Good points about noise and splitting, but honestly, I've found that the type of wood matters way more than the gauge or even the tool itself. For vintage trim, especially brittle stuff like old pine or cedar, I've had better luck pre-drilling and then hand-driving finish screws instead of nails. Takes a bit longer, sure, but it gives me way more control and almost zero splitting. Might be worth trying if you're running into constant issues...
Good suggestion on pre-drilling and screws—I often do the same for delicate trim. But honestly, with decent-quality cedar or pine, a properly adjusted finish nailer rarely gives me trouble. Maybe check your pressure settings or try a different brand of nails?
"But honestly, with decent-quality cedar or pine, a properly adjusted finish nailer rarely gives me trouble."
Totally agree with you here. I've done a fair bit of trim work myself, and once you dial in the settings on a decent finish nailer, it's usually smooth sailing. But I have to admit, I've had one or two frustrating afternoons when the nails kept splitting the wood no matter what adjustments I made. Turned out it was just a bad batch of nails—switched brands and suddenly everything was golden again.
Still, there's something satisfying about pre-drilling and hand-driving screws for those delicate pieces. Feels like you've got total control over the process, even if it takes longer. Guess it depends on how much patience you've got left at the end of the day...
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I find myself reaching for the hammer more often than not. Maybe it's just habit, but there's a certain feel you get when tapping in finish nails by hand that a nailer just doesn't give you. I've tried finish nailers plenty of times, and yeah, they're quick and convenient—no argument there—but I've also had moments where the nailer left dents or marks on delicate trim that took forever to sand out.
Plus, when you're working with really thin or delicate moldings, even a well-adjusted nail gun can sometimes be a bit too aggressive. I've had a few frustrating afternoons myself, trying to patch up splits or blowouts from a nailer that was supposedly dialed in perfectly. Hand-nailing might be slower, but it gives me peace of mind knowing exactly how much force I'm applying. Guess it's just a trade-off between speed and control...
"Hand-nailing might be slower, but it gives me peace of mind knowing exactly how much force I'm applying."
Totally get this point. I've had similar issues with nail guns, especially on reclaimed or sustainably sourced wood that's often softer or more brittle. Had a project last summer with some salvaged cedar trim—beautiful stuff, but super delicate. Even my best nailer kept splitting it. Ended up switching back to the hammer halfway through... slower, yeah, but saved me from wasting material and headaches patching splits.
