I get where you're coming from, especially with older trims. For me though, once I dialed in my nail gun settings and switched to a 23-gauge pin nailer for delicate stuff, I rarely went back to the hammer. It leaves such tiny holes you hardly need filler, and splitting is almost nonexistent. But yeah, nothing wrong with sticking to what feels right in your hands—whatever gets the job done cleanly.
I'm currently renovating my first custom home, and this topic has been on my mind a lot lately. I initially started out using a hammer for most of my trim work—just felt more intuitive and easier to control, especially since I hadn't handled nail guns much before. But after running into some frustrating splitting issues with delicate crown molding, I decided to experiment with a 23-gauge pin nailer, similar to what you're describing.
Honestly, the difference was pretty significant. Like you mentioned, the tiny holes hardly need filler at all, and I've noticed way fewer splits or cracks in the wood. It definitely made finishing smoother and quicker overall. But I wouldn't say I'm fully converted yet. There's something reassuring about manually setting nails with a hammer—feels like I have more direct control over placement and depth, especially on tricky corners or when working with older wood that might be brittle.
One thing I've found helpful is using a small scrap piece as a test whenever I'm uncertain about how delicate trim will respond to either method. It takes an extra minute or two but saves headaches later. Also, I've learned the hard way that nail gun pressure settings can be finicky depending on the wood species or even temperature changes in the garage...so dialing it in carefully is key.
Overall though, I'd say both tools have their place in my toolbox now. For repetitive tasks or fine-detail work where appearance matters most, I'll grab the pin nailer every time. But for quick fixes or areas where precision matters more than speed, I'm still comfortable reaching for the hammer—at least for now. Maybe it's just nostalgia or stubbornness holding me back...but hey, whatever works best for each situation is probably the right call anyway.
"There's something reassuring about manually setting nails with a hammer—feels like I have more direct control over placement and depth..."
Totally get what you mean about that reassuring feeling. I recently did some detailed wainscoting in an older house, and while the pin nailer saved me tons of time, I still found myself reaching for the hammer on tricky corners or brittle old trim. Maybe it's psychological, but having that tactile feedback can be super helpful when precision counts...
Interesting points here, but I wonder if the sense of precision and control with a hammer might sometimes be more perception than reality. Don't get me wrong—I appreciate the tactile feedback too, especially when working on delicate trim or restoration projects. But I've found that with practice, a good-quality nail gun can offer just as much precision, if not more, once you get comfortable with adjusting the depth settings and pressure.
"Maybe it's psychological, but having that tactile feedback can be super helpful when precision counts..."
I think you're onto something with the psychological aspect. There's definitely a satisfaction in manually driving nails, but I've also noticed that fatigue can set in quickly, especially on larger projects. When you're tired, your accuracy can suffer, and that's where a nail gun really shines. It maintains consistency throughout the job, even when you're hours into it and your arm is starting to feel like jelly.
Also, I've had a few experiences where manually hammering nails into older, brittle wood actually caused splitting or cracking, even when I was careful. A nail gun, particularly one with adjustable pressure, can sometimes reduce that risk by driving nails quickly and cleanly. Of course, there's always the occasional misfire or jam to contend with, but overall, I've found it to be pretty reliable.
Still, I do see your point about tricky corners and tight spaces. Sometimes the bulkiness of a nail gun makes it impossible to get the angle you need, and that's when the trusty hammer and nail set come out of the toolbox again. Maybe the ideal approach is less about choosing one tool over the other and more about knowing when each one is most effective? Curious if others have had similar experiences or if I'm just overthinking this...
