brad nail size or length for boxes

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

i got a $20 harbor freight nail gun. cant remember the size of the nails, but it worked fine for my 2.3 cubic foot box.

 

[slim2fattycake 10+ year member]

its the same one I got then if it is 20 dollars.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

ya just cant remember the nail size i got. think it was the biggest it would use, but not 100% sure. i asked a guy there if it would be good enough to hold 3/4 mdf together till wood glue dried. he said ya since wood glue is what holds the box together once dry

 

[SPY 5,000+ posts]

I use 16g 2" long brad nails.

The key to using nails is to glue and clamp the pieces together then nail them. The nail will not draw the wood together like screws so you need to make sure that your joint is tight before nailing. If your cuts are not right on then stick with screws.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

I use 16g 2" long brad nails.
The key to using nails is to glue and clamp the pieces together then nail them. The nail will not draw the wood together like screws so you need to make sure that your joint is tight before nailing. If your cuts are not right on then stick with screws.

with thick, long nails, and enough pressure, will it be ok without clamps?

i didnt have clamps, and from what i can tell, i have no leaks, nor flex. (never really seen box flex, so might be over looking it) granted my box isnt too big

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

I use 16g 2" long brad nails.
The key to using nails is to glue and clamp the pieces together then nail them. The nail will not draw the wood together like screws so you need to make sure that your joint is tight before nailing. If your cuts are not right on then stick with screws.

with thick, long nails, and enough pressure, will it be ok without clamps?

i didnt have clamps, and from what i can tell, i have no leaks, nor flex. (never really seen box flex, so might be over looking it) granted my box isnt too big

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

I use 16g 2" long brad nails.
The key to using nails is to glue and clamp the pieces together then nail them. The nail will not draw the wood together like screws so you need to make sure that your joint is tight before nailing. If your cuts are not right on then stick with screws.

This.

 

[slim2fattycake 10+ year member]

I finished 5 surround boxes today. It was fairly easy. I guess I just needed to clamp it harder and actually use glue. When I tried it out on the scrap pieces, I didn't have it tightly clamped or glued. But should I go with longer brads than 1-3/8"?

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

f'in double poast.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

But should I go with longer brads than 1-3/8"?

Not needed, in my opinion. 1.5" is what I used on my last box, worked fine. They're just there to hold everything together while the glue dries, allowing you to move on to the next step. If you want to add some structural integrity, then use drywall screws. Someone on the forums did a test not too long ago testing the breaking point of a 90° joint using different building techniques. Glue with screws held the best.

 

[slim2fattycake 10+ year member]

How big was the box you used 1.5" brads on?

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

How big was the box you used 1.5" brads on?

Small, 1.5ft^3 at 28hz.