Ryobi Adds Long-Anticipated Cordless Framing Nailer To 18V Lineup

Ryobi has a tool solution for pretty much any application you can think of, but there actually are a few gaps. The Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Framing Nailer fills one of the big ones that fans have been asking for. It enters the ring with two separate models and we wanted to know how they compare to other nailing solutions.

Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Framing Nailer: The Big Deal

These two models mark Ryobi’s first venture into the cordless framing nailer world. They include a 21° full head nailer and a 30° full and clipped head nailer. The nailers’ brushless motors allow the driving power to sink nails from 2 inches to 3 1/2 inches in length and claim the power to drive flush in hardwoods.

Thanks to Ryobi’s Airstrike Technology, these cordless framing nailers don’t require wrangling around air hoses or consumable gas cartridges. Instead, this technology utilizes an internal piston to compress enough air to each nail you’re driving with just an 18V lithium-ion battery.

A couple of things stand out in the design. One is that there is a field-serviceable air-fill valve on the tool. Unlike some designs that require you to take the nailer into the service center for filling, you can do it yourself when you notice you’re not getting the driving depth you’re used to.

The other element is a shock absorber for the battery. We first saw this kind of feature on high-vibration tools, such as Milwaukee’s monster M18 Fuel 1-inch impact wrench, but it’s not so common on nailers. Still, vibration can significantly reduce the life of your battery, so its inclusion gets two thumbs up from us.

Additional Features

• Tool-free drive depth adjustment
• Single and bump fire modes with a selection switch (no trigger changes required)
• Integrated rafter hook for easy on-the-job storage
• 21° capacity: 33 nails
• 30° capacity: 60 nails
• Drives up to 750 nails with a 4.0Ah High Performance battery

Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Framing Nailer Price

Both nailer models have a retail price of $329 for the bare tool. Kit options are also on the way. You can find them exclusively at The Home Depot starting in 2023. Ryobi backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.

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Milwaukee M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler Saves Massive Amounts Of Time

Whether you’ve hammered staples into a power pole or stretched miles of barbwire, it’s a painstaking process. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler promises to ease that pain. We connected with Luke Smith out at his property in Georgia to see how it compares to other fencing stapler options.

Pros

• Fast stapling
• Battery-only: no need for gas cartridges
• Fully drives 9-gauge staples
• Easy reloading
• Dry fire lockout
• Easy access to clear jams
• Tether loop for linemen

Cons

• Over 11 pounds fully-loaded

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler Performance

The first thing you need to know is Milwaukee’s stapler can fire 9-gauge staples and that’s a big deal. 10-gauge staples are easier to fire and there have only been a couple of other successful 9-gauge models so far. The adept Stockade ST400i uses a gas cartridge and battery for its fence and post stapler. We’ve also tested the DeWalt cordless fencing stapler battery-only tool after its launch.

As an M18 Fuel tool, the Milwaukee 2843 uses brushless motor technology to get better performance and runtime, and those runtime estimates are impressive. Using a 3.0Ah High Output battery, Milwaukee tells us to expect up to 600 staples on a charge. For most folks, that’s all-day runtime without having to increase the weight with a higher-capacity battery.

In terms of speed, Milwaukee claims you can set your staples up to six times faster than manual hammering. Plus, it has the power to sink into tough utility poles and fence posts.

In practice, it might be even faster than that. Luke and I got to work on some wire fencing he was installing to create new paddocks for the horses, and the stapler drove staples deep as quickly as we could get the nose set. With just the time it took to move from one post to the next, the tool had time to keep up our pace with no problem.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler Design Notes

Size and Weight

The overall shape of the tool is different from the Milwaukee cordless framing nailer. Its handle area is specifically designed to let you work easily when you’re wearing leather or insulated gloves required for utility work. There’s also a large lanyard loop to tether the Milwaukee 2843 while you’re off the ground.

This is a beefy tool, though. Bare, it’s just under 10 pounds and a 3.0Ah High Output battery gets it to 11.2. Add in a full magazine of staples and you’re hovering north of 11.5 pounds.

Despite that, the design team spent a lot of time in the lab dialing in the ergonomics. The tool is balanced really well not only holding it in your hand but also when you’re driving staples.

Staple Compatibility

Here’s the caveat: you have to use Milwaukee brand staples with this nailer. They have a diamond crown shape specifically designed to work with this nailer’s driving mechanism. When it comes to these cordless staplers, we’ve had to buy tool-specific staples before, so this isn’t a huge surprise.

