Table of contents
🛠️ The Ultimate Guide to Second Fix Brad Nails
🚀 Why Second Fix Brad Nails Matter for Every Joiner & DIYer
When it comes to carpentry and woodworking, Second Fix Brad Nails are a must-have for achieving a seamless, professional finish. Whether you’re working on skirting boards, architraves, door frames, or detailed moulding, these nails provide a strong hold while leaving minimal visible marks.
At Next Day Fixings, we stock a complete range of Second Fix Brad Nails in various sizes, finishes, and materials —ensuring you get the best fixings for your project. Plus, we offer nationwide next-day delivery for orders placed before 3 PM (Monday-Friday).
📌 What Are Second Fix Brad Nails?
Second Fix Brad Nails are thin-gauge nails designed for finishing carpentry work. Unlike First Fix Nails, which are thicker and used for structural work (like framing or roofing), Second Fix Nails are finer and leave a much smaller hole, reducing the need for excessive filling and sanding.
✅ What Are They Used For?
🔹 Skirting boards – Achieve a smooth, hidden fix with minimal filling required.
🔹 Architraves & door casings – Create a seamless, professional finish around doors.
🔹 Moldings & trims – Perfect for decorative woodwork and detailed panelling.
🔹 Cabinet making & furniture assembly – A discreet fix for delicate wood joints.
💡 Did you know? Brad nails are designed with a T-head to sink into the wood surface, making them almost invisible once painted over! 🎨
🔩 Straight vs. Angled Brad Nails – Which One Do You Need?
Choosing between Straight Brad Nails and Angled Brad Nails depends on your nailer type and your workplace space. Both types provide firm, long-lasting fixings, but their design impacts how and where they can be used.
📌 Feature | 📏 Straight Brad Nails | 📐 Angled Brad Nails |
---|---|---|
🏠 Best for | Flat surfaces (skirting, trims) | Tight corners, angled fixings |
🎯 Precision | High accuracy, clean finish | Better reach in awkward spaces |
🛠️ Nailer Type | Straight brad nailers | Angled brad nailers |
🔩 Strength | Stronghold, even in softwoods | Stronghold, but bit is etter for tight spaces |
🔹 Straight Brad Nails: These are collated in a straight line and are best suited for flat, open surfaces like skirting boards and mouldings.
🔹 Angled Brad Nails: These have a 20° collation angle, perfect for tight corners and tricky fixings. If you're working in awkward spaces, angled brads make nailing easier and more efficient.
💡 Pro Tip: If you regularly work in tight spaces or corners, investing in an Angled Brad Nailer is a game changer! 🔥
🏗️ Understanding Brad Nail Gauges: 16-Gauge vs. 18-Gauge
The gauge of a brad nail refers to its thickness —and choosing the correct gauge is critical for ensuring a secure hold without damaging the material.
Gauge | Thickness | Best For |
---|---|---|
16-Gauge | Thicker (1.6mm) | Heavy-duty fixings like skirting boards, architraves |
18-Gauge | Thinner (1.2mm) | Delicate trims, beadings, furniture making |
🔹 16-Gauge Nails :
✅ Thicker and stronger, making them ideal for heavier fixings.
✅ Less likely to bend, providing a more secure hold.
✅ Best for softwoods and MDF where more strength is required.
🔹 18-Gauge Nails:
✅ Thinner nails leave minimal holes, making them perfect for detailed finishing work.
✅ Less risk of splitting thin materials like veneers and mouldings.
✅ Often used in workshops and cabinetry.
💡 Rule of Thumb: Use 16g for skirting boards and architraves and 18g for fine decorative trims.
🔩 Types of Second Fix Brad Nails Available at Next Day Fixings
At Next Day Fixings, we stock a wide range of Second Fix Brad Nails to suit all joinery, carpentry, and DIY projects. Choosing the right nail for your nail gun is essential for achieving a secure, professional finish. Whether you need gas-powered options for cordless nailers or gasless variants for pneumatic tools, we have the perfect fixings for you.
Below is a detailed breakdown of our Second Fix Brad Nails, including their uses, sizes, and material options.
🔧 16g Second Fix Straight Brads – With Gas
Designed for skirting boards, architraves, and tongue & groove panelling, these gas-powered brad nails provide a strong, clean fix with a concealed finish. The T-head design ensures minimal visibility, making them perfect for decorative woodwork.
📌 Key Features:
✔️ Best for: Skirting, architraves, tongue & groove panels.
✔️ T Head design for a concealed finish.
✔️ Suitable for cordless gas-powered brad nailers.
✔️ Collated in a straight line for high-precision nailing.
📌 Material Options:
- Galvanised Steel – Ideal for indoor use, offering a cost-effective solution for most woodworking applications.
- Stainless Steel – Provides high corrosion resistance, making it perfect for outdoor projects or moisture-prone environments.
