Know of any good power tool forums ?

Belstaff1464 · Apr 3, 2011

Hey All :wave:

I'm shopping around for some cordless power tools and I'm looking for some input. I'm leaning towards a combo kit from the Dewalt range. I'm fairly familiar with most tools but I'm a bit inexperienced with nailers. I've use pneumatic nailers in the past to build a fence but I don't know the difference between the finish nailers. Dewalt have 2 models - the DC616 and the DC618. The DC616 is the straight finish nailer and the DC618 is the angle finish nailer. My questions are as follows:

- what are the differences between the 2 models apart from the angle of the nail "magazine" ?
- are they used for different applications ?
- what would be the more suitable for general handy man usage, e.g. building shelves, decking, furniture, etc ?
- is one model an inherently better design, e.g. the straight nailer doesn't jam as much ?
- are the range and costs of nails for either model a factor ?

Any info would be greatly appreciated as would any links to a suitable power tool forums that I can direct my questions to.

Thanks in advance.

jtblue · Apr 3, 2011

There doesn't appear to be any difference between the two models apart from the angle of the magazine. I would purchase the DC618K because having the angled magazine enables you to nail more easily in cramped spots (wannabe chippy); jamming in nail guns is pretty common and very easy to un-jam....just keep it oiled if it needs to be (some nailers don't need oil but the owners manual should tell you that).

LukeA · Apr 3, 2011

1. none.
2. The angled one will fit in a small number of places the straight one won't.
3. I have never had a problem building bookcases or anything with a straight nailer. For decking you will probably either be using a screwgun or a bigger nailer than the ones you mentioned.
4. As jtblue mentioned, either way you just pop the cover off and remove the jam, then replace the cover. Takes 5 seconds.
5. Angled nails cost about twice as much as striaght nails, but still aren't that expensive.

If the things you are making or fixing have flat faces, then I think you will be better off with the straight nailer, because with a straight nailer it's easier to be sure that the nails are being driven normal to the surface and won't pop out of the side of the thing you're nailing.

Belstaff1464 · Apr 3, 2011

Thanks for your input, guys. Because of it, I'll probably get the straight nailer - cheaper nails and no foreseeable use in cramped spaces.

pck50 · Apr 3, 2011

You will never ever go wrong with a dewalt pRODUCT THEY ARE BY FAR THE SUPERIOR POWER TOOLS, Stay far away from Craftsman Power tools.

Belstaff1464 said:
Hey All :wave:

I'm shopping around for some cordless power tools and I'm looking for some input. I'm leaning towards a combo kit from the Dewalt range. I'm fairly familiar with most tools but I'm a bit inexperienced with nailers. I've use pneumatic nailers in the past to build a fence but I don't know the difference between the finish nailers. Dewalt have 2 models - the DC616 and the DC618. The DC616 is the straight finish nailer and the DC618 is the angle finish nailer. My questions are as follows:

- what are the differences between the 2 models apart from the angle of the nail "magazine" ?
- are they used for different applications ?
- what would be the more suitable for general handy man usage, e.g. building shelves, decking, furniture, etc ?
- is one model an inherently better design, e.g. the straight nailer doesn't jam as much ?
- are the range and costs of nails for either model a factor ?

Any info would be greatly appreciated as would any links to a suitable power tool forums that I can direct my questions to.

Thanks in advance.

LukeA · Apr 3, 2011

pck50 said:
You will never ever go wrong with a dewalt pRODUCT THEY ARE BY FAR THE SUPERIOR POWER TOOLS, Stay far away from Craftsman Power tools.

The Craftsman brand is a little lower in quality than the non-store-brands, but Craftsman Professional tools are license-produced versions of the tools sold under name brands like Porter Cable and Bosch.

Know of any good power tool forums ?

Belstaff1464

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jtblue

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LukeA

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Belstaff1464

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pck50

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LukeA

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