Best Nail Gun For Crown Molding 2023 – Get the Perfect Finish

Are you thinking of installing new molding at home or at your job site? Crown molding is a detailed work that requires concise nailing speed and efficiency. Are you sure of getting a smooth finish with a typical nailer?

However, it’s important to have the best nail gun for crown molding for speeding up the project. If you have the right nailer aside, you can deal with each and every molding job precisely.

You can also save money and require little effort while providing precise nailing. Regardless of how little space there is, a great nail gun for crown molding will make the task quick and easy.

Without knowing the appropriate features, you may end up choosing the wrong nail gun. In this respect, we conducted in-depth research and, after reading customer reviews, selected the top 6 nail guns for crown molding.

In addition, you will receive a user-friendly buying guide that will inform you of the qualities to consider when purchasing a nailer for crown molding. We hope this will narrow down your choices.

Let’s dive in:

What is Crown Molding?

Crown molding is a type of cornice made from artistic molding that is mounted on top of an enclosure. Additionally, it is put on top of cabinets, pillars, doorways, and windows.

Wooden crown decorations may consist of one piece of cut or a combination of many parts to give them a more elegant appeal. The key part is a strip of molding that is smooth on one face and carved on another, with standard curves machined at 90˚ on both of its top and bottom corners.

A room may look professional and attractive at a reduced cost while hiding issues using crown molding, which is quite simple to install. Although it’s not a must for a room, it does a lot to raise the value and quality of a house without breaking the bank.

Our Favorite Nail Gun For Crown Molding:

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Top 6 Best Nail Guns For Crown Molding Reviews

1. NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic Framing Nailer

Looking for a powerful nail gun for a heavy-duty crown molding project? Look no further than opt for this NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21° Framing Nailer. Weighing about 8.95 pounds, it has become the best size nail gun for crown molding.

To start with, it comes with a nail-adjusting mechanism that allows you to set the desired nail depth. Its inbuilt non-marring tip ensures a smooth finish and also keeps the work area clean. We liked its ergonomic rubber grip the most. It not only gives better control but also minimizes discomfort at work.

Furthermore, this nailer has an actuation mechanism so that you can select between different firing modes. It also includes a 360° air exhaust that keeps you safe from dirt and dust. You will love its anti-dry firing system that stops the nailing process when necessary. This also prevents internal clogging of nails.

Luckily, there is an option to eliminate the non-marring tip and disclose teeth firing mode for molding thicker wood nicely. Finally, you’re going to get this quality tool without straining your wallet.

Key Features

• Sturdy magnesium body
• Depth-adjustment option
• The durable inner and outer covering
• No-mar tip

What We Like

• Lightweight and easy to hold
• Ergonomic soft handle
• Compatible and powerful
• Reliable for various tasks
• Budget-friendly

What We Don’t Like

• It doesn’t have any hanging hook

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2. PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA Cordless Brad Nailer

We recommend PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA as the best nail gun for baseboards and crown molding. The cordless design makes it a perfect balance for maneuverability and performance.

Thanks to the high-quality flywheel system, this gives you satisfying firing power and smoothness in operation. You will also find its tool-free systems helpful for adjusting the nail gun effortlessly.

One more appealing feature is its dual LED lighting that keeps the work surface illuminated. This also ensures concise nailing by putting a light on the nailing area.

You will get precise control over the project with an excellent ergonomic handle.

Apart from that, there is a built-in belt hook that helps in attaching the tool easily. The only drawback is when you hit the nail driver against the nails, it will frequently move. However, backed by a 3-year warranty period, this complete package is good to go.

Key Features

• Powerful lithium-ion battery
• Flywheel system
• Dual LED lighting
• Integrated belt hook

What We Like

• Sufficient frying power
• Jam-clearing feature
• Improved battery life
• Built-to-last
• 3 years of manufacturing warranty

What We Don’t Like

• There is no dry-fire locking system

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3. Makita AF506 2″ Brad Nailer

Makita AF506 is one of the best nail guns for trim and crown molding in our opinion. Due to its compact design, it is easy to transport and maneuver. Our favorite feature of its tiny nose, making nail insertion quick. This enables you to carry out a variety of tasks at home.

It provides more versatility while not having any reloading problems. Once more, a well-designed nosepiece allows for all-day ease and comfort. Additionally, it is now practicable to use in even the tightest spaces.

Moreover, it has a broad range of pneumatic power from 70 to 120 psi, which makes it suitable for challenging applications. Plus, a 360-degree airflow keeps dust and other material off the work surface.

Besides this, its tool-free depth adjustment dial enables the operator to change different nail depths for challenging applications. The rubber handle, which also offers comfort as you work and a firm grip, increases safety.