Look for Milwaukee 9-gauge staples in 1 1/2, 1 3/4, and 2-inch lengths. Adjusting the firing depth to account for different sizes is as simple as turning the thumbwheel to the side of the nose.

Here’s the skinny on the staples:

• Hot dipped galvanized
• Barbed and coated divergent legs
• Diamond crown design
• Only compatible with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler

The good thing is a pack of 960 staples runs $89 – $109 and you can order them from Home Depot for home or store delivery at no extra charge. That’s quite a bit less than the fuel/staple combination of our Stockage gun and a few dollars more than DeWalt’s.

The only thing we wish would change is to have some in-store stock available, at least in rural areas. No matter how well you plan, there comes a time when you need a box or two to get through a job. Of course, that might not make sense from a retailer’s perspective, but it’s something Milwaukee’s competition isn’t doing and would make another solid selling point.

Loading

The magazine holds up to 45 staples and they’re super-easy to load. Drop the pusher down until it locks, slide the staples across the back of the magazine, and release the pusher. Thanks to the exposed design, it takes just a few seconds.

When you’re close to out of staples, a dry fire lockout prevents the stapler from firing until you reload.

Jam Clearing

If you happen to get a jam, getting to it is simple. Above the magazine, there’s a tool-free latch-style access. Drop the pusher, remove the loose staples, and then open the top access to clear it.

Additional Highlights

• Electronic power button
• Temperature and low battery indicator
• Robust belt hook/fence hanger
• Lockout button to prevent accidental firing
• LED light

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler Price

Look for the Milwaukee 2843 to retail for $599 as a bare tool and $799 as a kit with two 3.0Ah High Output batteries and a charger. Milwaukee backs it with a 5-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

Milwaukee made the M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler easy to use and highly effective. While it is heavy, you’re stapling so much faster that you can literally save hours on big fencing jobs over manual staple hammering. If 9-gauge stapling is part of your job, this is one of the easiest recommendations we’ll ever make.

The post Milwaukee M18 Fuel Utility Fencing Stapler Review 2843 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Give Your Hands A Break With The Greenworks 24V Cordless Crown Stapler

Manual staplers are fine, but why overwork your hands if you don’t have to? Today, there’s no need to pop staples manually. Check out what the Greenworks 24V cordless 3/8-inch crown stapler offers and see how it can make your life easier.

Using the Greenworks 24V Cordless Crown Stapler

What’s in a Name?

If you’re new to the idea of a cordless stapler, don’t let the word “crown” get in the way. These tools are crown staplers because the staple has a crown, not because they’re used for crown molding. There are several types of crown staplers: narrow crown staplers for thinner trim/finish and models like the Greenworks 24V cordless crown staplers for a wider range of stapling and tacking duties. In reality, the difference is a 1/4-inch crown vs a 3/8-inch crown and there’s a little overlap in their applications. There are also wide crown staplers that offer an even better hold.

Greenworks 24V Cordless Crown Stapler Capacity

This model is capable of driving either 18-gauge nails (9/16 – 5/8-inch length) or T50 staples (1/4 – 9/16-inch length). It’s perfect for repairing upholstery, woodworking, furniture repairs, carpet assembly, and a wide range of home improvement or weekend projects.

If you’re joining thinner wood, test fire on scrap first. The 3/8-inch crown can be too much for some applications, and you may be better off switching to an 18-gauge nail or narrow crown stapler.

The motor is able to drive up to 60 shots per minute. This model is sequential fire only, so you’ll need to pull the trigger for every shot.

The stapler’s magazine features large windows on both sides so you can easily see how many staples you have left. If you’re not keeping track of your remaining staples, the tool will fire when it’s empty. However, the driver blade is not able to strike your workpiece.

The front-loading magazine can hold up to 85 staples at one time. To load, point the stapler up, press the quick-release mechanism on the bottom of the magazine, and slide it out. New staples or nails go in point-side out and then you pop the loader back in place.

Dial Up The Power

Greenworks includes a variable power dial that allows you to adjust the power and drive depth to match whatever material you’re working with. As you turn it, there’s a sliding gauge on top that takes the guesswork out of setting your power settings. It’s a very simple and effective way to adjust the power and critical as you shift from softwoods to hardwoods.

