Who would have thought that cordless nailers would be available in the market 10 years ago? Which will be as powerful as the pneumatic nailers and will give us more mobility by freeing us from pulling heavy air compressors. Although Paslode invented the first cordless nail gun in the 1980s, the idea of being freed from air hoses has always been alluring, but extra cost and unreliability made it impractical. A lot of time has passed since then, technology has improved, and many power and hand tools manufacturers are now producing cordless nailers, including well-known nailer brands like DEWALT. It doesn't mean that everyone is manufacturing the best quality cordless nailers. However, we will review the DEWALT DCN680D1 20V MAX Cordless Brad Nailer Kit today, one of the best quality and popular cordless, battery-run 18 gauge brad nailers available on the market. In this review, we will try to understand whether DEWALT DCN680D1 cordless brad nailer is truly the replacement of the pneumatic brad nailer or not.
Check our top 10 best brad nailer lists and buying guides if you want to learn more about brad nailers.
DEWALT DCN680D1 20V MAX Cordless 18 GA Brad Nailer Kit
KEY FEATURES & SPACIFICATIONS
4.7 / 5
*** Packaging Includes - DCN680D1 Brad Nailer, DCB203 - 2.0Ah Battery, Charger, and Kit Bag.
DEWALT DCN680D1 Overview
DEWALT launched their brad nailer model DCN680D1 a couple of years back. They have taken a long time to develop this model to make it cent percent right. So, you can expect to get exactly the same pace, power, and quality as pneumatic brad nailers without the hassle of using a hose, compressor, or fuel cells. Yes! You may have guessed right, DEWALT DCN680D1 is a fully battery-powered cordless brad nailer.
The best part of this model is DeWalt’s innovative flywheel design with a brushless motor. The brushless motor spins at a high RPM and stores energy from its rotation. When you press the trigger, the driver blade connects to the spinning motor and transfers energy to the blade that pushes forward to fire the brad nails. The motor activates when the tool nose is pressed against the workpiece, with zero lag time, and resets the blade immediately before you can fire the nailer. Therefore, you can effortlessly drive 18 gauge brad nails from 5/8 inch to 2-1/8 inch on different materials like pneumatic brad nailers. The DEWALT DCN680D1 magazine can accommodate up to 100 nails, depending on size. It's an ideal tool for various decorative molding, interior & exterior trim, paneling, shoe molding, staircase, kitchen crown, door & window casing, cabinetry top, and a variety of DIY home projects.
Why Buy DEWALT DCN680D1
There are many logical reasons behind buying DEWALT DCN680D1. First of all, its brushless motor which means longer runtime and long-lasting motor. Secondly, although it's a fully battery-powered brad nailer, but it gives precisely the same performance as pneumatic brad nailers. Also, here are a few more reasons that might encourage you to buy the DEWALT DCN680D1,
No Hose, No Compressor
Cordless nail guns have a common understanding that it's not as powerful as pneumatic ones. Fuel-cell-powered cordless nailers like Paslode have proved this statement wrong to a great extent. However, this is only possible if you change the gas canister frequently. The solution to this problem is DEWALT DCN680D1, a 100% battery-powered (20V Lithium-ion battery, included with the package) cordless brad nailer that ensures the same pace and power as the pneumatic brad nailer. Moreover, DEWALT DCN680D1 will give you the freedom of moving cordless and lower the frequent complaints from your neighbors about the sound pollution caused by the air compressor.
No More Guesswork
The day of presumption is over. The micro nose of DEWALT DCN680D1 gives you a clear vision when nailing and allows you to drive nails as accurately as the laser beam.
Nail Firing Power
DeWalt's innovative flywheel design combines a brushless motor that rotates super fast and stores energy from its rotation. When the trigger is pressed, the driver blade connects with the spinner and pushes the blade to effectively drive nails from 5/8 to 2-1/8 inch. Furthermore, the brushless motor means no voltage drop and frictional loss. So, you can drive more nails from a single charge. According to DEWALT, you can drive up to 1,200 nails per charge with the DEWALT DCN680D1 brad nailer. However, if you want more nail firing power, you can buy Ryobi One+ P320 with Ryobi P108 4Ah One+ battery, which can drive up to 1,700 nails from a single charge.
Performance and Key Features
Performance is the first priority before buying any tools, and nailers are no exception. For nailers, performance is a combination of multiple events, such as design, ease of use, durability, weight, functionality, and features. In addition to its smart design and lightweight, several key features make the DEWALT DCN680D1 one of the top and popular cordless, fully battery-powered brad nailers on the market. Let's learn about its key features,
Tool-free Depth Adjustment
The depth of drive or countersink may need to be adjusted based on your workpiece's thickness and type when working. In other words, how deep your nail needs to be driven. You can do this easily by turning the dial and looking at the visual slider indicator without using any additional tools.
