Cordless Nailer Basics and Product Review
Cordless Finish Nailers
Cordless power nailers straddle the line between pro and DIY. At this point, I would say that they are more pro than DIY due to the cost and the limited amount of finish work that DIYers take on.
Cordless nailers are "third-tier" tools because they aren't the first tools you buy (hammer, saw, straight edge, etc.); aren't second level (cordless saws, reciprocating saws, etc.); but are luxury, nice-to-have third level tools, like wet tile saws or twin blade saws, you buy when you've got a little money rattling around your pocket.
To clarify, in this article we're not discussing the type of nailer called a framing nailer. These are the hefty monsters that shoot nails long and strong enough for structural work. By contrast, finish nailers shoot wire nails or brads up to 2" long and are intended for baseboards, crown molding, door or window trim, and other detail work.
Traditional compressed air nailers have hoses, tanks, and compressors. All of this cumbersome stuff is not conducive to easy DIY remodeling. Professional builders and remodelers use compressed air nailers every day and are accustomed to dealing with them. Not only that, compressed air is a universal system that the pros use to hook up to other tools: sanders, impact wrenches, grinders, recip saws, and many more.
Should you buy a whole pneumatic system when you don't need all of that?
No. That's why you may want to purchase a standalone electric nailer, and there are two types: canister compressed gas and lithium ion battery-powered.
Compare Prices on Cordless Nailers
When you cut the air hose, that doesn't mean that compression as a means of driving nails entirely goes away. With some nailers, replaceable gas canisters fill up a chamber. The chamber is right above the piston (or firing pin).
When the electric charge from the battery ignites the gas, it explodes and moves the piston and drives the nail.
Paslode and Hitachi are two manufacturers that use this technology.
Compare Prices on Cordless Nailers
The other variety of cordless finish nailers dispenses with the gas canisters. They use a flywheel technology powered by lithium ion batteries.
These battery-only cordless nailers fire 16 to 18 gauge nails as long as 2.5".
Compare Prices on Cordless Nailers
Cordless power nailers straddle the line between pro and DIY. At this point, I would say that they are more pro than DIY due to the cost and the limited amount of finish work that DIYers take on.
Cordless nailers are "third-tier" tools because they aren't the first tools you buy (hammer, saw, straight edge, etc.); aren't second level (cordless saws, reciprocating saws, etc.); but are luxury, nice-to-have third level tools, like wet tile saws or twin blade saws, you buy when you've got a little money rattling around your pocket.
To clarify, in this article we're not discussing the type of nailer called a framing nailer. These are the hefty monsters that shoot nails long and strong enough for structural work. By contrast, finish nailers shoot wire nails or brads up to 2" long and are intended for baseboards, crown molding, door or window trim, and other detail work.
Pneumatic Tool System Usually Not Right for Average DIYer
If you have ever experienced the frustration of hammering something hundreds of times over, then you have longed for a compressed air power (pneumatic) nailer.Traditional compressed air nailers have hoses, tanks, and compressors. All of this cumbersome stuff is not conducive to easy DIY remodeling. Professional builders and remodelers use compressed air nailers every day and are accustomed to dealing with them. Not only that, compressed air is a universal system that the pros use to hook up to other tools: sanders, impact wrenches, grinders, recip saws, and many more.
Should you buy a whole pneumatic system when you don't need all of that?
No. That's why you may want to purchase a standalone electric nailer, and there are two types: canister compressed gas and lithium ion battery-powered.
Compare Prices on Cordless Nailers
When you cut the air hose, that doesn't mean that compression as a means of driving nails entirely goes away. With some nailers, replaceable gas canisters fill up a chamber. The chamber is right above the piston (or firing pin).
When the electric charge from the battery ignites the gas, it explodes and moves the piston and drives the nail.
Paslode and Hitachi are two manufacturers that use this technology.
Compare Prices on Cordless Nailers
Pros
- Fast nail repeat time. You do not have to wait several seconds for a recharge.
- Longer run time throughout the day.
Cons
- Some users complain of the smell of the compressed gas.
- Replenishing the gas canisters.
The other variety of cordless finish nailers dispenses with the gas canisters. They use a flywheel technology powered by lithium ion batteries.
These battery-only cordless nailers fire 16 to 18 gauge nails as long as 2.5".
Compare Prices on Cordless Nailers
Pros
- No gas canisters to deal with. Just charge up the battery.
- Larger pool of nailers to choose from, since trend appears to be continuing in this direction.
Cons
- Battery drains faster because it is sole source of power.
- Heavy to handle.
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