Greenworks 24V Cordless Crown Stapler Ergonomics

This tool weighs right at 4 pounds with a Greenworks 24V 2.0Ah battery. Its compact size, comfortable rubber overmold grip, and lightweight design make it easy to access tight spaces and work overhead with ease.

Safety Features

Greenworks designed its cordless crown stapler with a safety lock mechanism on the business end, just like other nail guns, for extra security and safety. Before you can fire a staple, you need to press the nose into the material.

Greenworks 24V Cordless Crown Stapler Price

The kit retails for $109.99 and comes with a 2.0Ah battery, charger, a belt clip, plus 500 staples and 500 nails to get you started. That’s a pretty attractive price point for a cordless stapler kit. A 3-year warranty backs both the battery and crown stapler.

The Bottom Line

Greenworks meets the needs of folks in need of a cordless 3/8-inch crown stapler with a compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use design. Ready to work with a battery and charger for $109.99, there are plenty of jobs around the house and shop that make it a very handy tool to have around.

Don’t miss any last-chance deals from Greenworks!

Greenworks 24V Crown Stapler Specifications

• Model: Greenworks GWA3630905
• Power Source: Greenworks 24V battery
• Weight: 3 lbs (bare), 4 lbs (with 2.0Ah battery)
• Magazine Capacity: 85 staples
• Max Speed: 60 staples per minute, up to 2500 shots per charge
• Staple Capacity: 1/4-9/16 in. T50 staples
• Nail Capacity: 19/32 in. 18ga. nails
• Warranty: 3-year tool and battery warranty
• Price: $109.99 (kit)

The post Greenworks 24V Cordless 3/8-Inch Crown Stapler appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Ridgid’s 18V Crown Stapler Offers More Power In A Compact Body

Whether you’re installing insulation, screening, or reupholstering furniture, Ridgid hopes its 18V cordless crown stapler could be the do-it-all tool for you. Find out how its compact body and longer runtime could benefit your jobsite or home improvement projects.

Ridgid 18V Cordless Crown Stapler: The Big Deal

Ridgid tells us that its 18V crown stapler drives up to 6,800 staples per charge and up to 105 staples per minute. Using heavy-duty 3/8-inch wide staples, you can perform duties such as carpet installation and furniture upholstery among many others. It’s capable of driving 1/4-inch to 9/16-inch staples into a variety of materials and thrives in soft and construction-grade wood.

The stapler features a dry-fire lockout mechanism, which extends the tool’s life and prevents marring on your working material if no staples are loaded.

The back of the tool houses the depth-of-drive adjustment knob, so you don’t have to change the tool’s direction in order to adjust the staple shooting depth. Additionally, an onboard dual-sided screen/wire attachment prevents damage when stapling screens and wires.

Additional Features

• Integrated LED work light
• Quick-load magazine
• Compact design

Ridgid 18V Cordless Crown Stapler Price

The Ridgid R09897 retails for $99 for the bare tool. There is also a kit option that includes a 2.0Ah battery and charger for $129. Both versions include the screen/wire attachment and a belt hook with a screw. The Ridgid 18V Cordless Crown Stapler launches in July 2022 exclusively at The Home Depot.

Specifications

• Model: R09897B
• Length: 7.5 in
• Width: 7.6 in
• Depth: 3.3 in
• Weight: 3 lbs
• Maximum fastener size: 3/8 in
• Minimum fastener size: 1/4 in
• Motor type: Brushed
• Firing mode: Single actuation
• Voltage: 18V

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Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Lineup Adds A Cordless Pin Nailer

Craftsman’s launch of the RP series emphasizes runtime and performance thanks to the use of brushless motors. Joining the line, the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP cordless pin nailer is sure to be a woodworking and carpentry fan favorite.

Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Cordless Pin Nailer: The Big Deal

The Craftsman CMCN623 is the first cordless pin nailer that Craftsman has released, despite having a wide range of other cordless nailers.

As for that RP designation, the nailer drives 23-gauge pins from 5/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches in length into any type of wooden material. Craftsman tells us to expect an average of 1500 1-inch nails per charge with a CMCB2011 1.5Ah battery.

Looking at some highlight features, there’s a low-nail lockout, so you don’t have to worry about the number of nails you have left.

It also has a tool-free jam release so that, in the event of a nail jam, you can easily clear it and get back to work as soon as possible.

The no-mar tip and LED light we expect to find on cordless nailers are there as well.

