Porter Cable has recently come out with 2 new cordless nailers, and there is at least 1 more on the way.
There’s an 18 gauge brad nailer, shown above, an 18 gauge narrow crown stapler, shown below, and there’s a 16 gauge straight finish nailer on the way.
- Brad Nailer: PCC790LA (kit), PCC790B (bare tool)
- Narrow Crown Staplers:PCC791LA (kit),PCC791B (bare tool)
- Straight Finish Nailer: PCC792LA (kit), PCC792B (bare tool)
Why?
In the press release, the construction and DIY product manager is quoted as saying:
PORTER–CABLE is synonymous with woodworking and finishing –battery-operated nailers are the natural progression of the 20V MAX system. This new line will provide the tradesman with convenience and efficiency over pneumatic equipment.
The new 18 gauge brad nailer can handle fasteners 5/8″ to 2″ long, and with an optional 4.0Ah battery pack it can drive up to 1300 2″ nails into pine per charge. The nailer can drive up to 450 nails when paired with the 1.5Ah battery pack included in the kit.
It weighs 5.1 pounds without a battery, which is probably why the kit comes with a 1.5Ah battery instead of a 4.0Ah pack. A brad air nailer might weigh 2.5 to 3 pounds.
The new Porter Cable cordless brad nailer has numerous tool-free features, such as the jam release mechanism, depth adjustment wheel, and stall release lever.
It features 2 LED worklights that also blink to alert the user when battery power is running low, or if the tool has jammed or stalled.
There is also a safety lock-off switch for safer transport and storage.
The brad nailer comes with a belt hook and 2 non-marring rubber tips.
Street Price: $230 for the kit, $150 for the bare tool
Buy Now(Brad Nailer Kit)
Buy Now(Bare Brad Nailer)
The new Porter Cable 18 gauge narrow crown stapler is very similar to the new brad nailer, with Porter Cable saying it has many of the same features except for the tool-free jam release.
The 20V Max 1/4″ stapler can work with fasteners 1/2″ to 1-1/2″ in length, and can drive up to 1300 1-1/2″ staples into 2″ pine per 4.0Ah battery charge, or 450 staples with a 1.5Ah battery.
It weighs 5.3 lbs, without battery.
Street Price: $230 for the kit, $160 for the bare tool
Buy Now(Stapler Kit)
Buy Now(Bare Stapler)
First Thoughts
I’ve been meaning to post about these new Porter Cable cordless nailers for over 2 months now, but it’s taken me a bit of time to think about them.
Dewalt has started off on the larger nailer side of things, with cordless brushless framing and finish nailers. There is definitely demand for smaller gauge cordless nailers, but as we discussed in a post – What’s Delaying Dewalt from Coming out with a 20V Max Cordless Brad Nailer, Pinner, and Stapler? – cordless nailers are big.
Consider these new Porter Cable cordless nailers. They weigh over 5 pounds, without a battery pack. With a battery pack, they’re what – 6 lbs and change? Does that include a full magazine of nails or staples?
In a lot of product categories, cordless convenience comes with a price. Sometimes you can’t use the same accessories as with corded tools. Sometimes application speed suffers. And sometimes there’s the compromise of having to work with a larger and heavier tool.
As someone who doesn’t like toting an air compressor around just to drive a couple of nailers or staples, I am very pleased to see Porter Cable stepping things up a notch and delivering a solution that a lot of users are eager for.
It’s not just Porter Cable that’s making large cordless nailers – all of the ones that have come out recently are somewhat large and weighty.
We know that Milwaukee is coming out with a line of M18 Fuel brushless cordless nailers. Not to mince words, I would wait for their official reveal and more details before committing to any brand’s cordless nailer line right now. Unless you need something right away, in which these new Porter Cable offerings look decent.
There’s no promise of air-like performance, which is a bummer. Ridgid makes a mighty fine brushless air-like brad nailer, priced at $229 for the bare tool, and it’s said to be capable of driving up to 2,000 nails per battery charge.
I’m sorry for the digression, but do you know what I really want to see? A brushless cordless air compressor that accepts (2) 18V battery packs, either for increased power or runtime, and works on-demand to power a single pin nailer, brad nailer, or stapler. Maybe a finish nailer? But I don’t want to be too unreasonable in what I wish for.