Up until recently I would have told you that I am certainly no DIY guy and that in fact I know very little about the world of materials and tools. Over the last 6 months however I have spent an enormous amount of time in the garden and in the home, carrying out a wide range of DIY tasks and it turns out that I have quite the passion for it. I have learned more than I ever thought I would know about nail types and today I want to talk a little about stainless steel brad nails, what they are, what qualities they have, and how they are most commonly used. Let’s take a look.
In a Nutshell
Brad nails are made from 18 gauge steel wire, these are slender, thin nails with a high gauge that is indicative of the nail type and size. these nails are often small and they are used on delicate material including sheets of veneered MDF, fiberboard and thin cuts of lumber. The diameter of these nails, often referred to as ‘brads’ is super small which is why they are often preferred to finished nails, because they are often out of sight.
Characteristics
As mentioned these nails are small, thin and tiny in diameter and that is why they make for the perfect nail for delicate materials, as they are able to enter the surface without cracking. This is a common problem when you use nails which are too big, they will splinter the surface and over time that can certainly compromise the stability of the join or the piece. Another benefit of this small diameter is that they will not need any wood filler placed over the top before painting. When you use nails with larger diameters this is a common feature and the truth is that the surface is never quite as smooth as it should be, with brad nails this is not an issue which you have to worry about.
Common Uses
Whilst the brads can certainly be used in large pieces of wood or fiberboard, they are also handy to have around the home as they can also be used on a number of small tasks. Things like hanging picture frames, paneling, building birdhouses or even adding a narrow trim around the windows and doors of the home are incredibly easy with these brad nails and they can be found in homes through the country.
Brad nails are some of the most common nails that you will find and over the last few months alone I must have gone through hundreds of these little beauties and I would even go as far to say that they are probably my go-to nail for so many jobs, big and small. Finished nails have their place of course, and there are times where they are preferable, but in the main it is the brad nail which is more widely used.
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