Makita has come out with a new 18V cordless brad nailer that they say delivers “air nailer like” performance. The new compressor, like the Craftsman Speedshot brad nailer, Ryobi Airstrike brad nailer, Ryobi Airstrike stapler, and Ryobi Airstrike finish nailer, and not too unlike the Senco Fusion nailer, features built-in air compression technology.
According to Makita, the internal air compressor provides less reaction force and “air nailer like” shot feeling to the operator.
Compressed air inside the nailer is generated by a piston action created by the DC motor.
Features and Specifications
- 18 gauge brad nailer
- Compatible with 15 mm to 50 mm nails (5/8″ to 2″)
- 110-nail capacity
- Can drive 1,000 nails on single 3.0Ah battery charge
- Ergonomic grip
- Protective rubber bumpers
- Anti-dry-fire mechanism
- Driving depth adjustment
- Narrow nose for easy nail aiming
- Sequential and bump-fire modes
- LED work light
- Low battery LED warning
- Weighs 7.7 lbs with battery
The new Makita BDN500 cordless brad nailer is currently only announced for the international market, and there has been no word as to whether it will be released in the USA.
First Thoughts
Makita’s new cordless brad nailer looks appealing, but I cannot quite shake the feeling that the Makita nailer looks somewhat chunky, especially compared to Ryobi’s Airstrike models. At 7.7 lbs, the Makita nailer is also a little heavier than the ~6.5 – 7.0 lb Airstrike and Speedshot nailers. On the optimistic side of things, the configuration of the nailer and its narrow top potentially means easier precision nail placement.