What’s particularly interesting is the trigger system. From what we can tell, there’s a lower trigger that acts as a presence indicator for your middle finger to rest on. Once that’s engaged, the main trigger above it fires your nail. We’ll have to wait until we get our hands on the nailer to know for sure, but our guess is it’s a more natural trigger safety than most designs.

Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Cordless Pin Nailer Price

The Craftsman CMCN623 is available as a bare tool for $179. There’s a kit as well that includes a 20V 1.5Ah battery and charger for $229. Your purchase is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.

Specifications

• Model: Craftsman CMCN623B
• Power source: Craftsman V20 battery (1.5Ah or 2.0Ah recommended)
• Nail gauge: 23
• Minimum nail length: 0.625 in
• Maximum nail length: 1.375 in
• Collation type: Straight
• Weight: 4.1 lbs

Learn more at Craftsman’s website.

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The DeWalt DCN623 Brings a Compact 20V Pin Nailer for Cordless Carpentry Work

Cordless battery-powered nailers have steadily encroached on their corded counterparts with lighter designs and on-par performance. With smaller finish nailers, battery power brings lots of weight. Our question is whether the DeWalt DCN623 20V Max cordless pin nailer can present a compact-enough footprint to satisfy the needs of carpenters looking for a viable alternative to dragging a hose and compressor to the jobsite. This could prove advantageous for smaller projects!

DeWalt Atomic 20V MAX Cordless Pin Nailer – The Big Deal

Unlike the Milwaukee M12 23-gauge pin nailer or Makita 18V cordless pin nailer, the DeWalt DCN623 incorporates a brushless motor. It drives 23 ga. pin nails from 5/8-inch up to 1 1/2-inches in length into a variety of woods. According to DeWalt, this includes solid oak. Powered by a 20V battery, you won’t have a hose or compressor getting in your way while using this tool like you would with a traditional pneumatic pin nailer such as the DeWalt DWFP2350K.

Designed for trim carpenters and other professionals who deal with punch lists and smaller projects, the DeWalt Atomic 20V cordless pin nailer drives up to 2,000 nails per charge. It also has a low-nail “dryfire” lockout system. An LED indicator lets you know when you need to reload—we like the addition of that feature.

Additional Features

• Tool-free jam release
• Tool-free depth adjust
• 110 nail magazine capacity

DeWalt DCN623 Atomic 20V Max Cordless Pin Nailer Price

The DeWalt DCN623 Atomic Compact 20V Max brushless pin nailer has a retail price of $299 as a bare tool. You can also pick up the kit, including a battery and charger, for $349. This pin nailer will be available around May 15, 2022, at your favorite DeWalt retailer. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Final Thoughts

Whether this nailer proves small enough to satisfy Pros used to truly compact pneumatic pinners remains to be seen. Certainly, it brings some much-needed features like a brushless motor and a fairly small footprint. If we manage to get one in for review we can run it through a series of tests and also see how it performs in the field. The price, weight, size, and design certainly look promising so far!

Specifications

• Model: DeWalt DCN623B
• Fastener length range: 5/8-inch to 1-1/2-inch
• Warranty: 3-year limited
• Recommended battery: 2.0 Ah
• Fasteners: 23 gauge
• Number of batteries required: 1
• Battery voltage: 20
• Weight: 4.1 lbs

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The first Milwaukee M18 Fuel finish nailers enjoyed some initial success but left some room for improvement. There’s a big update to the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-gauge cordless finish nailer that deals with some of the biggest complaints professionals have with the earlier models.

Pros

• Narrower, more visible nose
• Better access in tight areas
• No firing delay
• Stands up on its battery
• Improved belt hook design and location
• Replaces the 2741

Cons

• Slightly heavier than the previous model

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Performance

Immediately, you’ll see the Milwaukee 2841 has a much longer and narrower nose section. As we fired into our oak test block grid, it was obvious how much easier it is to see our shots and improve our accuracy over the 2741. The tip design also makes it easier to fire into tight corners.

The power and firing rate wasn’t a huge issue in the last model and it’s still excellent. We were able to easily sink nails into our oak test block using both nailers and they fired at a faster pace than we would ever work on a job, leaving clean nail holes behind.

