When working on projects throughout the home, many homeowners choose to use brad nails, also called brads. Brads are great for a variety of projects since they are small and thin, which makes them nearly indetectable. This leaves you with brad nails house constructions and projects that look nice, but are also sturdy.
If you’re wondering whether or not brads are the right choice for your home construction project, keep reading. Here you can learn the ins and outs of brad nails and decide if it is the right choice for your DIY project.
What is a Brad Nail?
According to The Spruce Crafts, brads “are made from 18-gauge wire, which is considerably thinner than the common 15 and 16-gauge nails for pneumatic or battery-powered finish nailers. Brads also have a very thin head, which leaves a smaller nail hole after the nail is sunk below the surface of the stock.”
What are the Benefits of Using Brads?
The smaller size of a brad in comparison to another type of nail has a few benefits. The main one is that you won’t have to use as much wood filler to finish the piece you’re working on. There’s actually a good chance you won’t have to use a wood filler at all.
Another benefit of choosing brads for your nail choice is that they come in a range of sizes. This makes them more versatile and a good choice for many home construction projects. Brads range in size from ⅝” to 1 ½” in length. This is actually a bit smaller on average than the typical nail, which means brads don’t have the same holding power as longer nails and screws. Brands aren’t the ideal choice for structural work, but even so there’s a reason for the smaller size.
What Types of Projects are Brads Used For?
The smaller-than-average size of brads means that this is the ideal choice for working with more delicate materials and trimwork. When adding crown molding or trim onto your cabinetry, you won’t want to use a nail that is long and wide since this will likely split the more delicate wood. A brad, on the other hand, won’t split the wood – in fact, you might not even notice that the nail is there at all.
How to Use a Brad Nailer
If you’re opt for brads for your home construction project, you’ll also need a brad nailer. A brad nailer is a nail gun that is specific to brads. Most brad nailers are pneumatic, meaning they function using compressed air through a hose. However, a cordless brad nailer is also an option, which is a great choice if you’re working in a confined space.
Since all brad nailers are different depending on the manufacturer, it is important to read the instructions ahead of time. Basically though, you’ll load the nails into the nailer and begin. It’s as easy as that. Just be sure to use the proper safety precautions, like wearing safety glasses and ear plugs for added protection.
