Yeah, hand-nailing definitely gives you more control with delicate materials. Have you tried adjusting the pressure or swapping out to a smaller gauge nailer? I had similar issues working with old-growth pine flooring—beautiful grain, but brittle as heck. Dialing down the compressor pressure and switching to 18-gauge brads helped a lot. Still, sometimes nothing beats the tactile feedback of a hammer... guess it depends on how patient you're feeling that day, right?
Hand-nailing definitely gives you that extra finesse, especially with delicate or reclaimed materials. But honestly, if you're going for efficiency and consistency (especially on bigger projects), a nail gun usually wins out. I've found that using a cordless finish nailer with adjustable depth control makes a huge difference—no compressor hassle, and you can dial in the depth precisely. Plus, from a sustainability angle, fewer misfires and wasted nails mean less waste overall... something worth considering.
Totally agree about the cordless nailer—just finished putting up trim in our new place, and dialing in that depth control saved me from splitting some pricey oak. One thing I'd add: battery life matters more than you'd think. If you're tackling a whole day's work, having a spare charged battery on hand is a lifesaver. Learned that the hard way halfway through my living room... waiting around for batteries to recharge isn't exactly fun.
"waiting around for batteries to recharge isn't exactly fun."
Yeah, that's exactly why I've hesitated on cordless nailers. I mean, they're convenient and all, but the upfront cost plus extra batteries can really add up. I've mostly stuck with a hammer for smaller projects—cheap and reliable—but I'm tempted by the cordless convenience. Did you find the battery life improved significantly with pricier brands, or is it more about having multiple backups ready to go?
I've found battery life does vary quite a bit between brands, but honestly, even the pricier ones aren't miracle workers. For bigger projects, you'll probably still want a spare or two charged and ready. That said, cordless nailers really shine when you're working overhead or in tight spaces—makes the job way less tiring. If you're mostly handling smaller tasks, though, sticking with a hammer isn't a bad call at all... simple tools still have their place.