A cordless nailer works differently than a corded, pneumatic type. Instead of compressed air driving the piston, a cordless nailer is powered by disposable canisters of flammable gas. The gas briefly ignites when the electrical current from the batter is passed through it, and that mini-explosion drives the piston that drives the nail. Cordless nail guns are great for low volume jobs in tight places, or when there isn’t very much time to get set up. Their only major drawbacks are the limited time the battery affords and the need for more frequent cleaning. When purchasing a cordless power nailer there are a number of things to take into account, as follows.

• Nailer Types
  • Cordless Framing Nail Gun: Fast and high-powered, good for big jobs.
  • Cordless Roofing Nailers: Designed to attach roofing shingles.
  • Cordless Brad Nailers: Lightweight for precision jobs.
  • Cordless Finishing Nail Gun: Used for furniture, trim and molding.
• Magazine Types
  • Stick: Long and straight, holds between 20 and 40 nails.
  • Coil: Round in shape, holds up to 300 nails.
• Features
  • Directional Exhaust: Adjust where the exhaust is blown out.
  • Jam Clearing Function: Easily clearing jams saves loads of time.
  • Adjustable Depth: Changes the depth of the nails.
  • Replaceable Guards: Worn down debris guards can be ineffective.
  • Adjustable Nail Size: Important for versatility; each nailer has specific nail requirements that must be met for proper function.

DeWALT cordless nail guns are among the most popular and reliable brands, and Paslode cordless nailers are a close second. Black and Decker and Craftsman also have a wide variety of cordless nailers to choose from.