Addressing both pneumatic and battery-powered cordless nailers, these Awards recognize all forms of innovation. While pneumatic tools provide the speed and reliability for framing and finish work, cordless battery-powered tools have stepped up their game, bringing tools that we never thought impossible just a few years ago. Manufacturers are also now introducing more products and expanding the capabilities of these tools for carpenters, roofing & siding professionals, and more. Check out the Pro Tool Innovation Awards Winners for the 2021 Pneumatic Tools and Nailers Awards!
WINNER – CORDLESS AIR COMPRESSORS
Milwaukee Tool M18 FUEL 2 Gallon Compact Quiet Compressor 2840-20
What they said:
Our M18 FUEL 2 Gallon Compact Quiet Compressor is designed for the professional carpenter and remodeler. This quiet air compressor is only 68dB(A), making it the quietest cordless compressor on the market and quieter than most corded options. We’ve designed this 2-gallon air compressor to be high-performing while reducing the noise professionals deal with on jobsites. Its low profile and stackable design allow our portable air compressor to be easily stored and transported on, around, and back off the jobsite. It has run-time professionals need to stay productive, giving you up to 1,600 18ga brad nails per charge. It is compatible with all Milwaukee M18 REDLITHIUM batteries making it easy to swap packs and keep running to finish your job.
What we say:
Milwaukee pushes the cordless air compressor market further forward with a 2-gallon design. At 90 PSI, it’s capable of delivering 1.2 CFM and it gives you a maximum of 135 PSI. The big deal for remodelers and carpenters who find themselves working in occupied spaces is the noise level. Producing just 68 decibels, it stakes its claim as the quietest cordless compressor currently on the market. Even when the job isn’t in occupied homes or offices, the reduction in noise might just help bring you some of the peace you’ve been missing.
Price: $349.00
For more information, click here.
Finalist
WINNER – ELECTRIC AIR COMPRESSORS
Metabo HPT 200 PSI High Capacity Pancake Compressor EC914S
What they said:
Metabo HPT introduces The Tank – the industry’s first 200 PSI High Capacity Pancake Compressor (model EC914S). With class-leading PSI, this lightweight compressor packs 25% more pressure* into a smaller body. It is engineered with the power to run a framing, roofing, or siding crew, and is versatile enough to run a team of five 18-Ga nailers at a time. The Tank offers serious professionals a next-level compressor with ultimate versatility.
The Tank has the capacity and PSI to simultaneously run (2) framing nailers, siding nailers or roofing nailers at the same rate of production as a traditional jobsite compressor. Finish crews can even run (3) 15-Ga or 16-Ga finish nailers or (5) 18-Ga brad nailers. With 4CFM @ 90PSI, The Tank delivers 30% more airflow, making it easy to run multiple large body nailers at the same time with fast reloading.
The large capacity 6-gallon tank provides plenty of air. Productivity is maximized as The Tank can consistently drive nails flush without delay. The oil-free design delivers high durability with low maintenance- ready to plug and play right out of the box. The Tank is 22% lighter than a traditional twin stack compressor. Weighing just 41 lbs., it is easy to move around the jobsite and carry up or downstairs. The solid steel bolted-on “roll bar” handle makes it easy to carry and protects against damage when in the back of the truck or tool trailer.
At 200 PSI and 4 CFM at 90 PSI, get more work done with less weight. The Tank rolls through the toughest jobsites with the power and performance to get the job done!
What we say:
The Metabo HPT Tank 6-gallon air compressor redefines what you should expect from a pancake compressor. It boasts a monster 4 CFM at 90 PSI and maxes out at 200 PSI. It runs at levels other pancakes can’t keep up with. Our judges were very impressed with its ability to run a pair of framing or roofing nailers on a model this size. While you could always grab a larger compressor, we’ll take the effort savings and use the Tank instead.
Price: $229
For more information, click here.
