Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

We have seen a lot of people who don’t know the difference between an angled nailer and a straight one. A lot of you may think that these tools are the same.

 But, they are not. These are both totally different from each other in a lot of aspects. They are used for different purposes.

You may want to know their differences so we are here to help you. We are going to compare angled finish nailer vs straight tools in detail in this article. 

Comparison of Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight Nailer

First of all, let’s have a brief discussion of these two tools.

Angled Finish Nailer

This tool has an angled magazine so that you can drill nails in the corners. It is at the angle of your arm so it will be easy for you to drill nails with it.

But still, we suggest that you should go for professional help to use this tool. Because it can get tricky sometimes. You can commit mistakes while using this tool.

You can find different sizes and models of this tool. The commonly used types are pneumatic, electric, or 18-gauge angled finish manual nailers.

Moreover, there are two major types of this tool; DA and FN. The DA-style nail has a 34-degree magazine angle while the FN-style has a 25-degree angle.

It uses thick nails that secure wooden material together. Moreover, it has a longer magazine which allows it to have more nails in the strip at one time.

Commonly, you can use it in different large carpentry projects.

Straight-Finish Nailer

This nailer has a boxy shape as its magazine is at a ninety-degree angle. This means that it has a straight magazine.

Moreover, it has a long barrel with a sharp and narrow tip. So, you can get near your surface and drill the nails with precision. 

Also, it has different sizes of swappable nozzles. With it, it also has a depth gauge feature. It can help you in deciding the depth of each nail. So, you can avoid splitting the wood.

Unlike angled nailers, this tool is easy to use and operate. Because most of the models have a safety trigger that you can use before the tool can fire.

You can use this device for construction work and small home improvement projects. It is ideal for those types of projects where you need accuracy and precision. For example, you can use it for finishing projects.

So, this is a brief overview. Now, we are going to discuss the comparison of the different features of these angled finish nailer vs straight tools.

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11 Feature Comparison of Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

1. Suitable for Corners: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

The angled finish nailer is more suitable for corners and tight spaces than its counterpart. This is the major difference between these two tools.

In an angled nailer, you know the magazine is already angled. So you can easily drill the nail in the corner with accuracy.

But, in a straight one, this thing is totally different. In it, the magazine is straight so there are chances of error when nailing in the corners. Even when you press the tool at the right angle, there are chances of error with it.

2. Usage: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

These tools are both used for different types of projects, which is another major difference.

You can use the angled-finish nailer for cramped locations, corner spots, furniture repair, portable nailing, and much more.

 It is used for thicker wooden boards that require large nails because their nails can easily hold them together. Moreover, it is used on irregular surfaces such as ledges, baseboards, or crown molding.

 On the other hand, you can use a straight-finish nailer on a thin wooden material to give a refined look. For example, this tool is used for casing, baseboards, crown molding, framing, door trim, installing moldings, paneling, fine cabinetry, and much more.

 In short, it is ideal for small home improvement projects. These include assembling frames for artwork or building furniture.

3. Versatility: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

In terms of versatility, the angled nailer is more versatile than the straight one. You can use it in different places for various purposes. 

 But, you can only use the straight nailer for minimal home repair work. For example, you can get a finished look at your projects with it.

4. Cost: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

In terms of cost, the straight-angled nailer is exceeding its counterpart. It is cost-effective because it uses thin, cheap nails.

On the other hand, the angled nailer is expensive as it uses thick nails. These nails are also expensive and not easily available in the market.

But If you look at the versatility of the angled nailer, you will find its price reasonable. Because it has advanced features that you can use in different projects it is expensive.

5. Weight and Portability: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

In terms of weight, the angled nailer is leading once again. It is light and slightly larger than the straight one. 

 It is made of a light material, so your hand will not feel any fatigue while holding it. But, it can become a bit heavy if its magazine is full of thick nails. So, you can adjust its weight by lessening the nails in the magazine.

 Moreover, it is also easy to store so it is more portable than its competitor.

6. Size: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

In terms of size, the angled nailer is larger than its competitor. So if you want to work in tight spaces such as crawl places or patios, you will need a small straight-angled nailer. Because the angled nailer is not an ideal choice for you in those cases.

7. Wood Size: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

These tools both are used for different types of wood. You can use the angled nailer on thick wooden pieces, while the straight nailer on thick wood pieces.

 The angled nailer has thick nails so they are not ideal for frail wood pieces as it can split them.

 On the other hand, the straight nailer has small nails so they can’t hold the thick wooden pieces together.

8. Nail Diameter and Size: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

The major difference between these two nailers is the nail diameter and size. You must have already noticed that the angled nailer has larger gauge-sized nails than its competitor.

 This tool uses nails of large diameter and size. So, they have more holding power and capacity to go deeper into the surface. 

 These thick nails leave large holes in the surface, ruining its refined look. That’s why they are not used for finishing projects.

 On the other hand, the straight nailer has nails of small diameter and size. These are barely visible on the surface. So, you can use them to give a refined look to your project.

9. Ease of Use: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

If you want to work in corners or tighter spaces, the angled nailer is easy to use. Its angle is already set. So, you just have to adjust it in a comfortable position and start your work.

On the other hand, you have to adjust the angle of your nail in the straight nailer. Then, you have to press it hard to do your project correctly. Still, there are chances of mistakes in your work.

The angled nailer requires skill and professional help. It is a bit of a tricky tool so you need guidance to use it. This aspect makes it a bit difficult to use.

10. Magazine Size: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

The angled nailer has a larger magazine size than the straight one. It means this tool accommodates more nails at one time.

As the angled nailer has an angled and bulky shape, its magazine is capable of having more nails in it. But, the straight nailer has a slim and straight shape, so its magazine can’t take many nails in it.

This aspect makes the project easy as you can drill numerous nails in one go when the magazine size is larger. It will save you time and effort on the work. 

So, the angled nailer again wins in this aspect.

11. Security: Angled Finish Nailer vs Straight

The angled nailer’s nails are more secure than its competitor.

It has thick nails that have a D-shaped head. They are also longer and have strong binding powers. So, they secure the wood panes in a better way.

On the other hand, the straight nailer has thin and weak nails so they don’t hold the panes securely.

 These are the eleven features that are different in both of the tools. Now, which one is better for you? Let’s discuss it.

Which Nailer is Better For You?

The answer to this question depends on the following aspects:

• Budget

• Type of Project

Angled nailer is an expensive tool but you can use it for various projects. We believe that investing money in this nailer is worth it. Also, you need to check the type of project before choosing the nailer.

If you want to do simple finishing work, you should buy a straight nailer because the other one will mess up with your finishing and will not give it a refined look.

But, if you want a tool for heavy wooden projects, you must buy an angled nailer. In these projects, the straight-angled nailer is useless for you.

So, make the decision according to your personal needs.

 Conclusion

To conclude this whole conversation, we recommend you buy both tools for your project because they are both helpful in different senses. Otherwise, decide on the tool according to your project.

For any repairs, installations, builds, or questions; We recommend you to hire a professional. Find A Pro Near You Here!