Brad Nails vs Pins vs Headless Pins: When to Use Each in Professional Joinery
Choosing between brad nails, pins and headless pins is one of the most common questions we hear from joiners, cabinetmakers, shopfitters and furniture manufacturers. While they may look similar at first glance, using the wrong fastener can lead to weak fixes, visible damage, timber splitting and costly callbacks.
In this guide, we’ll clearly explain the real difference between brads, pins and headless pins, when to use 18g vs 23g fasteners, how strength compares to finish quality, and how to avoid the most common trade mistakes. If you want reliable fixing with a professional finish every time, this guide will give you the clarity you need.
What Are Brad Nails? (18 Gauge)
Brad nails, most commonly 18 gauge, offer the strongest holding power of the three fastener types covered here. They are designed for light structural and second-fix applications where strength still matters, but where you want a cleaner finish than traditional lost-head nails.
In professional joinery, brad nails are widely used for fixing skirting boards, architraves, MDF panels, cabinet carcases, and timber battens. They provide excellent penetration into both softwood and hardwood and resist movement far better than fine pins.
However, because brads have a visible head, they will usually require filling before final decoration. On delicate mouldings, incorrect nail length or excessive air pressure can cause splitting or surface denting, particularly on MDF and soft hardwoods. Correct setup and fastener selection are essential to get the best results.
What Are Pins? (21 Gauge)
Pins, typically 21 gauge, sit between brads and headless pins in terms of both strength and visibility. They are commonly used for lighter finishing work where holding power is required temporarily or in combination with adhesive.
In practice, pins are ideal for fixing lightweight trims, small mouldings, beading and veneers. They offer a good balance between strength and subtlety, leaving a much smaller hole than brads while still offering more hold than headless pins.
That said, pins should never be treated as a structural fixing. Their real strength comes when they are paired with adhesive, acting as a fast mechanical clamp while the glue cures. Used correctly, they allow fast, clean installation without surface damage.
What Are Headless Pins? (23 Gauge)
Headless pins, usually 23 gauge, are designed purely for invisible fixing. They leave virtually no visible hole and are the go-to solution for high-end decorative joinery where finish quality is critical.
They are most commonly used for mitred trims, fine beading, decorative returns and tacking components in place while adhesive cures. In cabinetry and painted finishes, headless pins allow installers to avoid filling altogether, saving both time and material.
However, it is critical to understand that 23g headless pins have very little holding strength on their own. They should almost always be used alongside an appropriate adhesive for long-term performance. Using headless pins alone in vibration-prone or load-bearing areas is a common mistake that leads to fix failure.
See Using 23g Pins with PVA D4 Adhesive: A Guide for Trade Professionals for detailed advice on adhesive pairing.
18G vs 23G – What’s the Real Difference?
This is where most confusion sits for trade users. While both fasteners are used for finish work, they serve very different mechanical purposes.
18g brad nails provide genuine fixing strength and are suitable for second-fix joinery where movement, vibration or weight is present. They create a visible fixing point that must usually be filled.
23g headless pins are purely positional. Their function is to hold components in perfect alignment while glue cures, or to fix decorative elements where load is negligible. Their near-invisible entry point is their main advantage, not their strength.
Simple trade rule of thumb:
- If it needs real strength — use brads
- If it only needs positioning — use pins
- If the finish must be invisible — use headless pins with adhesive
This distinction alone prevents a huge number of callbacks and site issues.
What Should You Actually Use on Site?
Use Brad Nails When:
- Fixing skirting boards and architraves
- Securing MDF wall panels
- Installing cabinet frames
- Fixing components subject to vibration or movement
Use Pins When:
- Installing lightweight trims and mouldings
- Supporting glued joints during curing
- Working on thin decorative timber
Use Headless Pins When:
- Installing decorative beading
- Fixing mitred corners
- Working on high-end cabinetry
- You want zero filling and an invisible finish
Common Trade Mistakes We See
Many fixing issues come down to misunderstanding fastener limits rather than tool faults. The most common errors we see include using headless pins for load-bearing trims, overpowering pins with excessive air pressure, fixing delicate mouldings with brads that are too long, relying on 23g pins without adhesive, and using incorrect lengths for timber density.
Each of these mistakes leads to preventable problems such as splitting, surface denting, fix failure, visible defects and unnecessary rework.
Tool & Fastener Compatibility Still Matters
Even the correct fastener will perform poorly if the tool setup is wrong. Air pressure, driver blade condition, fastener angle, and regular maintenance all directly affect fixing performance and finish quality. If you’re unsure how different firing modes impact control and safety, check out our guide Understanding Trigger Types on Pneumatic Tools.
If you’re newer to air tools or want to tighten up your terminology on site, Common Beginner Questions & Jargon Explained is a useful reference for understanding fastener types, gauges, and tool setups.
For best results, always match the fastener to the tool. Using quality Brad Nailers with correctly sized Brad Nails & Pins ensures consistent drive depth and strong fixing. For fine finish work and decorative trims, a dedicated 23g Pin Nailer paired with the correct headless pins will give you clean, invisible results every time.
Conclusion
Brad nails, pins and headless pins all play an essential role in professional joinery, but each serves a very different mechanical purpose. Choosing the right fastener is the difference between a strong fix and a flawless finish.
At MTK Group, we help trade professionals match the right fastener to the right application, every time. If you’re unsure which gauge, length or tool setup is best for your job, our team is always ready with practical, real-world advice you can rely on.
Need advice? Call us on 0333 8000 345, email info@theMTKgroup.co.uk, or DM us on social media @theMTKgroup.