For the 2017 Pro Tool Innovation Awards in Pneumatic and Nailers, cordless solutions are still moving in to eliminate the need for compressors and hoses. But it’s not all about the battery. We’re still seeing significant improvements in both pneumatic tools and even hammer tackers. And just in case you’re falling asleep, some MIT engineers decided to design a compressor that you don’t want to miss!
Winner – Cordless Framing Nailers
Hitachi 3-1/2″ 18V Cordless Framing Nailer
What they said:
This cordless framing nailer features Hitachi Brushless motor for longer run time, less maintenance and increased durability. The driving system used is similar to Hitachi’s pneumatic line featuring a unique air spring drive system that uses compressed air to drive each nail. This results in zero ramp up time, increased shooting speed, recoil that feels like a pneumatic nailer, quicker response time between fastener shots, better flush driving- even at an angle, and easier maintenance if the need should arise due to fewer parts to manage.
What we say:
Cordless framing nailers are one of the benchmarks for cordless nailer development. In order to replace pneumatic framers, you’ve got to have a model that can fire at full depth consistently, have the runtime to keep your crew productive and fire fast enough so they don’t slow down. Hitachi figured that trio out with their finish nailers, and now they’re ready to move forward with the NR1890DR framing nailer that should put some distance between them and the few competing models on the market.
Price: $429.97
For more information, click here.
Winner – Cordless Finish Nailers
20V MAX XR 18 GA CORDLESS BRAD NAILER KIT
What they said:
Each of the new cordless nailers is exclusively battery-powered, eliminating the hassles of using gas, compressors, and hoses. For both large and small jobs, the cordless nailers offer features found on of pneumatic tools including micro-noses, tool-free depth adjustment, tool-free selectable trigger, and low nail lockout, all with the freedom of cordless. Designed to be used as primary tools, the nailers are lightweight and compact. Common applications include decorative molding, kitchen moldings, staircases, shoe molding, baseboards, cabinet and furniture building, crown molding, engineered flooring, solid hardwood flooring, and more. The 18 GA Brad Nailer (DCN680) drives 18 GA brad nails from 5/8” to 2-1/8” and incorporates a micro-nose that improves line of sight and accuracy of nail placement.
What we say:
DeWalt has really pushed forward with their cordless nailer line, moving into new territory on some fronts and offering improvements in established lines. For their 18-gauge brad nailer, the brushless motor is going to let you work much longer on a compact battery. That means you’ll have less weight to carry but plenty of power to drive nails into hardwoods. With a micro nose, you’ll also be able to get a better sight line to ensure your nail placement is precise.
Price: $299
For more information, click here.
Winner – Cordless Staplers
Milwaukee M12 Crown Stapler
What they said:
Manual staplers are used for a variety of applications across a number of different trades, from the installation of insulation and polyethylene vapor barrier to the installation of Thermo-Pan sheeting for return air ducts. The repetitive motion and excessive force required to operate these staplers translates to considerable fatigue and can even cause injury to a user after years of use. Unfortunately, the powered solutions currently available are either too bulky, underpowered or require the user to wrestle with cords. The M12 3/8” Crown Stapler provides performance and run-time that rivals the leading cordless solution, at a fraction of the size and weight, and requires much less muscle effort to operate.
What we say:
There are times when a new tool really lights up the room. That’s what happened at the Milwaukee New Product Symposium this year. With the ability to drive 3/8″ crown staples with almost no effort compared to hand staplers, this is one of those “take my money” kind of tools that you won’t regret adding to your tool box. The stapler’s usefulness around the jobsite, in the shop, and around the house can’t be overstated, so the fact that we now have an M12 version makes it that much sweeter.
Price: $99
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Flooring Nailers
DeWalt 20V Max XR 18 Ga Cordless Flooring Stapler
What they said:
The DEWALT DCN682 18 Gauge Flooring Stapler drives 18 Gauge 1/4″ narrow crown staples from 1/2″ to 1-1/2″ making it ideal for installing solid and engineered hardwood ranging in thickness from 3/8″ to 5/8″. A contact arm optimized for flooring, along with a tool-free adjustable base, help to drive fasteners accurately at the proper angle and depth. A brushless motor powered by a DEWALT 20V MAX* Lithium-Ion battery make the DCN682 ready to go to work without the hassle of using gas, a compressor, or a hose. Tackle jobs both large and small with the features of a pneumatic tool and the freedom of cordless.
What we say:
DeWalt enters a flooring stapler that’s simply brilliant thanks to the addition of a battery pack for a power source. And it’s not like this is a system that will slow you down terribly as a tradeoff for using cordless technology. The convenience of not having a compressor and hose to set up and drag around makes this entry one that flooring Pros and remodelers can be really excited about.
Price: $399
For more information, click here.
Winner – Hammer Tackers
National Nail STINGER CH38-2 Cap Hammer
What they said:
The redesigned STINGER CH38-2 Cap Hammer is the perfect everyday solution for busy contractors that delivers the holding power of a cap and staple with the speed and ease of a hammer tacker. It gets the job done for a fraction of the cost of a pneumatic gun without the additional hassle and expense of a hose, compressor and power requirements.
What we say:
The Stinger CH38-2 combines the function of a hammer tacker with a fastener that has much greater holding power than a standard staple. When it comes to getting the house wrap or roof felt down, a 1-inch cap with the staple resists tearing better than a staple alone, especially when the wind starts blowing. The best news is that it reduces callbacks for material that starts coming off the house, saving you time and money.
