Best Overall
Metabo HPT 3½-Inch Pneumatic Roundhead Framing Nailer
Best Bang for the Buck
NuMax Pneumatic 21-Degree 3½-Inch Round Head Nailer
Best Upgrade
DeWalt 20V MAX Brushless Cordless Framing Nailer Kit
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you may use a framer with nail or screw and an impact driver to install your fence , or you may up your biz by investing in a consecrate nailer . Thesepower toolscan drive in fasteners far quicker than any other tool and swiftness along your DIY fencing installation .
A good nail gun for fencing is herculean enough to repel in the longer ring - shanked nail that a fencing installation expect while being long-wearing enough to take on a orotund project . They are uncommitted in lightweight pneumatic models or cordless models that do n’t require cart along an melodic phrase compressor . To find the best frame nailer for fence installation , we test four top models . We see theMetabo pneumatic roundhead framing nailer , with its top - nick build quality and power to lay to rest longer nail , to be the dear of the bunch .
say on to see how the Metabo and other frame nailers fared in our examination and to find out more about which factor to consider when tell on for the best nail guns for fencing .
Nail Guns for Fencing Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
The pursuit are what we believe to be thebest nail gunsfor fencing . Each allow answer to a wide salmagundi of fencing tasks .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.8/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Ergonomics5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
With its superscript build quality , performance , and ergonomics , the Metabo NR90ADS1 top our list of thebest frame nailers . set up nailer tend to get knocked around quite a bit , whether in use building a fencing or framing a home , so we liked that the Metabo NR90ADS1 is build to endure a beating , largely thanks to its alloy housing and magazine .
The NR90ADS1 is also lighter than intermediate , weigh under 8 pounds , and it comes equip with a rubberize handle . This made it easier to handle than some of the heavier nailer we test , a key for fence projects that involve firinghundreds of nailsover a full stop of many hours .
We fired close to 100 full headland ring waist nails with the NR90ADS1 , and it sank nearly all of them even when lock it at a lower pressure of around 80 PSI . The only dud occurred when we attempted to fire a nail through a knot .
The NR90ADS1 also has some notable extra . Unlike other pneumatic nailers that demand swapping out the trigger to encounter firing , Metabo has a electric switch on the handgrip , so it ’s easy to toggle between its two firing musical mode with the flick of a finger . The deepness adjustor is also approachable from the initiation , so accommodation are possible on the fly . Unfortunately , the NR90ADS1 does not have an adjustable exhaust or a ironic - fervor lockout , so exploiter need to ante up tending to invalidate a few flack of melodic line to the face or firing blanks .
What our quizzer says:“This pickaxe is make like a rock ‘n’ roll and yet is light than most framing nailer . in effect of all , it buries nail head so dependably that you could leave your hammer in your shop . You ’re not buy the farm to necessitate it . ” — Tony Carrick , Product Reviews quizzer and writer
Get the Metabo nail gun for fencing atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orWalmart .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.3/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Ergonomics3/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value5/5
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
The NuMax framing nailer may not have all the Bell and whistle regain in other model , but its grim price makes it a smashing option for DIYers who may only use a framing nailer for one or two project a year .
In term of performance , it was on equation with the other frame nailer we prove , consistently driving 3 - column inch nail through our stacked 2x4s at melody pressure levels as humble as 90 PSI . The NuMax also has some noteworthy extra feature , including a dry lockout that keep firing blank , an easy - to - access code depth adjustment wheel , and cock - free jamming clearing . Users can rotate the exhaust 360 degrees to keep aura out of their brass when working from dissimilar angle , and there ’s a no - mar tip for more delicate wood that users can remove for extra travelling bag .
There are some compromise with the NuMax . It ’s noticeably heavier and produces more recoil than other framing nailer , which make it punishing to hold . This could easily lead to more arm fatigue during orotund projects like fence installation . Also , users have to go through the tedious unconscious process of trading out the trigger to switch between single - fervency and bump way on the fly . But for the price , it ’s a great choice to have as a spare or as a primary tool for occasional user .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Get the NuMax nail triggerman for debate atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Our valuation : Ease of Use4.8/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Ergonomics3/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value4.7/5
Dragging around a hosiery and pancake air compressor for a large task like building a fence can slow down a job substantially and lead to user weariness . To leave that train of gear behind , then consider DeWalt ’s cordless framing heavy weapon .
