If your tool brand of choice is high-end, such as Makita, you’ll know it can be very expensive to buy new tools. It’s even worse if those tools are niche, and won’t get as much use as other tools in your collection.
There are very few battery platforms that are truly universal, with each tool manufacturer using their own unique battery ports and connections. That’s where a Badaptor comes in.
A Badaptor allows you to use your 18V Makita batteries with the entire range of over 200 Ryobi 18V tools. Here are some of the benefits of buying a Badaptor over a new battery system.
Saving you money
As we said earlier, if you’re looking to buy a tool that you may only use once or twice a year, it might not be worth paying the extra money for the Makita option. In many cases, a bare Makita tool can cost almost twice as much as the Ryobi equivalent and a Badaptor. The Badaptor not only negates the cost of a new battery but also the charging station required to charge the battery.
Conversely, rather than spending upwards of £90 ($110) buying a new or replacement battery for a Ryobi tool, a Badaptor will allow you to utilize the 18V batteries you already own, especially ones that barely see the light of day! *
More tools for your collection
Compared to other established brands on the market, Ryobi’s range of 18V tools is larger and covers more than just power tools.
With a selection of gardening, cleaning, and even crafting tools, they offer daily-use tools other brands don’t cater for. This means that a Badaptor opens up a whole new world of tools you would never have thought about using.
So if you’re looking to use your 18V Makita batteries with Ryobi One+ tools, grab yourself a Badaptor at badaptor.com today.
Outside of the Ryobi range, there are Badaptors available that convert a range of 18V batteries to DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita tools. Visit our product page for more details.
Ryobi continues to add to their One+ collection on a regular basis, producing an array of new tools that can benefit the day-to-day lives of many DIYers. So we thought we’d take a look at some of our favourites from the last six months, that pair nicely with a Badaptor.
Magnifying Clamp Light
We think Ryobi’s new magnifying light is a must for DIYers who frequently work with more complex crafts and components, as it allows you to work hands-free in a well-lit area with increased precision.
The tool features a bright LED light that can emit up to 500 lumens, more than enough to illuminate any work area, along with a 2.25x magnifying lens with a 5x spot magnification area for when finer detail is needed. The light also includes a 38-mm clamp for secure attachment to any workbench or table.
The light is also extremely energy efficient, lasting up to 19 hours on a single charge when paired with a standard 4.0 Ah 18V battery, and for less than £45 for the bare tool, it’s also great value for money when compared to other comparable work lights.
Stick Vacuum
We love a good vacuum at Badaptor, and Ryobi has recently upgraded their range with a whole raft of new stick vacuum cleaners, including some brushed and brushless variants (see our recent brushed or brushless tools blog for more information on how these both work).
Designed for cleaning carpets, upholstery, and wooden floors, all Ryobi stick vacuums are lightweight and portable, enabling users to clean all around the house without straining muscles or dragging around bulky equipment.
The brushed vacuum has around 30 air watts of suction, with the brushless version having around 90 watts, according to Ryobi. Both are more than enough to deal with any dirt and debris around the house and as an added bonus, both include HEPA 12 filtration to capture any harmful or reactive particles such as pollen, fungal spores, bacteria etc.
Starting at around £200 for the brushed variant, both stick vacs are frequently on sale, so it’s worth looking around to find the best deal.
Debris Sweeper
This is a slightly more expensive tool for in and around the house, but it can be extremely useful for cleaning up large areas such as driveways, patios, and garages prone to constant mess.
Debris sweepers are like outdoor vacuum cleaners, designed for large objects and messes. The two large brushes help push any mess into the 17-litre container, making the cleaning process much faster than using a traditional vacuum cleaner. The container also features an easy clip-in mechanism, making disposal simple and efficient.
The debris sweeper is again more energy efficient than regular vacuums, lasting up to 200 minutes on a single charge when used with a standard 18V 5.0 Ah battery.
If you’re looking to save some money and not continually buy new batteries with new tools, a Badaptor is the answer. Our range of Badaptors allows you to use your 18V battery system with DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee or Ryobi 18V tools. Get yours today at badaptor.com.
With Christmas rapidly approaching, we decided to put together a list of gift ideas for the avid DIYers out there. Our list covers all price ranges and doesn’t just focus on power tools, so there’s something here for everyone.
Upgrade from spirit levels to a laser level
All the rage right now, laser levels are becoming a more trusted tool to use over traditional spirit levels.
Laser levels, as their name suggests, emit a beam of coloured light onto a surface, allowing users to accurately align their work. Whereas traditional spirit levels need to be held against a surface to take a level measurement, laser levels are placed on a tripod or mounted to a surface, allowing the user to work with both hands.
