CMU School of Drama


Friday, September 08, 2017

DeWalt DCN680 20v Max 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Review

homefixated.com: This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. In their quest to free us from compressors and air hoses, DeWalt has come out with a lineup of 20V MAX finish nailers and staplers. In a previous post, we checked out their 16-gauge nailer, the DeWalt DCN660. For more delicate trim, you don’t necessarily need the added holding power of a 16-gauge nail (and the larger nail hole that comes with it). Enter the DeWalt DCN680 18 gauge 20V MAX cordless brad nailer – follow along as we make some tiny holes.

3 comments:

Chris Calder said...

I wasn’t going to post on another tool article but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. So I’ll get right to the point. I was once having a conversation about a handheld CNC router that pretty much had the basic concept of a CNC machine but instead was controlled by the user. My point for telling you this story is because the conversation ended with the fact that if you want to have a CNC just buy a real CNC. I feel like the same concept applies with this tool. I can only think of 1 or 2 applications where this tool actually comes in handy. The need for a cordless compressor seems to have a major flaw when there is still a CORD that directs the air to the gun, therefore what is the point of only having a tool that is half cordless. Seems pretty useless if you ask me. At the end of the day, I really don’t see this becoming a product widely used in industry, but I guess time will tell.

Drew H said...

I haven't used a cordless nailer in about four years, but my experience is that they do not compare to pneumatic nailers unless they have an air cartridge. At the same time, having to buy air cartridges is not a cheap endeavor. However, these new 20vMax nailers seems to really give you the same performance as a pneumatic nailer and they don’t require an air cartridge. This could just be good marketing on the side of Dewalt, but I do not think they would even sell a framing nailer if their trim nailer doesn’t perform perfectly. In a scene shop it would defiantly be easier to use cordless nailers because it is one less thing to worry about, but at the same time, if your shop is set up well, there will be air ports anywhere you may need them so it is not worth the money or the slight downgrade in quality to make a complete switch. But who knows, in 5-10 years and guns break, maybe they will start to be replaced with cordless ones.

David Kelley said...

I personally love cordless brad nailers especially for load ins and small scale work. While I more lean more towards using a standard hosed pneumatic when I am working on larger projects in a shop due to the fact the I am generally working in one confined place and have room to place tools down. However for doing load in or notes calls I personally love cordless, the major factor for me in this is the level of noise. Cordless in my experience unless you have designated air in your space is generally a hell of a lot quieter and in a room when many people are working noise is a giant issue. Add on to that the added freedom on movement I just love cordless brad nailers. And this line on dewalt having used them is item is a decent tool but it shows people are trying to improve the tool game to which I applaud.