Picture frame nails are not the same thing as carpenters finish nails. Picture frame nails are much thinner and go into the ends of the wood with out splitting the opposite picture frame moulding. Looking at the photo below you can see the difference in thickness. The picture frame nails are on the left and common finishing nails on the right. Although the sizes in the picture aren't exact, the comparison between the two types is accurate. You should never use common finish nails to put pictures together, use real picture frame nails. Real picture frame nails can be quite difficult to find as stores don't stock them, they only stock common finish nails. To use picture frame nails properly you should also use our picture frame glue, and nail hole filler.

Other picture framers use the V-Nails also shown below. Most professional frame shops use a large gun to insert these nails into picture frame mouldings. But you can put them in using just a hammer. We recommend these to everyone including beginners. You really should read the full instructions for putting picture frames together that we have in our learning center.

These picture frame v-nails nails are a must for putting picture frames together, that and our Corner Lock Glue. One v-nail leaf is enough for 12 to 18 frames. There is usually 144 nails in each leaf. Glue is very necessary to put pictures together as per our instructions on this site.

We strongly recommend our glue as you will not have trouble with frames coming apart as you attempt to nail them. Our glue is not the same as other wood glues, it is 10 times stronger than common wood glues. It is a bummer to get a frame all glued together, then pound a nail into it and have the frame corner come unglued. You will have trouble using the common wood glues found in hardware stores, such as Elmers Glue and TiteBond. Try our glue, it is an amazing difference and is in a class all by itself. Please click the glue link above and read about it there.

The V-Nails come in four sizes. The 7mm is used on mouldings that are not very thick, or on solid hardwood picture frame mouldings such as Oak, which is hard to drive any nail into. The 10 mm size is the standard size and is the most popular and commonly used size. The 12 mm v-nails are used on thick picture frame mouldings and softwood picture frame mouldings where more holding power is wanted. The 15 mm v-nails are used on thicker picture frames and shadow box picture frame moulding. If you are unsure what you want, order the 10 mm size, even large picture frames are commonly put together with this size. The v-nails are very sharp on one side, the glued side. This glued side is the side you drive into the bottom of the frame. Look them over carefully and you will soon figure out the proper side to drive into the wood. Glue all four corners of your frames first, then nail them up after the glue is dry. Read our instructions in our learning center.

Use Real Professional Picture Frame Nails

We stock the most used sizes of picture frame nails for your picture frame nail needs. In our learning pages we show you how to nail pictures together using v-nails, but many people still want to use real picture frame nails. It is just your preference. Real picture frame nails have other uses as well. Picture frame nails are also handy to have around for other purposes like repair work. You can drive them into most woods without splitting the wood. Common finish nails will always split picture frame moulding as most picture frame mouldings are very dry with very low water content.

Picture Frame Nails are sold by the 1 lb. Box

Brass Escutcheon Nails

Useful for a thousand things around the frame shop and home. They don't rust so can be used on many things like nailing mats to back boards, or fabrics. Nailing brass hinges and brass name plates or sawtooth hangers, elc.. Use where ever a small rust free nail is needed.