How to Nail Baseboard With Nail Gun (Easy Tips)

Published on: January 2, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Nailing the baseboard or any other kind of material with the Nail gun has been proven to be the most sophisticated way to deal with. Not only the baseboard, Nail gun is compatible with many other kinds of materials for example cabinet, chair rails, hardwood flooring, millwork, decorative trim, and crown molding etc.

It is considered to be the most versatile tool for nailing. Nail gun helps nail your project surface in a much faster way and leave no damage like visible spots or scratches on your surface while shooting nails. In this modern era, conventional tools like a hammer for nailing are no longer preferred or accepted by the project operators.  

There are various types of Nail guns available in the market for you to get the right one for your project. As we know, at this technological development age, people never compromise with the quality of work, especially when the nailing project deals with the flawless decorative carpentry or other kind of sensitive material.

However, this article has been designed with a few simple steps for you to follow with regard to how to nail baseboard with a nail gun. It would guide you to efficiently operate your baseboard nailing project. 

Step 1: Personal Protection Equipment

Before commencing your project work, you must wear as appropriate from the set of safety equipment i.e goggles; ear plugs; musk, protective clothes  and boots in order to prevent injuries, respiratory infections and workplace hazards;

Step 2: Organize Tools  

• Nail gun (Finish Nail gun is recommended);
• Nails (depends on thickness of the baseboard);
• Baseboard;
• Measurement tape; 
• Pencil for marking;
• Coping saw;
• Wood glue;
• Wood putty;

Step 3: Measure and Cut the Baseboard

Measure the baseboard with the tape based on the length of the wall. After measuring, cut the corner of the baseboard at angle so that it can fit in precisely with your project wall. Please keep it in mind, if the length of the wall is bigger than that of the baseboard, an additional piece of a baseboard molding has to be joined with the first piece with the scarf joint. In such a situation, take the additional piece of the baseboard molding to cover the shortage.

Then cut the first piece at a 45 degree angle with a scarf cut. And then cut the additional piece  too from the opposite direction at a 45 degree angle with the same scarf cut. Then, join them together to have the flawless scarf joint. Infact, Scarf joint allows two pieces to get hooked with each other perfectly by forty five-degree angle cuts of both pieces and keep the joint invisible in a way as if it is a single baseboard molding. The gap or breach created between two baseboards due to joining should be filled properly. Otherwise the nailing job won’t yield a desired result just because of defective joints.  

If the wall is shorter than the length of the baseboard molding, then cut each end of the baseboard at ninety degrees to attach directly with the both ends of the vertical wall. It is recommended to cut the baseboard molding with the coping saw and place the two boards in a way so that the scarf joint can be locked to the wall at a stud location.

Step 4: Get the Right Nail Gun

There are many types of nail gun like framing nailer, finish nailer, brad nailer, gas-powered nail guns, and air-powered or pneumatic nailer. 

For installing a baseboard, Finish nail gun  is the most effective tool to shoot either 15- or 16-gauge nails. A finish nailer is such a versatile tool which is quite strong to hold a large piece of baseboard and very handy to use over the finished product. Apart from baseboard installation, Finish Nail gun is also compatible for other kinds of nailing projects like cabinets, hardwood flooring, millwork, chair rails, decorative trim, and crown molding etc. 

Another feature of the Finish Nail gun is, it’s not heavy and smaller than framing nailer which is quite handy to operate.

The nail gun is a great tool to accelerate the job. It is safe and easy to operate. The nail gun won’t leave any mark or scratches on the baseboard surface. 

Get the right nail gun based on its durability, capacity, size, and weight for each specific project.

Step 5: Prepare Nail Gun

One of the important tasks of nailing is preparing Nail gun before nailing. If the nail gun is battery operated, then you must check the charge level of  the battery, and charge it if necessary. Or plug the Nail gun into an air compressor if necessary in case of air compressed nail gun. Load the gun with nails and try some pre-shoot on the surface on a trial basis to have a green signal that the nail gun works properly and is ready to use.

Please keep it in mind, if it is an air compressed nail gun, make sure the compressor has an adequate amount of pressure for nailing.

Step 6: Keep the Baseboard Steady

Before nailing the baseboard with the wall, it is important to keep the baseboard steady  along with the wall. Apply some wood glue on the back side of the baseboard and stick it on the wall. It prevents the baseboard from moving away while the nailing job takes place. Support the baseboard with the block and push the baseboard towards the wall and roof to reduce the gap. 

Step 7:  Start Nailing Process

1 ½ inch nails are an ideal size for installation of the baseboard. If there is a risk of splitting of the baseboard, it’s recommended to pre-drill the nail holes.

The first step of the nailing process is to nail both the sides of the baseboards to keep it more firm so it does not move. Then, place the gun on the surface of the baseboard, pull the trigger and  shoot the nails one by one over the baseboard, maintaining 20 inches gap for each of the nails. 

Don’t put too much pressure on the old walls as they might be too weak and likely to breach  suddenly due to intolerable pressure. 

Step 7: Final Move

The gap or breach created between the two baseboards due to joining should be filled properly with the wood putty. Then lightly sand off the excess of the wood putty after it has dried off completely. Apply some chalk on the top of baseboards to fill the crack between the baseboard and the wall.

Conclusion:

Nailing a baseboard with a nail gun is pretty easy, faster and safe. Its unique features and operational procedures have been already discussed in detail in the above article. So, why should you wait? Now, it’s your turn to get prepared to start your nailing project without any delay. 

We, the professional experts, intend to utilize the latest process and technology to offer superior equipment which can fulfill better effectiveness and efficiency for our valued customers. Your satisfaction is really our success. We sincerely hope to cooperate with you with the highest level of excellence. Finally, last but not least, “We always put the customer’s opinion as a first priority.” 

However, I am sure if you strictly adhere to all the steps to implement your project, it would give you the worthwhile experience about your baseboard nailing project. We always would love to have your valuable comments, feedback which would allow us to respond to your needs more promptly and efficiently. 

Relevant Resources:

• How Does a Pneumatic Nail Gun Work
• How to Install a Dryer Vent Through a Brick Wall