With its sophisticated flywheel engineering , there ’s no holdup between pull in the gun trigger and firing the nail , a job that plagued earlier cordless framing nailer . As for power , this assault and battery - power nail gun matched our pneumatic models , systematically sink the heads of 3 - inch nail into our stacked 2x4s , even when shooting nail in rapid succession while in excrescence mode . There ’s also a node for warm depth adjustment and a switch that allows quick toggling between bump and single shot modes .
As with any airless frame shooter , the swop - off for exemption from the hosiery and compressor is added weighting . The DeWalt frame nailer weighs more than 10 pound sign when loaded with the include 5 amp - time of day ( Ah ) battery . The overmolded grip makes it comfortable to wield , but drug user ’ arms will still mark that added weight , especially over an entire fencing install . The DeWalt ’s mag is also too short to hold two strips of nails , which means pausing more often to reload . An protracted clip is available for leverage separately .
What our examiner says:“It performs about as well as any pneumatic nailer I ’ve prove , and you do n’t need to drag a compressor around your yard . That alone makes it deserving its steeper terms tag end and tote up weight . ” — Tony Carrick , Product Reviews tester and author .
Get the DeWalt cordless nail gun for fence in atThe Home Depot , Amazon , orAce Hardware .
Best Coil Framing Nailer
Bostitch N80CB-1 Coil Framing Nailer
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Ergonomics3/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4.3/5
With their ability to hold far more nail than a stock frame nailer , coil nailers are idealistic for big jobs like instal a fence , and this model from Bostich is one of the good . With its ability to hold in up to 300 nails in its magazine , it can last far longer than most can before get to stop to reload . Switch it to happen modality and the Bostitch has a definite advantage for projects that want century of nail , such as a fence install .
The Bostich coil framing nailer is various , too , as it can take nails ranging from 1.5 to 3.25 column inch long .
Bostitch has made a name for itself in the nailer populace , and this model prove why that is . It power nails into our test 2x4s with ease , even when we lour the pressure on our pancake air compressor below 80 PSI .
Built with a heavy - obligation aluminium housing that can take a beating , this is a nail gun suited for professionals . Just be prepared for a exercise . Once load up with all those nail , the Bostitch surpass 10 pounds , which is on par with a cordless framing nailer . And unlike other framing nailers we tested that come with pre - installed aura hose hoopla , the Bostitch does not , so substance abuser will need to put in one before connecting it to an air hosepipe . flip-flop to bump nailing also command deal out the trigger ( which is let in ) .
Get the Bostitch nail gun for fencing atAmazonorAce computer hardware .
More Great Options
We also recommend the nailers below based on our hands - on examination for other product guides , extensive research , and our own experience with this type of shaft .
Best Cordless
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21-Degree Framing Nailer Kit
Milwaukee tools do n’t come cheap , and this frame nailer is no exclusion . But those calculate for a top - of - the - wrinkle nailer that untethers them from a hosepipe and compressor should consider springing for this M18 cordless framing nailer . We had already tested this model for a unlike usher and were impressed with its sheer firepower . It has the muscleman to embed the head of 3.5 in nail into Grant Wood with every shot . Unlike other cordless nailer that have a delay , the M18 frame nailer fires outright at the pull of the trigger . Depth adjustments are simple via an easy - to - reach boss , as is the switch from consecutive to chance - firing mode with the press of a button . Just be devise for a workout with the Milwaukee framing nailer . Cordless nailer are , by their nature , hard than pneumatic theoretical account , but this one tips the scales at 11 pound with a battery .
Get the Milwaukee nail hitman for fencing atThe Home Depot .
Best for Small Projects
DeWalt 20V MAX Angled Finish Nailer Kit
While most fence projects call for the large nails that a framing nailer is capable of driving home , you’re able to get off with using a finish nailer for smaller garden fences . We have quiz this 16 - gauge finish nailer in the past tense and were impressed with its public presentation . It has the firepower to eat up nails up to 2.5 inches long . Plus , it ’s loaded with feature , including sequential- and bump firing , a shaft - destitute jam release , and an easy - to - utilization depth claims adjustor . It ’s well-fixed to load , and it sinks nails below the open of the Natalie Wood dependably , so there ’s no indigence tofollow up with a hammer . And since it weighs just 6 pounds , it ’s far light to wield than a frame nailer .
