When you want to nail that doorjamb or that window, and you require a trim nail gun that gives you a clean and yet reliable job, which nail guns do you go for: 16 guage or 15 guage finish nail guns?
15g vs 16g Finish Nailer [Comparison]
Product preview | Metabo HPT NT65MA4  | PORTER-CABLE PCC792LA  |
Product Power Source | Metabo HPT NT65MA4 Pneumatic | PORTER-CABLE PCC792LA battery-powered |
Product Magazine Capacity | Metabo HPT NT65MA4 100 | PORTER-CABLE PCC792LA 100 |
Product Nail size | Metabo HPT NT65MA4 1-1/4-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch | PORTER-CABLE PCC792LA 1 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch |
Product Weight | Metabo HPT NT65MA4 4.2 pounds | PORTER-CABLE PCC792LA 5.7 pounds |
Product Warranty | Metabo HPT NT65MA4 5 years | PORTER-CABLE PCC792LA 3 years limited |
Product Price | Metabo HPT NT65MA4 | PORTER-CABLE PCC792LA |
What are 15guage nails?
These nails are 1.83 millimeters long and are used alongside finish nailers due to their length.
15guage finish nailers have two types: DA finish nailers and FN finish nailers. Although they’re both 15guage nails and can do almost similar things, one difference that can change the entire outcome of a nailing work: the nails’ collation angle. While DA nails have a collation angle of 34 degrees, FN has a collation angle of 25 degrees.
What are 16guage nails?
They are nails that are 1.588 millimeters long. Like the 15guage nails, these nails are used mainly for finish nailers. But unlike the 15guage nails, 16guage nails are slightly thinner with smaller heads.
When to use 16g and 15g finish nailer
It can be confusing sometimes, especially for people who aren’t familiar with nail guns, to select which nail guns to use. The 15guage finish nailer is mainly used for woodworking, building furniture, and attaching large crown holding.
The significant advantage of finish nail guns is their versatility of use. You can use the 15guage nail guns for some jobs framing nailers would do, and can also use 16guage finish nail guns for some nailing jobs brad nailers can do. This major characteristic makes 15guage and 16guage finish nailers a must-have for new workers, and a regular with experienced handymen.
A 15guage nail gun uses 15guage nails, while 16guage nailer uses 16guage nails.
Differences Between 15 Gauge Vs 16 Gauge Finish Nailer
1. Size of the nails:
The nail sizes reduce with each increasing gauge size. The 15guage nailers use 15guage nails, which are stronger and longer as well as thicker than the 16guage nails. The 15guage nails are more extended, 1.833 millimeters than the 16guage nails, which is 1.588 millimeters long.
2. The size of the holes created:
With a stronger and thicker nail, the size of the hole after it has been driven is big. 15guage nails make larger holes than 16guage nails due to the size of their heads and the length of their shanks. 16guage nails are headless, leaving tiny holes on the surfaces of materials they are used on. Sometimes you might not see the hole.
3. How much they can hold:
The holding strength differs for both nail guns. Holding power is defined as how well a nail can keep two pieces of materials that have been joined together in place. Thick and robust nails, like the 15guage nails, keep nailed materials together, making it hard for them to come undone. 16guage nailers too are strong, but due to the size of their nails shank, they don’t hold materials (e.g., wood) as tightly and for more extended periods as 15guage nailers.
4. The collation angles:
Nails angular collation is the degree at which the nails seem to lean back from the vertical. 15guage nailers have collated angles while 16guage finish nailers don’t. Collated angles make it easier to use the nails in tight corners while doing your finishing. With the 16guage nailers, you can not use them in tight bends, making them a bit less desirable for people doing technical trimming jobs. But the 15guage finish nailers can be used in those tight corners and still do a perfect job.
5. Ease of use:
A nail gun’s angle, which is how easily it can be used in tight corners, determines to a large extent how easy it would be to use. 15guage finish nailers are more comfortable to use than 16guage nailers because of the gun’s angle.
6. Weight:
This tiny difference might seem irrelevant, but can be the deciding factor on which finish nailer to buy. 15guage nailers are slightly heavier than 16guage nailers. Of course, since the 15guage nails are heavier, it’s only common sense that the 15guage nailers are heavier.
Furthermore, on many handymen, online forums, handymen who have used these different nail guns have testified to having enjoyed using the 15guage nailers better than the 16guage finish nailers. They claim the 15guage finish nailers have firmer grips than the 16guage nailers.
“I love how well it stays on my hand, it enables me to work with ease and fast” one man testified.
This difference in how stable the handles are on the hand isn’t particularly universal. The grip levels of these finish nailers are personal observations and so can’t be taken as gospel. Still, it’s imperative to note this difference.
In conclusion, it depends on which finish nailer you prefer working with when doing your trimming. Whichever nailer you choose, your comfort and ability to use the nailers effectively is what’s important. The 15guage nail guns are great for thick woods while the 16guage nailers leave no holes in the wood. Whichever you choose, go and do an excellent job; nail it!