In 2007, my crew and I tested a bunch of cordless framing nailers. Like their current counterparts, the nailers used an internal combustion engine powered by a disposable fuel cell and a rechargeable battery to drive collated round-head or clipped-head nails up to 3 1/4 or 3 1/2 inches long. We learned that the tools weren't powerful enough to consistently sink 3 1/4-inch nails into framing lumber or ring-shank nails into our sheathing and shear walls, which ruled them out for serious framing.
The cordless convenience seemed to be ideal for small jobs such as installing blocking or adding soffits, closets, and window openings. But after keeping a cordless nailer on the truck for a while, I gave it away because almost every time I needed it, the fuel cell was empty or its nickel cadmium battery was dead.
Gas-powered nailers have incrementally improved since then, but they still use fuel cells. When DeWalt recently introduced the first gas-free cordless framing nailers, I jumped at the chance to try one out for . DeWalt launched the single-speed DCN690 first, and that model is already being replaced by the more efficient dual-speed DCN692. After running quite a few boxes of nails through a DCN692 over the past few months, I think it nicely complements our pneumatic coil framing nailers.
FLYWHEEL POWER
Powered by DeWalt's 20V Max 4-amp-hour battery, the DCN692 has a brushless motor, drives paper-tape clipped-head and offset round-head nails from 2 to 3 1/2 inches long, is supposed to sink up to 700 nails per charge, and has dry-fire lockout. Unlike its gas-powered rivals, the DeWalt nailer can bump-fire in addition to firing in a sequential mode.
The rotor of the brushless motor doubles as a flywheel, propelling the driver blade to sink each nail. Several cordless finish nailers substitute flywheel power for internal combustion, but the DCN690 and DCN692 are the first framing nailers to do so.
The dual speeds of the DCN692 let you choose the best flywheel speed for the job. Speed 1 is tuned for driving 2-inch to 3-inch nails, and it accelerates the bump-firing of these fasteners while extending the battery runtime. Longer fasteners are driven at speed 2. Unlike compressed air, which delivers instant power, the flywheel goes from 0 rpm to firing speed in 0.5 to 0.7 seconds.
ON SITE
The DCN692 weighs 9.1 pounds with the battery installed, while the gas-powered models all weigh less than 8 pounds. Despite the extra weight, the DeWalt is comfortable, well-balanced, and easy to use. It's 13 3/4 inches tall, which helps when nailing in tight spaces, and has an aggressive nose for easy toenailing. You can change the mode from sequential to bump action at the flip of a switch, and the gun hasn't double-fired even in bump mode. It has a stall-release lever that's supposed to help reset the driver blade if the blade fails to return to the firing position after driving a nail, but I can't comment on it because the tool has yet to stall. I like the belt/rafter hook, which rotates to accommodate lefties or righties and parks beneath the handle when you don't need it. And of course there is no burning-fuel smell, which some crew members really appreciate.
But like the gas-fired models I've tried, the DeWalt just doesn't have enough power to sink our spikes consistently. Working in a coastal environment with high-wind codes, I exclusively use galvanized round-head framing nails. If I'm deliberate, the tool will dependably drive our 3 1/4 -inch nails all the way into green Douglas fir or kiln-dried spruce. But it leaves some of the nails proud when firing into seasoned wood, engineered lumber, and much of the other material we work with.
I did learn two techniques that help. First, I wait until the flywheel is spinning at full speed before firing. The gun won't fire until the flywheel is almost up to speed anyway, but you gain a power boost by pausing for that extra moment. Second, I push hard on the gun to minimize power loss to the recoil. The instruction manual says you need to allow some recoil, but if you allow too much, the gun won't set spikes at all. Unfortunately, my first technique slows me down, and the second tires me out. Speed 1 delivers enough power to sink our 2 3/8-inch ring-shank sheathing nails, but our pneumatic nailers are much faster for nailing off sheathing and subfloors because we don't have to wait for the flywheel.
I also have a few quibbles. To clear the occasional jam, you have to use an attached Allen wrench to unscrew two captive bolts and swing the magazine clear. Even then, you sometimes still need pliers or a bent nail to clear the jam.
The battery allowed me to do interior framing for about half a day per charge and has a built-in fuel gauge with three lights. The gauge isn't intuitive and the manual doesn't explain it. It turns out that when the battery has drained until just one light is lit, only 15% to 1% of the charge remains, which is good to know. The kit includes only one battery. That wouldn't be an issue if I had a fleet of DeWalt 20V Max tools and batteries—but I don't.
Also, the tool has a plastic magazine and housing. DeWalt says it has drop-tested it from two meters onto concrete with no damage done. Still, I wouldn't use it to thump things into position as I do with my alloy-bodied pneumatic guns.
The Bottom Line
The DCN692 lacks the speed and power for full-time framing, but it has been a great tool to have on the truck for those small projects where setting up a compressor and hoses is inconvenient. The kit I tried, which includes a roomy case, costs about $100 more than the best gas-powered one. But the nailer eliminates the expense and hassle of using fuel cells and is a much better option for occasional use. The bare tool (DCN692B) is also available.