Another advantage laser levels have over traditional spirit levels is their measuring length and accuracy. Most laser levels have a working range of at least 10 metres and are said to be ten times more accurate than spirit levels, according to United Rentals.
Laser levels range from around £30 to several hundreds, depending on build quality, model, accessories etc. For someone who’s never used a tool before, we suggest not spending more than £60 unless you plan on measuring up huge rooms on a consistent basis.
Pocket Hole Jig for carpentry
The perfect tool for a budding woodworker, a pocket hole jig takes all the stress out of measuring and drilling accurate pocket holes in wooden boards.
Pocket hole joints are used when constructing furniture. They’re the preferred joint choice not only for their increased strength over butt joints, but the drilled holes are concealable, and the joint can be easily disassembled if needed.
Most pocket hole jig sets include a special stepped drill bit with an adjustable collar for different drill depths, as well as the jig itself. For an accurate guide on how to properly use a pocket hole jig, check out Fine Home Buildings YouTube video.
You can buy a basic pocket hole jig for as little as £12 from Amazon, but you can also buy more advanced sets with clamps and table mounts which range from £20 to £100.
New tool bag
We believe every DIYer needs a sturdy and robust tool bag for their essential tools. Compared to storage boxes and crates, which are bulky and difficult to move, a tool bag means you can take your most essential tools anywhere.
Primarily used for storing a selection of hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, chisels, etc., most professional tool bags have adequate storage space for a few small power tools and building accessories.
We recommend buying a tool bag with a reinforced bottom and separate compartments inside to keep everything looking tidy. These range from around £25 to £70, again depending on size and brand. It’s worth shopping around to find one that suits your storage needs.
Badaptor battery adapters
Are you looking to gift someone a new power tool but don’t want to spend all that extra money on a new battery? For less than half the price, a Badaptor will convert the 18V batteries you already own to work with DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee or Ryobi 18V tools.
With 13 models available, you can convert your 18V batteries with minimal effort or fuss. Held in place by a simple clip and button system, Badaptors are easy to attach and remove and fit securely into the tool, ensuring the connection is unaffected by vibration or constant use.
You can get a Badaptor from badaptor.com for as little as £24.99, with new models being added all the time.
Have you got any other gift ideas that you think would be great for a DIYer? Let us know in the comments below.
With the cost-of-living crisis putting a strain on people’s wallets, we decided to look into some cheap ways you can save energy and cut down on those ever-growing bills.
Putting foil behind your radiator
This one is all about science! When the temperature starts to drop, you may consider turning on the radiator. If you do, we advise putting some kitchen foil (or specially designed radiator reflectors) behind them. The purpose of this is to reflect heat back into the room. Every time you turn the radiator on, some of the heat will escape through the walls. The foil acts as a heat barrier, so much less is wasted.
The easiest way to do this is to wrap some aluminium foil around a piece of cardboard (shiny side out) and stick this to the wall behind the radiator. If you’d like to buy specialist radiator foil, several retailers sell these in a roll with adhesive tape on one side for easy application.
Changing to LED lightbulbs
For years, we have been told to buy energy-efficient halogen bulbs to cut down on our energy bills, but it turns out that these aren’t even the best bulbs to use. Replacing your halogen light bulbs or CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) with LED bulbs could save you a fortune, according to sources.
LEDHut claims that LED bulbs will consume around £80 worth of power over a 20+ year lifespan, compared to the £120 CFL bulbs consumed over the same period. CFL bulbs also need to be replaced after 5000 hours of use.
LEDs use much less energy than other comparable lightbulbs due to the lower wattage needed to create the same amount of light. A 60-watt halogen bulb will produce the same amount of light as an 11-watt CFL or a 9-watt LED bulb, according to LEDhut.
Due to these cost-saving benefits and the fact that LEDs can be easily coloured, more lighting companies are producing LED lightbulbs with generic fittings, so they can replace any light fixture you have around the house. It’s worth shopping around to find what LEDs best suit your living space.
Turn down the temperature on the washing machine
A common mistake most households will make is always washing clothes on a hot wash. Before the advancement of washing powders and detergents, a hot wash was considered the most effective way to properly clean clothes. However, using a higher-end washing detergent or powder can deliver the same cleaning power at a lower temperature.
For example, you could turn down your washing temperature from 60°C (140°F) to 30°C (86°F) on regular washes and still achieve the same finish on your clothes. According to the Energy Saving Trust, this uses around 40% less electricity per year, depending on how often you use your washing machine. It’s also advisable to completely fill your washing machine before doing a wash to maximise energy usage.