There was a difference was in the sound of the 2841’s nitrogen air spring drive system, though. While it didn’t seem to make a noticeable difference in driving power, we noticed less recoil, and that’s always a win.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Design Highlights

• Tool-free depth adjustment thumbwheel with positive stops
• Sequential and bump fire modes with separate mode indicator lights
• Tool-free jam clearing by accessing the magazine through a latch system
• Additional tips store on magazine
• Improved reversible belt hook is more durable and mounts on a better position
• LED light has a more direct angle to the nailer tip
• Only needs a battery for power—no gas cartridge required
• Compatible with all 16-guage finish nails 1 1/4 inches to 2 1/2 inches
• Compatible with all Milwaukee M18 batteries (2.0Ah compact battery recommended)

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Price

The updated Milwaukee 2841 replaces the 2741 without a big price increase. The bare tool retails for $329 or you can grab the kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger for $399.

Milwaukee backs the nailer with a 5-year warranty and the battery for 2 years.

The Bottom Line

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-Gauge finish nailer’s biggest improvements are with its visibility and accuracy. It’s a big enough deal for finish work that the upgrade is worth it. Other minor changes simply seal the deal in our opinion. If you’ve been on the fence about pulling the trigger on a cordless finish nailer, we heartily recommend getting your hands on a Milwaukee M18 Fuel model.

Discover more Milwaukee cordless nailers here.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Specifications

• Model: Milwaukee 2841
• Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
• Nail Length: 1 1/4 – 2 1/2 inches
• Nail Gauge: 16
• Angle: 20°
• Weight: 6.5 pounds bare, 7.4 pounds with 2.0Ah battery
• Length: 12.75 inches
• Price: $329 bare, $399 kit
• Warranty: 5 years

The post Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless 16-Gauge Finish Nailer Review 2841 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Ryobi Improves Power on Latest AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer

Since its original launch, Ryobi’s AirStrike cordless nailers have been an excellent balance of performance and price. It was clear there was room to improve, though, and advances in both battery and motor technology paved the way for a new generation. We got our hands on the Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer to get some trigger time and see the improvements for ourselves.

Pros

• Lighter and more compact than the P320
• Brushless motor drives stronger with more runtime
• Much better visibility with AccuDrive nose design
• Dry fire lockout and low nail indicator
• Bump and sequential fire modes

Cons

• Slight firing delay
• Nose blocks the LED light

Ryobi 18V One + HP Brushless AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Performance

HP Brushless upgrades have been pushing many Ryobi cordless tools to a whole new level of performance and allowing for more compact sizes. That’s definitely the case for the Ryobi P322 brad nailer. Thanks to its HP brushless motor and High Performance battery pairing, Ryobi’s cordless brad nailer is now able to drive nails in hardwood more confidently than ever—even up to 2 1/8-inch lengths.

We tested with 2-inch nails and had no trouble sinking them into our oak test block with or against the grain.

Unlike some brands, there is a slight firing delay when you pull the trigger. While it doesn’t give you the instant feel of a pneumatic nailer, we don’t expect it to have a massively negative effect on your workflow.

With a 4.0Ah High Performance battery, expect up to 2250 nails on one charge. With that kind of runtime, it’s no problem to drop some weight and go with the smaller 2.0Ah High Performance pack.

Ryobi 18V One + HP Brushless AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Design Notes

Size and Weight

The size and weight of this nailer drop from the P320 it replaces. The bare tool is 5.5 pounds and a 4.0Ah High Performance battery brings it up to 7.1 pounds. With the runtime the brushless motor offers, we recommend the 2.0Ah High Performance pack, making the total package 6.5 pounds.

AccuDrive Nose

If you ever got your hands on the original Ryobi AirStrike 18-gauge brad nailer, you’ll be impressed with the visibility of this update. By name, it has an AccuDrive nose. What that means is it has a narrower tip with outstanding visibility. Once you get used to the placement of the nail driving from just above the tip, even a novice can fire accurately within a millimeter or two with just a few minutes of practice.

Setting the Drive Depth

Setting your drive depth is based on the hardness of the material you’re using and the length of the nail—that’s nothing new. There’s a two-step process to dial it in on this nailer, though. First, you have a typical depth thumbwheel on the front of the tool. Then there’s a pressure dial on the back of the tool.

Start with the pressure dial when you’re taking your first test shots. It’s very possible to get the depth you need from that alone. If it’s still not quite sinking the way you want, then turn to the thumbwheel.

