Best Nail Gun For Shiplaps 2023 – Perfectly Installing Shiplap

You may end up with inconvenience when installing shiplap if you don’t have the right tool aside. And you know, nail guns are the best tools that can quickly ease your inconvenience while giving you the maximum efficiency at work. Either you’re going to install a new shiplap or fix the old one, a nail gun can do the task for you.

However, you have to choose the best nail gun for shiplap to take your project far away. Besides, an ideal nail gun can save you vital time and energy. But the vast market of the tool can be confusing. So, purchasing the best tool can be quite challenging.

With this in mind, we have done several hands-on research to offer you, top-notch nailers. We hope these tools will do your job efficiently. Also, the buying guide will be worthwhile to make the right choice.

Let’s dive in:

What is shiplap?

Shiplap is a wooden board that comes for making warehouses, sheds, and other constructions. It is available with grooves to fit correctly, giving it a unique look. The horizontal cut slits give the board a smooth finish.

The materials of the board of put shiplap make it more distinctive. It has a specific interlocking mechanism to protect the wall and prevents it from buckling. Shiplap planks can overlap each other to accommodate nicely. Modern shiplap includes protective features and a stunning visual appearance.

What is the best way to nail shiplap?

To nail shiplap, just set the board where you want it, then strike nails into the board’s face and groove. For a smooth finish, you must then use wood filler to cover up the nail holes on the surface of each panel. When the filler has dried, polish the filled holes until they’re uniform and set for painting.

How to install shiplap?

Before installing the shiplap, you should have a clear and flat surface. Check the area to confirm no adhesive clumps or nails are sticking up from it. You should use an 18 gauge nail gun and brad nails sizing between 1 3/4″ and 2 1/4″.

When you have a typical shiplap plank, ensure that the upper end of the board with the grove or trimmed piece is stuck under the similar cleft on the following plank.

Typical shiplap comes with a 1/8″ gap. You can attain this by using a 1/8″ tile filler to achieve the proper spacing. Move only one side of the gap between the boards. Discover every stud with a stud finder, then label each one with a white marker. Long-term, it will simplify the installation.

The boards will need to be carved such that the cut edges are spaced apart. From bottom to top, continue this action in lines to finish the wall construction.

Do you use nails or screws for shiplap?

We recommend using nails for installing shiplap instead of using screws. To avoid pre-drilling the boards and the danger of making unpleasant splits in the materials, you should use nails. Besides, as compared to screws, nails are constructed with soft steel, making them more flexible and enduring lateral stress without cracking.

Screws, on the contrary, are made to be brittle to maintain their structural integrity. In contrast to screws, nails give you a little bit more room to work when installing a shiplap. They are less likely to break and tear due to decreased stress.

Our Top 5 Picks Nail Guns For Shiplap

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Best Nail Gun For Shiplap Reviews

1. DEWALT DWFP12231 18-gauge Brad Nailer

DEWALT dwfp12231 18-gauge brad nailer is a perfect choice for DIY projects. It comes with a sturdy, top-performing motor that requires low maintenance. But it provides greater efficiency and keeps the work surface neat and clean. It features a toolless depth guide to adjust the nail heads properly.

On top of that, it includes a toolless jam-releasing system so that you can remove the nails easily and quickly. You can use this tool to perform demanding projects from fastening to molding, thanks to its ⅝” to 2″ length nailer.

This brad nailer has sturdy metal construction to ensure durability and performance. It has a greater capacity for nailers so that you can place them accurately without facing jamming problems. We recommend it as the best nail gun for installing shiplap.

Additionally, its belt hook makes it easier to store and transport. You can also do the task sequentially, thanks to its trigger mechanism. Besides, the rubber grip ensures comfortable maneuvering.

Key Features

• Powerful and top-performing motor
• Jam-releasing and toolless system
• Quick depth guide
• Sturdy and long-lasting magnesium body

What We Like

• Lightweight and portable design for easy transport
• Inbuilt depth-of-drive for proper placement
• Strong motor for top performance
• Requires easy maintenance
• The tool-less system ensures added safety

What We Dislike

• Faulty locking system

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2. Ryobi One+ P320 Airstrike Cordless Brad Nailer

Ryobi one+ P320 brad nailer provides sufficient power to ensure consistent function. Its powerful motor can drive around 1700 nails on a single charge. You don’t need any compressor or hoses to run the tool. Again, it is not necessary to buy any expensive gas cartridges. Thus, it is one of the budget-friendly tools.

We found it the best cordless nail gun for shiplap. It comes with a lightweight design, making it easy to use and carry. Users can conveniently use the tool for a longer period without feeling too much fatigued. Due to its cordless design, it also enables you to get uniform performance.