WINNER – CORDLESS FINISH NAILERS
Milwaukee Tool M12 23 Gauge Pin Nailer 2540
What they said:
The M12 23GA Pin Nailer is the most compact cordless pin nailer that combines precision and power to deliver the performance that professional carpenters and remodelers demand, without the hassle of a compressor hose or gas cartridge. The 23 gauge pin nailer provides unmatched productivity and accessibility into tight spaces and confined corners through a lightweight, ergonomic design. Our nitrogen air spring mechanism allows the nailer to consistently sink pin nails at proper depth into hard or soft woods while leaving small, clean nail holes.
The double-action trigger and non-marring precision point tip allow for sequential driving and accurate pin placement into delicate trim pieces. The dry-fire lockout feature prevents misfires and workpiece damage. The M12 23 Gauge Pin Nailer drives 23-gauge headless pin nails ranging in length from 1/2” to 1-3/8” and features all-day run time with up to 750 pin nails per charge when paired with our M12 REDLITHIUM CP1.5 battery pack. The pin nailer also features a magazine reload indicator, tool-free drive depth adjustment, reversible belt clip, LED light, battery fuel gauge, secondary work contact tip, and carries our industry-leading 5-year limited power tool warranty.
What we say:
It doesn’t take a ton of power to drive pin nails compared to other sizes. That lets Milwaukee do two things with the M12 pin nailer: run with a 12V battery and deliver a truly compact design. This is the most compact cordless pinner we’ve yet seen. It’s about the same size as the M12 crown stapler. The M12 power source helps its cause as well, keeping both the footprint and weight to a minimum. Of course, Milwaukee also tackles the nailer’s function well with no firing delay, a precision nose tip, and dryfire lockout.
Price: $199
For more information, click here.
Finalist
WINNER – FRAMING NAILERS
ET&F Fastening Systems Steel Framing 500 Series
What they said:
FOR WOOD, GYPSUM & CEMENT PANELS TO STEEL FASTENING SYSTEM
The Model 510 Tool and Panelfast AGS-100 pins comprise the Panelfast system. The sequential fire Model 510 pneumatic tool has adjustable depth control that precisely places the pin at the desired depth in plywood, gypsum sheathing, DensGlass Gold, Fiberock, fiber cement siding, and even vinyl siding. One tool does it all! The exclusive design of the Model 510 tool drives the largest 0.100” headed pin on the market, providing maximum wind pressure resistance even in gypsum-based sheathing materials. The tool accepts pins 1 1/2”, 2”, and 2 1/2” in length and is designed for use with steel 27 mil (22 GA.) to 68 mil (14 GA.) thickness.
FOR WOOD TO STEEL FASTENING
The Model 500 tool is designed specifically for cold-formed steel construction and has earned a reputation as the most reliable tool on the market today. Weighing only 6 pounds, this bump-fire tool is three to five times faster than traditional screw guns. The tool accepts fasteners 1 1/2” to 2 1/2” long and operates using common air compressors at 120 psi maximum air pressure. Using our code-approved, coil collated AKN-100 series pins, the Model 500 tool is used to fasten plywood shear walls and horizontal diaphragms to cold-formed 27 mil (22 GA.) to 68 mil (14 GA.) steel. This system is also code approved for face nailing specific brands of fiber cement siding to cold-formed steel studs.
What we say:
ET&F Fastening System’s 500-series steel framing nailers are all about reliability. For wood to steel framing, the Model 500 uses pins up to 2-1/2” long and operates much faster than a screw gun doing the same job thanks to a bump fire mode. The Model 510 also delivers fasteners up to 2-1/2” and takes care of everything with just one tool. Plywood, gypsum, fiber cement, vinyl, and more are all on the menu. Whatever material you’re attaching to a steel frame, ET&F has you covered.
Price: Contact ET&F Fastening Systems
For more information, click here.