Another benefit of colder washes is that your clothes are less likely to fade or shrink, a common issue if you regularly wash your clothes at 50°C (122°F) or higher.
In addition to turning down the temperature on your washing machine, we advise you to stop using your tumble dryer or dryer setting on your washing machine. The average tumble dryer uses more than double the electricity of a washing machine, so using a radiator or airing cupboard is more cost-effective.
Unplug unused tools or battery chargers
We’ve all done it. You’re doing some DIY, and your tool starts losing power, so you go to charge the battery. You put it on charge and forget about it for a few hours. Even after your battery is fully charged, the charger will still draw power, which is needlessly wasted, so always make sure to unplug or turn off the charger as soon as your battery is fully charged.
Leaving your battery on charge is not ideal for the battery either, as the charger could potentially overcharge the battery and shorten its lifespan. We go into more detail about this in our power tool battery blog post.
The same goes for corded power tools. The power outlet will continuously supply the tool with electricity to ensure it immediately starts when the trigger is pulled or the button is pressed, so always unplug tools when they’re not in use.
If you’re tired of endlessly charging lots of different batteries, why not invest in a Badaptor instead? A Badaptor allows you to use your 18V batteries with DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Ryobi 18V tools. Visit badaptor.com today to see how a Badaptor can change how you work.
Organising your shed or garage can be a tough job. Finding enough space can be a huge problem, especially if you don’t have a large storage area to begin with. But don’t worry, we’ve looked into some easy ways in which you can tidy up your workspace and maximise the space you have without breaking the bank.
Wall mounting tools
This is something you’ve probably seen on social media posts or DIY YouTube videos. Wall mounting your tools is a convenient and stylish way of storing and displaying your tool collection.
The most common form of wall mounting is a pegboard or perforated panel. These give you more freedom to position and move tools when you expand your collection. Rather than having fixed positions on walls to hang tools, all areas within the panel can be changed within a few seconds just by repositioning the dowels.
If you’re a handy woodworker, you could have a go at making your own. They’re cheap to make, requiring as little as an MDF or plywood panel and some wall mounts or braces to hold the board in place. Building your own also means you can design and decorate it to match your workspace.
For those less confident and just want a quick solution they can screw into a wall, there are plenty of options online to suit your desired application and workspace.
Overhead storage
If your garage or workshop is short on space, you could try using overhead storage racks or runners. The most common and easiest to fit are the overhead frame rails, which are used to hold plastic totes. These totes are perfect for all the items in your shed or garage that barely ever see the light of day (Christmas decorations, camping equipment etc.)
If you’re looking to store items without needing to buy specially designed crates, you can also try hanging racking. These will hang slightly lower than the crates on rails but allow you to store an array of objects of different sizes. These also allow you to easily grab items without needing to pull down and open storage crates.
Make sure that if you do use overhead storage, everything is stored safely and always use ladders or steps when storing or removing items.
Storage bins
Closely related to wall mounting, storage bins are perfect for holding those smaller tools and accessories (like your Badaptors!) that end up getting lost in your toolbox.
Much like the ones shown below, these come in various sizes and can be fitted to wall racks or stacked on work surfaces, maximising your space. They’re also one of the more cost-effective storage systems, with a pack of 10 stackable bins costing as little as £16 ($18).
If you’re looking to expand your tool collection, but don’t want to pay for a brand-new battery system, why not consider buying a Badaptor instead? At just a third of the price of a new battery, Badaptors allow you to convert your existing 18V batteries to work with 18V DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Ryobi tools. Visit our website at badaptor.com to get yours today.
Have you recently made any of these additions to your workshop, shed, or garage? Let us know in the comments below.
With so many cordless saws to choose from, it can be hard to know the right one to use for your application and material. If you’re unsure about which saw to use in which scenario, don’t panic. We’ve gone through the most common types of cordless saws and broken down how they work and what they’re used for.
Circular saw/Skill saw
A rugged and dependable saw for use on many types of wood, cordless circular saws are the go-to saw for cutting large wood boards made from MDF or plywood. Designed to cut lumber both across the grain and with the grain, circular saws (also known as skill saws) are much more portable than some of the other variants we will be looking at.
The circular saw is a jack-of-all-trades saw when it comes to cutting wood and metal (if you have the correct blade). The guard on the base of most circular saws can be adjusted to any angle up to 45 degrees, enabling users to make a mitre cut. This plate is also height adjustable, facilitating different depths of cut.
However, despite their versatility, they don’t always leave the cleanest edge on a cut. The speed and direction of the cut are also completely controlled by the user, so cuts may not always be straight.
