A good nail gun is essential if you’re a contractor or do lots of DIY work around the house. Then you’re aware of the necessity of regularly lubricating your equipment to ensure maximum performance.
A DIYer usually runs a nail gun for a long time. Because of this, their nail guns may lose their activity and productivity. Applying oil to a nail gun is a sustainable solution to enhance productivity.
The working parts of a nail gun, like many other DIY tools, necessitate regular lubrication. Nail gun oil is a petroleum-based substance that smooths the tools’ internal working parts.
If a drop of oil in a nail gun may boost the machine’s productivity, then you should surely give it a try because who can drag their equipment around?
However, are you aware of what kind of oil you use for a nail gun? The type of lubricant you need will depend on the type of nail gun you have. Pneumatic, hydraulic, cordless, and electric nail guns are the most common types of nail guns.
Nail guns with pneumatic motors are the most common. Nail guns come in many shapes and sizes, each requiring a certain type of lubricant. This article will discuss what kind of oil you should use in your nail gun.
Types of Oil Used in Nail Guns
There are numerous types of oils available for the nailer. But they are different from each other. For instance, petroleum oil sticks to the nail gun surface very quickly. On the other hand, synthetic or mineral-based oils do not leave behind much sticky oil.
1. Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil costs more than mineral oil. You may expect your tool to last up to 50% longer with mineral oil because it is designed to operate better and reduce the amount of friction.
This is a better choice than synthetic oil because it doesn’t leave oil residue on your instrument.
2. Mineral Oil
The majority of people feel that mineral oil is the greatest variety since it is the most popular. However, it is more unstable, so it melts faster, and these types of oil are more likely to react with other elements and stick together. Because of this, a nail gun won’t last so long.
How Come a Nail Gun Needs Oil?
For some reason, nail guns require oil to function properly. Such as:
- When the internal elements of the gun are oiled, the gun’s functions become more efficient, and oiling regularly makes it simpler to shoot correctly.
- In addition to avoiding corrosion, it also stops nails from being stuck in the pistol by preventing them from entering the cylinder. If you don’t keep the moving parts of your nail gun oiled, it won’t perform properly and will wear out quickly.
- Adding oil reduces friction, the moving parts, and valves of the nail work more smoothly, and the rate of wear is slowed down.
- The oil keeps nail guns cool and rust-free.
The Process of Using Oil to Nail Gun
Adding oil to nail guns is usually a simple and straightforward procedure. Most nail guns feature a tiny oil tank near the trigger, when the nail gun runs out of oil, the user must refill it. The gun is now ready for regular usage once the oil has been refilled.
Lubricating the nail gun will increase its overall performance. If you use nail gun lubricant on a regular basis, you will notice an improvement. Because oiling irregularly creates clogging or difficulty while shooting nails.
You can keep a nail gun in excellent working order by re-oiling it on a regular basis. There are both nail and nail-free nail guns on the market.
What is the Difference Between Oil and Oil-Less Nail Guns?
Despite the growing popularity of oil-free nail guns, many nailers on the market still require oil. You may also need to pick the proper oil for your nail gun.
Because a nail gun generates heat and friction, you should always put a drop of oil in the air intake. Because oil keeps valves, O-rings, and seals of a nail gun last longer.
If you use your nail gun often, you should not use the oil on a regular basis. Furthermore, while storing a nail gun for an extended period of time, it is essential to properly lubricate and loop it to avoid quick drying up and becoming less efficient.
On the other hand, oil-free nail guns should be referred to as “self-lubricating” devices. A base layer of grease provides the internal lubrication of an oil-free nailer.
The tool’s flawless operation does not require any additional action on the user’s part. But the fact is that long-term storage is likely to cause the grease to lose its efficacy or dry out.
Oil-less nail guns need a more extensive round of maintenance once every five to ten years. They don’t need maintenance every day.
Chart
Here is a chart of nail guns vs oil-less guns.
| Oil Nail Gun | Oil-less Nail Gun |
|---|---|
| The oil nail gun is not very expensive | The nail-less gun is expensive |
| This nail gun requires regular maintenance | This nail gun requires maintenance every 5 to 10 years |
| Over-oiling can be harmful to gun | The oil-free nail gun has no such issues |
| Using an oil nailer is complicated, but you can use BOSTITCH PREMOIL is a good oil nailer. | Oil-free nailers are easy to use, SENCO FinishPro is a good oil-free nail gun. |
| These are air-impact gun | These nailers are not air-impacted. That is why they do not need regular observation |
Additional Info about Nail Gun Oil
Most people believe that synthetic lubricants are the best choice for most nail guns since they protect the gun while lubricating it.
At the nailer, petroleum oil can also be used. These oils don’t offer the same amount of protection as other oils and have a tendency to break down quickly.
Oils that break down rapidly, such as biodegradable oil, are the best option for people concerned about the environment’s state. This lubricant will degrade over time, rendering it harmless to the gun and other pneumatic tools.
How to Correctly and Effectively Use Oil in a Nail Gun?
Applying the right oil is essential, but the correct application is also important.
- Ensure that you always use the correct oil in your nail gun.
- When filling the oil trunk, do not overfill it.
- The oil should be applied to the nails with a clean, lint-free towel. This will prevent dirt and debris from entering the gun.
- Before each use, the nails should be lubricated to prevent jamming and preserve their condition.
- A jammed nail gun should not be used to drive nails.
- Always wear protective eyewear when using a nail gun.
- Ensure the nail gun is unplugged from the power source when not in use. This will avoid an accident.
- Securely store your nail gun away from children and pets.
- Check your nail gun regularly. If there are any problems, fix or replace them quickly.
When Should Your Nail Gun’s Oil Be Changed?
It’s best to change the oil in your nail gun every few months if you want it to work as well as possible. On the other hand, if your gun keeps jamming or shooting in the wrong direction, it’s time to change the oil.
To do this, unclip the cap on the oil reservoir and pour out the old oil. After that, put new oil in the reservoir and tighten the screws on the top. You may need to use the oil on a few more nails before it has no effect.
So, now choose your appropriate nail gun oil according to your gun.