When you're looking to finish your woodworking project, you're looking for finish nails to complete the job. In fact, that's where they get their name! When you have questions regarding finish nails, including how to use them, where to use them, and how far they should penetrate into the wood- Fastener USA is here to answer them all!
What are Finish Nails?
There are many projects that are made better via the use of finish nails. The most common use for them is to attach a type of trim or molding to the interior of a house. These types of nails are most commonly used for interior finish work to make a home more beautiful;. That being said, they can be used outside as well. Most finish nails are shot from a nail gun, because you're going to need to drive so many into the trim to finish your project.
The reason for using these types of nails are for the fact that they can be sunk into the trim or molding without actually seeing the nail afterwards. A finish nail is small and has a small head, leaving a very tiny hole to be filled in with putty in order to make the trim or molding smooth.
What Far Should They Penetrate?
Finish nails can range in length from 1/2- to 4-inches. You want to select the right length so the nailhead doesn't stick out. This is called sinking the nail. After all, making a tiny hole and then covering it up so the substrate is totally smooth is the whole point of using this type of nail!
Since these nails are used in the finish work, there is usually no need for a very long nail. The width of the wood trim or molding is what will determine the length of your finish nail. What you need to do is select nails that are three times the width of the wood. If the width of your wood is a half inch then the nail should have a length of one and half inches.
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The length of the nail is only the beginning of your decisions. Finish nails are made from heavy 15-gauge or 16-gauge wire. This added thickness means they can handle a greater payload and create a stronger hold than other options, like brad nails. For larger wood trim, such as baseboards or crown molding, this is the type of nail you're looking for.
Should you choose straight finish nails or angled? If you have any additional questions, we're here to answer them for you! Our industry experts know all there is to know about all nails, and we can point you in the right direction.