Technology has caught up with one of the oldest tools, the endeared hammer, rendering it virtually useless in cases where speed and productivity are called for. Today, this is the domain of the nail gun. This simple but practical tool has existed for over half a century and transformed modern society. It is extensively used in construction sites for driving hundreds of nails into wooden frames, in roofing and flooring projects, for small repairs around the house, and in countless DIY jobs where the traditional nail and hammer combos just take too much time. Besides speed, they offer safety and precision, so no swings and misses, or bruised fingers and damaged woodwork.
Brand Basics
While all power tool brands have some form of nailing gun in their lineup, DeWalt stays ahead of the rest. Need a framing gun? They have more than half a dozen variants, driving both paper or plastic-collated nails at different angles and the high speeds pros expect. What about a fixing nailer? Here too you’ll find a fixing DeWalt nail gun for standard jobs and where space is tight. What about a brad nailer or stapler for nailing down panels, plasterboard or decking? Yes, they’ve got you covered. There’s no job where nails are involved for which DeWalt haven’t got the best solution.
Besides the sizeable scope of tools on offer, DeWalt nail guns benefit from their cordless tech. This centres on some of the best rechargeable batteries in the business. XR FLEXVOLT batteries have some of the longest run times among any cordless tool battery, ensuring that your nail gun is up and running in no time, and will last the whole day. What’s more, the same batteries can be used with the whole range of 200+ tools in the company’s catalogue. Unlike other brands, there’s no need in setting up compressors or blowing money on expensive fuel cell replacements. And there are no cables straddling hazardously behind you, and limiting working range.
DeWalt Framing Guns
Framing guns are some of the biggest nailers out there. They’re used in heavy-duty construction and carpentry tasks, from connecting large pieces of timber in building frames, installing decks and fencing, setting roof trusses, and assembling crates to large-scale work on furniture items. They drive in bigger and thicker nails, up to 90mm long and 3.3mm wide. For productivity and long-lasting results look to the DeWalt DCN692 framing gun, with its revised and updated brushless motor providing the most available power and efficiency. This nailer has a compact and slim-line design, is balanced and easy-to-use and has unique features that put it a cut above the rest. The 33-degree angled magazine can hold up to 55 nails, a sequential operating mode for precision, or bump mode for more speed, easy access to the nosepiece when removing jammed nails, and a handy release lever to adjust the driver blade in the event of a jam. Safety features are also catered to, with a trigger lock disabling this DeWalt nail gun when not in use.
Finishing Guns
Where framing guns are just too big, grab hold of a Dewalt finishing nailer. Also known as fixing guns, these are used when precision and accurate nail placement are a must. Typical applications are in attending to mouldings and skirting, repairing and assembling door and window casings, exterior trims, and light carpentry work. DeWalt makes both straight and angled cordless finishing nailers, with straighter nailers used when there’s the need to hide nail heads, cleaner interior finishes (often with smaller gauge nails), and angled guns for outright holding strength that bigger nails afford. The latter is also more suitable in tight spots that restrict access.
Look to the advanced features (efficient brushless motor, selectable driving modes, integrated stall release lever, LED for improved line of sight and more) in the DeWalt’s DCN662, able to drive up to 110 1.6 gauge 63mm in a single go. Anyone looking for an angled nailer is well served with the DCN 660. Both take the company’s long-running and powerful 18V batteries.
Brad Nailer and Staplers
For light, interior work, such as decorative and kitchen mouldings, trim work and cabinetry look to DeWalt’s brad nailers. These drive brads, shorter and thinner nails that won’t splinter thinner wood pieces. The ideal tool here is the DCN680, with all the proprietary DeWalt tech and safety features, (adding tool-free depth adjustment and low nail lockout) in a compact, lightweight design. For work in fragile materials and pieces, like fabrics, upholstery, carpet, plywood, sheathing and more, use DeWalt’s lineup of portable stapling guns. The DCN681 is at the helm here for interior duties. For more heavy-duty work, take a look at the DCN701.
Buying DeWalt Nail Guns
DeWalt sells its nail guns either bare or packaged with the necessary goodies. The slight premium includes the appropriate battery, an included charger and a handy, durable carry case. Go for the bare units if you have more than a few DeWalt batteries lying around. Packaged kits are for anyone just starting out, as well as pros that need to get the most productivity out of the DeWalt nail gun and battery combo.