WINNER – CORDLESS FRAMING NAILERS
Milwaukee Tool M18 Fuel Framing Nailers 2744-21
What they said:
Milwaukee Tool continues to expand its line of cordless solutions from frame to finish with the introduction of their very first cordless framing nailers, the M18 FUEL 21° Framing Nailer and M18 FUEL 30° Framing Nailer. Delivering the power to sink nails in engineered lumber, these framing nailers can also fire up to 3 nails per second with no gas cartridges. “For years our users have demanded a Milwaukee cordless solution to their framing nailer frustrations. Unwilling to settle for subpar performance, we continued to advance our technologies until we could provide a truly game-changing solution for these users,” said Sean Kelley, Product Manager for Milwaukee Tool.
“This year we’re proud to finally unveil our first lineup of cordless framing nailers. With no gas cartridges necessary, the power to sink nails in the most demanding materials, and the fire rate to keep users productive throughout their day, these new framing nailers were worth the wait!” With best-in-class power, the M18 FUEL Framing Nailers deliver a fire rate similar to pneumatic to keep users productive. The nailers have also been optimized with the size necessary to fit between studs and balanced weight to limit fatigue.
An optional Extended Capacity Magazine accepting two strips of nails is also available for these tools, allowing users to work longer before needing to reload. With no gas cartridges, a POWERSTATE brushless motor, and no cleaning required, the nailers are designed to deliver durability and reliability to the most demanding users with very little maintenance. Coupled with the fact that the tools fire up to 3 nails per second, users will experience greatly reduced downtime and maximized productivity.
What we say:
Milwaukee solves several major concerns with their M18 Fuel framing nailer. First, they ensured it has enough power to fully drive nails in engineered lumber. Second, they eliminated firing delays, letting it bump-fire at a reasonable clip. Finally, the product team also took care of capacity concerns. Other cordless framers only hold one stick of nails. By offering an extended magazine, Milwaukee gets two sticks in their framing tools, letting you nail longer between refills. Overall, Milwaukee has the most capable cordless framing nailer on the market.
Price: $449
For more information, click here.
WINNER – METAL CONNECTOR NAILERS
Paslode 1-1/2″ Positive Placement Metal Connector Nailer (Model F150)
What they said:
The Paslode 1-1/2” Positive Placement Metal Connector Nailer, Model F150S-PP, is compact and provides the power, speed, and accuracy to make it the most productive metal connector nailer on the market today. A new nose and crescent-shaped driver blade strikes more surface area of the nail allowing for consistent drive performance for higher productivity. And features an inline, compact 1-strip magazine design for balance, maneuverability, and unobstructed operation.
This nailer delivers enough power to drive nails flush into LVL’s and harder woods. In addition, it features a jam-free design for the fastest hole-to-hole speed. And the nail head is marked for easy nail identification by building inspectors. It has an ergonomically designed cushioned grip for extra comfort, a bypass follower for fast loading, and a tool-less adjustable exhaust cap to deflect air away from the user. The nail lock-out mechanism engages when four nails are left in the magazine to signal that reloading is necessary and help prevent premature driver blade wear. The unique, patented Positive Placement probing tip finds the hole quickly and delivers the fastest hole-to-hole performance.
What we say:
The Paslode F150S-PP Positive Placement Metal Connector Nailer addresses two of the biggest pain points on their previous model. One change makes the switch to a single strip magazine that features a more compact, inline design. Even though it holds fewer nails (29 at a time), it’s able to fit into tighter spaces and there’s some improvement in the balance. The other big change is on the business end. With a new nose and a crescent-shaped driver blade, you’ll experience fewer jams. The shape of the driver blade makes it able to strike a larger surface area on each nail and gives you more consistent driving results.
Price: $390
For more information, click here.
