Ever wondered what many tasks that 16 gauge nail gun of yours is capable of performing? There are quite a few chores that this beast can handle. Also, not to mention the supremacy of the nails used for it. The perfect straight finish nails with this little gauge usually make so tiny holes, that you don't even need to spend time later filling those holes. Even sanding is unnecessary with such tiny heads, so your random orbital sander would be on a good vacation as well.

Coming with such an incredible gauge nails mechanism, let's clarify what is a 16 gauge finish nailer used for. Because clearly, not every type of nail driving would work with it. 

Exactly What is a 16 Gauge Finish Nailer Used For?

The most appropriate project for a 16 gauge finish nailer is the one that requires something moderately thin enough to not damage material and at the same time rigid enough to hold things in place. Anything that has a chance of splintering or being too weak to break when you try driving bigger nails, would work great with a 16-gauge finish nailer. That's the simplest way to understand where this nailer would fit best! You can use it for crown molding, baseboard installation, and trim jobs.

However, if we talk about the projects specifically where a 16-gauge nailer can be used, then there's a lot to mention.

  • If you are trying to install an interior trim, then using a 16-gauge finish nailer would give fabulous results. Because people mostly prefer this for trim included tasks mainly.
  • It also helps with projects that include the installation of crowns as well as baseboards. You'll find the workpiece fixing to drywall process easier and better when a 16-gauge finish nailer is there.
  • For connecting two board pieces you may not want to use wood glues doubting the stability and support that glue alone can provide. And that's also a case was using a 16-gauge nail would be great. The best would be using both specialized glue as well as 16-gauge nails with nailer. This would double the overall stability as well as help in giving more support to both pieces. And so, your project won't collapse instead stand on a good enough rigid connection base.
  • Repairs or tasks that involve making furniture often require the 16-gauge finish nailer. It comes with a good amount of grip as well as a balancing ability to work nicely for such tasks.
  • Compared to the 18-gauge nailers, this one is surely more appropriate for heavier projects. It's a little less in terms of versatility, but so much better when you care about balancing.
  • Keep in mind, that both 15 and 16-gauge options still use thick enough nails that could be up to 2.5 inches in length. And so, comparison-wise, it's less appropriate to go for severely delicate projects, such as the ones that typically use nails not more than 2 inches in length.

Wrap Up

That's pretty much all! You now know what is a 16 gauge finish nailer used for. There's no doubt that this variant isn't as versatile and flexible for different tasks if you compare it with thinner nail using options. But there are definitely a few tasks that only a 16-gauge nail would be able to perfectly handle. And if most of your projects demand those tiny chores, it's a value-adding asset to your toolbox no doubt.