What is the best nail gun for paneling?

The Porter-Cable PCC790LA is the perfect nail gun for panelling. Porter-Cable is one of the most trusted brands in the industry, and the company’s nail guns live up to its reputation.

A lightweight and excellent nailer, the PCC790LA makes it easy to work with. They are affordable, easy to use and feature some of the most ergonomic designs on the market.

Below you’ll see the strengths and weaknesses of the Porter-Cable PCC790LA and learn about the nails used for panelling, the differences between Brad and finish nails, and more.

Table of Contents

What Kind Of Nail Gun Do I Need For Paneling?

As mentioned earlier in the article, the PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA 20V Cordless Brad Nailer is the top nailer on the panel market. Here is a brief review of this great product.

The PCC790LA is a brad nailer that allows you to complete Brad related projects quickly and easily. Load 100 18-gauge studs on this Brad nailer and get started. It can drive Brad into hardwoods and pressure-treated timber up to 2 inches thick and 5/8 inches wide.

The onboard belt hook helps keep the tool handy while you work. Tool-free jam release allows you to clear a jammed magazine with the push of a button. You can also control your work with variable speed triggers.

This impact driver is equipped with an integrated laser for the precise placement of fasteners when working in tight spaces. It can drive fasteners up to 2 inches deep with 20 volts of power.

It weighs 5.9 pounds and can be used all day. The durable body has a rubber grip that is comfortable to use for extended periods. It includes a bit storage compartment that keeps your bit within reach of your arm.

Pros:

The PCC790LA has a 3-year warranty on amazon which means you won’t have to worry about any faulty materials or tools for a while.
With the 20v max battery, there won’t be any need for a compressor, hose or cartridge.
This nailer has a magazine capacity of 100.
The onboard belt hook helps keep the tool handy while you work.
The impact driver and speed trigger mechanism enable you to work in tight spaces.
Its lightweight weighing 5.9 pounds; this will expand your productivity and reduce fatigue in your arms.
The PCC790LA durable body has a rubber grip that is comfortable to use for extended periods

Cons:

Even with the 3-year warranty, if your gun gets damaged the company will only repair it. It won’t be replaced with a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Nail Paneling With?

You can nail panels with finish nails and brad nails. This question is often asked by DIY enthusiasts.

Panelling is not a complicated task, but it can be frustrating many times for the following reasons:

Hard to get the right angle.
Difficult to measure.
It is easy to damage the surface.
Hard to make the perfect joints.

Therefore, it is advisable to hire a professional carpenter to get the job done. He knows how to measure right angles and makes perfect joints. He intends to complete his work with little or no damage to the surface.

You can find a reliable carpenter in your area by contacting the contractor.

But if you want to DIY, the best way to nail the panel is to use a brad nailer that can drive 3/4 inch to 1-1/4 inch nails. The procedure is as follows:

Get a 4’x8′ work table.
Find a well-ventilated area for the work table.
Place the panel on the table.
Place a strip of masking tape on top of the panel.
Place a strip of adhesive tape (1-inch x 30 inches) on top of the masking tape.
Stick the nailer on the adhesive tape.
Turn on the nailer.
Press the nose of the nailer against the masking tape.
Push down on the nose of the nailer until the tip of the nailer touches the adhesive tape.
Drive the nail into the panel through the masking tape.
Drive in the second nail.
Remove the masking tape and adhesive tape.
Nail the first nail to the panel from the other side.
Nail the last nail to the panel.
Repeat all the steps mentioned for the other panels.

What Size Nail Should I Use For Paneling?

16d nails are typically used to attach 1x or 2x panels. Use a nail set to help make these nails level with the tree.

For 3 x panels, 18 gauge nailers are most commonly used. The nail is driven at a 45-degree angle so that the head of the nail faces the centre of the stud.

To drive the nail completely, use the nailer to push down on the nose of the nailer when pressure is applied. This will cause the nail head to get caught in the tree.

It is good to do one nail at a time so that the taper of the nail head does not cause the panel to jump during the process. The 18 gauge nailer can also be used on 2x or 2x Wayne Edge panels.

What Is The Difference Between Brad Nailer And Finish Nails?

Brad nails, commonly referred to as Brad, are usually 2-3 inch long nails. Brad is used in woodworking to mount mouldings and baseboards on walls.

Finishing nails are used to attach mouldings or baseboards to walls. The main difference between a Brad nailer and a finishing nailer is their size. Finishing nails are 1 to 1.5 inches long. Brad’s nails are 3 inches long.

Brad nailers are extremely powerful and are used in construction to attach plywood, shingles and other materials. Finishing nailers are designed for small projects and are less powerful than Brad nailers.

What Screws To Use For Paneling?

You’ll want to use a screw that has a washer head. You should choose screws that are at least 1-1/2 inches longer than the thickness of the wood you are using.

As a general rule, the wood should be at least half the length of the screw. Panels that are more than half an inch thick should be attached with screws that have a square drive.

For thinner wood (1/4 inch and under), you can use a special panel attachment system called a cleat. These will hold the panels in place without a screw head showing on the surface.

How Do You Nail Wall Paneling?

Wall panelling can be beautiful, long-lasting and relatively inexpensive. The great thing about wall panelling is that it is relatively easy to install. No matter what type of wall panelling you buy, it will have instructions that should be followed closely.

Wall panelling is not the same thing as wallpaper. While wallpaper is a flat, fabric material attached to the wall with paste and requires a lot of maintenance and care, wall panelling is a faux finish made of wood that is attached directly to the wall or framed behind.

To properly install wall panelling, follow these steps:

You first need to remove the baseboard and any moulding along the edge of the flooring.
Set the panel against the wall, with enough room for the panels to overlap.
Use a pencil to mark the position of the wall studs on the back of the panelling.
Remove the panel and install the panelling using one of these methods:

Nail the panel to the wall using finishing nails or;
Secure the panelling to the wall with a toggle bolt or;
Screw the panelling to the wall using screws.

How Do You Hide Nails In Paneling?

When installing a baseboard, the last thing you want is to make the nails and screws on the surface of the wood visible. If you remove the nails from the wood, the holes in the wood will be noticeable and unattractive.

The best way is to make the nail head a countersunk hole before putting the panel in place. Take the nail set and press it against the nail head to make the nail a countersunk hole. This will bend the nail head and flatten it against the panel.

Be sure to do this before the panelling goes up! If you can do this before the panelling goes up, it will be much easier to hide the nails.

There are several other methods you can use. The first is the use of a nail welder. You pop the nail into the hole, weld it, and sand it to make it look like it’s part of a tree.

The second is to use an ice pick. It’s as easy as that! The third is to use Dremel. Be careful when choosing the tool to use. This is because some tools are tedious and time-consuming.

Final Note On The Best Nail Gun for Paneling

The best nail gun for panelling is the PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA20V Cordless Blood Nailer.

This is the true driving force of some DIY projects, cordless and lightweight, so you can complete your projects faster and more efficiently.

We hope you find the information and review of PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA helpful.