Knowledge Builders

what is a brad staple

by Kassandra Frami Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Staple guns, like crown staplers, can drive fasteners deep into wood to the depth of their two-pronged legs. A brad nailer, by contrast, uses a small, thin nail with almost no head—it's more like a pin. These kinds of nails fasten molding and trim to walls.

Full Answer

What is the difference between a Brad and a staple?

The staple will have a double-prong, unlike the brad, meaning that it can transfix two pieces of wood at the same time. The staple is a strong finishing piece, and can be used for hard woods, where a small brad nail would not be strong enough to hold the two pieces together.

What is the difference between a stapler and a Brad Nailer?

Nailers fire different gauges of nails, and stapler shoots staple instead of nails. Brad nailers are like other nail guns that shoot nails. Brad nailers are made for joining multiple pieces of thin woods and holding woods properly for gluing. It also makes a tiny hole while nailing that can barely be seen.

What is a brad nail?

Brad nails have very small, flat heads, and can be hand driven with a tack hammer, but are generally shot in with a nail gun called a Brad Nailer. These nailers come in either pneumatic or electric varieties. Both types of Brad Nailers and Brad Nails are readily available at just about every hardware store.

Should I use brad nails or staple nails?

When you are coming to the end of a project, and are ready to attach different parts of your woodwork to each other, you may be torn between using brad nails and staples. The type of nail that you use will depend very much on how you want the final product to look, and if you will be showing the item in a position that will reveal the nails.

What is a brad nail?

When are you torn between brad nails and staples?

Where to use brad nails?

Can you use staples on wood?

See 1 more

About this website

image

What are Brad staples used for?

1:254:18Crown Stapler vs Brad Nailer: Learn When To Use Each Nail GunYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what happens is the brad nailer fires. Those down into the surface that this is against and soMoreAnd what happens is the brad nailer fires. Those down into the surface that this is against and so this is very useful for let's say fastening a couple of pieces of wood together.

Can I use staples in a brad nailer?

Ultimate Versatility: This nailer can use two types of fasteners – 18 gauge brad nails and 18 gauge 1/4" narrow crown staples. It can accommodate nails ranging from 3/8" to 2", and staples ranging from 1/2" to 1-5/8"....BrandNuMaxStyleTool Only3 more rows

What are 18 gauge crown staples used for?

At 18-19 gauge, medium wire staples can be used for heavier upholstery, cabinet assembly, paneling, trim, sheathing, underlayment, siding and soffits.

Can I use a staple gun for trim?

DIY Frequently Asked Questions / Can I use a staple gun to install molding and trim? Some staple guns handle round-crown as well as regular staples, while electric staple guns can handle brads for molding and trim work.

What is the difference between Brad nails and staples?

Staple guns, like crown staplers, can drive fasteners deep into wood to the depth of their two-pronged legs. A brad nailer, by contrast, uses a small, thin nail with almost no head—it's more like a pin. These kinds of nails fasten molding and trim to walls.

What's the difference between a brad nailer and a crown stapler?

With a brad nailer, you are usually limited to either 15- or 16-gauge nails, whereas crown staplers can use staples that range from 15- to 22-gauge. Although this difference won't affect your overall choice that much, it is still something you should consider.

How do I know what staples to buy?

Most stapler faults are caused by using incorrect staples. You should always use the staple number recommended by the manufacturer. The staple number indicated on packaging does cause some confusion. The first digits (24, 26, 23 etc.) normally indicates the gauge of wire.

How do you know what size staples to buy?

The default rule is that the staple should be three times longer than the thickness of the material. When fastening hard wood, the staple should be twice as long as the thickness of the wood.

What gauge are T50 staples?

Arrow Fastener T50 3/8-inch crown 16-gauge stainless-steel staples (1000-pack) are designed to resist rust when used in high-moisture environments. These staples are made from durable 16-gauge stainless steel and feature a 3/8-inch crown size.

Do staples hold better than nails?

Considering their great holding power, low cost, quick installation and neat finish, they are missing out! With a variety ranging from narrow to wide, staples can provide a superior hold compared to nails in your toughest projects.

What kind of staple gun should I use for wood?

Our Top 5 Best Staples Guns For Wood (And Reviews) For 2020:RankNameShopNo. 1NuMax 21 Degree Framing NailerCheck PriceNo. 2Porter-Cable MS200 1-2 Inch Medium Crown StaplerCheck PriceNo. 3Bostitch MIIIFS Pneumatic StaplerCheck PriceNo. 4Senco SNS41 16 Gauge Construction StaplerCheck Price1 more row

What is better a brad nailer or finish nailer?

