Nail gauges is a measurement of the thickness of the nail. The gauge of the nail are on an inverse numbering system. Thus, the lower the number on the nail gauge, the thicker the nail.
The higher the number on the nail gauge, the thinner the nail. For example, a 9 gauge nail is thick than compared to a 23 gauge nail which is thin. Nail gauge is important when choosing the correct nail gauge to ensure that the wood doesnt split and the nailer doesnt get jam.
How to Choose the Right Nail Gauge
If the gauge of the nail is too thick for the type of wood being used, the thick nail may split the wood. Using a nail that is too thin for the task will not allow the nail to provide enough strength for the job to be done. The 18 gauge brad nail is the most common used nail for finish carpentry projects such as baseboards and cabinet face.
However, using an 18 gauge brad nail may split the hard maple wood. In this instance, the best option would be to use a 23 gauge pin nail as the nail is thin enough to not split the wood. There are trade-offs between the use of thick nails and thin nails.
Thin nails are used for the preservation of the wood as they are less likely to split the wood grain but have to rely on wood glue for strength. Thick nails provides more holding strength and are used for structural tasks. For instance, a builder can use 16 gauge nails for door casing and use 15 gauge nails for stair treads.
Furthermore, there are differences in the types of nails based on the collation of the nails. Strips of nails are used for light tasks while coils of nails are used for framing task. The type of nail head can differ based on the thickness of the nail.
For example, finish nails have micro pin heads that are invisible once the paint is applied to the project. Framing nails have full round heads that will better distribute the weight of the project so that the nail does not pull through the plywood. Choosing the right nail gauge for the specific task will provide the necessary holding strength for that task and ensure that the nail does not split the wood.
For exterior projects, specific types of nails is used so that the wood will not corrode over time. For instance, for siding, the nails have to be wide in the head so as to allow them to securely grip the fiber cement without making dimple in the surface. Additionally, because the siding will be exposed to the weather and in contact with the ground, the nails will rust if not galvanized.
For projects that use pressure-treated lumber, the nails will rust if they are made of plain steel. Thus, you must use hot dipped or stainless steel nails for treated lumber. The use of the wrong type of nail for exterior projects will lead to the nails rusting and staining the treated lumber.
The type of nailer that you will use for driving the nails will dictate the type of nail gauge that is used. For instance, pin guns use low air pressure at around 60 PSI to drive 23 gauge nails. High air pressure around 120 PSI are required in large framing nail guns to drive thick nails.
Using too high of an air pressure will overdrive the nail gun so that the nail head sink too deep into the wood. Too low of an air pressure will cause the nail gun to misfire. The type of wood to be nailed down will affect the type of nail to be used.
For instance, softwoods can take the thicker nail gauges while hardwoods requires thinner nails as they are more likely to split. For structural projects, building codes must be followed and most require the use of ring shanks for framing projects. For the nail to have proper grip on the wood, it must penetrate at least one inch into the base material.
Additionally, since the thickness of the nail can affect the type of reaction that the wood has to the nail, it is essential that the nails are matched according to the thickness of the wood that will be treated. By ensuring that the nail is of the apropiate gauge to the thickness of the wood, the work will not have to be redone. You should of checked the woods thickness first.
Its important to recieve the right nails before you start. Its also helpful to have alot of extra nails on hand. Youll need to check the nails size before you start the job.
If your using the wrong gauge, the wood might crack. The nailer’s power is important for the job. Thier not easy to use if you dont know the basics.
The project should of been planned better. Make sure you dont use too much air pressure. The nails might dissapears into the wood if you are not careful.
Using a moddern nailer makes things easier. The work looks luxurius when done right. You cant just guess on the gauge.
The nails length matter alot.
