Makita Cordless Finish Nailer Review

Finish Nailers are one of those tools that no matter what trade you work in, you likely have a need for them. Without a doubt, they are versatile and allow for a lot of trim and construction work to be done with ease. In today’s world of cordless power tools, we look at another addition to the roster of high performers from Makita. Let’s dive into the Makita Cordless Finish Nailer Review and see how it stacks up.

Makita Cordless Finish Nailer Review Overview

Makita is a brand very well regarded in virtually every industry. They have a very large lineup in their collection and cover everything from OPE to woodworking, concrete, and so much more. If you aren’t familiar with Makita, they are one of the few tool manufacturers that are owned and managed independently from others. When you find innovation in their tools, it isn’t likely to be seen across other brands for some time. This is one of the many reasons Makita inspires loyalty from professionals industry-wide.

Makita is based in Japan, with factories worldwide. With a history spanning back to 1915, Makita has a very strong legacy of producing tools for professionals everywhere. Not only that, but an interesting fact is they were the first to launch a rechargeable drill in 1978, and also the first to bring lithium-ion batteries to tools in 2005. With such strong roots, its no wonder their following is as loyal as they are.

Makita Cordless Finish Nailer Review Features

The Makita Cordless Finish Nailer weighs in at 8.4 pounds and only 11-5/8 inches long.

Operating on Makita’s 18V battery platform. I tested this nailer using a 2.0 Ah battery, but this nailer can provide up to 1000 nails on a single charge when using a 5.0 Ah battery.

The Makita Cordless Finish Nailer drives 16-gauge finish nails from 1 to 2-1/2 inches in length.

The metal magazine provides durable storage for up to 110 nails at a time and also has nail length markings to verify the size of the nails in the nailer.

A no-mar tip prevents damage to the workpiece while the nailer is in use. Additionally, the dry-fire lockout prevents firing when nails are not present. This protects both the nailer and the workpiece from damage.

LED lights allow a clear line of sight while in use.

A depth adjustment knob allows for quick adjustments of nail depth for the best finish given each application. This is a key feature on nailers for me, as often I prefer a countersunk nail if I will be filling.

Makita included a standard and sequential fire nailing mode that is switched using a covered switch.

A trigger lock increases safety during use, and the trigger pressure needed to operate the tool is ideal for constant use.

Tool-less jam clearing mechanism allows for quick removal of a jammed nail, allowing little delay to get back to work.

Rubber overmold and bumpers on the tool allow for ideal grip and protection from surface damage while using the tool.

A reversible belt clip allows for easy attachment to a users belt or tool bag when not in use for convenient storage.

Makita Cordless Finish Nailer Review Performance

So let us get into the nitty-gritty here. How did this cordless nailer perform? Did it stand out from the crowd? The quick answer is yes, absolutely it was a strong performer but I wouldn’t say it was the best nailer I have ever used.

Now, to break it down further, let’s see what really stood out. In this nailer, I loved the ergonomics. Cordless Nailers, in general, are heavier and bulkier than pneumatic versions, so you always have to be prepared for that. Makita did a good job designing this tool to remain comfortable during use without losing any needed functions. It was easy to maneuver this nailer in tight corners as well as awkward areas, something finish nailers need to have the ability to do.

The adjustments on the gun were easy to use and proved effective as well. You could easily make the adjustments needed to achieve a flush finish or a slight countersink when filling is desired. I always advise testing nails in scrap material before you begin your project to ensure that you have the desired depth as the material will affect this. One of the best features of this gun is the tool-free jam clearing mechanism. While I had no jams occur during testing and subsequent use and believe me, I tried to get this to happen, the design is easy to operate. Nailers will eventually jam, it happens for a multitude of reasons, but I always find tool-free solutions to common issues and setting changes to be appreciated. No one wants to be searching for a tool just to operate another tool.

One of the most common complaints about cordless nailers is the delays between firing. This is something you will notice about them, however, I always view the trade-off of compressor filling and refilling delays to be as disruptive. I don’t see Makita’s nailers slight delay between firing as anything significant or troublesome. This nailer is an ace at shooting individually as well as when using the sequential fire mode.

Makita Cordless Finish Nailer Review Value

This nailer runs about $325 dollars from The Home Depot for the bare tool. The battery and charger I tested this with, a 2.0Ah battery runs about $129.00 as well. This nailer is among the highest priced cordless finish nailers on the market today. While it is a bit pricey, it is also a solid nailer that performs well. My experience with cordless nailers has been that their life span isn’t quite what you would hope. I think this Makita may outlast them and if that is the case, this nailers value is excellent. Additionally, this nailer is designed for the professional, so the price point falls alongside other nailers in that category. Certainly, if you are on the Makita battery platform it is a no-brainer to give it a try.

Makita Cordless Finish Nailer Review Final Thoughts

Finish nailers are among my most used tools. I appreciate the increased holding power over brad nails but the reduced size when compared to larger nails. There is no doubt that this nailer is up there in price, but most professional tools are. I feel like this nailer is a great option for those needing the portability of a cordless nailer and are on the Makita battery platform. Makita designed this nailer for the professional looking to cut the cord and maintain performance and they certainly succeeded.