[Mikeron]

Which size nailer do I need for door trim and baseboard, the Ryobi 18 gauge brad nailer or the 16 gauge finish nailer. The 18 gauge is cheaper and lighter but I want to make the right choice. Can a 18 gauge nail baseboard and door trim?

 

[joecaption]

16 Gauge, a brad does not have a head on it so it have almost no holding power.
Casing is almost always not 100% straight and you would just bend the brads trying to get a straight exposure line.

 

[lenaitch]

I just used my 16g to put up a bunch of mdf baseboard and oak quarter round. Only problem was with the oak - I got too close to the end of one piece and it split. I had opted for the 16g finishing nail because I thought it would be versatile.

 

[joecaption]

I have two brad nailer's I've never even used except to tack something in place while the glue sets up.

 

[woodworkbykirk]

for thin baseboard say 3/8 or 1/2 " a 18 gauge will work, but for 3/4" thick you should use the 16 gauge as it not only has more holding power but has better driving power which means less nails left proud to be set