Get the DeWalt angled nail gun for fencing atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best Combo
Freeman Pneumatic Framing and Finishing Combo Kit
This nail gun combo from Freeman has a putz for every fence in task . There ’s a stapler that can be used for lightweight charge plate or wire mesh , a brad nailer , a finish nailer , and a framing nailer . The set also offers the versatility to tackle just about every nailing job around the home , from upholstery to stud work .
All of the nail heavy weapon boast tone characteristic . They have puppet - loose jam clearing , depth registration , and 360 - arcdegree revolve exhausts . The frame nailer has sequential and demote modes , plus wry - fire lockout to prevent damage . An air supply of 2.5 CFM at 90 PSI is recommend for the framing nailer , which ask the most king of the solidification .
by and large speaking , Freeman nail triggerman are worry - spare . We have see occasional fault reports , but nothing that appear frequently .
Get the Freeman nail gunslinger for fencing atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Also Consider
Ryobi ONE+ HP Brushless Cordless Framing Nailer Kit
With a price tatter that ’s more affordable than other cordless framing nailer , this model from Ryobi is a good option for DIYers who may only want the service of a nailer for a few projects throughout the class . exchangeable to other top cordless nailer , Ryobi employ a engineering that provide instantaneous nailing power with a pull of the trigger . It can drive in nail up to 3.5 inches long , it comes equip with tool - free deepness adjustment , and it has a switch that allows a quick toggle between single sequential and bump give notice . As with other cordless frame nailer , this one is n’t light-headed , weighing more than 11 pounds with the battery .
Get the Ryobi nail gun for debate atThe Home Depot .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Nail Guns for Fencing
We put the four nailers we test through a series of tests to settle which ones were up to the task of fence building . First , we considered how promiscuous it was to set up and adulterate each nailer . We then used each manakin to fuel about 100 3 - column inch and 2 - inch nail to join pine 2x4s and pale , using both single - blast and bump modes . We deliberately chose ring shank nails , which are the advocate picket fencing material nails for a nail gun , and which require more power to drive in . We evaluated how well the nailer dismiss nails into Sir Henry Joseph Wood , take down any miss or nail leave standing lofty . Ease of use was also an important part of our examination , so we consider the weight , balance , and ergonomics for each tool . We also evaluated how easy it was to switch between firing modes and adjust nail depth , awarding level for such features as ironical lockout and tool - free jam clearing .
For those nailer , we did no hands - on trial run . Instead , we leaned into our extensive experience with such tools , along with thoroughgoing research , comparing glasses and drug user revaluation to inform our option .
What to Consider When Choosing a Nail Gun for Fencing
tack a fencing is not a job for everyone , and those who ’d rather hire a contractor should break outhow to choose one of the honest fence company . But anyone preparing for the task should consider these inside information when shopping for the best nail gun for fencing material .
Nail Gun Type
Four canonical types of nailer are used for fencing : brad nailers , finish nailers , framing nailers , and coil nailer .
Brad nailer are the smallest and most accomplishable type . Although some folks believe they miss the fixing strength for fencing , we disagree — look on the material being used . It ’s true that the 18 - gauge ( or 18GA ) brads they fire are very slender ( 0.0475 - in ) , but at up to 2 inches long , they provide an effective fixing for lightweight , decorative fencing panels and trellises . ( check off out this comprehensive clause ongreat brad nailer option . )
Next up in size of it , the finish nailer flame nails up to 3.5 inches long that are also thicker than brads at 14 or 16 gauge . Otherwise , there is little dispute between the two tools .
couch nailers are a big step up . As an option to a pound and nails , they are capable of fire orotund brain nails up to 3.5 inch long used in overweight - duty perimeter fencing material .
Coil nailers are often the choice of professionals because their magazines can hold from 200 to 300 nails at a time . However , these are among the most expensive nail guns for fencing .
WoodType and Fence Size
The type of wood fencing choose will influence the best nail gunslinger to do the occupation . A pot of cheap fencing is made from softwoods such as fir , pine , or spruce , which are relatively well-situated to nail . A brad or last nailer could be sufficient for attaching softwood trellises or venire to softwood posts . The latter are often press - interject with preservatives to last longer .
cedarwood , while technically a softwood , is much harder than pine and requires substantially greater force to nail . Hardwoods acquaint the same challenge . stock pickets are 0.625 column inch thick-skulled , though they can be thick . To boom these harder fabric successfully , a frame or coil nailer is recommended .
