Doing some projects or carpentry work with a nail gun will be much faster and easier compared with conventional tools like a hammer. The type of interior project that can be efficiently done using a nail gun, for example, is installing a baseboard.
A baseboard is a decorating object of the interior placed between floor and wall, which commonly made from wood or plastic. The baseboard has a function to protect the wall for having scratches or the other damages.
In this article I show you how to nail baseboard with a nail gun, so you can understand the guidance easily.
1. Choose The Right Nail Gun
There are so many types of nail gun used by homeowners, start from framing nailer, finish nailer, brad nailer, gas-powered nail guns, and air-powered or pneumatic nailer. A small project, such as baseboard installing, will compatible with a finish nailer that drives either 15- or 16-gauge nails.
A finish nailer is a versatile tool that is sturdy enough to hold a large piece of baseboard and small enough to use for the finished product. The other projects aside from baseboard installing that can be done by finish nailer are cabinets, hardwood flooring, millwork, chair rails, decorative trim, and crown molding.
Read also: 10 Best Nail Guns for Baseboards
2. Prepare Other Equipment
Besides the nail gun and baseboard, the additional important tools to do baseboard installation are nails, tape measure, pencil, wood glue, wood filler, coping saw, safety glass, and gloves. It is necessary to choose nails based on the thickness of the baseboard.
3. Measuring and Cutting Process
The next step is to find the longest wall and measure the baseboard by tape measure according to the length. If the baseboard molding is longer than the wall, then you should cut each end of the baseboard at ninety degrees to attach directly into each side’s perpendicular wall.
But, if the baseboard is shorter than the wall, a joint can be installed right after the first baseboard. Join the two pieces with a scarf joint that marries two forty five-degree cuts on different boards. Cut baseboard with the coping saw and place the two boards so that the scarf joint can be locked to the wall at a stud location.
4. Make Baseboard Steady
Before nailing the baseboard to the wall, it is better to add some wood glue on the back of it and stick them to the wall. This way will make the baseboard steady against the wall and prevent it from moving during the nailing task. The block can be applied to push the baseboard towards the wall and roof to decrease the gap.
5. Nailing Process
The nail size that is perfect for baseboards installing is 1 ½ inch nails. If you are concerned about the baseboard splitting, you can pre-drill your nail holes.
The first step of the nailing process is to nail both sides of the baseboards to make it more steady or didn’t move. After that, place the gun on the surface of the baseboard and pull the trigger for shooting some more nails after every 20 inches.
Don’t forget to use safety glass and gloves because 2 inches long nails can be shot whenever the nozzle is pointed, and serious injury can occur during this process. It is crucial to be gentle with old walls as they are fragile. Better to avoid much pressure on the old walls so it won’t break down like ashes.
6. Finishing
Don’t forget to fill the gap between two baseboards and hole with wood filler. Then lightly sand off the excess after letting the wood filler dry completely. Apply calk through the top of baseboards to fill the crack between the baseboard and the wall.
The nail gun is a piece of great tool to speed up the job. Aside from easiness and safety, the nail gun also won’t leave any hammer mark on the baseboard surface. Last but not least, get the right nail gun based on their durability, ability, size, and weight for each project.