Nailers for cabinet making

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Petey83

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Wondering how many people use nailers for cabinet making at home and if so what gauge - 16,18 or 23 pin nailers? Do they work in ply and mdf or really just for use in solid timber?
 
I am afraid I can't see the need for nails in cabinet making, I know that sounds a bit snobby but I haven't used a nail in anything other than a fence or shed.

I know Norm nails all his trim on and fills the holes, but you can still see them and that bugs me.

Pete
 
I guess it somewhat depends on what level of furniture you're aiming at making.

If its fairly utilitarian then by all means nail it together as it will "do the job".

However if you're really looking at making high end furniture then I would give the nail gun a miss.

Nail guns are great however for construction type work and fitting architrave etc.

Just my opinion so feel free to ignore me :lol:
 
I have a brad nailer I use for making jigs and things for the workshop. Even so my 16 year old son looks at me aghast and says "And just some braaads to hold it in place". He does have a point.
 
As the others have said, nail guns have their place for carpentry and joinery but not in the cabinet making department,
Bearing in mind that the nails can go with the grain and not where you would wish is another factor,
But it is rather up to you.
Regards Rodders
 
Hello,

Cabinet making is a broad church, so it really depends and what you are doing and your level of expectation. I have an 18 gauge nailer and use it for fixing the MDF backs to MDF carcasses. (and plywood too). It is good for this task, because MDF is poor to fix with screws or regular nails. The flat profile of T nails doesn't split the MDF when I nail the back into the rebate. It also has an ancillary benefit, not often known, but the thermoplastic glue which hold the nails in a strip, actually melts with friction as the nail is driven, then solidifies and acts as a glue. The nails are essentially glued in! It is amazing how strong the backs in the cabinets are, done like this. I also make painted furniture, so nails are useful and will never show under paint. I even nail shelves into their housings from the outside face of painted furniture of furniture than will be placed in an alcove, where the sides never show. With the shelves glued, clamping is eliminated with nails. What I never do is nail through the shelf into the housing, a la Norm, and never in fine wooden furniture, where glued joinery is invisible and does not want filler anywhere! It is horses for courses, but I do find them handy in the right instance.

Mike.
 
I don't recall finding nails in cabinets,pallets certainly use them and so does Norm.Best comedian on the box imo.
 
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