When attempting to choose the best flooring nail gun, it is important to identify the features that are most important to you. Most flooring nail gun choices are available in both air- and fuel-operated models. The air-operated nail gun requires an air compressor as well as air hoses to operate on any given job site. The fuel-powered gun has the benefit of being cordless, however, the initial cost is usually greater than an air-powered gun. After cost, the most common traits important to many people are weight, type and style of nails used as well as other uses the gun can be tasked with.
The first thing you need to decide on when seeking the best flooring nail gun for any job is whether or not you want an air-powered model or a cordless style. The air-powered flooring nail gun is almost always less expensive than a gas-operated cordless model; however, you have other considerations that will accompany the air-powered model. Unless you work for a company that has a large air compressor available on every job site along with a connection manifold, you will also need an air compressor and several air hoses to reach all areas of a construction site if you choose to purchase an air-powered nail gun. Also, you will need to purchase a gasoline-powered air compressor to ensure that your air compressor will be able to operate when you are on a job site with no electricity.
When you factor in all of the added expenses associated with an air-powered flooring nail gun, you may find that a cordless gas-operated model is far more to your liking. This style of flooring nail gun uses an interchangeable fuel cartridge that injects a small amount of fuel into a chamber on top of the nail driver. This fuel is ignited by a small electric charge stemming from a rechargeable battery pack inside of the nail gun. This model of flooring nail gun uses no hoses or cords and is typically good for firing more than 1,000 nails from each replaceable fuel canister.
Other considerations that must be given to ensure you are buying the best flooring nail gun are the style of nails used with the gun, along with other uses for the gun. Most nail guns use a straight clip of nails or a large round roll of nails. The roll of nails will require less refills, although they weigh more than the straight clip of nails. Also, to get the most for your money, you may choose to buy a flooring nail gun that can be fitted to do other types of nailing jobs as well as the flooring task.