, base, and crown molding. As a rule, staples are not used where they won't be seen and brad nails are used in exposed surfaces where they can be counter-sunk and puttied.

 

[SteveU]

Staples can be used to repair chairs, couches, etc where the fabric pulls out. They can be used for things like putting new covers on motorcycle seats. Brads are mainly for light duty tasks such as installing trim, holding two pieces together while the glue dries, ect. Brads are great for craft type work such as building birdhouses & such but shouldn't be used for structural work where there will be a lot of stress on them since they don't have a lot of strength/holding power compared to larger nails/screws.

 

[TxDoc]

Thanks Jbullfrog and SteveU (not to be confused with SteveO ) For the replies. I think I can use it for small tasks where tacking small nails would be a pain. I appreciate the help.

 

[PAToyota]

My five pneumatic nailers are a brad, finish, framing, flooring, and roofing nailer. Each has its uses. I debated whether I wanted a brad/stapler nailer, but really couldn't come up with anything that I'd use the staples for as they are pretty small - smaller than what I'd use for upholstery work.

I use the brad nailer for woodworking where I am gluing things up as the brads are more like temporary clamps than fasteners. They might hold small things together if they aren't handled, but they are basically headless pins - there is a slight bulge to the head but it is entirely too easy to pull the piece off over the head.

The finish nailer is good for trim work where you aren't necessarily going to be using glue. When I sanded down the floors I used the finish nailer to reinstall the quarter-round trim. It is pretty much like using finishing nails and a nail set except you get to do it all with a pull of the trigger.

Framing nailer needs little explanation. With an age that includes more than one score (as in the Gettysburg Address "score") I find that framing is getting harder and harder on my wrists. Again, the simple pull of a trigger makes short work of projects.

Flooring nailer installs cleats into tongue and groove flooring. Do any amount of that and the pneumatic version sure is nice!

Roofing nailer isn't really a necessity, but I picked it up at an auction cheap because it didn't work. Under $10 worth of parts and it is fully functional.