does anyone have any experience with the Dewalt cordless finish nailer. Was thinking about buying one but I’ve yet to hear any feed back. I’ve used the Paslode in the past and it always seems to break down more than it works.
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I bought the DeWalt angled cordless finish nailer a couple of years ago. I don't use it that much, but I've never had any problems with it when I do. The power is good, the battery seems to last a while..... on the downside, the whole unit is quite heavy compared to Paslode's unit.
SS
I've had the Paslodes for years with minimal problems. I clean them only when they start to slow up a bit.
I've trimmed 2 complete homes with the 16 ga. finish gun. I'v gone back to a pneumatic for bigger jobs, partly because of the cost of running the Paslodes ( fuel cells, nails), but also because I now use FlexEel hoses with my air guns.
But the Paslodes are great for small jobs- I carry the 16 ga. finish, and 18 ga. brad guns in my van at all times.
With the Paslode, you have to do things like clean it, charge the battery, keep the fuel cell fresh....
I'll wager you need to do similkar with the DW
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My brother's got a few Paslode guns, but a year or two ago he got the Dewalt trim gun. He says it's a better gun--more reliable, and better at fast nailing.
The Paslodes don't like it if you go too fast. Their biggest drawback is the fuel cartridges. You never know if it's really empty or not, and they aren't cheap. The Dewalt bypassed that whole system.
The Dewalt is heavier than the Paslodes. My brother's response when I brought that up was that I should put my skirt on. I'm not sure what he meant by that ;-)
The old paslode and the new paslode are two different animals. I would tend to agree with you on the old one not being very dependable but , the new ones are pretty good tools.
I'm kinda ashamed to admit this but, I have probably shot ten cases of nails or more through my current one and it has NEVER been cleaned. I don't recall it ever jamming yet.
dug
Which gun do you have? I've got the 16ga angled nailer and I call it my hit or miss gun. I've probably shot a hundred boxes of nails with it and only lost my temper and threw the gun two or three times. That's pretty good for me when a tool doesn't work the way it should.
My buddy/co-worker's got the straight 16ga and the 18ga. Those seem somewhat more reliable, but he's also better about keeping them oiled and cleaned. I've also used a Paslode framing nailer quite a bit. No fun holding a 24' rafter over your head and have a gun that won't fire.
I've got the 16 ga. angle finish. I don't know how many boxes of nails I've shot with that gun, but it's been a steady performer.
The only time I seem to have problems with it is when it needs to be cleaned.
Once that's been done, it works like a champ.
I've got the angled finish nailer and the framer.
The finish nailer has never given me cause to slam it, but the framer always seems to be empty at the most inopportune times, which is'nt the guns fault :)
I have noticed that the framer will jamb when the fuel cell gets low. When this happens I just toss the cell and grab another. Goes right back to working then.
I do way more remodeling than "production" framing so these guns are the ticket.
About the only time I pull hoses any more is decking, and thats only if there is alot of it.
dug
I 've had the 16ga for years, and a year ago bought the 18ga. The only trouble I HAD was misfiring, but I found out the fuel cells have a shelf life. The box store seem to have cells nearer to the date, so I go to a retail tool place that has a lot of movement.
They both worked great after that.
I was torn between which cordless finish nailer to buy ...
so I bought a mini senco compressor in the meantime.
same week I was planning on dropping the $100 retail for it I found one at a used tool store for $40. Had to jump at it then.
think it weighs less than 20lbs.
can carry the 18g case ... flexeel hose ... and compressor like nothing all in one trip.
only down side ... one I bought is useless for anything bigger that 18g's.
won't shoot a handful of 16g's to save it's life.
but ... it has put the idea of a cordless trim gun way down the list.
worked great with the 18g and 23g.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I'd say the electric cordless nailer technology is a little behind the cordless circular saw technology, which is a few steps behind the cordless drill technology.
The DeWalt cordless finish nailer is occasionally very convenient to have (like when you are doing trim alone on a roof or ladder and don't want to bother setting up a compressor). As others have said, it's heavy. And I've found that it frequently fails to fire. especially with the longest nails. I have to keep resetting the clip in the chamber to get them to fire.
A useful tool, but needs refinement for the money it costs.