In general, go with finish nails for thick wood and brads for thin wood. Finish nails are stronger than brads, so choose them if your project needs to be durable. Brads are thin, 18-gauge nails made for more delicate woodworking jobs. They're available in collated strips for nail guns or individual pieces.

Can my Ryobi Brad nailer use staples?

A dedicated brad nailer is not designed to shoot staples. You need a brad nailer staple gun combo in which you can load brads as well as staples. However, the 2-in-1 combo nailer is not recommended for crown molding or trims since they tend to leave larger marks on the material.

Can you use staples in a craftsman Brad nailer?

The Craftsman combination nailer/stapler is an all-purpose tool that can be used for a variety of applications. It utilizes either brad nails from 5/8 to 2 inches long or 1/4-inch crown staples from 5/8 to 1 1/2 inches long, powered by a pressurized air connection.

Can you use staples in a Porter Cable Brad nailer?

The Brad nailer can handle a nail from 5/8″ to 2″ while the staple can handle 1/2″ to 1-1/2″ staples. Bottom line, the new Porter Cable nailers do exactly what they are suppose to do.

Does Ryobi Brad nailer take staples?

This means faster setup and easier maneuvering on the job site or at home. The RYOBI ONE+ AirStrike 18-Gauge Stapler is for use with 1/4 in. narrow crown staples. The included 2.0 Ah Battery and 18V Charger are compatible with all RYOBI 18V ONE+ Tools.

What Are Brad Nails Used For?

Tiny 18 gauge brad nails are primarily used for fine detail trim work, small pieces of moldings, wall paneling, cabinetry, furniture making and crafts. As well as any other form of woodworking where fine work and a small hole is required.

Where Are Brad Nails Used Most Commonly In A House?

Brad nails can be found in your cabinets, bookcases, fireplace surround, Furniture, window trim, baseboards, wall paneling and some crown molding. Anywhere you find small trim, you’ll find brad nails. The small size of the brad nail prevents delicate trim and moldings from splitting during installation and the head is small enough to be barely noticeable when shot into place.

How Do I Know If Something Is Too Big For A Brad Nail?

If your wondering if that piece of trim is too big for a brad nail to hold then it probably is. But as a general guideline, when it comes to trim thickness, we try to get nails long enough so that 3/4 of the nail length enters the wall after being shot in. So with a 1/2″ piece of trim we’d use at least a 2″ brad.

What Sizes Do Brad Nails Come In?

Brad nails only have 2 sizes which are 18 gauge and 21 gauge. By far the most common model for woodworking is the 18 gauge because they provide a stronger bond on wood projects compared to what the thinner, pin sized 21 gauge brads are capable of. 18 Gauge brads are small enough 99% of the time and leave such a tiny hole that 21 gauge brads are hardly ever needed. But, if you ever do need something even smaller to attach a very delicate trim piece, 21 gauge brads are available.

When Should I Not Use Brad Nails?

Brad nails should not be used to fasten large pieces of trim. Heavier trim boards require a larger nail, such as a finish nail, to securely fasten them in place. Thicker trim requires longer nails to hold properly. So basically it’s a size thing. Use brads for what they were designed for. Securing small, delicate pieces of trim.

What is the difference between brad nails and finish nails?

Gauge is another way of saying how thick the wire is. Brad nails are formed from 18 gauge wire, while finish nails are formed out of 15 to 16 gauge wire. A higher number means thinner while a lower number means thicker. Basically what this means is Brad nails are thinner than a finish nail.

Why are Brad nails so small?

Brad nails are formed from a fine, 18-gauge wire, so they are smaller in diameter than finish nails. Because of being so thin they have a smaller head which leaves a smaller nail hole. But, as a result of being so small, they have less holding strength than larger finish nails. They’re perfect for tasks like securing delicate pieces of trim and molding, wall panel installation, cabinet or furniture making and crafts. Their small size also helps prevent surface splitting, which can occur if the fastener is too large for the material it’s being driven into.

What is a brad nail?from doityourself.com

The brad nail is a type of finish nail, and like the rest of the family, are used for final work on a project. As they are so small, and may be referred to by the phrase 2d, they are suitable for use in millwork, or on fine-grain wood that will not take a heavier nail. The brad nail can be used in places where other nails and staples are simply not small enough to fit into the gap, and they can also be used where you want to show off a piece of work, without the nail being visible. If you want to nail a small piece of work, without it splitting or chipping, then you should use the brad nail.

When are you torn between brad nails and staples?from doityourself.com

Hannah Madans. on Jun 11, 2019. When you are coming to the end of a project, and are ready to attach different parts of your woodwork to each other, you may be torn between using brad nails and staples.