Key Features

• Multi-directional exhaust
• Ergonomic rubber handle
• Micro nosepiece
• Sturdy aluminum body

What We Like

• Powerful motor
• Compact and portable
• Higher driving capacity
• Reduced vibration and fatigue
• Durable

What We Don’t Like

• Faulty locking system

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4. KIMO 18 Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer

Here’s another top choice for cordless Brad nailers that comes from the prominent brand KIMO. This 18-gauge Brad nailer can carry out a variety of tasks such as carpentry, installing upholstery, flooring, installing doors and windows, slats, molding, trimming, and so forth.

Due to its cordless design, it becomes easier to use even in tighter places. You can transport the tool conveniently at any point. Plus, it doesn’t need any additional compressors or hoses to connect with. It boasts a powerful motor to offer uniform firing power and performance.

Aside from this, it features an integrated belt hook that provides quick accessibility. For added safety, the protective nose pin prevents accidental firing.

We found the dual lighting system useful as it illuminates the work surface and ensures precise nailing as well. It again includes a rotation knob that allows you to adjust the nail depth according to the task. Lastly, the slip-resistant ergonomic handle ensures much comfort at work.

Key Features

• Dual LED lighting
• Safety nose pin
• Adjustable nail depth
• Selective actuation system

What We Like

• Rapid firing power
• Cordless and lightweight design
• Easy to store and access
• Requires no hose or compressor
• Tool-free jam-releasing system

What We Don’t Like

• The tool is a bit hefty

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5. DEWALT DCN680D1 Cordless Brad Nailer Kit

The Dewalt DCN680D1 cordless brad nailer can be your best option if you’re seeking the best cordless nail gun for crown molding. This nailer guarantees consistently flawless nailing thanks to its 18ga brad nails. It has a strong lithium-ion battery to ensure enough run time. Therefore, you can use this nailer without spending a lot of money on a compressor.

You will appreciate its tool-free depth adjuster, which offers maximum comfort while working. The micro nose function is the most significant part since it allows you to precisely control the nail’s position.

You can decide between bump or contact firing with the selectable actuation system. The nail lockout mechanism, which stops dry fire, is the best saving grace. Further, the tool incorporates a toolless stall-releasing trigger that enables speedy driver blade adjustment.

To add to that, this nailer has a versatile belt attachment that is useful to firmly attach the nail to both the right and left sides. It also features an LED light to keep the work surface illuminated.

Key Features

• Nail lockout mechanism
• Tool-free depth adjuster
• LED light for illumination
• Selective actuation mode

What We Like

• Adjustable belt hook
• Portable and versatile
• Enough run time
• Consistent nailing
• Requires no costly cartridges

What We Don’t Like

• The grip might be of higher quality.

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6. NEU MASTER NTC0040 Electric Nail Gun

Last but not the least, NEU MASTER NTC0040 comes with the best electric nail gun for crown molding. It is beautifully crafted with a power-adjusting feature, making it ideal for molding both soft and hard components. Besides, this is suitable for minor upholstery projects, home remodeling, and woodworking.

Firstly, it features a comfy handle with amazing ergonomics to provide you with a soft grip while working. This also minimizes hand fatigue and vibration during operation. You will love its tool-free jam-clearing feature that reduces nail jamming. So, you can get smooth and consistent operation.

In addition, the tool has a non-marring tip that keeps your working area neat and clean. It also allows you to adjust the power speed according to the task. Besides, it requires no costly compressor, making it easy to maintain.

For added safety, there is an on/off power lever that prevents accidental firing. In a nutshell, if you’re looking for a compatible electric staple nail gun, this could be your best bet.

Key Features

• Power-adjusting feature
• Ergonomic handle
• Non-marring tip
• Jam-clearing mechanism

What We Like

• Versatile option
• Easy to use
• Requires no compressor
• Reduces fatigue and vibration
• Consistent operation

What We Don’t Like

• There is no considerable drawback of this nailer

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What To Consider Before Buying The Nail Gun for Crown Molding | Buying Guide

Crown molding is quite a critical task. It can be even worse if you have an inappropriate nail gun. The best nail gun to install crown molding varies in features. What should you look for in a nail gun to provide quality work when installing crown molding?

The factors you should think about are:

Power Source

Nail guns are of 2 types based on the power source: pneumatic nail gun and electric nail gun. Pneumatic nail guns operate through the power of an air compressor. On the contrary, electric nailers are either battery-powered or cord-operated. Cordless nailers will provide you with maximum mobility and convenience at work. Choose one that suits your requirements.

Nail length & type

There are a bunch of nail guns available in the market. You may find finish nailers or brad nailers for crown molding. But Finish nailers would be the best for this project. Since they come with maximum holding capacity, they offer greater performance and run time. A 15 or 16-gauge finish nail gun is the best choice for crown molding.