📦 Available Sizes: 19mm – 64mm (Boxes of 2000, includes gas).
🔩 16g Second Fix Straight Brads – Without Gas
For those using compressed air nailers, these gas-free 16g straight brads provide the same level of strength and durability as their gas-powered counterparts. They are a cost-effective solution for workshop settings or sites with air-powered tools.
📌 Key Features:
✔️ Best for: Skirting boards, trims, mouldings, and door casings.
✔️ T Head design for a concealed finish.
✔️ Perfect for pneumatic and air-powered brad nailers.
✔️ Straight collation for easy and precise nailing.
📌 Material Options:
- Galvanised Steel – Great for general indoor joinery work.
- Stainless Steel – Ideal for high-moisture environments like green oak and cedar applications.
📦 Available Sizes: 19mm – 64mm (Boxes of 2000).
🔨 16g Second Fix Angled Brad Nails – With Gas
Angled Brad Nails provide better access and increased manoeuvrability compared to straight nails if you're working in tight spaces or corners. These 20° angled brads ensure a secure hold while reducing the risk of splitting delicate materials.
📌 Key Features:
✔️ Best for: Fixing in tight spaces, such as corners, angled trims, and confined work areas.
✔️ 20° collation angle allows for better reach and access.
✔️ T Head design for a discreet and seamless finish.
✔️ Compatible with cordless gas-powered brad nailers.
📌 Material Options:
- Galvanised Steel – Suitable for general indoor use.
- Stainless Steel – Recommended for coastal or damp environments where corrosion resistance is essential.
📦 Available Sizes: 32mm – 64mm (Boxes of 2000, includes gas).
🔩 16g Second Fix Angled Brad Nails – Without Gas
If you're using a pneumatic (air-powered) brad nailer, you’ll need gas-free brad nails. Our 16g Second Fix Angled Brad Nails – Without Gas offer the same strong, concealed fixing as their gas-powered counterparts but are designed for use with air-powered nail guns instead of gas-powered systems.
These nails are ideal for detailed carpentry and finishing work, particularly when working in tight spaces where a straight nailer won’t fit. Their 20° collation angle makes them perfect for corner installations, skirting boards, and architraves.
✅ Key Features & Benefits
✔️ 20° angled collation – Allows for easier access in confined areas.
✔️ T Head design – Provides a concealed finish for professional results.
✔️ Low penetration resistance – Ensures smooth fixing into hardwoods and softwoods.
✔️ Compatible with air-powered nailers – No need for gas cells.
📦 Available in:
✔️ Galvanised Steel – Ideal for interior projects in dry environments.
✔️ Stainless Steel (A2-304) – The best choice for moisture-prone areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor applications.
Material | Best For | Available Sizes |
---|---|---|
🌟 Galvanised Steel | Interior fixings, sheltered areas | 32mm – 64mm (Boxes of 2000) |
💎 Stainless Steel | Green oak, Accoya, cedar, damp environments | 38mm, 50mm, 64mm (Boxes of 2000) |
💡 When to Choose Angled Brads Without Gas?
- If you already use a pneumatic nailer and don’t want to worry about gas refills.
- When working in tight or awkward spaces, where a straight nailer won’t fit.
- If you need consistent air-powered nailing in a workshop or site environment.
🚀 Need to stock up? Order your 16g Second Fix Angled Brad Nails – Without Gas today at Next Day Fixings and get them delivered by tomorrow! 🚚✨
🎯 18g Second Fix Straight Brads – Without Gas
For fine woodworking, cabinetry, and delicate trims, 18g Brad Nails are the best choice. These thinner nails leave a smaller hole, making them ideal for projects where minimal finishing is required. The narrower profile prevents splitting, making them a favourite for precision joinery work.
📌 Key Features:
✔️ Best for Fine trims, delicate mouldings, furniture assembly, and beading.
✔️ Leaves smaller nail holes for a neater finish.
✔️ Gas-free – Ideal for workshop settings with air-powered nailers.
✔️ Perfect for softwoods and thin materials where thicker nails could cause splitting.
📌 Material Options:
- Galvanised Steel – Great for general indoor joinery work.
- Stainless Steel – Ideal for high-humidity environments, ensuring a rust-free finish.
📦 Available Sizes: 16mm – 50mm (Boxes of 5000).
💡 Choosing the Right Second Fix Brad Nails
- For strength and durability? → Go with 16g nails.
- For a finer, less noticeable finish? → Opt for 18g nails.
- Working in tight spaces? → Use Angled Brad Nails.
- Need corrosion resistance? → Choose Stainless Steel nails.
✅ Order your Second Fix Brad Nails today from Next Day Fixings and get them delivered by tomorrow! 🚚🔩
🏡 Galvanised vs. Stainless Steel Brad Nails – Which One Should You Choose?
