Pallet boards are pretty thick to penetrate. Their average thickness is 3 and a half inches. As a result, to choose the best nail gun for pallet projects, users must consider some factors.
Best Pick
Paslode Cordless
For Versatile Uses
Freeman P4FRFNCB Combo
Budget Pick
Hitachi NT65MA4
For example, the nailer must be a coil nailer that is powerful enough to penetrate the pallet boards. Their power sources may differ, but they must be capable of nailing 8D nails with a 0.132 diameter.
Pallet jobs are made easier by a depth adjuster, jam discarding system, nail shooting mode adjuster, extra nail case, and nail size adjuster. As a result, users should look for them as well.
What Type Of Nailer Is Suitable For Pellet Jobs?
The average size of a single board on a 40″ x 40″ pallet is 3 and a half inches. This single board usually has an average thickness of 5/16 inches, which is pretty wide. At least 90 to 100 nails are required to build a wooden pellet this size.
So, coil nailers are best for pellet jobs. These nailers have a capacity of between 200 and 300 nails, which is handy for attaching pallet boards. A pneumatic coil nailer can provide 80-110 psi, which is enough to penetrate those thick woods.
The structure of a pallet is pretty complex. Different types of other nailers, which are excellent for specific jobs, can be used for building pallets. Palm, brad, framing, siding nailers, and finish nailers are capable of pallet jobs because they are versatile and powerful enough.
The 5 Best Nail Guns For Pallet Projects
The top 5 nail guns for pallet projects are described below.
Best Nailer for Double Face Pallet – Freeman P4FRFNCB Pneumatic Framing & Finishing Combo Kit.
Double faced pallet is heavy-duty that can transport 2000 pounds at a time or be kept underneath a load of 6000 kg.
It has two identical types of panels, which are made with either oak or southern pine wood. So the user needs full-head nails or clipped head nails to penetrate these wood panels.
That’s why the best nail gun for this type of pallet is the Freeman P4FRFNCB Pneumatic Framing & Finishing Combo Kit.
It’s a nailer kit that carries a bag filled with a single piece of three different nailers: framing, finishing, and a brad nailer.
You will also get a narrow crown stapler in this kit. So it is a complete package of various jobs, including pallet jobs.
The framing nailer is a 3-and-a-half-inch 21-degree nailer that can nail full-head nails.
For finishing jobs, the 2-and-a-half inch 34-degree finish nailer is available that can nail 14 gauge nails. The brad nailer is a 1-and-a-one-fourth inch nailer with 18 gauge nails in it.
Finally, the crown stapler can nail 18-gauge nails. All these nailers have unique 360-degree air adjusters and come with a special oil-free design.
They also have a quick-jam-release mechanism to nail rapidly.
The weight of the whole kit is 6.38 pounds. Almost all users are comfortable with this nailer kit because of its powerful nailers and nailing capability.
They can use different types of nails as this kit contains 4 different nailers. But some mention compressor jamming, which can cause deflected items.
Pros
- It can be used in different kinds of jobs.
- The air compressor is pretty powerful ( 100 psi).
- It can penetrate the pallet board with constant nailing.
- The carrying bag is very handy for storing nails or nailers.
- The depth adjuster works well, so it doesn’t damage the work area.
Cons
- The air compressor may start to lack a bit after nailing 1000+ nails.
Nailer for Double Wing Pallets – Hitachi NT50AE2 Brad Nailer
Double-wing pallets can support a weight of 5000 kg or convey 1500 pounds at a time.
It contains two kinds of identical panels that are either constructed of plywood. The middle panels are slightly more significant than the top and bottom panels. That’s why they are called wings.
The user will therefore need paper-collated nails to pierce these wood panels. For this, Hitachi NT50AE2 Brad Nailer is the finest nailer for this palette.
It is a brad nailer that can nail 5/8-inch to 2-inch nails and 18 gauge nails that can be used for standard-sized double-wing pallets.
It has a 2.2-pound weight because of its aluminum body. As a result, it comes with good maneuverability. The trigger is adjustable to nail nails in single or rapid fire.
It has a depth adjuster, a jam releaser, and an oil-free design.
The magazine is located on the bottom of the nailer, which can store 100 brad nails with a 0.075 to 1.9 head size at a time.
