The Basics of Pin and Finish Nailers

Look for a brad nailer that has a narrow, cushioned tip like this one. This is the Bostitch BT1855K, which has a street price of $90.

Brad nailers are great for making shop jigs.

This jig holds mitered frames so you can cut a slot for a key in the corners.

Brad nailers are also great for attaching face frame pieces to built-in cabinets.

And a colored wax pencil will make the holes almost invisible. Fill the hole with wax, and then buff it with a dry rag.

Pin nailers are a much more recent invention, but they can be just as affordable as brad nailers. The Porter Cable Pin 100 has the very narrow tip you are looking for, especially for the delicate jobs a pinner tackles, and a street price of $80.

Pin nailers are great for applying little moldings like the narrow strips that holds panes of glass into doors.

You can add style to a simple molding by adding on a thin bead, and a pin nailer attaches it without splitting it, and leaves a nearly invisible hole. Use a little glue to help with holding power.