ToolBox Blog

Tool: Paslode Cordless 16 gauge Angled Finish Nailer

I have to be very careful not to swear while writing about my Paslode Cordless Finish Nailer. I have a serious love-hate relationship with this tool. For certain applications the Paslode Cordless Nailer is indispensable but that’s highly conditional upon it actually working. It’s truly unfortunate, my Paslode Cordless 16-gauge nailer is the most unreliable and unpredictable tool I have ever owned.

Rating:

Specifications:

• 1-1/4-inch to 2-1/2-inch cordless 16-gauge gas angled finish nailer with non-mar tip and sight lines
• Depth-of-drive wheel with probe position-indicator; locks tool at 10 nails to prevent blank firing
• Comfortable in sure grip-inch and soft trigger
• Includes nailer, battery, 2-hour charger
• 11-1/2 by 10-3/4 by 3-1/4-inches; 4.9-pounds with battery; 5-year warranty

Experience:

Ok, Imagine this: You’ve wrapped up a huge job, the crew is gone and the painters are doing their thing. The special-order crown moulding finally arrives for the kids bedroom. You throw your cordless nailer in the truck and head over for a simple install. Only six cuts and you will collect your final payment!

What a great invention; a finish nailer without a heavy compressor in tow: the “cordless” nailer. Too bad it doesn’t work. Well, that’s not entirely true since my nailer works sometimes. I’ve used this nail gun for it’s appropriate task; nailing trim without a compressor on site. Look at the photo above; my case is filled with nails and fuel cells. The batteries and fuel cells last a long time! I’ve used my Paslode Cordless Angled Finish Nailer in basements and attics and second floor closets, on bathroom remodels where a hose would have had to come from 3 floors away and snake through a fancy home, on sites without electricity and on my own home. It’s ideal for those last few pieces you have to go back and fasten.

The best thing about this gun is you don’t even have to own a compressor, let alone bring it to your job, set it up and pull cords all the way to your work. I love it for exterior trim when I’m perched high on a ladder. I have put this gun to the test but not too often, because betting on this tool to operate is a bet with very poor odds.

Comments:

It’s a liberating tool but it jams so often that you will spend more time opening it, pulling out the half-fired nail and shoving the firing pin back into place. I’ve learned to use a nailset to retract the pin. I can clear a jam in under a minute. WHAT HAPPENS: You place the gun against your material, you pull the trigger and POP! the nail shoots into the material. How often is impossible to say. I think my best run of nails without a jam is about 20-30 shots. However, standard experience with the Paslode Cordless Finish Nailer is 1 out of 3 will jam. If I get five shots in a row, I’m happy. If I get 10 shots I’m lucky. If I get more than 10 shots I’m totally shocked and amazed.

A jam happens in one of two ways. Either two nails come out and one doesn’t fully penetrate or 2) the nail shoots but the nail-head sticks inside the gun, basically nailing the gun to the board. There is a very easy to operate latch which opens the front so you can extract the nail.

• Unjamming this gun is not easy.
• It will jam ALL THE TIME
• It’s awesome to have a cordless nailer!
• It really sucks when it jams every 3rd or 4th nail all day long.

I don’t know what more to say. I absolutely love the idea, but f-ing hate this tool. I actually forget I own this one until a job absolutely requires a cordless, then I bring my Paslode 16 gauge nailer and fight and curse with it’s piss-poor operation. Please comment on this tool if you own one because I’m curious to hear your experience.

Links:

Paslode Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer at Amazon.com

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Paslode-Cordless.com