Why is a brad called a brad?

Many people ask this question and wonder why a brad is called a brad. Before we dive into that, have you ever wondered when the brad was issued and to who? The history of brads dates back to 1866. This year, a patent of the fastener was given to Georges McGill. It is simply a tool that can be used to keep many papers together. Just like, pens, pencils, envelopes, papers, brads are also in the stationery family.

A brad is called a brad for many reasons. This means that the meaning that it has is not only the meaning stated in this article but for the sake of this context, a brad is called a brad because it is a thin nail put in the hole of a paper. The brad is made of brass and is popularly known as a paper fastener. Structurally, the brad has different projections either on one side or many sides as the case may be.

Definition of a brad.

It can be defined as a slim-looking nail made of brass or wire that has a head shaped like a barrel. It usually has the same level of thickness however, it decreases in width, and instead of a head, there is a minor point that can pose as the head.

Looking at what a it is made of, we can say that a brass wire of 18 gauge brass is what the brad is made of. The thickness of the nail can be determined by the nail gauge sizes. If you check, thicker nails have a lower gauge number and thinner nails have a high gauge number.

How to use it?

There are four basic ways you can use brads to make sure that it is effective. Let’s look at the steps and ways required for us to use brads.

1. The first thing you should do is to make a space, like a hole that the it can fit into. It’s front should not be bigger than the hold, meaning that the hole has to be smaller.
2. The second step is to put the it in the hole. Make sure that what is at the top is the right side. After that, you should be sure that the prongs extend to the backside of the paper in use.
3. The third step is the separation phase. Here, you have to separate the prongs and use the paper to spread the flush.
4. With all these things set in place, you rest assured that the brads would aid movement as you design.

Questions that people ask about brads and possible answers to them.

1. What is the difference between a brad nailer and a finish nailer?

• The basic difference between both of them is their gauges. Like we discussed earlier, the it is made up of 18 gauge brass therefore it shoots 18 gauge nails while the finish nailer uses either a 15 gauge nail or a 16 gauge nail as the case may be. Another difference is that you can use the brad nail on paper projects but when it comes to carpentry or woodwork, the finish nail is best.

2. What would happen if I used a brad nail on drywall?

• If you use a brad nail on drywall, what you would experience is something that would not stand the test of time. They find it difficult to stay on drywalls, they would easily pull off the wall that is why the best option for drywall is the finish nail.

3. What are all the things we can use brads for?

• Apart from being a good fit for papers and other page projects, brads can also be used for small wood applications. No doubt, the finish nail is better when it has to do with woods but for some home projects like; making cabinets, trimming, moldings e.t.c. The brad nail is a good fit. So, we can say that brads are effective binders for woods that are light weighted. If it is a brad nailer, then it is made to fire brads.

4. Can baseboards use brads too?

• For baseboards, you need to drill your nail holes beforehand. This should be done if you are focused on the splitting of the baseboard. With a brad, the best option of nails to use are the mails that are one and a half in their inch. These nails are the best size when it has to do with baseboards with a brad nail. You would get the best results if you use brads of the size mentioned above. Even if it’s a brad of two inches, do not use it.

5. What can you use an 18 gauge nail for?

• You can use an 18 gauge nail for so many things. It is not too restricted. However, the best and common place it is used is for trim works. Basically, if you need a thinner nail or you are dealing with a lesser hole, brad trailers or an 18 gauge nail is the best option for your project.

6. How do brads nails look?

• Brad’s nails are smaller than finish nails. So, if you see a smaller nail than a finish nail, it is a brad nail. They have a smaller head than finished nails and if it comes to their holding strength, it is lesser as well. Another way to know that it is a brad nail is how it looks on wood. Brad’s nails are small and are easy to hide in a small piece of wood.

7. What is the size of the brads nail that I need?

• Use this method to check the brad nails to get. For instance, if you have a molding of about half an inch, your brad nail should be at least one and a half-inch in its length. When it comes to picking the best size of brad nail to use, make sure that the length of the nail is thrice the material’s thickness. This would make it easier for you.

Summary/Conclusion.

In conclusion, a brad is called a brad because of its nature and its use in both paper and wooden projects. Brads are excellent choices when you want to conceal the nail in your work, unlike finished nails that have a bigger head. Brads have smaller heads and all these qualities are what make a brad a brad.