Ryobi’s 150mm circular saw is less than £90, making it around £30 cheaper than any comparable model from DeWalt, Makita or Milwaukee. Ryobi’s circular saw also offers users the ability to change the depth and bevel of the blade without the need for Allen keys or screwdrivers.
Mitre saw
Like circular saws, mitre saws are circular blades with teeth used for cutting lumber and metal (again, with the correct blade). A mitre saw, however, is a fixed device with a base that allows you to accurately position the material for cutting. Both the cutting blade and the base of the mitre saw can be adjusted, allowing the user to efficiently make mitre cuts.
The addition of the fixed base plate means cuts from a mitre saw are more precise and leave a cleaner edge. The downside of mitre saws is their lack of portability and inability to cut larger pieces of material. The saw can only cut material within the blades’ reach, whereas a normal circular saw can be used on any size material due to it being fully handheld. Mitre saws are also designed to cut cross-grain only.
Chainsaw
Chainsaws are heavy-duty saws used for cutting trees, hedges, and foliage. Compared to the previous two saws, chainsaws are not for precise cuts, but instead for cutting through the toughest wood as quickly and easily as possible.
Chainsaws, as the name suggests, are made up of a chain of teeth, rotating at incredibly high speeds. The teeth on a chainsaw are more robust than on most DIY or woodworking saws due to the nature of what they do. Chainsaws also need to be sufficiently lubricated as, without lubrication, the chain will seize up and stop spinning. Most modern chainsaws will have an oil reservoir which automatically feeds oil onto the chain when required.
Battery-powered chainsaws are a relatively new addition to the market. Before this, cordless chainsaws were all petrol-powered. Petrol chainsaws are still extremely popular due to their increased power over battery chainsaws. However, this is liable to change in the coming years due to environmental issues with petrol chainsaws and the increased power offered by the newer battery systems.
Reciprocating saw
We’ve briefly touched upon reciprocating saws before, as they are the natural replacement for hand saws. Most DIYers will start with reciprocating saws because they are well-priced and can tackle a variety of different cutting jobs. Most reciprocating saws come with a selection of blades for wood, metal, and hard plastic, making them a more all-around cutting tool when compared to the others we have looked at.
The main issue with reciprocating saws is their tendency to leave rough edges on cuts. As the tool is handheld, there is more room for user error, meaning cuts may not always be straight. The tool can only make straight cuts, so a separate saw is needed if you’re looking to make mitre cuts.
Ryobi’s reciprocating saw is around £20 cheaper than some of the other main manufacturers, whilst boasting features the others do not. Ryobi’s saw has an adjustable shoe for easy manoeuvrability and a universal saw blade for cutting various materials. An equivalent saw from DeWalt or Makita costs around £140.
Jigsaw
Finally, we have the jigsaw. Much like a reciprocating saw, the blade cuts using a forward and backward motion. However, jigsaws are more precise cutting tools and are mainly used for cutting shapes into large wooden boards. The size and position of the blade mean the user has greater control than if they were using a reciprocating saw.
Its other main difference from a reciprocating tool is the adjustability of the foot. Most jigsaws have a foot that can be set to certain angles, up to a maximum of 45 degrees. This means that they can also make mitre cuts. These cuts will, however, not be as clean or even as straight as cuts from a circular or mitre saw.
Conclusion
The saw you should buy will depend on your use cases for it. If you’re looking for an all-around saw that can do almost any cutting task, you can’t go wrong with a reciprocating saw. Circular saws and mitre saws should be used when you’re after clean, precise cuts. These saws are also great for repeated cutting tasks where you’re cutting several pieces of lumber to the same size. For any tree felling or tough garden maintenance, you’re best off with a chainsaw, and if you’re cutting any kind of complex shape from a board, go for a jigsaw.
Remember, if you’re looking to buy any tools from the Ryobi One+ range, don’t waste money on buying a new battery system! Instead, invest in a Badaptor and use the 18V batteries you already own. A Badaptor can convert 18V batteries to work with 18V DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Ryobi tools.
Cordless tool technology is forever improving, with new features added seemingly every year. The newest ranges of tools are being called “High-Performance”, with different manufacturers claiming different benefits from their normal ranges. We looked into these price ranges to see if the tools are worth the price.
Do all tool manufacturers have a high-performance range?
Many of the most popular manufacturers have a high-performance range. Some of these include Ryobi’s HP range and Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel range. These brands claim their high-performance ranges feature the latest brushless technology, which boosts torque and performance.
Companies such as DeWalt and Bosch Professional however, claim all their latest technology is present in their regular brushless tools, and the only thing that can boost their performance is the battery system.