Similarly, it features an innovative control dial that allows you to control air pressure. Thereby, it offers optimum performance. Its distinctive reloading indicator assists in determining low nails for reloading.

This Ryobi nail gun for shiplap is a suitable option for performing household tasks. It boasts a strong battery with 4 amp power, offering a longer battery lifespan. We admired its inbuilt LED light that allows the user to see the work surface conveniently. In the end, it is built to last with sturdy construction materials.

Key Features

• 4 amp powerful motor
• Cordless design for convenience
• Capacity to nail around 50 mm long
• Inbuilt LED lighting

What We Like

• Perfect for nailing any household tasks
• Longer run time with a powerful motor
• Lightweight and handy
• Innovative reloading indicator
• Budget-friendly

What We Dislike

• The nailer is a bit hefty

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3. BOSTITCH BTFP12233 Brad Nailer

Bostitch BTFP12233 nail gun comes with many more to offer. You can surely go for this nailer to do any of the household repair tasks. Its inbuilt trigger system allows you to easily operate the tool. Most importantly, it is safe to use and comfortable even in high-duty jobs.

It features a toolless jam-releasing system that keeps the nailer from jamming. Thus, it does offer smooth operation. It has become one of the best nail guns for cladding. Along with the standard nailing size of ⅝” to 2-⅛”, it also includes air fitting of ¼” for consistent performance.

Aside from that, it boasts smart technology featuring a tiny nose for fixing the nails perfectly. Thereby, you don’t have to cram the contact trip for actuating the nailer. We found a bonus feature: a grease-free operation, keeping away the oil strains from the work surface.

Thanks to its toolless jam-releasing system that allows you to remove the nails easily. It also comprises a dial-A-depth adjustment to ensure accuracy and consistency in brad nailing. Furthermore, there is an inbuilt rear air exhaust for added safety.

It prevents accumulating pressure around the surface. Finally, we really loved the flexibility of this tool because it remains in the right place for continuous operation.

Key Features

• Tiny nose and narrow tip boasting a smart technology
• Grease-free operation
• Dial-A depth adjustment
• Innovative trigger system

What We Like

• The varying length of nail sizes for consistent operation
• No risk of oil staining
• The narrow nose tip ensures smooth nailing
• Dial-A depth control enables accuracy in nailing
• Good construction materials

What We Dislike

• The plastic tip tends to slip

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4. Makita AF506 Brad Nailer

We recommend Makita AF506 as the promising nail gun for shiplap. It’s gonna be the best bet for every woodworker. It has a contemporary design but a compact structure. As a result, you can carry the tool effortlessly in your workplace. We mostly liked its narrow nose that allows quick placement of nails. This also lets you perform versatile jobs at home.

To provide greater efficiency, this nail gun is available in standard sizes ranging from ⅝” to 2″. So, it offers a higher versatility without facing any reloading issues. Again, the well-designed nosepiece gives you a smooth and convenient operation all day long. This tool also makes it possible to maneuver in the narrowest places.

Along with that, it offers a great range of pneumatic power from 70-120 psi, making it suitable for demanding projects. As a bonus, there is a 360° exhaust that keeps away dust and debris from the work surface. Its powerful aluminum body combines both resilience and durability.

On top of that, its tool-free depth-adjusting dial lets the user adjust various nail depths for demanding jobs. For added safety, the rubber handle not only provides a precise grip but also comfort while you work. Indeed, it’s a true choice for cutting, molding, baseboards, and other carpentry applications.

Key Features

• Strong and sturdy tool
• Powerful aluminum body
• Multi-directional exhaust
• Narrow nose for work in small spaces

What We Like

• Powerful and sturdy motor for smooth operation
• Lightweight yet strong aluminum body for durability
• Greater driving capacity for versatile works
• Tool-free depth adjustment
• Inbuilt narrow nose piece for working in confined areas

What We Dislike

• The compressed air plug does not match the compressed air coupling

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5. Metabo HPT NT50AE2 Brad Nailer

Last but not least, Metabo HPT NT50AE2 can be a true choice for you, if you have a carpentry project going. It is compatible with various applications with its standard ⅝” to 2″ nailing sizes. We found this to work efficiently for cutting, installing slabs, smoothing, and so on.

It perfectly smoothens the rough edges of wood and furniture. You will love its trigger mechanism along with the double-switching modes. This allows you to shift the working mode from bump firing to sequential firing. As a result, you can do versatile tasks efficiently.

