Would a 16 Gauge Nail Gun be a good "all around" nail gun?

16 gauge is good for trim work like baseboards, fixing hardwood and crown molding though it will leave a slightly larger hole than 18 gauge. 16/18 shouldn't be appropriate for any structural woodwork like nailing 2x lumber together.

18 is way better for trim

16 tends to blow out smaller stock

fordmaple wrote: ↑ 16 gauge is good for trim work like baseboards, fixing hardwood and crown molding though it will leave a slightly larger hole than 18 gauge. 16/18 shouldn't be appropriate for any structural woodwork like nailing 2x lumber together.

i assume regardless 18 or 16 for trim work iwould need to either fill the hole in or paint it over?

I use the 18 gauge nail gun a lot more often than 16
heck I probably use the 23g nailer a lot more than 16g

the holes and mark from a 16g nail is way too big and for most application and I generally found the bigger nail is unnecessary. (You don't need a giant nail to hold a baseboard in place)
on the other hand, I don't trust even the biggest nail for structural strength

23 too small, 16 too big. 18 is the most used year round.

thatsnazzyiphoneguy wrote: ↑ i assume regardless 18 or 16 for trim work iwould need to either fill the hole in or paint it over?

18 or 16 will still need to be filled/painted. In the real world 18 gauge is more common and called a "brad" nailer.

stanleyt wrote: ↑I use the 18 gauge nail gun a lot more often than 16
heck I probably use the 23g nailer a lot more than 16g

the holes and mark from a 16g nail is way too big and for most application and I generally found the bigger nail is unnecessary. (You don't need a giant nail to hold a baseboard in place)
on the other hand, I don't trust even the biggest nail for structural strength

liemhoho wrote: ↑23 too small, 16 too big. 18 is the most used year round.

fordmaple wrote: ↑ 18 or 16 will still need to be filled/painted. In the real world 18 gauge is more common and called a "brad" nailer.

im thinkining one of my future projects home renos is putting in new steps for the stairs. i was hoping not needing to buy TWO nail guns but i assume an 18guage is to small for that case?

If this was for my own home, i would use screws, not nails. I have enough squeaking floor to ever use nails again, beside for baseboard trim.

thatsnazzyiphoneguy wrote: ↑ im thinkining one of my future projects home renos is putting in new steps for the stairs. i was hoping not needing to buy TWO nail guns but i assume an 18guage is to small for that case?

Either will do. If I were you I'd get the 18 gauge as it's more vercitile and when doing stairs, glue them down then tack them in with the nailer and they won't move or squeak.

thatsnazzyiphoneguy wrote: ↑ im thinkining one of my future projects home renos is putting in new steps for the stairs. i was hoping not needing to buy TWO nail guns but i assume an 18guage is to small for that case?

You shouldn't be using 16g nailer as the main fastener to hold down a stairs tread...

Most people using construction adhesive, the nailer is only there to hold the tread in place until the adhesive cure.

fordmaple wrote: ↑ Either will do. If I were you I'd get the 18 gauge as it's more vercitile and when doing stairs, glue them down then tack them in with the nailer and they won't move or squeak.

stanleyt wrote: ↑ You shouldn't be using 16g nailer as the main fastener to hold down a stairs tread...

Most people using construction adhesive, the nailer is only there to hold the tread in place until the adhesive cure.

thanks gentleman.

my lastq uestion. is 18 "enough" for crown moldings or floor baseboard trim?

thatsnazzyiphoneguy wrote: ↑ thanks gentleman.

my lastq uestion. is 18 "enough" for crown moldings or floor baseboard trim?

18. Then wipenover holes with a dab of wood filler on ypur finger to fill holes and paint.

18 is plenty for 99% of DIYers. I personally love a pin nailer too for small trim work.