Nail Gun Problems - Troubleshooting Common Nailer Problems - ToolsGearLab (2024)

Nails guns are an essential tool for woodworkers or carpenters that are manufactured to drive nails into the wood or any type of material. The power tools are using for a very long time that makes your woodworking job much easier and faster.

Well, the reliable and simple tools are made for driving the nails on regular basis for the long term. The heavy-duty nail guns can drive hundreds of nails at a time. You can operate them for a longer time. Over time, the parts can become damage for being used continuously. At this point, it could be a frustrating experience if the tools stop working suddenly.

Sometimes you can’t troubleshoot the problems in your nail gun. For that reason, we are here with several steps that can help you to troubleshoot the nail gun problems. We are also going to discuss some easy solutions that help you to fix the problems efficiently. Thus, let’s go through our writing session without any delay:

How The Nail Gun Works

If you want to understand your nail guns problems easily, then you have to make sure that you have already known how nail guns actually work. So, make sure to get a good knowledge of that. You must know how they load, how they fire in a proper way. As the methods of loading and firing the nail guns give you enough details about the nail gun. Hence, it will help you to understand what can be wrong with your nail gun. Then you can fix it easily and quickly.

Firing The Nail Gun

You might know that nail guns come in different designs. If you have better knowledge that how the different types of nail guns fire then you can easily figure out the exact problem. So, let’s get to know them:

  • Pneumatic nail guns are a really powerful option to drive nails into any surface. They can use pressured air that cat produces the compressing force efficiently. Whenever the trigger is pulled, it can move the piston. Then it drives to fire the nail.
  • Cordless electric nail guns are manufactures with a spring-loaded design. The designs are found while rotating the drive axles and the gear train. The cam produces pressure against a level and compressing two springs by pulling the trigger. After releasing the guns can drive into the surface.
  • Electromagnetic nail guns can create an electromagnetic field. Those types of nail guns can feed a solenoid that helps to drive the piston. Then, the piston helps to create the driving force. After that, the driving force fire the nail to the surface.
  • Combustion nail guns are using the fuel canister and the battery. The battery helps to charge the spark plug of the nail gun. Then it can burn a few amounts of combustible gas that is released from the fuel canister. After that, it fires the piston downwards that can drive the nails into the surface.

Nail Gun Firing Method

Last but not least, before troubleshooting the nail gun problems, you should also be known about the methods of the gun firing. You know that nail guns fire in various ways. Also, there have two categories of nail gun firing methods. Those are sequential and contact methods. The sequential method requires some type of sequential order that places the tip before pulling the trigger against the surface. And, contact the firing tip of the nail gun as long as the trigger is pulled against the surface. You may also find some other types of nail gun firing methods while troubleshooting the nail gun.

Read About: Difference Bump And Sequential Firing Method

Troubleshoot Nail Gun Problems

  • Air Leaks on your Nail Gun

Air leaks on the nail gun can cause any types of damages, faulty, or O-rings. If u noticed that your nail guns aren’t working properly, then make sure to check if any of the O-rings or seals of your nail guns are damaged or not.

If your nail gun is lacking in oil, it’s obvious to damage the O-rings. If the O-ring of your nail gun became fails to seal, it will cause the air escape and then creates the leak. At this point, you can grab an O-ring kit to replace them. But replacing them can be costly. At this point, it would be great to keep them in maintenance.

In that case, dealing with the problem is quite easy. Just stretch the O-ring to the firing valve. Then make sure to apply lubricant that helps the nail gun to run properly. Also, applying 2-3 drops of oil daily regularly will increase the lifespan of the O-rings.

  • Misfiring of the Nail Gun

Misfiring is one of the most common problems you can face while firing the nails with the nail gun. There can be various causes for the problem is happening. One of the main reasons for the problem could be the nail jam.

In that case, make sure to check in the driving tip if any types of fasteners are stuck to it. Stacking nails are hampering the nailer to work efficiently. Moreover, if the gas fuel isn’t attached correctly, got empty, or is out-of-date can cause not firing the gun properly. Besides, using the wrong type of nail guns, nails, gas can cause that problem with your nail gun. So, make sure you are using the accurate nail gun and the specific nails as per the manufactures of the nail gun.

Well, the air pressure of your compressor also causes impacts to the nail gun. If you aren’t using the proper air pressure on the compressor then it might not work properly. Also, it can damage the driving blade of your nail gun. The specific air pressure of the compressor should have between 90 PSI to 100 PSI. Make sure to check on the manufacturer’s instructions before setting the air pressure. At lastly, always keeps your nail gun clean regularly.

Related Article: Nail Gun Not Shooting Nails: what you do next?

  • The Driving Blade Doesn’t Work Properly

Another common problem with the nail gun is the driving blade that doesn’t retract properly. If you aren’t lubricant your nail gun regularly, then the driving blade can become dirty. For that reason, they can cause poor performance.

