What Is a Palm Nailer?
A palm nailer is a tool that uses air or motor power to drive nails instead of a person swinging a hammer. A palm nailer is mainly used to drive nails into wood. Unlike regular nailers, it is not possible to use nails that are connected. Therefore, nails are loaded one at a time.
The advantage of the palm nailer is its efficiency in driving thick nails that regular nailers cannot handle. The body of the machine is smaller than that of a normal nailer, and nails can be driven in simply by pushing against it. Therefore, nails can be hammered in tight spaces where ordinary nailers and hammers cannot work.
There are two types of palm nailers: pneumatic and rechargeable. The air type requires an air compressor as well as a nailer.
How to Use Palm Nailers
In preparation before work, the air type requires the nailer and air compressor to be connected. For the rechargeable type, connect the charged battery.
First, press the striking portion of the palm nailer against the nail head and then pull the trigger to drive the nail into the object. Repeated blows continue as long as the trigger is pulled. Nailing is completed when the nail is driven to the proper depth after multiple blows.
When using the nailer, note the following:
- Protective eyewear must be worn, as nails may rebound.
- Air type has a specified air pressure, which must be checked.
How to Choose Palm Nailers
The important point in choosing palm nailers is to determine the nails (type, length, and diameter) to be used for your purpose, and then decide on a nailer that is compatible with the nails. Since no nailer can handle all nails, the nailer is selected according to the nails to be used.
The following are typical types of nails commercially available for use with palm nailers. The type of nail is determined according to the intended object.
- N Nails: For the structure of plywood
- CN Nails: For 2x4s (thicker)
- BN Nails: For 2x4s (thin)
- ZN Nails: For joint hardware
- TS and ZS Nails: For joint hardware (screw nails)
Nail lengths from 1″ to 5″ can be used. Be sure to change the nail length according to the thickness of the object.
Nail head diameters from 0.15″ to 0.5″ are used. Like nail length, it is necessary to select a nailer.
Nailers may specify specialized nails instead of the commercial products listed above. Suitable specialized nails may be required to prevent bending or jamming during nailing. When selecting nails for nailers, if you wish to use commercial products, you must check the model of the nailer.