Where to use brad nails?from doityourself.com

The brad nail can be used in places where other nails and staples are simply not small enough to fit into the gap, and they can also be used where you want to show off a piece of work, without the nail being visible. If you want to nail a small piece of work, without it splitting or chipping, then you should use the brad nail.

Can you use staples on wood?from doityourself.com

Staples. While the staple can also be used in finishing wood projects, they are not nails . The staple will have a double-prong, unlike the brad, meaning that it can transfix two pieces of wood at the same time.

What is a Brad Nailer?

A brad nailer is a nail gun that’s often used to attach wood cuts to wood works and small stick moldings together. It’s an electric tool that’s designed to fire 18 gauge brads into wood for securing.

Why do Brad nailers excel?

Brad nailers excel because of the small pin head that they have, whether you opt for an electric or pneumatic version.

Why are pneumatic brad nailers so popular?

It has a lightweight hose that operates the compressor. Pneumatic nailers are quite popular as they help workers in producing a clean and professional finish. Just like the electric nailer, it’s important to handle pneumatic brad nailers with care to prevent injuries.

How does a cordless nailer work?

A corded nailer is powered by connecting it to an electric outlet through an extension cord. However, they’re rarely available nowadays. Contrary to the electric version, the cordless nailer comes with a Li-ion rechargeable battery that has an acceptable run time before recharging again.

Why do you need to lubricate brad nailers?

The metallic moving parts in your brad nailer needs to be lubricated regularly to prevent the parts from getting jammed or clogged. The air hose must also be lubricated to ensure proper nail firing. Also, remember to use lubricants for pneumatic nailers as other oils can spoil the rubber parts.

What is an electric brad nailer?

Electric Brad Nailer. This type of brad nailer comes with an electric motor that can drive gauge nails through the wooden materials. By default, it tends to be heavier than its counterpart because of the bulky motor. However, despite being heavy, it’s quite effective and efficient in getting the job done faster.

Is crown stapler good for lighter projects?

It isn’t good for lighter projects either where a crown stapler would be a better suited option.

What is the difference between a Brad nailer and a staple gun?

Brad nailer and stapler both have almost the same concept, but the difference it makes is about its application, nail type, and strength. Many people think a staple gun as a mini portable version of a nailer. But in reality, they both do completely different works, even the type of pins they shoot is not alike. Nailers fire different gauges of nails, and stapler shoots staple instead of nails.

What type of stapler is used for stapling?

In terms of power source, there are three types of staple guns Manual, Electric, and pneumatic. Manual staplers use a lever and combined with hand force, and it creates pressure for stapling.

What is the difference between a manual stapler and an electric stapler?

Manual staplers use a lever and combined with hand force, and it creates pressure for stapling. Electric ones use motors to generate pressure, and pneumatic staplers use pressure through air compressors. But if you think about affordability and carrying manual ones will be the best option for you.

Why are staple heads rounded?

That is why; these staples can provide a good grip, which can hold thin materials with wood correctly. And the head of the staples also allows it to remove easily from the wood surface by using staple pullers.

How thick is staple wire?

Fine wires have a diameter similar to 20 to 22 gauge pins, and medium wires are 18 to 19 gauges thick and heavy wires are 15 to 16 gauges. So, the thicker the staple wire will be, the more weight it can handle. So you can choose according to your type of work.

Why are staples weaker than nails?

Furthermore, the holding power of these staples is a lot weaker than the nails because the staples are wire made. There are different diameters of wire you can get; still, the thicker ones are also not suitable for joining dense woods.

What are the different types of staple pins?

In terms of staple pin width, there are three types of staple gun Narrow crown, Medium crown, and extensive crown. The tops are measured by the head width of the staple pin. And the applications of different crowns are also separate. Between three of these crowns, the wide crowns are made for most of the heavy-duty stapling tasks.

What is brad nail?

Comparing to regular nails or other types of nails, brad nail is smaller and thinner. It is used to come in steel metal construction and the length varies based on projects. Mostly it comes in 18-gauge steel construction. The length mostly remains in between 5/8-inch to 2 1/4-inch. There are two different versions of brad nails which are – without head and with a small head. Professional carpenters or DIY workers pick the right type based on the project. Are you wondering why the head is too small or sometimes there is no head! Well, this is to keep the nail user-friendly to hide it easily for smooth finishing. They are easily available in hardware stores or you can also purchase online.

How to Drive a Brad Nail Properly?

