Nail guns are productivity multipliers — the right nailer for the right application can make you 5–10 times faster than hand nailing. But there are six distinct types used on Australian building sites, and choosing the wrong one for the job creates frustration and wasted money. This guide cuts through the confusion.
1. Framing Nailers
Framing nailers drive 75–90mm framing nails for wall frames, roof trusses, decking substructures, and structural timber connections. These are high-powered, high-volume tools — the tool that builds Australia's timber-framed houses.
Gas (Paslode IM350) — The dominant format on Australian sites. No air compressor or hose required — maximum mobility for roofing, wall raising, and remote sites. Each shot is powered by a Paslode fuel cell with a battery providing ignition.
Pneumatic (air-powered) — Requires an air compressor and hose. More economical to run (no fuel cells) for fixed setups.
Cordless (battery) — Battery framing nailers from HiKoki, Makita, and Milwaukee. Gas-like mobility without fuel cells. Growing in popularity on Australian sites.
Nail collation: 30° and 34° plastic-collated strip nails are the most common. Confirm your nailer's collation type — they are not interchangeable.
2. Coil Nailers
Coil nailers hold 200–300 nails in a coil magazine versus 20–50 in a strip nailer — dramatically reducing reload interruptions. Used for decking, cladding, structural sheeting (plywood, fibre cement), and exterior wall framing where you are shooting nails continuously. Most coil nailers use 15° plastic-collated nails in 32–90mm lengths.
3. Brad Nailers (Bradders)
Brad nailers drive 16G (1.6mm) brads for finish carpentry — architraves, skirting boards, door stops, window trims, and timber cladding. The fine brad leaves a small hole that is easy to fill and paint over. Paslode TrimMaster is the most widely used gas brad nailer in Australia.
16G is the standard for architraves, hardwood cladding, and heavier trim. 18G is finer, preferred for furniture and applications requiring a minimal hole.
4. Angled Finish Nailers (DA Nailers)
Angled finish nailers use 15G brads in an angled magazine, allowing the nailer to reach into tight corners and awkward spaces that a straight-magazine brad nailer cannot access. Essential for fitting carpenters doing internal fitout, stair strings, and built-in joinery.
5. Pin Nailers
Pin nailers drive 23G headless pins — the finest and least visible fastener available. Used for delicate face-applied mouldings and decorative trim where even a 16G brad hole would be difficult to hide. The pin is so fine it often does not require filling.
6. Staple Guns
Pneumatic and electric staple guns for fixing insulation, vapour barriers, house wrap, and sarking. The wide crown distributes clamping force over a larger area, preventing pull-through in thin materials.
Quick Reference: Which Nailer for Which Job?
| Job | Nailer Type | Typical Nail |
|---|---|---|
| Wall framing, roof trusses | Framing nailer | 75–90mm strip framing nail |
| Decking boards, cladding | Coil nailer | 50–65mm ring/screw shank coil |
| Architraves, skirting | Brad nailer (16G) | 38–65mm gas brad |
| Fine joinery, internal trim | 18G brad nailer | 30–50mm 18G brad |
| Internal fitout, stairs | DA angled nailer | 38–65mm 15G DA brad |
| Mouldings, delicate trim | Pin nailer (23G) | 12–35mm headless pin |
| Sarking, insulation, vapour barriers | Staple gun | Crown staples |
Do I Need a Compressor?
For pneumatic (air-powered) nailers: yes. For Paslode gas nailers: no — they are self-contained. For cordless battery nailers: no. If adding pneumatic nailers to your kit, a 20–30L oil-free compressor handles most brad and framing nail applications.
Stainless Steel Nails for Coastal and Treated Timber
For coastal construction and treated timber, always use stainless steel nails. Galvanised nails can corrode in coastal salt air and when in contact with ACQ-treated timber, causing nail failure and rust staining. Toolup stocks stainless coil nails and stainless brads for all common nailer formats in both 304 and 316 grade.
Free shipping on orders over $199 at Toolup. For trade and project pricing on nailers and nail supplies, call (03) 5241 9555.