The first and most important rule to adhere to when it comes to nail gun safety is to always read and understand the manual before operating the tool. This will give you an overview of each of the individual parts of the tool, as well as making you aware of any special circumstances that are called for when using the nail gun.

The most common type of nail gun is a pneumatic, or air powered nail gun. Compressed air is supplied via a separate air compressor, which is powered by either electricity or gasoline. The air from the compressor is pushed through a hose into a holding area in the nail gun; this is called an air reservoir. The typical pneumatic nail gun uses a piston with a long shaft attached to it called a driver. The driver is what makes contact with the head of the nail and forces it into the work surface. The piston is located in a cylinder inside the main body of the nail gun. The air in the reservoir is held in place by a valve, which is located above the piston.