Dozens of different construction nails are on the market today. Although they’re all manufactured with the same essential characteristics — a head, a shank that firmly holds the nails in place, and a sharp point to enable nails to pierce their way to their final destination — not all nails are suitable for every job.
Difference Between Brad Nails vs. Finish Nails
The nails you choose to use can make or break almost any project, and selecting the right kind of nail is especially crucial when it comes to woodworking. Finish nails and brad nails may look similar on the surface, but how different are they really? Just what are finish nails, and what is the difference between brad nails vs finish nails? Let’s take a look!
What Are Finish Nails?
Finish nails — also sometimes called finishing nails, bullet head nails, or lost-head nails — are small nails used, as the name suggests, to provide a smooth finish in woodworking projects. Unlike common nails, finish nails have tiny heads, which allow them to “disappear” into the wood. This makes it easy to fill the remaining hole with putty, making the nail heads nearly invisible. Because of their strength and holding power, finish nails are often used for trim and molding in construction and to attach fine details in wooden furniture.
Finish nails have gauges of 15 or 16, with diameters ranging from 1.63 to 1.83 millimeters. Their length varies from one to four inches, and they are usually driven in with nail guns powered by compressed air.
What Are Brad Nails?
Brad nails are, likewise, very small construction nails, similar to box nails, that are often used in carpentry projects.. They have a small head, but in the case of brad nails, this head is slightly off-center.
This design feature allows the worker to drive these nails in even more deeply so that the head hugs the surface. The nail gauge of brad nails is typically smaller, which makes them ideal for more delicate work. They are most commonly used in the manufacture of cabinets and other indoor furniture.
Brad nails can be driven into the chosen surface with a nail gun as well, being nearly the smallest type of nail for which this is possible. They have a gauge of 18 (1.22 millimeters), and are manufactured in a variety of lengths. The best tip, in this case, is for the brad nails which you choose to be three times longer than the material you are attaching is thick.
What Is the Difference Between Brad Nails vs. Finish Nails?
Because brad nails and finish nails have broadly similar applications as well as being relatively close in physical appearance, it is easy to confuse the two. It is no surprise that brad nails are sometimes incorrectly referred to as finish nails since some people use brad nails where they ideally should have chosen finish nails and vice versa.
There are, however, some important differences between finish nails and brad nails that relate not only to their “specs” but also to their functionality.
Pros and Cons of Each Type of Nail
Brad Nails:
- Pros:
- Ideal for Delicate Work: Brad nails are thinner and smaller, which makes them perfect for more delicate materials, like trim and thin pieces of wood that might split with larger nails.
- Smaller Holes: Because brad nails are thinner, they leave much smaller holes in the wood, reducing the need for filler and touch-up.
- Easy to Remove: Brad nails are easier to remove than finish nails, making them an excellent choice for projects that may require adjustments or temporary fixes.
- Better for Light Projects: Their minimal holding strength means they work well for lightweight items that don’t bear a lot of stress or load.
- Cons:
- Limited Holding Strength: Brad nails lack the holding power of finish nails and aren't ideal for load-bearing or heavy-duty projects.
- Not Suitable for Thick Materials: Due to their smaller nail size and gauge, brad nails are not recommended for thicker or more substantial wood pieces, as they won’t provide enough support.
Finish Nails:
- Pros:
- Stronger Hold: Finish nails are thicker and provide a better hold, making them suitable for heavy or load-bearing projects like cabinetry, trim, or baseboards.
- Versatile: Finish nails can be used in a wide variety of woodworking and construction projects where strength and durability are required.
- Disappearing Heads: The small, often “lost” heads of finish nails can be easily covered with wood filler, leaving a smooth, finished surface.
- Perfect for Trim Work: Finish nails are frequently used for installing crown molding, baseboards, window and door trim, and more permanent woodworking tasks.
- Cons:
- Larger Holes: Finish nails leave larger holes that will require filling, sanding, and painting to create a smooth finish, adding more work in the final stages of a project.
- Harder to Remove: Because finish nails are stronger and designed for long-term, permanent applications, removing them is more difficult and can damage the surrounding wood if not done carefully.
Which is Better? Brad Nails vs. Finish Nails
The type of nail that you use will depend on the type of project you are working on and the holding strength needed. In general, it is best to choose finish nails for thick wood. Finish nails are most commonly used for installing baseboards, crown moldings, window wood trim, as well as door casings.
Conversely, it is better to use brad nails for thin wood, craft projects, or anything that requires a minimal amount of holding power. Because brad nails are easy to remove and also leave small holes, they are also great for temporary applications such as hanging small picture frames.
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