What is the primary role of a finish nailer?

The primary role of a finish nailer is to drive small finishing nails for trim work. This tool is specifically designed for applications that require precision and a clean finish, such as attaching moldings, door casings, or other types of trim. The small nails used in finish nailers minimize the risk of splitting the wood and allow for a neat, unobtrusive appearance in the completed work.

Finish nailers typically fire nails ranging from 15 to 18 gauge, which are ideal for lighter applications where larger fasteners would be excessive or might disrupt the surface of the workpiece. This focus on finesse rather than sheer strength differentiates the finish nailer from other types of nail guns, which are suited for more heavy-duty framing tasks or different kinds of fastening needs.