Palm nailers are becoming increasingly popular both at home and in professional carpentry workshops, as they offer accuracy and control in tight spots. It’s not uncommon to be unable to swing a hammer to drive a nail because of a small or tight space, so the best palm nailers solve this by offering a power tool that doesn’t require a swing to drive a nail. They fit in the palm of your hand and use air pressure to drive the nail into the material. Many palm nailers can drive regular nails as well as many specialty nails like brads, finish, and others, and they should come with a magnetic tip to keep the nail secure while positioning the palm nailer. Because you place the palm nailer on the exact location you want the nail, you can get more precise drives than some hammer swings. Some buyers use their palm nailers for many jobs beyond just those in small spaces because they are so easy to use and accurate. Buyers will need an air compressor that can handle approximately 125 PSI. Choosing one of the best palm nailers can help drive nails easily and without damaging the surface you’re working on.
Our Top Picks
We examined size, power, weight, nail compatibility, and more to find the best palm nailers.
Photo: amazon.com
The Freeman Pneumatic Mini Palm Nailer can drive nails from 6D to 16D and up to 3.5 inches into relatively tough material despite only weighing 1.38 pounds. The magnetic tip keeps nails securely in the hole. The comfortable rubber grip makes this tool easy to hold for long periods. It also includes an internal air filter and anti-dust cap that helps to prevent debris from collecting into any unwanted spaces on the palm nailer. Easily attach an air compressor to the palm nailer and power through nearly any job.
Photo: amazon.com
The Bostitch PN100K palm nailer is small but sturdy, weighing only 2.9 pounds but capable of driving nails up to 5 inches long. It comes with a standard nose, a small finish nail nose, and a large bore nose attachment all made of magnetic hardened-steel. Easily drive bulk nails in small spaces with this palm nailer using the nose attachment that works best for the job at hand. It’s designed to comfortably fit in most palms. This palm sander is compatible with most air compressors. Included in the kit are the palm sander, three nose attachments, a nose wrench, a hex/Allen wrench, lubricant, spare O-rings, a leather glove, and a storage case.
Photo: amazon.com
The Bostitch PN50 mini palm nailer is incredibly small, coming in at only one pound. Despite the size, it’s capable of driving most bulk finish, framing, and timber nails in many small spaces at a recommended 70 to 120 PSI. A 360-degree air swivel for an air compressor makes it even more maneuverable in tight spaces. The exhaust is on the front of the unit which keeps hands protected. The rubber coating makes for an easy grip that’s non-slip and comfortable while also keeping the motor heat away from hands.