The compressor can produce 100 psi of air power with just 0.025 cubic feet. But the power may vary between 70-120 psi because of working time.
This nail gun has a lot of power and is consistent, so it’s easy for users to shoot nails for pallet jobs without any trouble.
Pros
- It has good maneuverability.
- The nailer produces good air pressure.
- Users can nail in a single or rapid-fire mode.
- It doesn’t get jammed even after nailing 500 nails.
- The aluminum body makes it very tough.
Cons
- Some users point out that the hose connection doesn’t work well sometimes.
- It sometimes shoots nails with inconsistent depth.
Nailer for Stringer Pallets – Paslode Cordless XP Framing Nailer
Stringer pallets are also shipping pallets used to transport heavy items like machinery, cars, industrial items, etc.
They can be made of hickory, maple, or oak hardwood. Soft woods like pine can also be used for these types of pallets.
They have 3 stringers to support the top and bottom panels. These panels are attached with helically threaded nails or drive screw nails.
That is why the Paslode cordless XP Framing Nailer is the best nailer for stringer pallets.
It is a fuel-battery-powered nailer that can nail 9000 nails on every charge.
The nailer has a good body structure and only 7.2 pounds of body weight, allowing users to move it very quickly and without getting any hand fatigue.
Its power source is a 7.4-volt lithium-ion battery. This nailer can shoot 2″–3/4″ long paper-collated full-head nails or helically threaded nails with a shank diameter of between 0.113 and 0.131 (16D) inches.
A case is also provided with it that includes a 110-volt battery and a charger.
The users are pretty comfortable with this nailer because of its power and consistency. They mentioned they could shoot 1,000 nails even at a 14-degree Fahrenheit temperature.
Pros
- It needs only 3 hours to change the battery.
- With one full refill of fuel, it can shoot 2000+ nails.
- It is a good power adjuster.
- The plastic carry case makes it easy to transport.
- It has a belt hook to attach it to your body so that it doesn’t fall from a high area.
Cons
- Users sometimes get a fuel odor.
- Some users point out the high noise it makes.
Nailer for Block Pallet – Hitachi NT65MA4 Finish Nailer.
The block pallet is mainly used for shipping jobs to transport heavy single units like buildings, house packages, bulk products, etc.
It has nine thick wood blocks, which are located between five top boards and three bottom boards.
These pallets are made with solid wood and plywood. That’s why rink shank nails are used on these pallets to attach boards.
So the best nailer for block pallets is the Hitachi NT65MA4 Finish Nailer.
It is a finish nailer and can nail 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inch long 15-gauge finish nails. These nails are D-shaped plastic collated nails with an angle of 34 degrees.
This nailer can also use shank ring nails. Its body is made of aluminum and is very lightweight( 4.2 pounds).
So, moving it for nailing is very easy. It has unique features like a depth adjuster, a no-jam mechanism, and a trigger adjuster.
The case is well-built and easy to carry. This nailer can store 100 nails in its magazine and doesn’t jam after shooting 1500 nails.
Its extremely powerful air compressor can produce 80 to 90 psi of air power at only 2.5 to 3.5 cubic feet per minute, which is enough to penetrate pallet boards.
Pros
- It has a powerful air compressor.
- It can shoot up to 1500+ nails without getting jammed.
- It has good maneuverability.
- The depth adjuster does not allow damage to the work area.
- It is easy to carry because of the carrier bag.
Cons
- Some users point out the high noise it makes.
Nailer for Solid Deck Pallets – BOSTITCH Palm Nailer
Solid deck pallets have a weight capacity of 5500 kg or 1800 pounds per unit of time. They are made of oak wood.
Therefore, the user will need stainless steel nails to penetrate these wood panels. BOSTITCH Palm Nailer is the best nailer for this type of palette.
It’s a palm nailer that’s extremely popular for its lightweight body structure.
The weight of this nailer is only 1 pound, but it can do finishing, framing, or timber projects. This nailer can nail up to 3-inch nails with a maximum of an inch in diameter.
Even though the manufacturers recommend using 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inch 12- 16 gauge nails, its compressor is pretty powerful. It can provide 80 to 110 psi of air power to penetrate pallet wood.
This nailer has a depth adjuster and a power adjuster, so the users are comfortable with it because it provides very good performance even when the price is very low.
Pros
- It has good maneuverability.
