Can You Use A Nail Gun Without An Air Compressor?
Yes, you can use a nail gun without an air compressor and cordless nailers are the best way to go.
What is a cordless nail gun?
A cordless nail gun is a nail gun that uses a battery to power and shoots the nails. Cordless nail guns became popular with the use of rechargeable batteries and recharging kits. This has drastically reduced the cost of constantly replacing batteries, which was an issue with the earlier cordless nail guns.
In this blog, we will take a look at how a cordless nail gun works, what kind of nail guns you can use without compressors, and whether a finish and brad nailer needs a compressor to operate.
Table of Contents
How Does A Cordless Nail Gun Work?
As the name suggests, a cordless nail gun is used for nailing things together. The nail gun has an independent battery power unit that can be recharged conveniently.
The power unit is charged using a charger and a battery. It can be used for a long time. The power unit communicates with the trigger of the device.
When the trigger is pressed, it releases an electrical charge that pushes a piston and releases a shot.
To make a perfect shot the measurement of the back of the nail that is opposite to the point should be considered. The nail gun is perfect for assembling nails in built-up areas and hard to reach areas.
What PSI Is Needed For A Nail Gun?
PSI (pounds per square inch) is the measurement of pressure behind the nail and is measured in pounds for a nail gun.
Typically, contractors use framing nailers with between 70 to 100 PSI. A framing nailer is used for framing houses and larger projects. A residential nailer will have 35 to 50 PSI. A brad nailer is much smaller and is used for moulding, furniture, and home repair. It has 5 to 10 PSI.
There is no fixed PSI required for nail guns. It depends on the application and the nail.
What Kind Of Nail Gun Does Not Need An Air Compressor?
Cordless nail guns are a new generation of nail guns that do not require an air compressor. Cordless nail guns are composed of high-quality materials that are resistant to wear and tear.
Here are some recommendations for high-quality nail guns that are widely available on the market.
1. Metabo HPT NT1865DMAS Nailer
The Metabo HPT NT1865DMAS is a very popular choice for homeowners and professionals alike. It is a powerful and versatile tool that can be used for any type of project.
The Metabo HPT NT1865DMAS is a pneumatic finish nailer. It is designed especially to drive 15 gauge nails into different construction materials. The NT1865DMAS is ideal for all fastening in various applications including finish nailing on trim, moulding, panelling, hardwood flooring and more!
The Metabo uses a powerful, brushless motor which provides increased durability, efficiency and longer tool life.
The Metabo HPT NT1865DMAS uses a 3.0 Ah Li-ion battery and 15 gauge angled nails with 18-volt cordless freedom. It weighs only 4.4 pounds and has a compact design for ease of use and manoeuvrability.
The Pros:
- It is very easy to use and assemble, which makes the installation process much quicker than most other products on the market.
- It also has a powerful motor that can easily cut through any material you put in front of it which means less time spent waiting for your project to finish.
The Con:
- The nailer is not compatible with all types of nails.
2. DEWALT DCN660B 20V Cordless Nailer
When you are looking for professional performance with cordless convenience, look no further than DEWALT.
This 20V max lithium-ion cordless finish nailer is the most powerful battery-powered cordless finish nailer in its class, delivering up to 3,000 Impacts Per Minute (IPM). Its compact, yet powerful design allows for comfortable use in tight spaces while the tool-free stall release lever allows for easy clearing of a jammed nail.
The DEWALT DCN660B tool-free design also features an adjustable belt hook that allows you to use it in either the left or right hand. You can also opt to use it in the traditional style with the accessory trigger.
The DCN660B features a multi-functional LED light that serves not only as a workspace light but also as a means of checking power levels, as well as a nail jam.
It is fully fueled by DEWALT’s 20V max lithium-ion batteries which are compatible with all DEWALT lithium-ion batteries and come with a one-year limited warranty.
The Pros:
- The Dewalt DCN660B has a LED light that serves as a workspace light.
- The DEWALT Nailer is a lightweight and compact cordless nailer that makes it easy to get into tight spaces.
- This Dewalt DCN660B has an easy to read depth gauge that shows how deep the nail will be driven.
- The Dewalt has an adjustable belt hook that allows you to use it in either the left or right hand.
The Con:
- The charger and the battery are sold separately.
3. Porter Cable PCC790LA Cordless Nail Gun
The Porter-Cable PCC790LA is a battery-powered nailer that eliminates the need for a compressor, hose, or pricey gas cartridges. Powered by a high-performance 18-gauge NiCad battery, the PCC790LA delivers up to 1000 brads per charge into a variety of materials.
The Porter Cable’s ample power-to-drive capability effectively counters nail jams that occur on the framing or roofing jobs. This nail gun’s consistent firing power into various materials and climate conditions is a remarkable feat of motor design.
The Porter-Cable PCC790LA’s impact lock nose delivers a higher nail striking power for consistent results. This feature is also extremely helpful in avoiding damage to the material caused by overdriving. Tool-free settings provide ease of use and freedom from fumbling with switches on the unit itself.
Porter-Cable PCC790LA’s lightweight design and optimal centre of gravity reduce user fatigue during use. The Brad Nailer’s small, compact nature allows Porter Cable PCC790LA to be an excellent choice for the carpenter on the go.
The Pros:
- With its lightweight design, it’s easy to carry around and it does not cause fatigue even after long hours of usage.
- The nail gun has a quick nail reloading mechanism that allows users to reload nails quickly when they are working on different tasks.
- This nail gun is powered by a lithium-ion battery which provides longer battery life and better performance than other types of batteries.
- It has an LED light that can be used as a flashlight when working in dark conditions.
The Cons:
- It is not as powerful as other cordless nail guns.
- The driver is not included in the package.
Can You Use Brad Nailer Without Compressor?
Yes, you can use a brad nailer without a compressor. They are referred to as cordless nail guns.
Cordless nail guns, like cordless drills and saws, are powered by a battery. They are great for do-it-yourselfers because they are cordless and do not require compressors.
This is not desirable, though, because guns would perform poorly without air. You might not be able to finish the entire task.
Cordless nail guns with batteries are available, however, they are not as powerful as corded nail guns. They exclusively work on minor tasks.
The depth drive aids in the management of the nail’s depth. The nail may pierce the wood if the depth drive is not used.
Do You Need A Compressor For A Finish Nailer?
It is determined by the type of nail gun used. Finish nailers are small nail guns with a limited nail capacity, which necessitates the use of smaller nails.
When it comes to ‘finish’ nailers, cordless nail guns are the way to go. Cordless nail guns offer a lot of power and are simple to operate. However, there are several disadvantages to using cordless nail guns.
Since they are cordless they must be charged before they can be used. Also, they are limited in the kind of nails they can use. They can only use ‘finish’ nails because they are small. Compressors are not needed since they are cordless.
Final Note on Can You Use A Nail Gun Without An Air Compressor?
Using a nail gun without an air compressor is possible, but it does have its challenges.
The nail gun uses a built-in force called a hammer action, which is operated by a spring and piston, to shoot the nails into the wood.
This is different from the air compressor method, which uses air pressure to force the nails out of the gun. The nail gun is not as powerful as an air compressor, but it can still deliver enough power to work on most home projects.
We hope you enjoyed our article about using a nail gun without an air compressor.
With this knowledge, we know that you can finish your projects in the comfort of your own home without the need to rent or buy an air compressor.