When selecting Second Fix Brad Nails, choosing the right material for your project is essential. Using the wrong type of nail can lead to rust, staining, or even failure over time. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you make the best choice:
🌟 Galvanised Brad Nails – The Affordable, Everyday Choice
Galvanised brad nails are made from carbon steel and coated with a layer of zinc to resist rust and corrosion. They are a cost-effective option and widely used for indoor woodworking and sheltered environments.
✅ Best for: Skirting boards, architraves, interior mouldings, tongue and groove panelling.
✅ Corrosion resistance: Moderate – suitable for areas that stay dry.
✅ Available in Various sizes from 16mm to 64mm.
✅ More affordable than stainless steel.
🚫 Not suitable for High-humidity areas, outdoor use, or materials containing natural tannins (like oak or cedar). Over time, galvanised coatings can wear away, leading to rust.
💎 Stainless Steel Brad Nails – The Ultimate Corrosion Protection
Stainless steel brad nails are made from Austenitic Stainless Steel (A2-304), offering superior corrosion resistance. They are the best choice for exterior applications or when working with certain types of wood.
✅ Best for: Green oak, cedar, Accoya, and pressure-treated timber.
✅ Corrosion resistance: High – suitable for outdoor and damp environments.
✅ Lasts significantly longer than galvanised nails.
✅ Prevents staining caused by wood tannins and treatment chemicals.
💡 If you’re working with woods like Accoya, cedar, or oak, stainless steel is a must! These woods contain natural tannins that react with non-stainless fixings, leading to unsightly black stains and weakened fixings over time.
🏗️ Feature | 🌟 Galvanised Brad Nails | 💎 Stainless Steel Brad Nails |
---|---|---|
🌦️ Corrosion Resistance | Moderate (Indoor use) | High (Ideal for outdoor/damp areas) |
🏡 Best for | Sheltered areas, indoor carpentry | Green oak, cedar, Accoya, coastal areas |
💰 Price | More affordable | Higher cost but longer-lasting |
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re working in a moist or coastal environment, stainless steel is the only choice for long-lasting durability!
🔥 Gas for Brad Nailers – Why It Matters & When to Restock
Many cordless Second Fix Brad Nailers rely on gas fuel cells to drive nails into materials efficiently. These small gas cartridges provide a consistent power source, ensuring clean and smooth nail penetration with every shot.
🔋 Why Do Some Brad Nails Come with Gas?
When using gas-powered nail guns, a small propane and butane gas fuel cell is required to generate the force needed to fire the nails. Gas-powered systems are commonly used because they offer:
✔️ Quick, efficient firing – No need for compressors or battery charging.
✔️ Consistent power output – Ideal for fast, repetitive nailing.
✔️ Lightweight operation – Great for portability on site.
Each box of gas-powered brad nails from Next Day Fixings comes complete with a gas cell, so you have everything you need to start working right away.
📦 Available in packs of 2000 brads + gas cell for both:
✅ 16g Second Fix Straight Brads
✅ 16g Second Fix Angled Brads
💡 Running low on gas? We also sell FirmaHold Fuel Cells separately, so you don’t have to buy a full box of nails if you just need more gas.
⭐ Why Buy From Next Day Fixings?
At Next Day Fixings, we proudly supply high-quality fixings and hardware at competitive prices. Whether you’re a professional joiner, builder, or DIY enthusiast, we have the right Second Fix Brad Nails for your needs.
✅ Full range of Galvanised & Stainless Steel Brad Nails – Available in all sizes.
✅ Gas-powered & gas-free options – For every type of nail gun.
✅ Next-day nationwide delivery 🚚 – Place your order before 3 PM for next-working-day dispatch .
✅ Bulk discounts available 💰 – Get the best prices for large orders.
❓ FAQs – Everything You Need to Know!
What are Second Fix Brad Nails used for?
Perfect for finishing work – skirting, trims, mouldings, and architraves.
How do I choose between 16g and 18g nails?
16g for structural strength and 18g for fine, delicate finishes.
What’s the best nail length for skirting boards?
38mm – 50mm, depending on board thickness.
Do I always need gas for my brad nailer?
Not always! Gas-powered nailers are great for on-site work, but battery-powered models (like Dewalt 18V and Senco Fusion) offer gas-free convenience.
Can I buy extra gas separately if I run out?
Yes! We sell FirmaHold Fuel Cells separately, so you don’t have to purchase another whole box of nails.
What type of nails should I use for Accoya or oak?
Always use stainless steel brad nails to prevent corrosion and staining caused by tannins in these woods.
🚀 Order Your Second Fix Brad Nails Today!
Need high-quality fixings for your next project? Order from Next Day Fixings today and get your nails delivered by tomorrow! 🚚✨
📦 Visit our website to shop now!