Those who don’t already own a compressor may want to consider the Metabo palm nailer kit that includes Metabo’s 1-gallon compressor and 50 feet of polyurethane air hose. For those who want the palm nailer’s ability to get into tight spaces but are unlikely to use the tool often, the 3Plus offers a low-cost solution that sacrifices little in terms of performance or features. Because they fit into the palm of the hand, these tools are more maneuverable, and thus easier to use at awkward angles.

The Freeman palm nailer is a feature-rich option from a company known for reliable, durable tools. It is powerful, yet light, and comfortable. It is also very affordable. The 3Plus palm nailer is a low-cost alternative that will be adequate for many DIYers. While fault reports are more common than we’d like to see, most work perfectly well. How We Chose the Best Palm NailersPalm nailers are light, compact, highly maneuverable, and easy to use. Just load a nail into the front, position it, apply pressure to activate the hammer action, and drive the nail home. Though they don’t have the speed of a finish, framing, or roofing nailer, they will go into tight spaces where those big tools can’t reach. They are usually lighter and therefore less tiring to use, too.

Rather than depth adjustment, Bostitch provides three different-size nosepieces. These combine with the company’s Smart Point technology, adjusting impact power as required and thus reducing surface damage. Despite the high performance, air consumption is within the range of most small compressors at 70 to 100 psi. Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to stay up to speed or a newcomer just getting started with power tools, it’s good to get professional advice on which you can rely. We’ve put together several in-depth how-to and product guides to help you to make the most of your equipment: If the psi from the compressor is too low, it won’t be enough to drive the nail properly. If the cfm is too low, it might drive a few nails successfully but will then need to pause while the volume of air builds up again in the compressor. At 2.9 pounds, the Bostitch is relatively heavy, though this is a reflection of its robust build, as it isn’t a particularly large tool. A full set of accessories includes comfort glove, wrenches, lubricating oil, and a spare “O” ring, which is the component most likely to wear out first in any air-powered palm nailer. It all comes in a durable case. As nails get longer, the diameter of the head also increases. Some palm nailers have a useful magnetic tip to hold the nail in place. Others have interchangeable heads for different diameters.

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To make sure we had up-to-date information, the BobVila team also researched all the leading palm nailer manufacturers. Cordless palm nailers, for example, are an important recent development. At first glance, there might be some concern that the 12-volt Milwaukee palm nailer would be underpowered when compared with pneumatic tools. Milwaukee reassures potential buyers by quoting an impact rate of 2,700 blows per minute, which compares favorably with several midrange air tools. Also, similar to those rivals, it will drive nails from 6D to 16D (2 to 3½ inches), and the tip is magnetic. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest-quality power tools to our customers. From trade professionals to first-time DIYers, our range aims to produce the best possible results, whatever your needs.