Pneumatic Nailers and Staplers

Pneumatic nailers and staplers are compressed-air tools that allow the user to fasten nails or staples in a repetitive setting. These devices are designed for specific, occasionally demanding, and always repetitive, work tasks.
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Principle of operation
Loading systems
Types of tools
Staplers
Nailers
Special features
The compressor
Accessories
Safety first
Maintenance

Principle of operation

The concept of repetitive nailing requires that a large quantity of nails be loaded into the nailer. These are not typical nails, nor are they simply dumped into the device: the tool is loaded using strips or coils of interconnected nails.

Once the strip or coil of nails has been loaded, the trigger is pressed to engage the device and the nose-piece is pressed against the surface to be nailed. This triggers the compressed-air mechanism that drives the nail into the surface. Each time the nose-piece is “bounced” on the surface, the tool ejects another nail.

Some tools employ the reverse method whereby the nose-piece must be pressed against the surface before the trigger is squeezed. This type of operation requires a little more practice; if the device is not removed from the surface quickly enough, two nails may be ejected instead of just one.

Ask your retailer: Some nailers provide the option to switch between firing methods, leaving the choice up to the user.

Staplers use the same firing principle as nailers (the trigger is pressed and the nose-piece is bounced on the surface). On certain specialty staplers (such as the upholstery stapler, for example), the stapler ejection mechanism is activated by simply pressing on the trigger (like a traditional stapler).

Loading systems

Strip loading is the only method used for staplers.

Nailers on the other hand, and as mentioned previously, use both strip and coil loading systems. Each type provides its own set of advantages and inconveniences but bear in mind that, most of the time, you don’t have a choice in the matter: finishing nailers all use strip magazines while roofing nailers, though there are a few exceptions, are loaded almost exclusively with coils. Typically, only framing nailers offer a choice.

Strip nailers are narrower than coil-system devices and, as a result, are able to fit into tighter spaces. Additionally, nail strips, which can contain between 20 and 40 nails, are easier to handle and transport; several strips will fit into the back pocket of a pair of workpants. The same can’t be said of nail coils. Certain tools are designed to accept two strips at a time. This type of loading is recommended for jobs that require increased worker mobility as it allows you to bring your nails with you, whether you are working in the basement, on the main floor or upstairs.
There is, however, one notable advantage to using a coil nailer; coil magazines contain more nails (up to more than 300 nails per coil) and require fewer reloads. This tends to compensate for the complicated loading process (the coil must be threaded) and increased weight of the tool. The cost per nail is also less when working with coils (when compared to strips). The coil nailer is the ideal tool for projects where all the work is to be done on the same level, such as on the roof: simply haul the box of nail coils onto the roof to ensure easy access to reloads, and start nailing.
Regardless of type (strip or coil), nailers are not designed to accept all nail types; you must use the nails designed for use with your specific model. This being said, and though you may not be able to use different types of nails, you will still have the choice between several different lengths of the nails designed for your nailer.

Consider strip-loading nailers for example: they are usually offered with right-angle loaders (especially finishing nailers) or angled loaders (framing nailers). The angle of the loader corresponds to the angle of the nails in the strip and there are several available angles.

Angled loaders allow for toe nailing, which is used to drive nails into wood on a set angle. It is not always feasible to use a right-angle nailer for this type of application.

Use the nails designed for your nailer: if your nailer uses 30-degree nail strips (clipped-head nails connected by a strip of paper), you will not be able to use 20-degree nail strips (round-head nails connected by a plastic strip) or 28-degree nail strips (clipped-head nails with metal attachments). Nail manufacturers produce nails for every type of nailer.

Nails are usually covered with a dual-function coating. Initially, the heat generated by the nailing process melts the coating, which lubricates the nail and facilitates its insertion; when the resin cools, the nail bonds to the material, which helps solidify the hold on the nail.
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