Brads and Pins: Your Ultimate Guide
At MTK, we know that choosing the right fastener is key to a strong, professional finish. Whether you’re working on delicate trim, assembling furniture, or tackling second-fix joinery, understanding brads and pins can make all the difference. With years of hands-on experience, we’re here to break it down in a way that’s simple, practical, and actionable.
Understanding Nail Gauges: What You Need to Know
A nail’s gauge simply refers to its thickness. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the nail—yes, it’s counterintuitive, but once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.
What Are Brad Nails?
Brad nails are thin nails, ideal for fine detail work. Available in 18-gauge and 21-gauge, they leave minimal marks and are great for trim, beading, and mouldings. Brad nails would typically be paired with an adhesive like PVA or PU; brad nails alone won’t typically provide enough holding power. As a result, you may hear brads being referred to as ‘second-fix’, this is because they’re secondary to the adhesive.
Benefits of Brad Nails:
- Discreet finish with minimal filling required (small head).
- Less risk of splitting those delicate materials (thinner diameter compared to the likes of finish nails).
Considerations When Using Brads:
- They don’t offer as much holding power as thicker nails, though if it is only a light trim that you’re applying, immense holding power is unlikely to be paramount.
- You’ve probably realised, but they are not suitable structural fixes.
Nail Head Sizes: Making the Right Choice
21-Gauge Brads
These micro brads (0.84mm diameter) have a tiny head, offering just enough grip for lightweight trim and moulding. Available in 15mm to 30mm lengths.
NB: 21-gauge are also available as pins. Pins are not to be mistaken for brads. Brads have small heads, whereas pins do not have any head at all.
18-Gauge Brads
A popular all-rounder (1.25mm diameter), these brads are a workshop staple. Ideal for furniture making, decorative trim, and joinery. We stock them in galvanised and stainless steel, with lengths ranging from 10mm to 50mm.
When You Need More Strength: Finish Nails
For applications requiring extra hold, finish nails are the next step up, available in 16-gauge and 15-gauge. They’re thicker than brads, with a larger head, which results in their greater holding power. Finish nails will also sometimes be referred to as ‘second fix’, but to confuse things, this reflects what would be second fix joinery fit out. Finish nails will mostly hold your material without the need for adhesive, though this is circumstantial, and details such as timber density and weight should be considered.
16-Gauge Finish Nails
At 1.6mm in diameter, 16-gauge nails provide a firm hold without being overly invasive. They’re a top choice for skirting, architraves, and heavier trims.
15-Gauge Angled Finish Nails
These 1.9mm nails, sometimes referred to as D-head or inclined finish nails, offer even greater strength. Their angled design fits angled tool magazines, allowing for precise placement in tricky-to-reach corners. While they are available and compatible with a range of leading nail 15-gauge nail guns, they are targeted at the US market, so not quite as easy to source as 16-gauge finish nails are. Nevertheless, we hold some stock here at MTK of both galvanised and stainless steel finish.
The Specialist Option: Headless Pins
For near-invisible fastening, 23-gauge headless pins (0.64mm diameter) are a game-changer. Do you remember the 21-gauge pins mentioned earlier? 23-gauge pins are even thinner! These are perfect for delicate beading and moulding, where visible fixings would spoil the finish. While they have limited holding power, a little adhesive makes them surprisingly strong. We stock them in lengths from 12mm to 28mm and a range of finishes, including liquor, galvanised and stainless steel.
Choosing the Right Fastener for the Job
- Need a discreet finish and don’t mind applying adhesive? Opt for finer gauges (18g, 21g brads, or 21g, 23g headless pins).
- Need more strength and want to save time applying adhesive? Go for 16g or 15g finish nails.
- Starting out and looking for the most versatile solution, the middle of the road? 18g brads strike the perfect balance between strength and subtlety.
Expert Support Every Step of the Way
At MTK, we do more than just supply fasteners—we offer expert advice and a personalised service. Whether you need help selecting the right nails, a live demo, or ongoing support for your tools, we’ve got you covered.
Explore our range of premium brads and pins, and let’s make sure your next project is built to last. Do you have a question? Give us a call, drop us an email, or message us on WhatsApp—we’re here to help.
The MTK Group – Simplifying Fasteners through Expertise™