Nail Guns That Are Good for Crown Molding

Gas-Powered Cordless Finish Nailer

• The gas-powered finish nailer is just as its name suggests. It is powered by gas contained in what is known as a fuel rod and by a lithium-ion battery. This type of gun eliminates the need for a compressor and a power source, which is convenient when you are installing crown molding on high ceilings. It has a long life between charges and rod replacement compared to other cordless nail guns.

Pneumatic Finish Nailer

• A pneumatic finish nailer relies on a compressor and a hose. The hose provides air to the gun from the compressor, which allows the gun to fire. This gun also works well for installing crown molding. It weighs less than some of the cordless types of finish nailers, which is good if you are installing a lot of crown molding. You should not use a cordless version unless you can consistently hold a gallon jug of tea over your head. Some cordless guns weigh up to 5 pounds, which does not seem like much until you have to hold it up all day.

Angled Finish Nailer

• The advantage of using an angled finish nailer is that it can easily get into tight corners, whereas a straight finish nailer cannot. The nose or front of the gun is smaller than a straight finish nailer. The nails for this gun are thicker and have a larger head than straight nails, which makes it great for wider and heavier crown molding. Consider using the straight nailer for narrower and more delicate trim to avoid splitting the wood. This gun can also be purchased in a cordless version.

Electric Brad Nailer

• The electric brad nailer is good for the occasional user. It can shoot nails up to 1 1/4 inches long and is best suited for narrow-lightweight crown molding, such as pine, and no more than 3 inches wide. This gun is the least expensive of all the nailers, so if you use it only once, it will pay for itself.