Shoe moldings are widely used for finishing flooring work as they are widely available and cheaper than those wood.
These are installed to close the gap between the floor and the baseboard. Since shoe moldings are quite fragile, nails of shorter lengths and diameters are used for installation. You need the best nail gun for shoe molding to handle this subtle work.
You also need 18GA brad nails for shoe molding. They do not split the material, have decent holding power, and make a smaller hole.
Picking the right nailer and nails will make your job easier and better. So spend your time and pick the best nailer for your shoe molding project.
What size nail gun for shoe molding?
You need a brad nailer that drives 18-gauge nails up to 2 inches long. Brad nailers are suitable to handle subtle work and they do not hit the molding hard. At the same time, 18-gauge nails create small holes yet provide enough holding power.
They are also safe to use since they do not split fragile or narrow trim and molding. Considering the fact, Ryobi P320 can be a good option to pick.
Best 5 Nail Guns For Shoe molding
Depending upon the power source recommended features, and price top 6 Best Nail Guns for Shoe molding are picked and reviewed below-
WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Wen products have been famous for their quality power tools for construction and other engineering purposes as well, since 1951. The WEN61721 model features a pneumatic brad nailer.
Being a specified brad nailer, 61721 has s straight magazine for holding 106 of 18GA brad nails, varying from ⅜” to 2”. This wide range of lengths will allow you to select the perfect nail size required for shoe molding. It can drive nails by using 0.028 Cubic Feet of air at 88 PSI.
You can select the perfect depth of nail penetration by simply turning the dial of the depth adjuster. It prevents using glue to complete shoe molding.
This tool features easily switchable sequential and bump firing modes useful for different projects. It is preinstalled with a rotatable exhaust, allowing you to direct the pneumatic output away from your face.
Its housing is made of high-density plastic(2.7 lbs only), which allows you to use it for a long period. Moreover, this tool is only 10 x 8.25 x 2.75 inches making it a compact and small-bodied nailer.
You can easily clean nail jams using the quick-latch located on the nose. The gauge window at the sideline of the magazine alerts you about the remaining nails inside the magazine, avoiding dry fire.
WEN 61721 is suitable for all small household projects and construction-related works like interior trim, molding, repairing, thin woodwork, etc. Professional carpenters are the primary users, but anyone can easily use them for personal use.
Pros
- Easily maneuverable.
- Comfortable to hold for a long time.
- Very easy jam-clearing procedure.
- Spacious magazine decreases overall work time.
- No impact mark left on the surface,
Cons
- No option for belt hook installation.
- Dry-fire lockout mechanism is absent
PORTER-CABLE Cordless Brad Nailer
Porter-cable is a renowned North-American heavy-duty power tool developing company. The PCC790LA model is a 20V cordless 18GA Brad nailer from Portercable.
It features a straight stick magazine for holding 18GA brad nails of length ⅝” to 2”, which are useful for different trimming work. This magazine can hold 100 nails at a time, minimizing the reloading from time to time.
This tool is powered by a 20V Lithium-ion battery eliminating the need for a compressor or gas cartridge and it can shoot 1300 nails per charge. The No-mar tip will help you give an anti-slip grip on the target surface and will not leave any impact marks.
You can easily use the dial-a-depth adjusting mechanism to choose the optimum depth inside the molding without using any tool. This tool also features a built-in rafter hook allowing you to easily carry the tool around the workspace.
This tool is made up of high-density plastic housing and has a battery, increasing its overall weight to 5.9 lbs. Moreover, the size of this tool is comparatively bulky because of its dimension of 13.88 x 5 x 12 inches.
It has dual LED lights for illuminating dark spots and error indications. The trigger lock-off mechanism avoids unwanted accidents.
PORTERCABLE PCC790LA is more mobile and portable than pneumatic nailers. It allows you to move with the tool freely. It is mainly used by experts and professional carpenters only because of its high price.
