Anybody using battery powered nail guns?

[Rowdy Redneck]

Hey everybody, I would appreciate some thoughts on cordless nail guns. I currently have two small compressors and 7(?) nail guns. Coil siding nailer, narrrow and wide crown staplers, and finish nailers. Coil and 15ga finish guns get the most use, coil for LP Smartside siding and the finish guns for shiplap and trim. My last house was all shiplap and T&G cedar, so I used about 15k finish nails. Starting the next two houses and they will both have a few more nails than that. I'm not necessarily looking to drive all those nails with a cordless nailer though. I mainly want one for when I have just a few nails and don't want to mess with the compressor and hose etc. Not just on my new builds but for little projects around my own house.

My dilemma is this: I have sworn I would never buy another gun that wasn't a Ridgid because I like them so much. When they are out of nails it won't fire any more, as opposed to all of my other guns that will fire and make you think you have been driving nails. Nothing worse than letting go of a piece of ceiling trim that you thought you just put a bunch of nails in only to have it fall because none went in. The wrinkle is that I am all in on the Dewalt cordless system. Probably have 10-12 batteries ranging from 1.3 to 5 amps along with chargers. Unfortunately my Dewalt finish nailer is the one I hate the most.

So it seems my options are 1) spend about $250 on a refurbished Ridgid nailer with two (small) new batteries and charger, or 2) buy a Dewalt nailer for $300 and have access to all my exisiting batteries. Just realized option 3) would be to spend about $110 on a refurbished Ryobi nailer and use some of my exisiting batteries, but the batteries are mostly pretty crappy at this point I think. I don't think this gun will get used a lot but I do want to make a wise decision.

What say you fine folks? Would also appreciate any general thoughts on cordless nail guns from folks who have used them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Love my DeWalt battery nailers. They jam once in a while, but all do. I have Bostich on the air guns and DeWalt wheelbarrow compressor.

 

[4570Man]

I have a Dewalt battery framing nailer and a 18 gauge. The framer is lacking compared to air but fairly useful. You’d drag it out to put up some dead wood or putting up bracing but bring the compressor if you plan on doing a lot of work. It has issues fully seating the nail, the cycle time is slower and it jams worse. The 18 gauge works good. It fully seats the nail, cycles fast and hasn’t jammed since I’ve had it. My Dewalt framer locks out when it’s empty btw. I haven’t ran the 18 gauge out to see what happens.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I will probably just go with the Dewalt. It won't get a ton of use compared to the air nailers but it will be very convenient.

 

[bullbreaker]

Lets also remember the available battery powered fence staplers .

https://www.amazon.com/DeWalt-DCFS9...3442643&sprefix=battery+fence+,aps,189&sr=8-4

don't own one but maybe someone here is not aware they exist .......................

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

So that is the third Amazon link I have clicked on today on TBN, and every time it has just taken me to the Amazon home page. Not sure what is going on. That stapler sure is sweet though. No use for it now but would have killed for one when running tones of high tensile wire through the forest while in high school/college.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

We run Makita cordless trim and micro pin nailers as well as Paslode gas; however for true production nothing beats an air gun. I think going with the Dewalt makes the most sense.

 

[4570Man]

We run Makita cordless trim and micro pin nailers as well as Paslode gas; however for true production nothing beats an air gun. I think going with the Dewalt makes the most sense.

I have one of these and an identical but different brand one that’s great for running trim guns. It’s easily carried around and whisper quiet. Being easily carried in one hand makes dragging a compressor out a lot more appealing. Virtually every subcontractor and customer that has seen it has complemented on how quite it is.

 

[woody]

I think going with the Dewalt makes the most sense in your case. I have seen some real good reviews on the Milwaukee guns, was just about to go get an 18 gauge when a buddy of mine handed me an air nailer and told me to keep it he had to many. Don't forget about the battery adapters they have now so you are not lock down to just one brand, just bought an adapter to run some craftsman stuff off of a Milwaukee battery now I can keep using them.

 

[neverfailyou]

My new adapter for black craftsman C-3 battery tools using Dewalt batteries works fine also.

 

[Hay Dude]

Heres a picture of the worm drive saw and framing nailer right after I bought them.

 

[4570Man]

Heres a picture of the worm drive saw and framing nailer right after I bought them.

Do you have one of those 60 volt drills to go with it?

 

[KYBobcat]

METABO. Their battery powered nailers are awesome. I have the framing nailer and finish nailer. I had the same dilemma, having several Dewalt drills, impact and saws. But I couldn't fall in love with the nailers. Ended up going with a separate system for my nailers and chose METABO. Very good nail guns and highly regarded.

 

[3gunr]

We have 4 paslode nailers 2 finish and 2 framers they are all over 10 yrs old and are used all the time . We also have a ridgid battery finish nailer and dont like it at all. It is to slow compared to the paslodes. For homeowner use a battery one would be fine.

 

[yanmars]

My paslodes were gas operated but I really liked them for nailing, even in old hard oak.

 

[Hay Dude]

Do you have one of those 60 volt drills to go with it?

I pretty much went all in on 60V. Bought the 60V; Sawzall, (2) hammer drills, (2) grease guns, (2) nail guns, the big 60V impact.
The impact is crazy powerful. Took of rear tractor rim bolts without busting a sweat.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

My paslodes were gas operated but I really liked them for nailing, even in old hard oak.

A bit off subject, but you need to fasten to steel, concrete, this is what we use... Best &^%$ tool I ever bought.
ITW Ramset TF12 TrakFast Gas Charged Pin Nailer

 

[dstig1]

There was a review in this month's Fine Home Building on them. The Milwaukee came out best. Apparently it is the newest of the 3 they did and they learned from the others mistakes. You might be able to find the review online without paying for it, or maybe not. They try to double dip on subscribers for the magazine and the web site both...

 

[Hay Dude]

There was a review in this month's Fine Home Building on them. The Milwaukee came out best. Apparently it is the newest of the 3 they did and they learned from the others mistakes. You might be able to find the review online without paying for it, or maybe not. They try to double dip on subscribers for the magazine and the web site both...

I wouldnt doubt it. Milwaukee makes fine tools, now in China. I was a big Milwaukee guy. Had the V-28 cordless tools. Still have my 8-1/4 inch worm drive framing saw.

 

[yanmars]

About 8 times out of 10 on Fine Homebuilding the Milwaukee brand comes out on top in all tools. Usually highest price also. I guess one gets what one pays for.