Brads

Brads are slender fasteners used in two common contexts: woodworking and paper crafts. In carpentry, a brad refers to a small-diameter nail with a very small head that is driven into wood. These nails are typically used with a brad nailer and are chosen for light finishing work where a larger nail would be too visible. Brads leave minimal surface damage and are favored for attaching trim, molding, or fine cabinetry. They provide less holding power than larger nails, so they are not suitable for structural connections. Typical brads are around 18 gauge and range in length from about 1/2 inch to 2 inches. After driving, workers often use a nail set to countersink the head slightly and conceal the fastener with wood filler for a smooth finish.

In paper crafts and office settings, a brad is a two-pronged metal fastener used to hold sheets of paper or light materials together. The prongs are inserted through holes in the sheets and then spread outward on the opposite side to secure the stack. Brads come in metal or plastic varieties and vary in length and color. They are common in scrapbooking, greeting cards, and organizational materials, where the ability to add or remove pages is useful.

Overall, the term brad encompasses both a type of thin wood nail used for decorative and finishing work, and a two-pronged paper fastener used for temporary or adjustable assemblies.