Additional Features

• Tool-free selectable fire modes (bump/sequential)
• Simple tool-free jam access with a latch above the magazine
• Spare no-mar tip stores on the magazine
• LED light activation with a secondary trigger just below the main trigger
• Dry fire lockout and low nail indicator

Ryobi 18V One + HP Brushless AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Price

The Ryobi P322 runs $179 as a bare tool and includes a 3-year warranty. Currently, there are no kit options available. If you don’t need quite as high of a performance level, the brushed P321 has a very similar design and is coming soon and we expect the price to run $129.

Ryobi Airstrike Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Quick Comparison

The Bottom Line

Adding a brushless motor and improving the nose design makes the Ryobi P322 cordless 18-gauge brad nailer leaps and bounds better than the P320. Consistently powerful driving in hardwoods and more accurate firing highlight a thoughtful redesign along with a price tag that offers an excellent value compared to premium brands.

Specifications

• Model: Ryobi P322
• Power Source: Ryobi 18V One+ battery (High Performance pack recommended)
• Nail Size: 18-gauge
• Nail Length: 5/8 to 2 1/8 inches
• Capacity: 105
• Weight: 5.5 pounds bare
• Length: 11.7 inches
• Price: $179 bare
• Warranty: 3 years

The post Ryobi 18V One + HP Brushless AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Review P322 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Milwaukee’s original cordless finish nailers had some great successes while leaving room for improvement. There’s an updated Milwaukee M18 Fuel 15-gauge cordless finish nailer that addresses some of the biggest pain points professionals have with those original models.

Pros

• Narrower, more visible nose
• Better access in tight areas
• No firing delay
• Stands up on its battery
• Improved belt hook design and location
• Replaces the 2743

Cons

• Slightly heavier than the previous model

Milwaukee M18 fuel 15-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Performance

One of the first things you’ll notice on the Milwaukee 2839 is how much longer and narrower the nose section is. As we fired our first test shots, it was obvious how much more visible it is and that it improves our accuracy over the previous model. It also makes the nailer able to get into tight corners much easier than before.

When it comes to the power and firing rate, were still able to easily sink nails into our oak test block using both nailers and they fired faster than we would ever work on a job. They both left clean nail holes as well.

Where we noticed a difference was in the sound of the 2839’s nitrogen air spring drive system. While it didn’t seem to make a big difference in power, there was less recoil, and we’ll take that any day.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 15-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Design Highlights

• Tool-free depth adjustment thumbwheel with positive stops
• Sequential and bump fire modes with separate mode indicator lights
• Tool-free jam clearing by accessing the magazine through a latch system
• Additional tips store on magazine
• Improved reversible belt hook is more durable and placed in a better position
• LED light has a more direct angle to the nailer tip
• Only needs a battery for power—no gas cartridge required
• Compatible with all 15 guage DA style finish nails 1 1/4 inches to 2 1/2 inches
• Compatible with all Milwaukee M18 batteries (2.0Ah compact battery recommended)

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 15-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Price

The updated Milwaukee 2839 replaces the 2843 without a huge increase in price. As a bare tool, the nailer is $329. You can also get it as a kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger for $399.

As usual, Milwaukee backs this tool with a 5-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

The improvement to the visibility and access of Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 15-gauge cordless finish nailer makes the upgrade worth it. Other tweaks to the design simply sweeten the deal. If you’re a Milwaukee fan that’s been sitting on the sidelines when it comes to their cordless finish nailers, it’s time to get in the game!

Discover more Milwaukee cordless nailers here.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 15-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Specifications

• Model: Milwaukee 2839
• Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
• Nail Length: 1 1/4 – 2 1/2 inches
• Nail Gauge: 15
• Angle: 34°
• Weight: 6.5 pounds bare
• Length: 12.75 inches
• Price: $329 bare, $399 kit
• Warranty: 5 years

The post Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless 15-Gauge Finish Nailer Review 2839 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

A rock solid tool with a price that wont break the bank

Could you benefit from a battery-powered narrow crown stapler? We got our hands on the Ryobi 18V cordless narrow crown stapler (P361) to see if it might make for a good investment. At first glance, it looks like an affordable solution for DIYers or anyone working with wood fences, drawers, fascia, or other materials where crown staples make a great fastener choice. Our questions centered around runtime, and what materials it would work well with.

