If you are into power tools, you might have wondered a couple of times “what is a nail gun exactly?” or maybe “how does a nail gun work?”
If that has definitely been the case, then you arrived to the right place.
Also known as a nailer, the nail gun is a power tool that allows you to consistently drive nails or brads into other objects and materials quickly. In essence, a nail gun helps you accomplish what a hammer would, but in record time.
However, operating one might not be as straightforward as it is with a hammer, so learning how to do it properly is a must.
How to use a nail gun step by step
- Ensure your safety first:
Protect yourself before even picking up a nail gun by wearing the necessary gear. Also, make sure to maintain it unplugged until it is loaded, and to check your manufacturer’s manual to know which surfaces you can use it on.
It is also advisable to get familiar with the tool before ultimately using it.
- Load the nails into the magazine:
Independently of its type, a nail gun usually has a magazine where you deposit the strings of nails on. To do this, all you have to do is press the latch that unlocks the magazine, insert the string of nails, and put it back in.
- Press onto the surface and pull the trigger:
Once you are ready, firmly place the nailer on the surface you chose, making sure it is in a straight angle. Then, pull the trigger once and release; you should be able to see the nail on the surface after that.
Types of nail guns
There are three main types of nail guns according to their overall system: the power source and the way they function.
Pneumatic Nailers
Though they need a generator or an electric source to work, their functionality resides in the release of pressured air, through an air hose, onto the nail gun itself.
Gas Nailers
If you are wondering “how does a gas nail gun work?” the explanation is very simple. Their design is based on the same principles as the pneumatic nail guns, but instead of compressed air, it works with pressured gas and a battery.
Electric Nailers
Electric nail guns can depend on either lithium-ion batteries or power cords to function, so its internal system works solely with electric energy.
What maintenance does a nail gun need?
As with any power tool, nail gun maintenance is something you should seriously care about.
The specifics will depend on the type of nailer you own, but you can primarily focus on thorough cleaning, especially since this prevents particles from clogging your tool. You will also want to regularly and closely inspect it, in case there is anything loose due to the normal jolts that occur during usage.
In the end, the right care-taking routine is what will elongate the nail gun’s lifespan and ensure it keeps working properly.
