16ga or 18ga??

[Wilson joinery]

Morning all

If you were fitting a 2x1 framework as a shelf support within an 18mm Mdf carcass what would your choice of nail gun be? Would 18 gauge brads be enough or would 16 gauge be better? The shelves themselves will be housed in groves/dados so a large proportion of the weight of whatever is put on the shelves will be transferred to the carcass rather than the support framework.

Thanks in advance
Pete

 

[hlvd]

16g will be stronger but if you’re also using glue 18g will be more than strong enough.