Ask the Expert
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Michael Van Pelt is the founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat. He has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory.
If you have a question for Michael, choose the Submit Question button to the right by November 30th. We will send you a reply with Mike's response in mid-December and then post it to this page for other members to view. You never know...someone else may have the same question
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Listed below are questions and answers that have already been submitted.
Questions
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9/27/2009
Framing Nailer
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I recently purchased the p/c compressor & finish nailer combo kit. I am brand new to pneumatic tools. I need to do some deck renovation as well cedar shake replacement. As the nails for each project are different, do I need more than one framing nailer or can one nailer handle both jobs? What kind of nails should I use? |
| A. |
You will need to look at the DA250C angle finish nailer that will drive from 1” to 2 ½” nails for carpentry work and also the FC350A frame nailer that will drive from 2” to 3 ½” nails for framing. Please visit Porter Cables web site and you will find a lot of good information on all the guns. I have used the Porter Cable guns here in my school daily for 7 years without any service problems at all. |
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9/20/2009
Brad Nailer for Bookcases
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I am putting trim on builtin bookcases made of red oak veneer core plywood. Will a 16 ga brad nailer be sufficent to hold the trim to the plywood or should I use a 15 ga finish nailer? |
| A. |
I have used both on installing moulding. The 15 gauge finish nail would be my first choice, but if you have trouble with the wood splitting then use the brad. |
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9/9/2009
Which nailer for Hardwood Stair Treads?
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I am going to be installing oak hardwood stair treads and would like to know what size nail gun I should use? |
| A. |
You may want to use a 16 ga. 2-1/2" finish nailer. If you do not already own one, you may want to consider getting one. If money is an issue, consider renting one for this project. |
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4/14/2009
Nailing Hardwood Floors
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I have a CFNBNS air compressor and going to install 3/4" oak flooring. Can I use a FCN 200 nailer to nail floor? What size nail or staples would you use? Would you use nails or staples for this project? |
| A. |
The Porter-Cable FCN 200 floor nailer works great. I did four large rooms with
the unit with no jamming and no problems at all. I used the two inch L shaped
cleats. |
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4/8/2009
Hardwood Floor Nailer
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I bought a FCN200 pneumatic nailer and am having some difficulty with the cleats splitting the tongues on my 3/4" thick Brazilian waltnut (Ipe). I'm using the 2" cleats at about 85psi and about 50% of the nails I drive create a split in the tongue area....any suggestions? |
| A. |
Ipe
Lumber is dam hard!!! It is the lumber not your gun, nails, or techniques. It
is the nature of the material. You might have to pre-drill and use a
hammer. |
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8/26/2008
Combo Kit Use
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I BOUGHT THE BRAD, STAPLE & FINISH NAILER COMBO, BUT DON'T REALLY KNOW THE CORRECT USE, FOR EACH OF THE TOOLS. DO YOU KNOW, WHERE COULD I FIND INFO, ON WHAT EACH TOOL IS BEST USED FOR? I'M ALSO REPLACING THE WHITE PINE LAP SIDING, ON MY HOUSE. WOULD I NEED TO PURCHASE A FRAMING NAILER, TO SECURE THE SIDING? |
| A. |
I use all three guns when building furniture and doing home remodeling. I use
the stapler for attaching ¼ backs to cabinets and case goods. I use the
finishing gun for most cabinet construction and building furniture. The brad
gun is used for small trim and more delicate applications. I would check with
the manufacture of your siding for recommendations of fasteners to use. |
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6/27/2008
Nail Gun Project
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I have several projects to complete from shelving, moulding and subflooring. I am thinking of buying the Portal Cable Three Nailer Compressor Combo Kit. My question is: will 2 1/2 inch finish nailer be suitable for the sub-flooring project. I will be nailing down 11/32 plywood. |
| A. |
Perhaps a glue coated 1 1/4" stapler would be a better choice. I think the gauge of the 2 1/2" nail is so thick that the heads will want to pull through this thin subflooring. Use something like liquid nails under the subfloor before nailing too. You will be glad you did down the road. |
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6/24/2008
Shortest Nail to be Used
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I have a FN250B and all I need to know is what is the shortest nail I can use in this gun. I have used it to put things together but now am going to use it to hang a very thin board over some studs and it is not going to use much. I want to go as short as possible. |
| A. |
The range of nails is 3/4"-2 1/2". Good luck. Mike |
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5/7/2008
Toe Nailing with Finish Nailer
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I have both a brad and finish nailer with straight nail magazines. I want to toe nail some spindels/ballisters at top and bottom. I tried using my straight nailer and when at an angle the finish nails will not set below the surface. When I try to finish sinking the nails with a set they bend. Should I be using an angled nailer? Or perhaps, you can not toe nail with finish/brad nailers? What is your advice? |
| A. |
Turn up the air or adjust your gun to sink the nails deeper. There is no reason that you could not toe-nail with either gun you own. An angle nailer will just be a little easier to handle.
|
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2/25/2008
Combo Kit
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I bought my first porter-cable pancake
compressor and three nailer guns for Christmas.
