Milwaukee nailer

[Easyjet98]

I have the M12 Milwaukee system and one M18 tool. I‘m thinking of buying a nailer for small projects such as frames, shelving, etc. What size and tool should I start out with? I am not familiar with nail gauges etc, just an older woman who wants to do a few projects around the house and needs something easy to use and reliable. The Palm nailer is on sale at my Home Depot for $99. Is that a good starting one? Or can someone recommend a good versatile model to start with? Thanks!

 

[The Cobbler]

palm nailer is for driving regular " old fashioned nails" they have a purpose, I have one that seldom gets used, not high on my list but it's nice to have sometimes when a nailer can't get in .
brads are 18 gauge up to 2" , for smaller trim, I use it for up to about 1/2 or 5/8
16 & 15 gauge finish nailers are up to 2-1/2 ,. for heavier trim
pin nailers are 22 gauge & nice for small trim & pcs where you don't want a visible hole from the 18gauge.
various coil & strip nailers for framing type jobs. up to at least 3-1/2" depending on model etc

 

[mike93lx]

What kinds of projects around the house? Upholstery needs Staples, trim can be 18, 16 or 15 gauge (I usually use 18), assembling woodworking will usually be 18 gauge, but sometimes 22.

Palm nailers are for driving framing nails in tight places, like joist hangers for a deck. Not something that really gets used otherwise, but I guess it you were driving larger finish nails and can't swing a hammer, it could probably be used. I'd run trim screws with an impact instead though

 

[Retroman]

I have the 15 gauge nailer and narrow crown stapler. I use the narrow crown stapler much more than the nailer. You can get some pretty long staples for them.

 

[AEAdam]

I have the M12 Milwaukee system and one M18 tool. I‘m thinking of buying a nailer for small projects such as frames, shelving, etc. What size and tool should I start out with? I am not familiar with nail gauges etc, just an older woman who wants to do a few projects around the house and needs something easy to use and reliable. The Palm nailer is on sale at my Home Depot for $99. Is that a good starting one? Or can someone recommend a good versatile model to start with? Thanks!

I have a couple you might like. The 18ga narrow crown stapler is probably my favorite. Reason, it draws parts together like a headed nail or almost like a screw. This can save clamping etc. That would be my advice.

M18 FUEL 18ga ¼” Narrow Crown Stapler | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ 18ga ¼” Narrow Crown Stapler delivers consistent unmatched performance without a compressor. This cordless stapler also has tool-free depth adjustment

www.milwaukeetool.com

The downside of this tool is that it leaves a little 1/4” long divot in your project that really should be filled. If you don’t want that, the 18ga Brad nailer would be the better choice.

M18 FUEL 18 Gauge Brad Nailer | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ 18 Gauge Brad Nailer makes clean, consistent nail holes, is compact in size with zero ramp-up time. The cordless brad nailer operates using REDLITHIUM™ Batteries

www.milwaukeetool.com

Don’t let the name fool you. Brad nails are strong connectors. The nails I bought have grooves under their almost imperceptible heads like ring shank nails making them tough to remove. There are a wide range of sizes available and the Milwaukee gun shoots many of them. The heads are so small, you usually don’t need to fill them.

Downside of the Brad nailer is that you won’t get good pull up so you really should clamp. Also, I think most people use these in concert with glue like titebond. Titebond is slippery. If you don’t hit these nails in at the right angle, they can actually pull your pieces out of alignment.

I think the stapler is a little easier to use, makes stronger joints, but leaves a little more finishing work.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have the M12 Milwaukee system and one M18 tool. I‘m thinking of buying a nailer for small projects such as frames, shelving, etc. What size and tool should I start out with? I am not familiar with nail gauges etc, just an older woman who wants to do a few projects around the house and needs something easy to use and reliable. The Palm nailer is on sale at my Home Depot for $99. Is that a good starting one? Or can someone recommend a good versatile model to start with? Thanks!

Forget the palm nailer. Thats not what you need.
Start with an 18 gauge nailer. Its most versatile.
Trim-head screws can also be useful for little random projects.

 

[bcradio]

If I was getting only one, it would be a 15 gauge nailer. 18 gauge is good for house trim, but I suspect that is not what you plan on using it for. For general woodworking, you could just use a 15ga to assemble your stuff and not need other fasteners.

 

[LeeG]

I use my 18g Brad nailer more than the other sizes combined.

 

[bwringer]

Depends on what you're doing.

I end repairing a lot of cheap nasty furniture (wife works with a population that doesn't have much money), and I use 18 gauge brads and 23 gauge pins the most. The cheap air nailers from Harbor Freight work great if you have an air compressor; even a very small compressor will work fine for these tools.

For interior trim, the 18 gauge brads are great.

The battery powered versions of these are convenient, but a little spendy.