WINNER – CORDLESS METAL CONNECTOR NAILERS
Metabo HPT NR3665DA 36V MultiVolt Cordless Metal Connector Nailer
What they said:
The Pro Preferred Brand of Pneumatic Nailers, Metabo HPT introduces the newest addition to its cordless nailer lineup with the 36V MultiVolt Cordless Metal Connector Nailer (model NR3665DA). This brushless nailer is engineered specifically for installing joist hangers and metal connectors to wood by using the Strap-Tite Probe Tip for precise placement of every nail while offering the freedom and efficiency of being able to work cordless on any residential framing jobsite.
It can easily drive 900 nails per charge while delivering the “feel” of a pneumatic nailer-thanks to Metabo HPT’s unique Air Spring Drive technology. As part of the expanding MultiVolt System of power tools from Metabo HPT, it accepts any MultiVolt battery for extreme power and runtime AND accepts the unique AC Adapter (model ET36A) to plug in for all-day runtime offering ultimate versatility and extending battery life.
It’s backed by Metabo HPT’s Lifetime Lithium-Ion tool body warranty and two-year Lithium-Ion battery warranty for peace of mind.
What we say:
The cordless positive placement sector has very few options at the moment. Even so, Metabo HPT has set a bar with their 36V model that anyone else with the ambition to compete will have to work very hard to beat. The big deal for the Metabo HPT cordless positive placement nailer is that its brushless motor has the power to drive those nails and it does it with no firing delay. Its air-spring system eliminates the need for flywheel systems that require ramp-up time. If you’re ready to ditch the hose and compressor, Metabo HPT’s cordless metal connector nailer is the best option available.
Price: $479
For more information, click here.
WINNER – STAPLERS
WORKPRO 6-in-1 Staple Gun W023035A
What they said:
Our worldwide patented “NO-SWITCH” staple guns break through the myth that a staple gun can only drive one type of staple automatically. Our innovation team designed a staple gun that can identify the wire gauges automatically without the need to manually select the correct fastener. Other world-known brands carry similar products able to drive several different types of fasteners. However, all share one common disadvantage – a manual “switch knob” adjustment which can lead to user error, misfires, and loss of valuable time.
Our automatic “NO-SWITCH” stapler fires 6 different types of fasteners without having to manually change selection. Designated as a “green product” due to less raw earth material consumption, customers can replace several different types of staple guns and have one user-friendly stapler to handle the job. Detailed specs: Advanced ejected block which can identify different wire gauges to automatically ad Fits T50/JT21/T25 staples, 18 gauge Brad Nails, and Headless Pins. One staple gun replaces the job of several to save you time on various job applications.
What we say:
Staplers that can fire multiple fasteners aren’t a new idea. Even one that can deliver six different ones isn’t unique. What WorkPro does to set itself apart from its competition is to give you those six options without the need to set a selector—the tool takes care of it for you! Whether you’re using T50, JT21, T20, or T25 staples, 18-gauge brad nails, or headless pin nails, just load and go.
Price: $29.99
For more information, click here.
Finalist
WINNER – BATTERY-POWERED STAPLERS
Arrow Fastener ET501C Universal 5-in-1 Cordless Staple Gun
What they said:
The Arrow 5-in-1 cordless electric staple gun features a compact lightweight design, ergonomic soft grip, bottom load magazine, and the ability to fire 5 different fasteners with 1 staple gun.
The lithium-ion battery fires over 1,000 fasteners on a single charge and can fire 60 staples per minute. This tool accepts T50, JT21, and T25 staples, as well as 18 gauge brad nails and 18 gauge pin nails for dynamic and high-quality utility.
What we say:
There’s no denying how useful a stapler is when it can fire multiple fasteners. Arrow makes it easier and more convenient with their ET501C cordless 5-in-1 stapler. It has the multi-fastener capability we like with the ease of an electric model and the convenience of cutting a cord from it. With more than 1000 staples/nails per charge and the ability to fire 1 per second, you’re stapling duties just got done quicker with a whole lot less effort.
Price: $62.99
For more information, click here.