Can A Nail Gun Go Through Metal? A nail gun is one of the most common items in any home. It is used to secure things. A nail gun may be used for a multitude of purposes, such as building a house or putting up a shelf, but can it go through metal?
Yes, a nail gun can go through metal. Nail guns, sometimes known as framing guns, are used to drive nails into wood or metal. Some nail guns are rubber-coated to keep them from sliding off the wood or metal.
In this post, we will look at how to nail into metal, the best nail guns on the market, whether a nail gun requires a compressor, and why you should oil a nail gun.
How To Nail Into Metal?
Nail guns are the most popular and efficient way to nail metal. Nail guns are used for a variety of purposes, from finishing projects to framing. They are also used in construction and the automotive industry.
Nail guns use compressed air or an electric charge to fire nails through materials at a high speed. The nails can be loaded into the gun manually or with a magazine that will feed them automatically into the gun’s firing mechanism.
A nail gun is an essential tool for professionals and DIYers alike. It is perfect for anyone who wants to save time, money, or effort on their project because it fires nails quickly and accurately with minimal effort on the user’s part.
What Is The Top-rated Nail Gun?
Nail guns are becoming an increasingly common tool that carpenters and DIY enthusiasts use. There are many types of nail guns available, from conventional ones to the more powerful impact types.
Capable of sinking thousands of nails effortlessly every day, a nail gun is one of the best tools you can buy, saving you time and hassle.
The question that you may have is whether they can go through metal. After all, they are guns, so they may not be able to go through metal.
Here, we take a look at the different types of nail guns and whether they can go through metal:
1. HITACHI NT50AE2

The Hitachi NT50AE2 2 Inch 18 Caliber Brad Nailer is one of the best nail guns for detailed woodworking tasks available.
This lightweight nail gun weighs only 2.2 pounds and is very easy to operate. It has a soft elastomer grip for enhanced control and comfort.
The NT50AE2 features a large, bottom-loading magazine that can store up to 100 5/8-2″ curved spikes.
This nailer’s dual-shot function allows it to simply switch between periodic and continuous nailing, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
The built-in drive depth adjustment knob lets you accurately alter the drive depth of your nails by twisting the dial.
For increased convenience, this nail gun has a 360-degree adjustable vent. It comes with a non-destructive nose cap to prevent nails and workpieces from harm.
This nail gun is built with a lightweight aluminium body that is sturdy and durable while reducing user fatigue.
The Pros:
- Body made of lightweight aluminum
- Elastic grip for increased comfort and control
- A bottom-loading magazine may store up to 100 pegs.
- Adjustable exhaust vents on both sides aid in keeping dust and debris out of the workpiece.
The Cons:
- There is non-swivel air intelligence
- There is no dry fire lockout option.

2. BOSTITCH F21PL Round Head

The Porsche F21PL Round Head 1½” to 3½” Framing Nail Gun is one of the greatest tools available today in its class.
The F21PL nail gun features two noses that allow it to serve as both a framer and a metal connector.
The rugged magnesium-alloy design is light enough for all-day usage while yet being sturdy enough to sustain years of rigorous use.
The F21PL weighs 8.1 pounds and has an ideal power-to-weight ratio of 1,050 in/lbs for outstanding nail driving. You can quickly position the nails to the proper depth with the innovative push-button adjustable depth guide.
The flexibility to swiftly alter the nose bridge means that plastic framing nails may be converted to metal connections in seconds.
This tool has a high-capacity magazine that carries up to 60 plastic-aligned 21-degree frame pegs or 60 metal attachment pegs, minimizing reloading time.
The F21PL nail gun includes a 16-inch indication to assist you in determining the proper distance between studs without having to set the tool down.
The Pros:
- For dual-use, it is compatible with frame pegs and metal connecting pegs.
- With a driving force of 1,050 in/lbs, it has the best power-to-weight ratio.
- Nail depth may be adjusted with a push of a button.
- The large-capacity magazine has a capacity of 60 plastic or metal connection pins.
The Cons:
- It’s not ideal for sheeting.
- In the cold, it freezes.