On the other hand, if something is getting jammed in the driving blade, it can also retract slowly. So, make sure to always check on the driving blade that it is free of obstacles.

Read About: How to Take Care Your Power Tools

  • Nail Gun is Making Strange Noise

While working with the nail gun, you can sometimes hear some strange noise. There can be several reasons for the strange noise problems. If the motor of the nail has any issues that can cause the noise. Besides, the fan of the nail gun could be hitting against something that can create the sound as well. If you don’t clean them regularly, that can also create that problem. Therefore, make sure to check on them properly if you hear any strange noise while working. So that you can fix them immediately. Also, keep them clean all the time so that no obstacles can cause any problems.

  • Damage Contacts of the Nail Gun’s battery

The nail gun’s battery contacts can be damaged for several reasons. If the contacts have been bent while inserting or removing the battery, that can cause that damage. Besides, if the contacts are covered with obstacles such as dust or dirt, or they are suffering from corrosion can also damage it. So, make sure to keep the nail gun’s battery contacts away from dirt or corrosion. Also, carefully use compatible batteries for the nail gun. Non-compatible batteries can damage the battery contacts.

Conclusion

As you can see in the above description, we tried to give all-over descriptions about the nail gun problems. Hopefully, our writing piece could help you with a decent guide to troubleshooting the problems, and now you can fix them easily as well. All the best!

Read More
How To Choose Right Nail Gun
Types Of Air Tools
Fixing Framing Nailer Jam
Nail Gun Maintenance Tips

Nail Gun Problems - Troubleshooting Common Nailer Problems - ToolsGearLab (2024)

FAQs

How do I reset my Milwaukee nailer? ›

Press contact bracket against a hard surface that can be damaged. Pull and hold back the nail pusher. Fire tool. You will hear striker reset itself.

Why is my nail gun not going deep enough? ›

Your tool may need a combination of power adjustment and depth adjustment to achieve the desired result, and may require some trial and error. Improper technique such as 'bouncing' the gun off the workpiece or not gripping the tool firmly can cause the nails to stick out or not fire deep enough.

Why does my nail gun shoot air but not my nails? ›

If you try to fire a pneumatic nail gun or stapler, but only hear air leaking when engaging the trigger, it's likely that your tool's "O-Ring" is not sealing properly.

Why is my nail gun blowing out air? ›

Air leaking from the trigger could be caused by a faulty piston head ring or by a seal inside the trigger assembly itself. You can try replacing the O-rings first. If that doesn't work, you can replace the trigger assembly for a fraction of the cost of a new nailer.

Can you check a nail gun? ›

Checked Bags: Yes

For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

How do I reset my Milwaukee? ›

Remove the battery pack from the tool and place it on the charger to reset it.

How do you reset the striker on a Milwaukee Brad nailer? ›

Jammed strikers can be reset by following the steps below:
  1. Remove battery from tool and nails from magazine.
  2. Re-insert battery and open magazine, allowing you to dry fire the tool.
  3. Turn tool on and dry fire tool with magazine open You should hear a ratchetting sound. That is the tool resetting the striker.

Can I use wd40 on my nail gun? ›

Look for oils that are high-quality, easy to apply, combat rust, resist blowout, dissolve gunk and won't harm your rubber seals. And never, ever use WD-40, compressor oil, 3 in-1 oil or those lubricants not specifically designed for pneumatic tools.

What pressure should a nail gun be set at? ›

Minimum Recommended Operating Pressure (PSI)

Most nailers will operate at a PSI between 70 and 120.

What pressure should I set my nail gun? ›

Minimum pressure is at least 70 psi while 90 is a more useful target level. CFM is a measure of the volume of air consumed, which translates roughly to tool power: a bigger, more powerful nailer, such as one used for framing, will need more CFM.

Why is my paslode not firing every time? ›

Possible causes for a Paslode nailer not firing are: A nail jam is stopping the nails from moving forward. The gas cartridge is empty, out-of-date or not attached properly. The wrong type of Paslode nails are being used.

How do you release pressure from a nail gun? ›

Once you've finished with your nail gun, it's critical to store it properly. Disconnect the air supply's quick-connect valve from the 1/4” stud on the bottom of the gun. Press the purge valve on the gun to release any excess pressure stored in the gun.

What should the pressure be for a nail gun? ›

Minimum Recommended Operating Pressure (PSI)

Most nailers will operate at a PSI between 70 and 120.

Why is my staple gun not working? ›

Jams usually occur when staples get cramped, bent, or wedged in the very top of the gun head. This makes it very difficult or even impossible for the tool to function correctly. So, if you find that your staples aren't firing properly, your device likely has a blockage.

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