- The rubber grip allows users to hold it tightly.
- It doesn’t cause much vibration while nailing.
- The air compressor is pretty powerful.
- It can shoot up to 1000+ nails without getting jammed.
Cons
- Some users point out that the compressor sometimes doesn’t provide enough air.
What Kind Of Nail Gun Do I Need For Pallets?
Ask yourself these questions to get the best nailer for pallet projects.
What Type Of Power Source Is Required To Run A Nailer On A Pallet?
The nailer’s power source can be pneumatic, fuel, or battery.
Pneumatic nailers
These types of nailers use air power to penetrate pallets. The source of the air is an extremely powerful compressor. An average pneumatic nailer can provide 110 psi of power with its compressor. So they can easily penetrate pallet boards.
The fuel-battery-powered nailer
These nailers have built-in chambers to fill with glasses. When the trigger is clicked, the battery uses its charge to make a spark. As a result, the gas starts burning and increases its volume up to 1500x, enough to penetrate the pallet board.
A battery-powered nailer
These nailers don’t have the same power as the above-mentioned two, but they can penetrate pallets. Usually, a 15-20 volt battery with a 1000–2000 mAh battery is used in these nailers. These nailers can shoot up to 400 nails before reloading, which is very useful for pallet jobs.
What Type Of Feature Should Be Available On The Nailer For Pallet Jobs?
Nailers require specific features to provide excellent service. Some of the best features of a nailer are described below, which are essential for pallet projects.
Air exhaust controller
With this feature, the user can control the amount of air power that comes from the compressor. It also helps the user by directing the air in any area they want.
Jam’s discarding feature
Even a good nailer sometimes jams when it has been used for a long time. But with this feature, the collision among the motor components gets ridden. As a result, the nailer becomes jam-free.
Depth adjuster
With this feature, a user can modify the penetration power of the nailer. Consequently, he can control how much the nail infiltrates the wood.
Nail mode adjustment
This feature allows users to shoot the nails in a single or rapid-fire mode. So users can use the nailer for diverse types of areas.
Additional nail case
A coil nailer already comes with a big magazine that can store 200-300 nails. But an extra case allows the user to carry more nails, and he doesn’t need to refill the nailer as often.
Nail size adjuster
With this feature, a nailer can use different-sized nails with various lengths and thicknesses. The user just changes the size of the dip and then fills the magazine with nails of different sizes.
What Size Nail For Pallet Projects?
The pallet boards require a minimum of 2.8 mm in diameter for nails to get enough strength. The most commonly used diameters for pallet jobs are 3.4 and 3.8 mm. Nail length depends on the board’s thickness.
While lapping two 30mm thick boards, the length of the nail should be 90mm as one-third of the nail should be attached to the two boards together, and the other two-thirds increase the strength to hold them together.
To adjust the penetration, use an extra +1/-2mm long nail than the required size when using a powerful nailer. The best nail for pallet projects is the 2-1/4″ helical nail.
FAQ
While nailing with a nailer, pallet jobs always require ring nails. These nails are made with stainless steel or carbon steel and have diameters ranging from 4 to 20 gauge.
The length of these nails is between 1 inch and 17 inches, which allows them to be used on thick pallets. These nails are flat-headed with a ring-type shank. They are powerful enough to penetrate, chip, or wood pallet boards.
While choosing nails for pallet jobs, a user must follow the 1.5 rule.
The rule indicates that the thickness of the pins should be at least 1.5 times that of the thickness of the pallet wood. A 20 mm thick pallet board requires 30 mm thick nails.
This extra thickness provides additional strength to the board as pallets need pre-drilling. Also, the gap between two pins should be at least 20 mm while penetrating nails. 8d nail shanks with a 0.131 diameter are best for pallet jobs.
My Last Suggestion for You
Pallet jobs are industrial jobs where boards are attached to industrial nailers. However, typical hand nailers can penetrate pallet boards if they check out some aspects.
So, choosing the best nail gun for pallet projects can be difficult for users if they don’t know what to look for. The best nailers for pallet jobs are all coil nailers because of their penetration power and extra storage.
A single pallet may require 100 nails, so the nailer must be able to shoot a lot of nails without getting jammed. Also, these nailers have some helpful features that make it susceptible for the user to finish pallet jobs.