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by Tom Harris

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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Harris, Tom.  "How Nail Guns Work"  03 September 2001.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://home.howstuffworks.com/nail-gun.htm>  11 February 2012.
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Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Nail Guns Work
  2. Nail-loading Mechanism
  3. Pneumatic Nail Guns
  1. Combustion Nail Guns
  2. Nail Gun Safety
  3. Lots More Information
  4. See more »
    1. See all Power Tools articles

Lots More Information

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Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Nail Guns Work
  2. Nail-loading Mechanism
  3. Pneumatic Nail Guns
  4. Combustion Nail Guns
  1. Nail Gun Safety
  2. Lots More Information
  3. See all Power Tools articles
Previous Page

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Related Content

Prices: Nail Guns

  • Bosch 18V 16ga Finish Nail Gun FNH180K-16
    Bosch 18V 16ga Finish Nail Gun FNH180K-16

    Bosch est-In-Class Compact Size - Up to 15% more narrow than leading competitor Blank Fire Lock-Out - Avoids damage to work piece by preventing blank firing when nail magazine is empty Lock-Out Switch - Disables tool when not in use Tool-free Jam Clearing - Easy removal of jammed nails, no tools needed.

    $463.30

  • Hardwood Floor Nail Gun
    Hardwood Floor Nail Gun

    Hardwood Floor Nail Gun for installing hardwood floors between 1/2 - 3/4 inches thick. Used by many contractors and DIY floor installers this tool works well for all skill levels. The sturdy long handle allows for great control and keeps you from breaking your back. The nail magazine holds 100 flooring nails, and nail length can vary between 1 1/2" to 2" depending on what you need. The air inlet is standard 1/4". Air consumption is low at 4.5 CFM and allows you to use a small compressor. Input pressure should be controlled between 60 and 100 PSI. With a little practice this tool will allow you to lay hundreds of square feet per day. Depending on the type of wood you will need to vary the input pressure. Bamboo is very hard and brittle and requires a low pressure to prevent damage. Teak and some other very dense hard woods will require 100 PSI. You should test on a piece of scrap plank to make sure you are getting good results. The Hardwood Floor Nail Gun is used by placing it on the edge of a piece of hardwood flooring. The included mallet is then used to strike the actuator and fire the cleat nail in. The most difficult part of the process is just moving the Hardwood Floor Nail Gun around. Include in the kit is a Carrying Case, Hardwood Floor Nail Gun , Safety Glasses, Air Tool Oil, Base Plate, S3 Hex Key S4 Hex Key S5 Hex Key Wrench, and Instruction Manual. Good luck on installing your new hard wood floor.

    $179.99

  • Stapler Flooring nail gun kit Hardcore Tools®
    Stapler Flooring nail gun kit Hardcore Tools®

    Our Two-in-One Hardwood Flooring Stapler and Cleat Nailer lets you shoot both staples and cleat nails from the same gun without changing magazines. *Own your own professional craftsman grade tool for less than the cost of one or two weeks of tool rental. For ease of use, its durable, die-cast alloy body is lightweight and comfortable to hold. *Do a professional installation of your beautiful hardwood flooring faster and easier. This is suitable for virtually all thickness of hardwood flooring (1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, and 25/32 inch). It comes with two nylon composite base plates. Simply install the appropriate base plate for your application. *Our high-speed hardwood flooring, 2 in 1 pneumatic (powered by air compressor) cleat nailer / stapler is designed to install tongue and groove flooring using 1" to 2" Length L-shaped cleat nails or staples on flooring thickness 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" or 25/32". * Technical Information: -Minimum Operating Air Pressure: --60 PSI 4 bar Maximum Operating Air Pressure: 100 PSI --7 bar Staple Length Range: 1" - 2" 25.4 mm-50.8 mm -- Staple Size: 16 Guage Staple Capacity :92 L-shaped Nail Length Range: 1-1/2" to 2" 38.1 mm-50.8 mm L-shaped --Nail Size: 15-1/2 L-shaped Nail Capacity:100 Air Inlet:1/4 inch NPT 6.35 mm Air Consumption: 4.5 CFM 4.5 CFM *Package Includes: Carrying Case 2 in 1 Flooring Cleat Nailer -- Stapler Mallet --Safety Glasses --Air Tool Oil Base Plate --S3 Hex Key --S4 Hex Key -- S5 Hex Key Wrench --Special Instruction Manual *Operates with any standard compressor using pressure of 60 to 100 psi. **High-capacity magazine reduces reload time. **Precisely drives staples at proper angle and depth. QUALITY PRODUCTS @ QUALITY PRICES WHEN YOU SHOP WITH STERLINGTEK!!! The Hard Core Tools/SterlingTek name/images/and contents of this SterlingTek listing are protected by trademarks and copyrights. Copyright © 2011 SterlingTek.

    $205.99

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