Tool-free Jam Release Mechanism
Nail jamming is not a daily occurrence for nailers, but it can happen. Cleaning jammed nails can be a real pain for many other nailers. For DEWALT DCN680D1 cordless brad nailer, freeing jammed nails is like a breeze. You simply need to open the latch with a push and remove the bent nail. It's advisable to remove the battery and the magazine before removing the jammed nail.
Stall Release Lever
After cleaning the jammed nail, the driver blade may occasionally get stuck in the down position. If this happens with your DEWALT DCN680D1, don't worry. Just slide the integrated stall release lever to get the driver back in place, and now your nailer is ready for the next shoot.
Versatile Firing Mode
DEWALT DCN680D1 cordless brad nailer offers dual firing mode that allows you to toggle between sequential or bump firing mode. There is a push button in the lower middle of the LED lights. You just have to push the button to switch from one firing mode to another. If you slide the switch towards the single nail mark, it will set your nailer in sequential firing mode. On the other hand, if you slide the switch towards the three nail icon, it will put the nailer in bump or contact actuation firing mode. In sequential firing mode, when you pull the trigger and depress the nose, it fires one nail. In contrast, the nailer will fire every time the nose is pressed against the workpiece while holding the trigger.
Non-Marring Tip
The DEWALT DCN680D1 comes with a non-marking tip. DEWALT also includes two extra tips stored in the nailer if one gets lost somewhere on your worksite and can never be found again. Hence, it will keep your workpiece away from putting unusual dents or stains.
Low Nail Lockout
This cordless brad nailer doesn't have a dry fire lockout feature like Ryobi one+ p320, but it does have a low nail lockout feature that works similar to the Dry Fire Lockout function. According to a user's experience, it won't fire when it's down to its last 6 nails and gives you enough space for a new rack or nails! Therefore, it prevents the workpiece from possible damage caused by the dry fire. It's advisable to remove the battery every time before reloading the nailer to avoid accidental firing. Moreover, there is also a yellow indicator near the tip for easy visual recognition of low nail quantities.
Long Battery Life
DEWALT cordless brad nailer model DCN680D1 runs on a 20V MAX Lithium-Ion battery. This battery is also compatible with any other DEWALT cordless tools available in your workshop. It's not only interchangeable but also designed to recharge through a vehicle power outlet in case of emergency if there is no charging option available around you. However, you don't need to be worried about your vehicle battery health because the DEWALT 20v MAX battery has an auto shut-off system to protect your vehicle's battery from over discharge. Moreover, the battery has LED indicator lights to let you know how much charge is left in the battery. The LED battery indicator also informs the power line problem, pack replacement time, and whether the battery is too hot or too cold.
Multifunctional LED Lights
DEWALT DCN680D1 is equipped with two LED lights on the base that illuminate the workpiece while driving nails. It not only lights up the work area but also acts as an indicator of error. In the case of a nail jam, the LED on the right side will flash continuously. The LED on the left will flash four times and then shut down when the battery is about to die.
DEWALT DCN680D1 VS DCN680B
There is no significant features and performance difference between the DEWALT DCN680D1 and DCN680B. Both nailers are actually the same model, but the only difference is their packaging. According to DEWALT, B refers to the bare tool, and D means the nailer package will include battery and charger. The digit 1 after D indicates the number of batteries included in the DCN680D1 model package. So, if you're already using any DEWALT cordless device that runs on a 20V Max battery, you can buy DEWALT DCN680B to save some money.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Final Thought
DEWALT DCN680D1 cordless brad nailer is a little expensive compared to pneumatic brad nailers, but it will seem to be less costly if you think of its hassle-free portability and fuel cell costs. It's a great brad nailer for small woodworking projects, trimming, or molding works. In fact, it can do everything like a traditional pneumatic brad nail gun with the same pace and power. So, if you are a DIYer and don't want to take the hassle of pulling a heavy compressor and want more mobility, it's the right choice for you. It even can be an excellent brad nailing tool for professional trimmers or cabinet carpenters as it eliminates the need for an air compressor and hose, which gives more mobility. Moreover, DEWALT offers three years of limited warranty, one-year free service, and 90 days money-back guarantee.
In addition to DEWALT DCN680D1, you can also check our reviews on other best selling cordless brad nailers, such as Ryobi P320 Airstrike 18 Volt One+ and PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA.