Second Fix Finishing Nail Guns
Second fix nail guns are for the tidy stuff skirting, architrave, trims and mouldings where you need a firm fix without wrecking the face.
When you're fitting out a room, a decent second fix nail gun saves loads of time over hand nailing and leaves far less making good. These are the finish nailers chippies reach for on skirting, door stops, window boards and trim work where neat matters. Choose your gauge and nail length to suit the material, and if you're already cutting mouldings on Mitre Saws, this is the bit of kit that gets them fixed cleanly and moving.
What Are Second Fix Nail Guns Used For?
- Fitting skirting boards round newly plastered rooms is where a second fix nail gun earns its keep, giving you a quick, repeatable fix without spending half the day punching nails below the surface.
- Installing architrave, door stops and other trim is much cleaner with a 2nd fix nail gun, especially when you need neat heads and less splitting on painted or pre-finished mouldings.
- Fixing window boards, quadrant, beading and light mouldings is easier with a finishing nail gun because it holds the piece while adhesive grabs and saves you standing there waiting for it.
- Working through snagging and final fit-out on domestic plots or refurbs is faster with a finish nailer, particularly when you're moving room to room and need consistent depth and less surface damage.
- Assembling cabinets, boxing-in and finer joinery details on site is a solid job for second fix nail guns where screws would be too slow and first fix nails would look too crude.
Choosing the Right Second Fix Nail Gun
Match it to the trim and the pace of the job. Do not buy a bigger, heavier gun than the work actually needs.
1. 15 Gauge vs 16 Gauge
If you are fixing heavier skirting, solid timber architrave or denser mouldings, a 15g machine gives you more hold. If you want a neater hole and a more all-round finish nailer for standard second fix work, most lads are well served by a 16g nail gun.
2. Straight vs Angled Body
If you are often firing into tighter corners, behind pipe boxes or around awkward reveals, an angled nail gun is easier to live with. For open runs of skirting and bench work, a straight body is simple and usually a bit less fussy.
3. Cordless, Gas or Air
If you are moving through finished houses or smaller snagging jobs, cordless makes life easier with no hose under your feet. If you already run compressors, a second fix air nail gun stays light in the hand. Gas guns are still common on site, but remember you will need regular top-ups from Nail Gun Gas & Accessories.
4. Nail Length Range
Check what lengths the gun actually fires before you buy. If most of your work is thin beads and trims, you do not need a bulky machine built around long nails. If you are regularly fixing thicker skirting or hardwood mouldings, make sure the gun covers the lengths you use most.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Chippies use second fix nailers day in, day out for skirting, architrave and trim because they are quicker than hand nailing and leave less filling before paint goes on.
- Kitchen fitters reach for a 16g nail gun when fixing scribes, panels, cornice and light finishing pieces where a bulky fixing would spoil the look.
- Joiners and shopfitters keep a finishing nail gun handy for finer timber work, cabinet parts and mouldings where clean presentation matters as much as holding power.
- Maintenance teams use them for repair work in occupied buildings because a cordless finish nailer lets them get in, fix loose trim and move on without dragging hoses through the place.
- House-bashing site teams rely on them during final fit because once doors, liners and skirts are going in, a second fix nail gun keeps plots moving without bottlenecking the chippy.
The Basics: Understanding Second Fix Nail Guns
These are built for visible timber finishing jobs where you want a secure fix but less surface damage than first fix framing nailers. Here is the simple version that matters on site.
1. Second Fix vs First Fix
A second fix nail gun is for the later stage of the job once the structure is done and you are fitting the visible timber. It fires finer nails than a first fix gun, so you get enough hold for trim, skirting and mouldings without leaving big heads to fill.
2. Gauge and Holding Power
The gauge tells you roughly how thick the nail is. Lower numbers mean a thicker nail. That matters because thicker finish nails grip better in heavier material, while finer nails leave a tidier hole for painted or delicate trim.
3. Depth and Finish
A decent finishing nailer lets you set the nail just below the surface, so filler covers it properly and the join looks clean once decorated. That is the difference between proper second fix and a job that still looks rough after paint.
Second Fix Nailer Accessories That Save Hassle
The right extras stop small hold-ups turning into wasted time when you are halfway through trim work.
1. Finishing Nails
Get the right gauge, angle and length from Finishing Nails before the job starts. Turning up with the wrong strip means the gun is dead weight, and there is nothing worse than cutting a full house of skirting then finding your nails do not fit.
2. Spare Gas Cells and Fuel
If you run a gas 2nd fix nail gun, keep spare fuel on hand. Getting caught short on the last few door sets or a stair run is an avoidable pain, especially when everything is already cut and ready to fix.
3. No-Mar Tips and Service Parts
A worn tip will mark painted trim and soft timber before you know it. Basic consumables and spares from Nail Gun Accessories are worth keeping in the van if you do regular second fix.
Choose the Right Second Fix Nail Gun for the Job
Use this as a quick steer before you pick your finish nailer.
| Your Job | Second Fix Nail Gun Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Light beading, quadrant and fine trim | Brad or lighter second fix nailer | Smaller hole, less chance of splitting delicate mouldings, tidy finish on painted work |
| Standard skirting and architrave on domestic fit-out | 16 gauge nailer | Good balance of holding power and neat finish, suits most second fix work |
| Heavier skirting, denser timber and solid mouldings | 15 gauge finish nailer | More grip, better for thicker sections, stronger hold where adhesive alone is not enough |
| Snagging and room-to-room work in finished properties | Cordless finish nailer | No hose, quicker setup, easier moving through occupied or decorated spaces |
| Bench work or long production runs with compressor already on site | Air second fix nail gun | Lighter in hand, consistent firing, no battery downtime on repetitive trim fixing |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying a first fix gun for finishing work is the big one. The nails are too heavy for skirting and trim, so you end up with bigger holes, more filling and a rougher finish.
- Using the wrong gauge for the timber causes trouble either way. Too fine and the trim can creep or spring off. Too heavy and you risk splitting slimmer mouldings or leaving more making good.
- Not checking nail compatibility before ordering wastes time fast. Straight and angled magazines do not take the same strips, so always match the gun to the exact nails it is built for.
- Ignoring depth adjustment leads to proud heads or blown-through faces. Set the depth on scrap first, especially if you are moving between MDF, softwood and hardwood trims.
- Running a gas or cordless nailer with no backup consumables is asking for stoppages. Keep fuel, charged batteries or air supply sorted before you start a full run of second fix.
16 Gauge vs 15 Gauge vs Brad Nailer
16 Gauge Second Fix Nailer
This is the usual all-rounder for skirting, architrave and general trim. It gives solid holding power without leaving an oversized hole, so it suits most second fix site work.
15 Gauge Finish Nailer
Go this route if your trim is heavier, denser or more likely to move. It holds harder than a 16g nail gun, but the hole is larger and it is not always the neatest choice for finer decorative mouldings.
Brad Nailer
Best for lighter trim, beads and finer details where appearance matters most. It is tidier again, but it does not give the same grab as a proper second fix nail gun on larger skirting or architrave.
Cordless vs Air
Cordless wins on convenience, especially in finished rooms and small jobs. Air wins on lighter tool weight and long run consistency if you have the compressor with you and do not mind the hose.
Maintenance and Care
Keep the Nose Clean
Dust, filler and resin build up around the nose fast on second fix work. Wipe it down after use so the contact tip stays clean and does not mark finished timber.
Check the Magazine Regularly
Bent nail strips, dirt in the track and worn followers all cause jams. A quick check before loading saves you stripping the gun down halfway through a room.
Look After Batteries or Fuel
Do not leave batteries flat in the van for weeks, and do not forget fuel shelf life on gas models. A nailer that will not fire first thing is no use when the trim is already stacked out.
Store It Properly
Keep the gun cased and dry when not in use. Second fix nailers are used on visible work, so a damaged nose or bent magazine from being thrown in the van will show up on the job.
Replace Worn Tips and Seals
If it starts misfiring, marking trim or struggling with depth, do not just force it through. Service parts are cheaper than ruining decorated timber or wasting a pack of nails.
Why Shop for Second Fix Nail Guns at ITS?
Whether you need a compact cordless finish nailer for snagging or a 16 gauge air nail gun for full fit-out work, we stock the proper range. You will find the main Nail Guns, plus the nails and support kit to keep them running. It is all in our own warehouse, in stock, and ready for next day delivery.
Second Fix Nail Gun FAQs
What is the difference between a brad nailer and a second fix nailer?
A brad nailer fires finer nails and is better for lighter trim, beads and delicate mouldings where you want the smallest possible hole. A second fix nailer, usually 15g or 16g, gives more holding power for skirting, architrave and heavier finishing timber. If the piece has a bit of weight to it, the second fix gun is usually the safer bet.
What nails do second fix nailers use?
Most second fix nailers use 15 gauge or 16 gauge finishing nails, but you need to check whether the gun takes straight or angled strips and what length range it supports. Do not guess. The wrong nails will jam, misfire or not load at all.
Is a 15g or 16g finishing nailer better?
It depends on the timber and the finish you need. A 15g nailer holds harder and suits heavier trim or denser woods. A 16g finishing nailer is the more common all-round choice for general second fix because it still grips well but leaves a slightly tidier hole.
Can a second fix nailer be used on skirting and architrave?
Yes, that is one of its main jobs. A second fix nail gun is ideal for skirting, architrave, door stops and similar trim work, especially when paired with the right nail length and a dab of adhesive where needed.
Are cordless second fix nailers gas or battery?
Both exist. Some cordless second fix nail guns are fully battery powered, while others use a battery and gas cell together. Battery-only is simpler day to day. Gas models still do plenty of site work, but you need to stay on top of fuel as well as charge.
Will a second fix nail gun hold skirting on its own?
Usually yes for temporary hold and often as the main fixing into timber grounds, but on plastered masonry walls many chippies still use adhesive as well. The nailer holds the skirting tight while the grab cures, which is why it is so useful on fit-out.
Do I need straight or angled finishing nails?
You need whatever your gun is designed to take. Straight and angled second fix nailers are not interchangeable on nails, so always check the magazine style before ordering. If you get this wrong, the gun is not going to run properly.
Is a cordless finish nailer worth it for small jobs?
Yes, especially for snagging, repairs and working in finished houses where dragging a hose about is a pain. It is quicker to set up, easier to move room to room and far less awkward on little trim jobs.