Pros

• Single- and bump-fire modes
• Supports 3/8-inch to 1.5-inch narrow crown staples
• LED light
• 18V ONE+ battery system works with over 225 tools
• 3-year warrenty

Cons

• 1-inch fasteners was the deepest it will drive into oak

The Case for Using Narrow Crown Staplers

Have you ever put together IKEA furniture or a cheap bookshelf system? The frame of these shelf systems remains quite frail until you fasten the thin veneer back panel. That thin back panel typically attaches via small ring shank nails. Professional cabinet shops build their custom shelves a little differently—but with the same principle in mind. Instead of small individual nails, they tend to use narrow crown staples to attach the backs. It provides a more secure hold, and the tools used to fire the nails speed up the process.

Editor’s Note: Check out our article on How to Use a Narrow Crown Stapler for some more great insights into using these tools.

Ryobi P361 Narrow Crown Stapler Performance

Pick up any of the Ryobi nailers and staplers, and you can really feel the excellent build quality. I am sure they can take a beating. It has rubber overmold in all the right spots both to protect the tool and also to protect the surfaces of any materials you may be working with. As long as you don’t set this on the belt clip, you can safely lay the Ryobi narrow crown stapler on a client’s countertop without fear of scratching it.

When it comes to driving the fasteners, I had no trouble driving 1.5-inch fasters in any material except hardwoods like oak. This should not be an issue as these are almost always going to be used in sheet goods, construction lumber, trim, paneling, or molding. In oak, I could drive any staple 1-inch or shorter.

Ryobi Narrow Crown Stapler Design Notes

Prior to picking up the P361, I already owned the Ryobi P360 “Airstrike” narrow crown stapler. It has worked well for me, so I was anxious to see any improvements Ryobi might have made. If you own the P360, you probably don’t need to upgrade. However, if you’re on the fence about buying a narrow crown stapler, the new P361 has a few welcome changes. Once Ryobi gets through their existing inventory this will be a rolling replacement to the older model.

The first “upgrade” is a simple sticker and a few other identifiers letting you know which Ryobi nailer you are picking up. You may not think it is all that important, but to me it is huge. I own five different Ryobi nailers and they all look alike. Having a way to tell them apart is very helpful.

Ergonomics

The handle is a little more ergonomic on the new Ryobi P361 stapler. Also, the power control on the top has been changed. Instead of a dial that was rather stiff and hard to turn (especially if you have arthritis as I do), it now features a lever that I found easier to adjust. When driving fasteners into harder wood like oak, turn the power up. When working with softer materials (or if your fasteners drive too deep), dial the power down.

Loading the staples is very easy. Press the release mechanism located near the battery on the bottom of the tool. The magazine slide opens, and you can install a new magazine of staples by dropping them in place. Push the magazine slide closed, and you can begin firing staples.

Ryobi P361 Controls

The Ryobi P361 narrow crown stapler has two modes: single-fire and bump-fire. I leave mine in single-fire mode all the time for more accurate positioning of fasters one at a time. With bump-fire, you hold the trigger down and every time the nose of the staplers comes in contact with the material it shoots a nail. This is faster but not as accurate unless you do this all day every day like a roofer. This method also comes with some safety concerns since it makes it easier for accidental misfires.

Depth adjustment is very easy on all the Ryobi cordless nailers. Simply turn the dial on the side to make the head of the fastener sink deeper or stick up higher from the material. The dial on the P361 is smaller but much easier to turn than the oversized one on my P360.

Ryobi Narrow Crown Stapler Price

The Ryobi P361 Narrow Crown Stapler is available at the Home Depot as a bare tool for $149 (supply issues notwithstanding). You may even find it as a kit for a bit more. That will include a charger and 2.0 amp-hour battery.

The Bottom Line

The Ryobi P361 Narrow Crown Stapler is an excellent tool for anyone who builds cabinet carcasses, bookcases or other box-type assembles and is tired of hand nailing the backs on. If you use a ring shank nail to hold thin sheet goods on, you are probably better off using a narrow crown stapler most of the time. Anyone with a lot of wall paneling or lattice to install should also give this a serious look. It even works great for installing or repairing fence pickets.

In my opinion, all of Ryobi’s cordless nailers represent the best value for a good price. They do this so well, I bought almost the entire Ryobi line of cordless nailers/staplers for myself!

Ryobi Narrow Crown Stapler Specifications

• Model: Ryobi P361
• 3/8-inch to 1.5-inch norrow crown staples (1/4-inch wide)
• Grip-activated LED light
• Single/bump-fire modes
• 3-year tool warranty
• Price: $149

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