How to Use an Air Compressor Finish Nailer

A nail gun saves time over hammers and nails.

Air powered, or pneumatic, nailers can save a lot of time. With a little practice they are more accurate than hand nailing and save a lot of broken board edges and smashed thumbs. Nailers come in a variety of sizes from the big framing nailers that shoot the equivalent of a 16 penny nail, to brad nailers that are used for fine detail work. Finish nailers range somewhere in between. They shoot a chisel tipped wire nail that comes glued in a strip of around 100 nails. Nails range in length from 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches.

Things You'll Need

• Compressor
• Air hose
• Nailer
• Nails
• Pneumatic tool oil

Instructions

1. Read the instruction manual before attempting to use a finish nailer. Familiarize yourself with the placement and operation of the nail clip, how the safety functions and how to connect and disconnect the nailer from the air hose.

2. Turn on the compressor and allow it to charge until it shuts off. Oil the nailer before you begin. Disengage the air hose by pulling down on the brass ring of the connector. If the hose is charged there will be a burst of air; this is normal. Turn the gun so that the air fitting at the bottom of the handle is facing up. Tip the oil bottle and drip four drops of oil into the fitting.

3. Load the nail clip. Choose the appropriate length of nail for the project you are building. Most finish nailers shoot a 12 gauge wire nail. Find the spring-loaded release at the bottom of the clip, situated at the front of the gun, below the trigger. Press it and slide the clip open. Consult the manual or an experienced operator for proper nail placement. In general, they will sit flat with the chisel tip facing the front. Slide the nails up to the top of the clip and push up on the bottom of clip to slide it closed until it snaps.

4. Slip the brass ring on the air hose connector down until the bearings at the end of the fitting are exposed. Push the fitting on the bottom of the nail gun firmly into the end of the hose and release the ring. If the hose blows back and does not catch, repeat. When you press the fitting in far enough, it will lock on.

5. Grasp the gun firmly in your dominant hand, with your finger away from the trigger. Press the tip of the plunger, which is the spring-loaded mechanism at the top and front of the gun, above the nail port, or barrel if you will, into the position you want to drive a nail. Press firmly to depress the safety and check the gun to be sure it is lined up straight with your work piece.

6. Check your free hand to be sure that your fingers are at least as far away from the nail port as the nail you are using is long and pull the trigger. Depending on the gun you will hear a dull thud or sharp click followed by a burst of air and may feel a slight buck. Release the trigger immediately to avoid double nailing.

Tips & Warnings

• Use locking pliers to pull any bent nails out of the material. Line your material up and shoot again.

• Wear your safety glasses when working with a charged compressor.

References

• "Air Tools How to Choose, Use and Maintain Them":Rick Peters; Sterling Publishing, 2000
• Reader's Digest: How to Use a Trim Nailer Gun