We recommend this brad nailer for shiplap if you’re doing DIY projects and daily repairing tasks at home. It can ensure smooth and precise nailing. You can comfortably use this tool for long-term tasks, thanks to its portable design. It gets your job done without much fatigue.

Apart from that, its flexible depth guide lets you get the desired nail depth. There is also a no-mar tip so that you can perfectly mark the nailing point. In addition to its higher capacity, the inbuilt reload indicator alerts you if there are low nail quantities.

Moreover, it features a flexible 360° exhaust port that keeps the work surface free from dust and debris. Overall, it’s indeed the best nail gun for fixing shiplap.

Key Features

• Standard nailing size from ⅝” to 2″
• Inbuilt trigger system
• Depth adjustment mechanism
• No-mar tip
• Flexible 360° exhaust

What We Like

• Bump firing to sequential firing modes
• Lightweight and easy to use
• Depth adjustment dial to give a professional touch
• No-mar tip for added safety
• Reload indicator alerts when reloading

What We Dislike

• The rubber bumper in the head is not pointed
• Customer service not satisfying

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Consider Before Buying Nail Gun For Shiplap | The Buying Guide:

When it comes to buying nail guns for shiplap, you should consider some vital factors. This buying guide will help you to make a worthwhile decision. Let’s have a look:

Nail Gun Types

The type of nail gun is an important factor to consider before making a purchase. There are 3 nail guns available for installing shiplap: brad nailers, finish nailers, and cordless nailers. You should choose one that suits your project. We recommend brad nailer as the best choice for fixing the shiplap that comes with 18 gauge nails.

Weight

The second most vital thing you should keep in mind before buying a nail gun is its weight. They should become lightweight and handy for convenient operation. Portable nail guns are ready to offer you smooth runtime without much fatigue. We suggest tiny-sized aluminum nail guns for long-term use.

Price

Nail guns come in a reasonable price range while offering effective performance. However, professional ones are a bit pricey but make great value for the money. You first decide on your budget and pick one that suits your needs.

Pressure needs

Nail guns that can deal with air pressure ranging from 70-90 psi are an ideal choice for shiplap. Within this pressure range, you can handle most of your DIY projects conveniently.

Nail Quality

The quality of nails is a factor that you can’t ignore if you want a smooth operation for a long time. We recommend choosing brad nailers with 18 gauge nails. These enable you to fix the shiplap easily while providing higher output.

Warranty

It is also very important to consider the warranty period of your nail gun if you want the best one. The warranty of a nail gun determines how long it will last and offer you the greatest performance. Make sure to buy a durable nail gun for shiplap from a reliable brand as we mentioned earlier.

Good quality nail guns provide a few years of the warranty period for your satisfaction. Fortunately, all the products we reviewed have a satisfying warranty period.

Reviews

Last but not least, customer reviews also play an important role in making a worthwhile buying decision. Anytime you go to buy a nail gun, make sure to read the customer feedback since they always tell the true aspects of your product.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: What size nail gun do I need for the shiplap?

Generally, a nail size of 16 to 18 gauge with 1 ½” to 2″ is good enough for installing a shiplap.

Q: Can I use a framing nailer for shiplap?

We would not recommend using a framing nailer for shiplap. Because they tend to make bigger holes in the wood filler. Thus, they would not be a good pick for shiplap.

Q: Do you need a nail gun for shiplap?

Sure. A quality nail gun can be your best bet for both installing and fixing shiplap projects. It can take your project to the next level and also saves quite vital time and effort as well.

Q: Can I use 18 gauge nails for shiplap?

Yes. 18 gauge nails work well for shiplap. Because they come in a lightweight body and disappear mostly when you place them on the slab. Notably, they are easy to install too.

Q: What size nails for shiplap over drywall?

Usually, a brad or finish nailer with 16 or 18-gauge nail size and 1 ½” to 2″ length is good enough for shiplap over drywall. It can securely clasp the wood piece in place while not producing large holes in the board.

Q: What nails to use for shiplap?

Galvanized nail is one of the best nails for shiplap cladding. They can withstand rust and corrosion as well as prevent staining.

Q: What nail gun do I use for shiplap?

Both finish or brad nail guns work great for shiplap projects. They enable consistent operation in narrow carpentry objects and offer 18 gauge nailing size.

Q: What Size Nails for Shiplap Cladding?

16 to 18-gauge nails are perfect for shiplap cladding.

Conclusion

We hope this guide will help you choose the best nail gun for shiplap. We have chosen each and every product after hands-on research and testing. So, they can provide you with the best performance and satisfying reliability. Consider the buying guide we listed here and then pick the right one for you.

Good luck with your next project for installing shiplap!