To get the maximum benefit from brad nails, it is essential to drive the nail properly in the object. If you consider the conventional hammer, it would be difficult to drive the nail with it. Hammers used to create heavy pressure on the nail’s head. As brad nails has often no head or may have a small head, the hammer can’t give the right amount of pressure. A small mistake could damage the whole project. So, it is clear that driving the nail is challenging for anyone.

Can a brad nailer drive a brad nail?

Based on the gun you are using, the capability will vary. Most of the brad nailers are designed to drive a wide range of brads. The range could be from 1/4″ headless brads to bigger 1-1/2″ brad nails with head . The gun needs to apply gently with appropriate pressure. It drives a single brad nail in seconds, and professionals can save enough time.

Can you use brad nails to hang a picture frame?

Let’s think about a large photo frame that you want to hang in the living room. Now, if you are making the frame yourself with the essential tools, you must have to connect small parts of wooden objects. A regular nail requires wide space and you can’t just hide it after finishing the projects. A brad nail would be great at this point. It easily takes the load of two separate parts and keeps them together with strong bonding. Regular nails could also hold the parts but the finishing won’t be good.

Can You Use Brad Nails for All Woodworks?

Brad nails are indeed great for small wooden objects, but you can’t use this small thing for all. When the project includes heavy wooden parts, a brad nail can’t take the load. Rather, when you are trying to drive in the nail, there is a huge chance of bending it. And as you know, bent nail can’t keep the things in place. Particularly, when the physical load is too high, never use brad nails.

Why use brads for woodworking?from bestofmachinery.com

Another benefit of using brads in your detailed woodworking projects is that you reduce the risk of damaging thin pieces of trim. If you attempt to nail thin trim to a cabinet front or baseboard, there’s a chance that you’ll split the piece due to the finishing nail’s thicker gauge.

What are brad nailers used for?from bestofmachinery.com

You can also install detailed trim on the face of a cabinet or build small wood furniture pieces. In addition, brad nailers are perfect for tackling easy home projects such as picture frames.

What is the difference between pneumatic and electric brad nailers?from sawshub.com

Whether you opt for a pneumatic nailer or an electric nailer, both of the tools have powerful capabilities that’ll help in making your task much easier. Electric brad nailers are preferred mostly for their portability and ease of use while pneumatic nailers are preferred when heavy tasks are involved.

Why do you need to lubricate brad nailers?from sawshub.com

The metallic moving parts in your brad nailer needs to be lubricated regularly to prevent the parts from getting jammed or clogged. The air hose must also be lubricated to ensure proper nail firing. Also, remember to use lubricants for pneumatic nailers as other oils can spoil the rubber parts.

How does a cordless nailer work?from sawshub.com

A corded nailer is powered by connecting it to an electric outlet through an extension cord. However, they’re rarely available nowadays. Contrary to the electric version, the cordless nailer comes with a Li-ion rechargeable battery that has an acceptable run time before recharging again.

Why are pneumatic brad nailers so popular?from sawshub.com

It has a lightweight hose that operates the compressor. Pneumatic nailers are quite popular as they help workers in producing a clean and professional finish. Just like the electric nailer, it’s important to handle pneumatic brad nailers with care to prevent injuries.

How does an electric brad nailer work?from bestofmachinery.com

An electric brad nailer is powered by an electrical cord or a rechargeable battery and is capable of quickly firing 18-gauge brads with precision. The method of operation is simple, the electric motor loads an air compression chamber and the nail is fired as the chamber’s air discharges.

What is the difference between a brad nailer and a crown stapler?

Generally speaking, these are very different tools that have a somewhat similar appearance. The crown stapler is perfect for applying fabric to wood, while the brad nailer is perfect for applying wood to wood. The brad nailer is more versatile, while the crown stapler is much more specialized.

What can crown staples be used for?

You can use crown staples for building and repairing cabinets and drawers. You’ll also often find crown staples used on the backs of picture frames to hold the image and glass in.

When To Use a Crown Stapler?

Crown staplers have a variety of applications but are most often used to hold fabric to a wood surface. They are ideally used to keep fabric in place when upholstering furniture.

What is a Brad Nailer?

Brad nailers offer a different fastening approach than a crown stapler. This is a nail gun that uses compressed air to drive a brad nail into a wood surface.

What does a staple gun do to upholstery?

They provide a strong grip that can make your upholstery fabric tight like a quality upholstery staple gun for furniture would. ​It will also retain the exact shape you are looking to achieve when covering a piece of furniture such as a chair seat or couch structure.

Can crown staplers damage wood?

If you were to pull out the staples that it has driven in, you will certainly have damage to the wood piece. A brad nailer, on the other hand, leaves ​very small hole marks. A crown stapler is ​really only designed for one type of project: upholstery.