Power
Most nailers are either cordless or pneumatic ( power by flat air ) . Cheap brad nailers may be corded , this type of galvanic nail hitman is n’t common . There are also nailers that habituate little fuel cells ( flatulency cartridges ) . These were popular with professionals before the introduction of cordless tools , but these years , they ’re comparatively rare .
Either 18 - volt or 20 - volt ( V)batteriespower cordless tools , and cordless mobility allows the user to work just about anywhere without worry about the compressor , hosepipe , or electrical supply . The assault and battery bring in this portable nail gun very manoeuvrable but also often makes them dense than pneumatic tools . Limited runtime can also be an issue when using powerful framing or coil nailer . Cordless model tend to be well more expensive than their pneumatic counterparts .
However , while pneumatic nail guns might be brassy and lighter , they ask an strain compressor to go . These gadget can easy run from $ 200 to $ 300 , and substance abuser must consider the inconvenience of link up a rigid hosepipe and toting the compressor during the undertaking . The compressor must be plug into an electrical outlet or a source , which means more equipment to move .
Photo: Amazon
With pneumatic nail guns , it ’s vital to check the air supply postulate . This is usually given in standard three-dimensional foundation per minute ( CFM ) , with an air pressure military rank in pounds per square column inch ( PSI ) . sample to conserve on compressor performance is a mistake because deficient airwave flow mean the nail gun will not manoeuver properly .
Pneumatic nail gunman for fencing are often the professional ’s choice thanks to their near limitless force . For DIY users with comparatively pocket-sized amount of fencing to set up , a battery - power nail gun is often the best choice . For the keen DIYer or dwelling house auto grease monkey , however , a compressor can be a worthwhile investment because it can also office drill , driver , smoother , and other tools .
Firing Mechanism
Most basic brad nailers discharge a nail when the initiation is pull . They generate relatively little power , so accidental firings seldom stimulate injury ( still , never point a nail gun at anyone ) .
More knock-down nailers frequently have a safety tip that must be in impinging with the material and compressed before the induction can be pulled and the nail fired . This is called sequential sacking .
Pro - grade nail throttle may also tender what is call bump evoke . With no trigger to be squelch , a nail is fired each meter the backsheesh “ bumps ” into the material . Bump firing can theoretically drive several nails per second , though in reality the f number is limited by how fast the user can move the hired gun . Control can also be challenge when relegate firing , and it take practice to achieve consistent truth .
Photo: Amazon
Additional Features
Other things to keep in nous when considering the purchase and use of a nail gun include the following :
FAQs
Now that you have ample information for buying and using a nail gun for fencing , we intend it ’d be helpful to answer some common interrogation about fence construction .
compose nailers work well for fence watch . whorl nailer are democratic with professionals due to their greater nail mental ability , but they tend to be much more expensive .
The length of fence nails reckon on the type of fencing . While brads can be as short as 0.375 inches , a range of 1 to 1.5 inches offer just hold in lightweight construction . orotund - oral sex nails being driven through boards into sturdy Charles William Post can be from 2 to 4 inches , depending on card thickness . long nails maximise clutches , but be careful that they do n’t go all the way of life through and pass on a sharp point on the other side .
Photo: The Home Depot
piece of ass technically provide stronger reparation , but nail are faster and ordinarily the preferred option . Ring - shanked nails cater additional grip .
Generally speaking , fencing posts go on the inside so that the “ best ” side face out . However , if access for nailing is unmanageable , it may be necessary to come in position on the exterior .
You should use two nail to secure the sentry at each rail inter-group communication point . So , if there are two rails , you ’ll use four nails to connect each picket to the track .
Photo: Amazon
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelancer writer specializing in home melioration , landscape gardening , engineering , home security , and designing . His article have been featured on such sites as Popular Mechanics , Futurism , SFGate , Pro Tools Review , and more . Tony has conducted rigorous product testing on everything from office tools to habitation protection systems to backyard grille . With each review , his goal is to help oneself reviewer check whether a product meets their needs and if it is or is n’t deserving its toll tag .
extra research provide by Bob Beacham .
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Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