Size & Weight

If you’re a professional architect, you surely have to do work for a long time holding your nail gun. It may cause arm fatigue and discomfort at work. You’ll work more effectively and experience less arm fatigue if your nailer is lighter. So, you should choose a lightweight nail gun considering your safety. However, lighter nailers will not give you a consistent edge and precise nail placement.

Magazine Capacity

Magazine capacity is one of the most vital factors to consider in the best nailer for crown molding. A high-magazine capacity nailer can hold several nails at a time and offers you a consistent shooting experience. If you’re working on a high-end crown molding project, then look for a man gun with a high-capacity magazine.

Portability

Portability is another important thing that you should consider in a nail gun. Usually, if the nail gun comes in a lightweight design, it can offer you the best portability and mobility factor. You can effectively move a portable nailer and reach difficult places for efficient work.

Ease of Use

In general, the additional features that a nail gun comes with determine how easy to use it will be. These features include ergonomic grips, hooks, adjustable depth guide, etc. Look for an ergonomic rubber handle in your nail gun that will not only provide you comfort but also prevent accidental slipping during operation.

Besides, adjustable hooks also make the nailer easy to use by allowing for quick storage. The adjustable depth guide also ensures you get the desired nail depth according to the thickness of the materials.

Trigger Types

You should also take the trigger types into account when choosing the best nailer for crown molding. We recommend looking for a selective trigger system so that you can conveniently switch between various materials.

Two trigger types are common with nail guns: sequential trigger firing and contact firing. Sequential trigger involves pressing the trigger during every single shooting whereas contact firing lets you get a continuous shooting experience by once pulling off the trigger.

Magazine Styles

You will find two types of magazines in the market. The first one is coil magazines and the other one is nail stacks.

Coil magazines are the most flexible options that are easy to maintain as well. You don’t have to reload nails too often but allowing you to hold more nails at a time. But they are also the most pricey options available. On the other hand, nail stack magazines will offer you a bit less mobility but they have more magazine capacity. Also, you will get them in a budget-friendly range.

Price

Price makes the best value. So, the price of the nail gun plays an important role before you buy a nail gun for crown molding. Avoid buying poor-quality nail guns just for saving a few bucks. We suggest fixing your budget and considering the features you want in the nail gun and then purchasing one on a budget-friendly range. Make sure to buy from a renowned brand so that you can receive quality tools every time.

Nail Jamming

One of the most typical issues with crown molding is nail jamming. To overcome this problem, you have to look for an additional feature in the nail gun. And the feature is the toolless jam-releasing mechanism. The good news is that all of our recommended nail guns come with this feature.

Nail Depth

Nail depth is a vital factor to get accuracy in crown molding. It tells you the required merging power for crown molding. Good quality nail guns tend to offer sufficient nail depth to ensure efficient nailing. The products we enlisted here also have greater nailing depth. So, you can pick one from them without thinking so much.

Warranty

Prominent brands always offer quality tools with satisfying warranty periods. Thus, do your research and opt for the renowned brand. They also provide full-time customer service against any damage to the product.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is a brad nailer good for molding?

A brad nailer wouldn’t be a good choice for heavy-duty crown molding. You should instead go for a top-notch finish nailer for this task. However, you can do corner molding with a brad nailer nicely.

Q: Do you need a nail gun for crown molding?

A great nail gun can make your crown molding task easier and quicker. Make sure to pick the best nailer with sufficient holding power and efficiency.

Q: What nail gun is best for molding?

The best finish nail gun for crown molding is great. Finish nailers are usually larger than Brad ones. Due to their larger capacity with 16-gauge nails, they ensure satisfying performance for crown molding.

Q: What type of nail gun is best for crown molding?

If you have heavier jobs like crown molding in hand, then you should choose a 15 or 16-gauge finish nailer. Nevertheless, a 16-gauge finish nailer would be the most compatible choice.

Q: What gauge nails to use for crown molding?

If you cannot find the proper crown molding nails, an 18 gauge nail can suffice. Rather, you ought to try utilizing a 16-gauge nail gun.

Q: Should I use a brad nailer or a finish nailer for crown molding?

We would recommend a finish nailer is better than a brad nailer for crown molding. Because a Brad nailer has a lower holding capacity thereby it can’t deal with crown molding jobs nicely. But a finish nailer comes with heavy-duty 16-gauge nails with greater power, making it an ideal choice for crown molding.

Conclusion

Now that you have a crystal clear idea regarding the best nail gun for crown molding. All the nail guns mentioned are premium quality and packed with a lot of user-friendly features. If you pick one from them, you can surely speed up your molding project.

However, make sure to consider your safety first when molding crowns. Use proper protective equipment and maintain a minimum distance of the tool from yourself.

Now do your own research and go through trustworthy customer reviews. We hope this guide will help you a lot.

Good luck with your next molding project!