Pros
- Very mobile and portable to work with.
- Very little time is required for assembling.
- Equal weight distribution, along with a rubberized grip reduces fatigue
- Less maintenance is required.
- Independent of weather and location.
Cons
- Dry fire lockout mechanism is absent.
- Only one firing mode is available.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very mobile and portable to work with. | Dry fire lockout mechanism is absent. |
| Very little time is required for assembling. | Only one firing mode is available. |
| Equal weight distribution along with rubberized grip reduces fatigues | |
| Less maintenance is required. | |
| Independent of weather and location. |
DEWALT Finish Nailer Kit DWFP12231
“Dewalt” is a worldwide famous heavy-duty power tool manufacturing company. DWFP12231 model is a pneumatic brad nailer.
It is compatible with standard ⅝-2” of 18GA brad nails for nailing on variable soft surfaces. The No-mar tip ensures a soft grip on the surface and causes no damage.
This tool is installed with a depth of drive adjustment system, for properly setting the depth of penetration without using any tool.
An interesting feature of this tool is that the exhaust is located aside by the inlet hose, so it doesn’t blow on your face. The built-in rafter hook will allow you to carry it around the worksite easily.
This tool’s housing is made up of lightweight Magnesium reducing its weight to only 2.65 lbs. Moreover, it has a compact and smaller body dimension of only 13.03 x 3.74 x 13.09 inches which increases its mobility.
You can quickly clean up the nail jam using the latch on the nose without using any external tool.
You can connect it to the most available air compressors, which allow ¼” of inlet and 70-120PSI of air pressure. It only has a sequential actuation mode for precise nailing.
Dewalt DWFP12231 is a straightforward tool that almost everyone can use for personal or professional work. It is used widely for shoe/quarter-round molding, light woodwork, furniture assembling, repairing, etc.
Pros
- Ergonomic body design.
- Comfortable to hold the rubber over-molded grip.
- Compact and smaller in size.
- Open nose jam clearing is very easy
- Very light in weight.
Cons
- Dry fire lockout mechanism is not available.
- Only one firing mode.
MAKITA AF506 Battery-powered Nailer
Makita is a popular American company. It produces high-quality and durable industrial-grade power tools for construction works. The AF506 model is an air-powered 18GA nail gun from Makita.
Standard 18GA ⅝”-2” of brad nails can be loaded in the magazine of Makita AF506. It has a straight magazine and can receive 100 nails at a time to reduce overall work time. This tool comes with two removable No-mar tips that ensure damage-less nailing.
You can easily direct the exhaust blowout away from the face simply by rotating the rear cap at 360 degrees. This tool also features a toolless depth adjuster, which you can use to pick a suitable penetration depth for the work.
The preinstalled belt hook allows you to carry the tool around the project site easily. Its housing is made up of Aluminum, making it durable with reduced weight(2.9 lbs) for fatigue-less work. Moreover, this nailer is very compact (2.76 x 9.84 x 10.08 inches) for easy maneuverability.
It features a quick jam-releasing latch, ensuring less maintenance or work time investment. Most of the common air compressors able to deliver 70-120PSI air pressure can be connected with it.
The low nail indicator will alert you about the remaining nail and can avoid dry fire. It has a built-in air duster for keeping the workplace debris free. This tool has a narrow nose design giving access to shoot a nail in tight spots conveniently.
Makita AF506 is designed for interior trim work, molding installation, soft woodwork, furniture assembling, etc.
Pros
- Nail indicator avoids dry fire.
- Easily maneuverable.
- Comfortable grip to hold and work with.
- No hassle in movement carrying the tool.
- Accurate and precise nailing.
Cons
- Trigger safety lock is not available.
- Anti dry fire lockout system is absent.
RYOBI P320 Cordless Brad Nailer
Ryobi Limited is well known for its high-quality power tools for short-term and light projects. P320 from this company is an 18V 4ah battery-powered standard 18GA brad nailer.
