Best Nailers in the UK

The DeWalt DCN660N-XJ is a brightly-coloured tool that impresses with both design and its capabilities. But what exactly makes this particular nailer model so special? Let’s take a quick look at its core features and find out.

First things first, let’s talk numbers. The magazine of the tool can fit up to 110 nails, which gives you 10 extra nails, compared to the more common 100-nail magazines. Likewise, the tool can handle nails with an overall length ranging from 32 to 63 mm, allowing you to perform different tasks without the need to switch between big and small nail devices. The pneumatic nailer can also handle nails with a diameter of up to 16 gauge, which is not a small feat at all.

As a neat bonus, the trigger of the tool can be set to the regular sequential mode that requires you to push both the trigger and the safety cap to drive the nail down. Alternatively, you also have an option of a bump operation, thanks to the fire control that enables you to switch between the standard fire mode and a semi-automatic one.

Since this model is a framing nailer, one could expect it to be sturdily built and it is. The DeWalt DCN660N-XJ has a great build quality and it definitely fits the “heavy-duty” category, and as any framing model, the nailer is capable of dealing with all sorts of jobs from construction-related to renovation tasks with relative ease.

All things considered, the DCN660N-XJ from DeWalt will be a good option for both professional and semi-professional use. Durability and high-power are probably the best words to describe this nailer. It is fairly simple and gets the job done, as you would expect.

Among the variety of small and large power tools, Makita products always appear in the higher positions of their categories. This Makita AF505 brad nailer is no exception as well. It's a pneumatic model and, therefore, requires an air compressor with 56-113 psi output to operate. The tool comes packed inside a moulded plastic carrying case that also includes protection eyeglasses, a small oil container for lubricating the air plug, and a nozzle protector. The device produces quite a bit of noise, so expect to have to wear some protective earmuffs if you're going to work with it for a prolonged time each session.

The exhaust port in the upper rear side of the body can be firmly rotated to discharge the exhaust air away from the user allowing a multi-angular positioning while working in a confined space. Another safety feature is that the trigger can be activated only after the nose tip is pressed against the working surface, protecting the material and device from misfirings. We also liked the fact that you don't have to adjust the pressure or depth setting after switching from shorter to longer brads. Speaking of nails, the magazine can take the 18 gauge brads between 15 and 50 mm in size. What's more, the nose part can be easily flipped open to clear the jams. Currently, Makita offers a 2-year extended warranty after registering online the products, bought in the UK, which is a welcomed bonus as well.

The Tacwise brad nailer can be safely attributed to semi-professional power tools as it's able to quickly and accurately deal with a big amount of work without breaking a sweat. Note, the DGN50V model requires an air compressor with 60 to 100 psi in order to operate. Therefore, we can recommend it for being employed on both small and large construction sites or at carpentry shops with power supplies readily available. With an empty magazine, the nailer weighs only 1.2 kg and easy to handle, owing to the rubberized grip. The straight magazine can hold up to 100 pieces of 20 to 50 mm 18G Tacwise brads that are usually available in most of the hardware stores all around the country.

Performance-wise, the nailer is okay to use with most of the hardwood boards, planks, plywood, and other finishing materials that require an accurately driven nail at a direct angle to be firmly held in place. In the case of jamming, it has an Open Nose Gate feature. Basically, the upper nose plate can be flipped open for taking out the nail without pliers. Summing up, it's an optimal pneumatic nail gun with a great price that we readily recommend to anyone who already owns or is planning to buy an air compressor for their carpentry workshop.

The Hitachi NT65GS gas finish nailer is a great option if you need to work with 16 gauge nails. This model has just the same reliable performance as electric and pneumatic finish nailers, yet its mobility is the main factor why we've chosen this model. It requires both a battery and a gas fuel tank to operate. Still, one battery charge is enough to process up to 2,000 nails and one fuel cell up to 1,200 nails, which is usually more than enough even for professional tasks. Therefore, you are not chained down to one place with this one and are free to use it for both interior and exterior jobs.

The set includes a charge station with AC and DC adapters so that you could recharge the battery not just from a power outlet, but even inside your car while driving to work. Another convenient feature is a small LED indicator on the magazine that shows the battery charge status. An additional nozzle cap can prevent damage to fragile workpieces, which is exceptionally useful in situations when you are working with finishing details like facade materials, decoration pieces, wooden or plastic beads, and so on. The soft-grip handle fits nicely in the hand, while its body is pretty well-balanced for comfortable operation all day long. Speaking about capacity, the magazine can hold up to 100 nails at a time and is very easy to reload thanks to the quick push lever.

Overall, the Hitachi NT65GS is a professional choice for any furniture or workboard assemblers, construction workers, and simply anyone who needs a steady, heavy-duty tool for finishing works.

The Milwaukee M18FFN-0C M18 is a so-called “Fuel” framing nail. Although it is an electrical model that utilises a battery as its main power source, the nails coming out of this beauty will surely come out hot.

So, what secrets does this red and black box hide? Right off the bat, it holds a battery and the tool itself with some essential hardware. Due to it being fully electrical, you don’t have to worry about the gas canisters or cleaning the action of the nailer. The only thing you should keep in mind, though, is recharging the 18-Volt battery in time.

Luckily enough, the 5.0 Ah battery can last through 6 full magazines (approximately 700 nails) before it needs to be recharged, so you will have plenty of leeway when it comes to battery life.

As for the mag capacity, the magazine here can only fit 51 nails at a time, which is a bit of a shame but certainly not a deal-breaker when it comes to the performance of the tool itself. The reason for this is quite simple - in order to achieve true portability, Milwaukee Tools had to sacrifice the total mag capacity to fit in the battery, so at the end of the day, you are getting a fully portable device that still holds a punch. The nails this tool supports can range in length from 50 to 90 mm, while the maximum supported diameter ranges between 8 to 9 gauge (2.9 mm - 3.32 mm).

Finally, if you are looking for a portable, reliable, and hard-hitting nailer, there is little doubt about it - the M18 from Milwaukee Tools is the right pick for your needs.