If you have ever seen framing crews drive nail after nail into a wall in just a matter of seconds, then there is a chance that they used coil nails. Coil nails are driven through pneumatic nailers using a circular coil instead of a straight strip, and they are designed to be driven at high volumes quickly – definitely an asset when working on a job site where hundreds or even thousands of nails are needed. However, coil nails come in different varieties, and the type of shank design, coating, and material will determine the performance of the nail – hence the importance of choosing the right one.
Below is a list of common types of coil nails, their application, and considerations for use.
Smooth Shank Coil Nails
Smooth shank nails are exactly what they sound like — no threading, no grooves, just a clean, straight shaft. That simplicity is their biggest strength: they're the easiest and fastest type of nail to drive, which makes them a go-to for high-volume work. Because they can be driven into nearly any surface, smooth shank nails show up across a wide range of everyday construction jobs, from framing to finishing work. If speed and versatility are your priority, this is usually the starting point.
Screw Shank Coil Nails
Screw shank nails attempt to combine the advantages of nail-driving ease with the stronger holding ability of the screw. What makes it possible is the nature of the threads on the shaft of the nail, which causes it to turn during the process of driving in. This results in effectively cutting itself a groove within the wood, giving it better securing strength than a plain shaft nail would have.
Ring Shank Coil Nails
Ring Shank Nails
The ring shank nail differs from other nails in that it uses a locking mechanism. Rather than using a spiral thread, it has annular or ring-like grooves around the shank. These rings form a locking connection between the nail and wood fiber, making it harder to withdraw the nail from the wood. Ring shank nails are useful in cases when the strength against withdrawal is important, such as in subflooring and vibrating areas.
Galvanised Coil Nails
Corrosion is one of the greatest dangers facing any fastener in the long run, particularly in outdoor or humid conditions. It is precisely for this reason that galvanized coil nails have a coating applied to them. Ideally, a good variety of galvanized pneumatic coil nails would be judged on three main criteria: resistance to corrosion, quality of finish, and durability of said finish. If your project requires any sort of outdoor work – like deck construction – then galvanized nails would be your better choice in the long run.
Stainless Steel (SS) Coil Nails
These nails are best for the most challenging environments and are the superior option to galvanized nails. They are non-magnetic and provide very good protection against corrosion and oxidation when subjected to atmospheric conditions. Their special advantage lies in their applicability to highly specific applications such as wooden packing in the chemical industry, petrochemical industry, textile industry, and food industry..
Technical Specifications and Series
Coil nails are normally classified based on the diameter of the shank. There are different series available in the market such as 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0, and 3.8 series. It is important that the correct series is selected according to the thickness of the material that is going to be fastened along with its required holding power.
Strip Nails — 21° Full Head Plastic Strip Nails
In addition to nail coils, there are 21° full head plastic strip nails which are also commonly used and come in many different sizes and shanks. They are arranged on the strip rather than the coil and are more popular for framing nailers that use the strip arrangement.
Common (Wire) Nails
The remaining range is composed of wire nails, which refer to metal pins with pointed tips made of top-notch material. These nails are common in manufacturing and construction sectors due to their few qualities:
- Tensile strength
- Resistance to corrosion
- Smooth finish
- Durable finish
Choosing the Right Coil Nail for Your Job
A quick way to think about it:
- Need speed and ease of driving on general work? Go with smooth shank.
- Need better holding power without switching to screws? Screw shank is the middle ground.
- Need maximum resistance to pull-out? Ring shank is built for that.
- Working outdoors or in humid conditions? Galvanised coating protects against rust and corrosion.
- Working in a chemical, food, or highly corrosive environment? Stainless steel is worth the investment.
The shank design determines how well the nail holds once it's driven, and the coating or material determines how well it survives over time. Getting both right is what separates a fastener that lasts from one that fails early.
Final Thoughts
The coil nail may appear to be a minor element in a large construction operation; however, the type of the nail chosen actually has an effect on the quality and durability of the work done. If your task is to frame buildings, build structures outside, or package products for shipment, then using the right combination of the shank type and the material is important.
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