3. DEWALT DWFP12231

You’ll be able to use this nail gun for years without worrying about soiling your work area because of its long-life, maintenance-free engine that doesn’t require lubrication.
The DWFP12231 is a lightweight tool with high durability and performance that is appropriate for a wide range of minor woodworking tasks.
This stapler comes with a high-capacity magazine that carries 100 nails ranging in length from 5 to 8 inches to 2 inches. A tool-free jam release mechanism allows you to easily eliminate jams, and its continuous trigger sends 18-gauge nails effortlessly into the workpiece.
Furthermore, the tool-less drive depth function lets you tailor the copperhead settings to the demands of your unique project.
The DWFP12231 Brad-Firing Nail Gun is designed to resist hard usage, with a strong magnesium body that weighs only 2.7 pounds, making it simple to use even after lengthy use.
The removable, non-marking nose tip protects tools and workpieces from damage. Rubber grips provide comfort and stability while decreasing slippage.
It also has an adjustable belt hook so you can keep your tools close at hand.
The Pros:
- Durable magnesium alloy is both robust and light.
- The large-capacity magazine can contain up to 100 brackets ranging in size from 5/8″ to 2″.
- The tool-free jam removal technique saves time and effort.
- Depth Drive Adjustment lets you easily change the drive depth dependent on your application.
The Cons:
- Spare components are unavailable.
- It’s challenging to drive nails into the hard location for its straight-angled magazine.
- Inadequate dry fire lockout.
- Some users have complained that it stops working for no apparent reason

Do Nail Guns Need A Compressor?
There are several factors to consider when considering which nail gun to buy. The stapler’s power supply is one of the most important. All nails require some form of power source to operate and drive the nails.
The power source of the nail is a key factor that must be considered as it will affect the mobility of the nail and the type of applications it can handle. Many nail guns do use an air compressor for power, but that’s not the only option.
There are 3 styles on the market today that use different methods to generate the force needed to shoot nails at breakneck speeds.
Pneumatic spray guns require an air compressor to operate. Air pressure (measured in pounds per square inch) or PSI is provided by the compressor. This pressure is used to provide the power these guns need to shoot the nails.
While powerful and capable of handling heavy-duty projects with ease, these guns have the downside that mounting them on hoses and compressors limits your mobility.
Another model is a fuel-powered nail gun. These guns are cordless and use disposable gas cartridges to burn, providing power to drive the nails. Fuel is expelled into the nail gun’s combustion chamber and ignited by the electric charge generated by the battery.
The great thing about these guns is that it gives you great manoeuvrability and the ability to handle heavy-duty applications since no ropes, hoses or compressors are required.
The third style of the stapler is a cordless battery-powered model. These guns are powered by electric motors that run on rechargeable batteries. They’re easy to use and quick to start, but the biggest benefit is the mobility they offer, as they’re not tethered to hoses or air compressors.
The downside of these guns is that, despite being very portable, they tend to lack the driving force provided by pneumatic nailers.
Do You Have To Oil A Pneumatic Nail Gun?
A pneumatic nail gun is a device that drives nails into wood or other materials.
Some people believe that you have to oil a pneumatic nail gun, but this is not true.
You should only oil the nail gun when it becomes clogged with debris and won’t shoot nails.
If you don’t know how to do this, consult the manual for instructions on how to properly maintain your nail gun.
So, Which Nail Gun Do You Need?
To summarize, the main thing you need to consider when choosing which nail gun to use is the item you want.
For heavy construction projects, the nail remover is ideal. If the next project you’re tackling involves installing interior door and window trim or building cabinets and furniture, then a light gun is the way to go.
And if you’re working on some small home projects, or planning to attach thin strips or trim to larger workpieces, you can’t go wrong with picking up a peg.
Final Note on Can A Nail Gun Go Through Metal?
We hope that you have found the information on this blog useful. Yes, a nail gun can go through metal. It depends on the nail gun, but most nail guns are made to handle going through wood, metal and even concrete.
The gun needs to be made to be able to handle the materials though, so make sure you are buying the right type of gun for the job. We have reviewed the top-rated nail guns that are available now in the market. You can go and have a look once more.