Can you use staples to drive wood?

Both tools are powerful in their design and can drive either a staple or nail into a wood surface with incredible force, depending on which fastening tool you are using.

Brad Nail Thickness

How thick are brad nails? Answer: 18 gauge. This is thinner compared to finishing nails. Since brad nails are so thin, they will keep a low profile in your projects. Where aesthetics matter, you can blend in the brad nail easily simply by using paint.

Brad Nail Length

What is their length? They have a minimum length of 0.5 inches. Their length can extend up to a maximum of 2.5 inches.

Brad Nail vs Finishing Nail

The thinness of brad nails can make them somewhat flimsy and thus tougher to work with. You might bend them easily if you are not careful while hammering them. Yes, it is possible to hammer them using the right technique. Of course, you will enjoy much greater consistency with a brad nailer.

How to Pick a Brad Nail Size that Works

A simple general rule can help you understand what brad nail size will work for your project.

Maximum Material Thickness on Which a Brad Nailer will Work

Brad nailers often drive just 18 gauge nails. Their maximum length is 2.5 inches.

Our Final Thoughts

Along with explaining brad and nail sizes, this guide may have hopefully cleared the differences between brad nails and finishing nails.

What is a brad nail?

The brad nail is a type of finish nail, and like the rest of the family, are used for final work on a project. As they are so small, and may be referred to by the phrase 2d, they are suitable for use in millwork, or on fine-grain wood that will not take a heavier nail. The brad nail can be used in places where other nails and staples are simply not small enough to fit into the gap, and they can also be used where you want to show off a piece of work, without the nail being visible. If you want to nail a small piece of work, without it splitting or chipping, then you should use the brad nail.

When are you torn between brad nails and staples?

Hannah Madans. on Jun 11, 2019. When you are coming to the end of a project, and are ready to attach different parts of your woodwork to each other, you may be torn between using brad nails and staples.

Where to use brad nails?

The brad nail can be used in places where other nails and staples are simply not small enough to fit into the gap, and they can also be used where you want to show off a piece of work, without the nail being visible. If you want to nail a small piece of work, without it splitting or chipping, then you should use the brad nail.

Can you use staples on wood?

Staples. While the staple can also be used in finishing wood projects, they are not nails . The staple will have a double-prong, unlike the brad, meaning that it can transfix two pieces of wood at the same time.

image

1.Brad Nails vs Staples | DoItYourself.com

Url:https://www.doityourself.com/stry/brad-nails-vs-staples

17 hours ago Brad nailers are made for joining multiple pieces of thin woods and holding woods properly for gluing. It also makes a tiny hole while nailing that can barely be seen. In addition to that, nailers …

2.What Is A Brad Nail? | Gambrick - Modern Design

Url:https://gambrick.com/what-is-a-brad-nail/

5 hours ago A brad nailer is a special type of stapler designed to drive a large brad (nail) into the wood. It is very useful when you are making bulletin boards, holding up signs, and any other type of …

3.Brad Staples, CEO, APCO Worldwide

Url:https://apcoworldwide.com/people/brad-staples/

24 hours ago  · Brad Nailer Vs Stapler, Which Tool Is Ideal For What? Brad nailers are used for jobs where accurate and perfect work is vital such as trimming and finishing jobs. This tool is also …

4.What is a Brad Nailer and When to Use This Type of Nail …

Url:https://sawshub.com/what-is-a-brad-nailer/

23 hours ago Answer: 18 gauge. This is thinner compared to finishing nails. Since brad nails are so thin, they will keep a low profile in your projects. Where aesthetics matter, you can blend in the brad nail …

5.Brad Nailer and Stapler – Know The Difference Between …

Url:https://toolstheory.com/brad-nailer-and-stapler/

20 hours ago

6.What Is a Brad Nail- Which You Must Need to Know

Url:https://toolsmentor.com/what-is-a-brad-nail/

23 hours ago

7.What is a Brad Nailer Used For? All Gauge Uses Are …

Url:https://vitalhandtools.com/what-is-a-brad-nailer-used-for/

34 hours ago

8.Differences Between A Brad Nailer Vs Staple

Url:https://toolsgearlab.com/differences-between-a-brad-nailer-vs-staple/

10 hours ago

9.Crown Stapler vs Brad Nailer: When to Use Each Nail Gun

Url:https://sawshub.com/crown-stapler-vs-brad-nailer/

17 hours ago

10.Brad and Nail Sizes Explained (2022) | Tool Inspector

Url:https://toolinspector.com/brad-and-nail-sizes-explained/

2 hours ago

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9