Cordless Framing Nailers
Hitachi Power Tools (now Metabo HPT) cuts the cord with their company’s new cordless framing nailers. Get more done with less and experience total fastening freedom from Hitachi. With their latest line, you can lose the dirty hose, the noisy compressor, and expensive gas cartridges. These cordless framing nailers utilize Hitachi’s unique Air Spring Drive System that uses sealed, compressed air to drive each nail.
How does a cordless framing nailer work?
The piston rests partway down the cylinder when the tool is powered off. When powered on, the brushless motor drives the piston to the top position, compressing the sealed air. Once the trigger is depressed, the piston shoots down and drives the nail. This results in all the following:
- Zero ramp-up time.w
- Up to two nails per second at driving speed.
- A recoil that feels like a pneumatic nailer.
- No need ever to refill the tank.
However, if the nailer requires maintenance, it can be easily serviced by any Hitachi Authorized Service Center. Common examples of required maintenance include driver errors and O-ring replacements. Once work is complete, the ASC uses a Hitachi-issued tool-specific re-fill regulator gauge that automatically re-fills the air tank to meet the nailer’s specific requirements. Then, the nailer is ready to go.
Hitachi Nailers: NR1890DR & NR1890DC
The NR1890DR 18V Cordless Plastic Strip Nailer accepts 2” up to 3-1/2” 21° plastic collated strip fasteners. At 10.8 lbs., with a compact 3.0Ah battery, this cordless framing nailer is well-balanced for easy maneuverability.
The NR1890DC 18V Cordless Paper Tape Nailer accepts 2” up to 3-1/2” 30°+/- paper tape strip fasteners (either clipped head or offset round head). At only 10.6 lbs., with the compact 3.0Ah battery, this cordless framing nailer is well-balanced for less user fatigue.
Control panel
The on-tool control panel located at the base of the handle centralizes the power button, battery charge indicator, and selective actuation. To activate the tool, the power button must be depressed for more than one second until the green light appears. After 30 minutes of inactivity, the nailer powers off for added safety and to conserve battery power. The battery charge indicator button can be depressed to check the available power in the battery pack for less downtime. The selective actuation button lets users quickly select between sequential or bump fire modes.
Battery life
Both nailers can drive up to 400 nails per charge using the included compact 3.0Ah battery.
Other most-loved features
Both models have a convenient tool-less depth-of-drive dial that can be easily adjusted to wood of varying density. The pivoting rafter hooks are convenient when the tool is not being used. Its larger size is designed to fit over 4-by material or triple stack 2-by material.
The ergonomically formed, non-slip rubber grip handles are designed for comfort during extended use. Additionally, a safety lockout feature is employed as another safety measure.
When the trigger is pulled in contact mode, the nailer must be depressed against the intended material within 2 seconds. If not, the trigger will lock. In sequential mode, the trigger must be pulled within 2 seconds of depressing the work contact, or lock-out will occur. To unlock it, release, and pull the trigger.
5 Comments
Carl Lascelles
February 6, 2018 at 12:17 amI’m looking for a framing nailer and curious which one to get.
Light weight
Battery or gas?
Dr or dc? One is 21 degree the other is 30. I would prefer the 21 for tight places.
Are the gas guns light than the new battery guns?
Who sells the new Hitachi guns. Can I order one direct from the manufacturer?
A little help please.
Carl Lascelles
Acme Tools
February 6, 2018 at 9:29 amHello, Thank you for your comment. We have had great results from both gas and battery operated framing nailers but the answer to that question is a heated debate, you are almost better off asking who makes a better truck, Chevy or Ford. The question about which degree nailer to get is a little easier, the 21 deg nailers have a plastic collated nail strip that has a full round head while the 30 deg nailers have a paper tape collated nail strip with a clipped head. Some parts of the country have code regulations that only allow a full round head nail so we suggest you check with your local building inspector first. The plastic collated nail strips can handle water better so if you are using them outside you don’t have to be so careful if it rains but when the nails are shot through the nailer they leave the plastic clips all over the project. The prices usually do not differ between the two so you just need to check to see which nail you would prefer to use. Hitachi does not sell their tools direct but you can order them from Acme Tools and we will ship them all over the United States. There are direct links to both framing nailers in our original blog post.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
Kenneth Ingalls
March 3, 2020 at 6:07 pmCan’t understand why they produce two guns I have a DC which is difficult to find paper nails at a reasonable cost also the article mention clip nails or stagger nails for the DC aren’t the stagered nails full head wouldn’t that be a full head paper nails that can be used on the DC
Aaron neff
August 26, 2019 at 9:50 pmIs there any preventative maintenance that I should know about?
Acme Tools
August 27, 2019 at 8:02 amHello, Thank you for your question. These nailers are about as maintenance free as nailers get. The only suggestion we have is to inspect the magazine to make sure it is clear of any debris that could get to the driver and to make sure it has not been damaged in any way. Other than that, there is nothing you should have to do.
Thank you,
Acme Tools