This one is designed to hold 18GA brad nails ranging ⅝” to 2” in length, which is suitable for most of the woodwork.
It has a straight magazine with a quick sideload feature for decreased loading time. A single charge of the 18V battery can shoot 1700 nails, allowing you to work without any breaks and within a short time.
The Non-marring tip ensures a firm grip on the surface while firing and causes no damage. You can pick the desired depth of penetration by adjusting a dial. It avoids overpenetration. This tool features contact and sequential firing modes for accurate and precise nailing.
The preinstalled rafter hook will allow you to move freely without holding the tool itself. It is made up of high-density plastic material(6 lbs), which is prone to damage on the tool’s surface. Only 10 x 3 x 7 inches of dimension and the cordless feature make the tool highly compact and mobile.
You can clear the nail jam by opening the very straight nose of the tool. LED lights illuminate the working area and indicate a low nail count in the magazine.
Moreover, the anti-dry fire lockout system halts nailing when the nails in the magazine are about to finish and require replacement.
RYOBI P320 is a very expensive and premium tool. So it is recommended that only professional carpenters, builders, and contractors use it for construction purposes. This nailer is used for trim, molding work, and other woodwork as well.
Pros
- Easy to handle and set up.
- Can be carried around anywhere.
- Overmolded grip is comfortable to use.
- Ergonomic body design makes work fatigue less.
- It can be used anywhere for its cordless feature.
Cons
- Significantly expensive.
- Plastic body is prone to damage and has less durability.
Things To Look For Before Buying the Best Nailer For Shoe Molding
A nailer which should be explicitly picked for shoe molding purposes must have some recommended specifications. These are specific fastener type, fastener length, and head, driving force adjuster, Non-marring narrow tip, firing mode, and mobility.
Driving Force
Brad nailer for shoe molding work should drive nails at 20-25N of force. Since shoe moldings are soft and fragile, a force greater than the range may cause splitting up or breaking apart the surface.
Fastener Type
18GA brads nails from ¾” to 2” of length and 1.25mm of width are recommended for shoe-molding installation. Nails with lower gauge parameters will split up and damage the shoe molding. And nails with higher gauge parameters won’t have enough holding power.
Depth Adjuster
Shoe molding and quarter-round moldings have different heights. So brad nailer for shoe molding should have a toolless depth adjusting mechanism for selecting the required penetration depth. Otherwise, higher/lower pressure will leave the nail pointed upward or will push deeper which may require filling afterward.
Non-marring and Narrow Tip
Shoe moldings are made up of polystyrene or medium-density plastics. So its surface is very delicate. Therefore, nail guns for shoe molding must have soft no-mar pads for damage and markless nailing.
Mobility
Shoe molding installation is lengthy but sensitive work. A compact and small nail gun with reduced weight is mobile and portable. These nailers will help complete the work with accuracy and precision.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have more questions to ask? Then check the section below.
Finish nailers are compatible with 15GA and 16GA nails with thick, long, and wide heads. These nails may rip apart the target surface during shoe molding. But Brad’s nails are compatible with 18GA nails with comparatively thin, short, and narrow heads. These nails do not affect the surface.
Yes. Brad nails can be 2” long, So they can easily penetrate molding, drywall, and more inside the stud as well. The total depth of penetration would be around 1.5”.
Both of these types of nailers have a more or less equal driving force and common features. A cordless nailer is mobile and portable but very expensive, whereas a pneumatic one is cheaper but tough to move around with. It depends upon the buyer’s demand and budget to choose the type of nailer.
Wrap up
So, judging by the fact and requirements for a shoe molding installation, we can conclude by saying that 18GA pneumatic/cordless brad nailers will do the perfect molding work.
If the budget is enough and the buyer requires quick maneuverability, then the PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA would be a great choice. But, if the buyer requires durable nailers in a budget-friendly range then the MAKITA AF506 would be a decent pick.