Price: $49.95
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Framing Nailers
Everwin Everwin FCN90L Framing 90mm (3-1/2″) Coil Nailer
What they said:
The FCN90L is the lightest 90mm framing coil nailer ever made. Weighing only 6.6 pounds, the FCN90L is easy to maneuver and causes minimal fatigue on professionals who do framing jobs all day. The leading manufacturers of framing coil nailers have on average a weight of 8.45 lbs., the EVERWIN FCN90L is over 20% LIGHTER THAN THE COMPETITION. With the best Power to Weight ratio in class, the FCN90L delivers the power to drive 3-1/2” nails into construction lumber.
The FCN90L implements EVERWIN’s patented “Precision Nailing Technology”. The funnel shaped contact element in this design guides each nail as they are driven down the nose bore. This ensures each nail is driven in the most vertical and centered manner possible, keeping the nail head flush to help ensure MAXIMUM HOLDING POWER and MINIMIZE FORMATION OF DRIVER MARKS. The contact tip is also designed much slimmer compared to conventional tools, giving the user a clear line of sight.
The FCN90L comes with 2 contact tips for different applications, a serrated tip for toe nailing and a flat tip for others, both tips are equipped with a no-mar pad when needed. Furthermore, because the FCN90L is light yet powerful enough to be used in decking applications, the clean, flush drive that Precision Nailing Tech delivers paired with its flat contact tip make a dream tool for decking professionals.
What we say:
Everwin nails it with their FCN90L Coil Framing Nailer. Its combination of lightweight, accurate nail placement, and versatility set it apart from other framing nailers. The light weight component is obvious – lighter weight means less fatigue over a long day. But what caught our eyes in addition to that and precision tip is the ability to change tips for different scenarios. Sure, we’re going to want the serrated toe nailing tip most of the time, but it’s good to have a flat tip and no-mar pads for the times that leaving a mark matters.
Price: $295
For more information, click here.
Finalists
- Hitachi NR83A5 3-1/4″ Plastic Strip Collated Framing Nailer with Depth Adjustment – Check out the Preview
- Fasco / Beck F60 CN15W-PS90 SCR Fastener
Winner – Electric Air Compressors
RISE Robotics LongBore Industrial Air Compressor
What they said:
- LongBore Industrial Air Compressor has the Fastest Pump-Up, Fastest Recovery, and Fastest Flow.
- Off the same outlet, more work gets done faster because LongBore can keep up with the fastest crews.
- Move more air, more efficiently with LongBore’s HUGE cylinders!
- Powerful insights were reduced to practice into LongBore by MIT Mechanical Engineers in Somerville, Massachusetts.
- Longbore Air Compressor is a fundamental breakthrough in air compression technology.
- The most productive air compressor on any standard 120v outlet IS LongBore.
What we say:
What happens when you take MIT engineers and ask them to build an air compressor? You get something like you’ve never seen before! With 8.0 SCFM available and 9-gallon storage, the LongBore features much larger cylinders to recharge more efficiently. Now those stats might not blow your mind, but we’re talking about a 120V electric compressor, not gas. So let’s give the LongBore crew a tip of the hat (along with a Pro Tool Innovation Award) and hope they set their minds to improving other jobsite tools.
Price: $2,000
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Cordless Air Compressors
Dewalt FlexVolt 60V Max 2.5 Gallon Cordless Air Compressor
What they said: 
For the user that wants to leverage their existing pneumatic tools, the FLEXVOLT 60V MAX 2.5 Gallon Cordless Air Compressor is a compact, portable, and lightweight choice at only 21.5 lbs. without a battery. The compressor achieves up to 1,220 nails per charge using one 6.0Ah FLEXVOLT Battery and a DEWALT 18 GA Brad Nailer.
The compressor features an efficient brushless motor paired with a heavy-duty, oil-free pump. It provides cordless convenience with the power of a corded tool. Another premium feature of the compressor is its OneTurn regulator for fast, accurate pressure adjustment. Traditional compressors have two separate gauges; one gauge that measures tank pressure and another that measures the regulated output pressure flowing through the couplers and into the air tools. To adjust the regulated pressure on traditional compressors, the user has to turn the regulator knob and wait for the regulated pressure gauge to catch up. The OneTurn regulator allows the user to simply turn the knob so the indicator is pointing to the desired PSI. The compressor will then self-regulate.
In addition, the compressor’s roll cage provides durability and rubber feet help to prevent the tool from walking when in use. The FLEXVOLT 60V MAX 2.5 Gallon Cordless Air Compressor has a maximum tank pressure of 135 PSI and delivers 1.2 SCFM @ 90 PSI. This provides ideal pressure and air flow for an extended range of trim and finish applications.
What we say:
DeWalt might have been beaten to the punch for the first cordless compressor, but the wait was worth it! With 135 PSI, 2.5-gallon capacity, and 1.2 SCFM available, this is one that can get the job done for finish carpenters. DeWalt didn’t cut any corners, either. You’ll get a full day’s work on one battery with most finish nailers, and it’s an oil-free design. And let’s not forget that you get to cut the compressor cord and still use your lightweight pneumatic nailers.
Price: $299
For more information, click here.