The guns, finish nailer, brad, and stapler. I am not familiar with the air tools or how
they should be used. The intent is to
use them around the house not for commercial use. I do have a little trim to do in the house so
the finish nailer should work just fine.
My question is would any of these three guns work for finishing a 6 foot
dog eared fence project. I was using a
4d smooth box galv nail for that project.
Do I need another gun to do this and if so what model. If so hope it is inexpensive. |
| A. |
No need to buy another gun. If you are going to paint the fence, I would
use the stapler. The stapler would give you great holding power. The finish gun
would work as well. |
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2/19/2008
Exterior Nails
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
What air fastening tool do you recommend for
doing exterior work such as cedar planter boxes and minor fence repairs? Should I purchase a stapler or a finish
nailer? As well, can you purchase
exterior grade staples/nails? |
| A. |
For the outdoor projects, a stapler works
wonders. There are exterior grade fasteners
available for both tools. |
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2/19/2008
Nailer Technique
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I have a Porter Cable FC350 framing nailer. It
has a lot of trouble when I'm trying to nail upside down, i.e. over my head in
the joist space. Is there a technique or setting I'm missing? |
| A. |
It is most likely your technique. When nailing over you head
or in odd positions, we
don’t apply the proper pressure against the wood and the nailer has a tendency to bounce, or push away from the surface,
which can cause the nail not to go completely
in, or the gun can jam.
|
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2/18/2008
Air Nailing 22.5 Degree Angle
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I
am a technology education teacher and building a project with my students. We
are constructing mini bumper pool tables.
They are octagon and the side rails are cut at 22.5 degrees. The rails measure 1/2" x 3" x
6". I would like to use a brad nailer to tightly fasten the mitered
cuts. Is their an accessory, jig or
method for safely nailing the mitered cuts together. I was hoping for a rubber nose attachment for
the front of my porter cable 200 or 100 brad nailer. |
| A. |
Try
putting a mark onto a scrap piece of wood and have your students practice
placing the nail gun and shooting the nail into the exact spot each time. I am confident with a little practice a jig
or fixture will not be needed. |
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2/18/2008
What to Use?
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
Just
purchased Porter-Cable compresser with 3 guns included; 1 narrow crown stapler,
1 brad nailer, 1 finish nailer. Don’t know what to use each gun for? I have
some crown moulding, chair rail and some floor moulding to install? Plus some
beaded board? New vanity to install also? Need some knowhow? |
| A. |
I
also own these guns myself. I use the
brad nailer for small attached mouldings and craft work. I use the finish nailer for larger mouldings
such as crown and for most of my joining work. I use the stapler for attaching
cabinet backs and draw bottoms. |
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2/18/2008
Using a Brad Nailer
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I am putting up bead board and would like to know if I can use a brad
nailer.
If so, will the nail show? The bead board will
be painted. Will the nail hold the paint? The bead board is 1/4" thick and
will be attached to paneling. |
| A. |
Yes
I would use my brad nailer to install this bead board. I would fill the nail holes with a good
filler and then paint. Your paint
supplier can recommend a product that will match. |
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2/18/2008
Anchor Wood in a Concrete Wall
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I need a nailer to anchor wood of 3/4 to concrete
wall, please tell me what nailer you recommend and the nails too.
|
| A. |
Unless you are going to do a lot of this type of
work I would visit my local rental yard.
They will be able to suggest the correct tool and nails. I have a single shot Remington unit that you
load with a shell and nail and strike the unit with a hammer. You will be able to find a unit similar to
this in just about any good hardware store. |
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2/15/2008
Nails
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I have the fn250b nailer. My question is what
nails can I use on an outside application? At the big box store all the
packages of 16 ga. nails say not for outdoor use. I want to put up some 4x8
tongue and groove sheets of plywood 3/8"
on the porch ceiling. Should I ATTACH THE PANELS with the ends held with
the moulding only for expansion or nail them in place. I live in upstate NY. |
| A. |
Use exterior grade bead board and put liquid
nail caulk construction adhesive on all supporting cross pieces before nailing.
If you are painting - the nails you mentioned will be fine. If this is stain
grade (Natural wood finish) then use galvanized exterior grade nails. These
usually come designated as “exterior grade” galvanized. Nail the sheets in
place. I do and I never have expansions problems. |
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6/29/2007
Difference between brad nailer and finish nailer
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I'm finishing a kitchen where I used quarter
sawn white oak. I need to attach 3/4 in
thick trim pieces around the floor and ceiling and decided this was a good time
to look into an air nailer (I bend a lot of nails with my hammer!)White oak is
pretty tough on small nails in my experience, I usually pre-drill a hole. It would be nice to avoid that. There are
"brad nailers" and
"finish nailers". Both seem to
cover a useful (and overlapping) range of depths. Is there a rule of thumb of where I might
want a brad, and where I might want a nail?
I'd like to make the right investment. |
| A: |
Oak is tough to nail. It has a nasty habit of
splitting if it is not predrilled. I recommend 1 ½” long brads. 18 gauge is
small enough to avoid splits yet tough enough to hold. Follow the daily two
drops of oil manual instructions. |