For a full rundown on power tool batteries, check out our recent blog post on cordless tool batteries.
So are high-performance tools just brushless?
All high-performance tool ranges that we looked at include brushless technology as standard. However, these brands say their high-performance ranges feature more than just the latest brushless technology.
In the case of Ryobi, they claim all the tools in their “HP” range feature a more advanced motor which spins faster and produces more torque than the motors on the regular brushless tools.
However, when you compare their regular brushless drill driver to their HP brushless drill driver, the improved brushless motor on the HP tool drains the battery faster and is unable to drive as many screws on one charge as the regular tool. This is reflected in the price, as the regular brushless tool is slightly more expensive than the HP tool.
When it comes to Milwaukee, they have a regular M18 brushless range and an M18 fuel range. While both ranges feature a brushless motor, the M18 fuel uses their “Powerstate” motor, which claims to deliver up to 2/3 more torque than the standard brushless motor, resulting in faster drilling speeds into wood and steel. Unlike Ryobi, however, they don’t specify if the fuel tools drain the battery quicker than the regular brushless tools.
So are high-performance tools worth it?
Whether you buy high-performance tools depends on your specific use case. If you’re looking for the most powerful tool possible, it’s worth investing in a high-performance version.
However, for longer runtime, without too much compromise on overall tool performance, you’re better off with the regular brushless version of the tool.
If you’re looking at getting a tool from the many high-performance tool ranges, why not pair it with a Badaptor? A Badaptor allows you to power any 18V tool from the DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Ryobi ranges using your current 18V battery. Visit badaptor.com to get yours today.
Do you own any high-performance tools? Would you say the extra investment is worth the price, or would you stick to regular brushless tools? Let us know in the replies below.
Autumn is nearly here, which means it’s about time for an end-of-summer clean! We’ve looked at three tools from the Ryobi One+ range that can help make your job a little easier.
Pressure Washer
A tool we believe every household should own! Pressure washers take all the hassle out of cleaning patios, driveways, exterior walls, fascias, cars, and more. Most pressure washers come with interchangeable heads, including nozzles, brushes, and scrubbers, to suit a range of jobs.
Ryobi has a selection of pressure washers available, including corded and cordless variants. Their cordless range, known as their “power washers”, are ideal for cleaning vehicles or painted surfaces that may be damaged by more powerful jets of water. These washers include a water syphoning kit as standard, removing the need for a conventional water delivery system. You simply attach the hose and place it in any fresh water source, making the appliance far more portable than its corded counterparts.
Their corded range is designed for tough cleaning jobs where you need to remove stubborn dirt and grime. They start at 100 bar (unit to measure pressure) and go all the way up to 170 bar. They also include a separate detergent tank, so there’s no need for special detergent nozzles or having to mix the detergent into the water yourself.
Drain Auger
If you have a recurring issue with blocked drains and pipes, Ryobi’s cordless drain auger is a worthwhile investment. Despite what might seem like a large initial outlay, it will save you from constantly calling out plumbers.
Before cordless drain augers, unclogging drains, sinks, and pipes would have been done with a manual auger tool. These worked by turning a handle on a large drum, which pushed out and rotated a flexible metal wire with a spiralled hook on the end.
Ryobi’s cordless auger has a powered feed to push the reinforced steel tool through the blocked pipe at a much greater force than a regular hand auger. It also comes with a rear drain port to stop any dirty water from building up inside the drum. When compared to the Milwaukee variant, it’s around £100 cheaper, without compromising performance or features.
Project Vacuum
All the power and capacity of a corded vacuum cleaner, but with the portability of a cordless vacuum. Ryobi’s Project Vac differs from most conventional cordless vacuum cleaners by containing all the components and mechanisms inside a small crate with a convenient carry handle. With suction and blower settings, and up to 1400L a minute of airflow, it’s a higher spec machine than any standard household vacuum. Powered by an 18V battery, it’s lightweight and compact, meaning it can be easily carried around as you clean.
The vacuum also comes with a variety of attachments, including a universal adapter for dust extraction on all Ryobi One+ tools. This means if you already own one of Ryobi’s sanders or circular saws, you now have a handy dust extractor to use with them.
To make things even better, if you own an 18V battery and a Badaptor, there’s no need to invest in a brand-new battery system. Badaptors allow you to convert the 18V batteries you already own to work with 18V DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Ryobi tools. Visit our website at badaptor.com to see how a Badaptor can change how you use your tools.
One of the most popular tools for renovation is the multi tool. As the name suggests, it’s a multi-purpose device that’s simple to use and removes the need to select and buy separate tools. If you’ve never used one before, here are the basics.
What is a multi tool?
A multi tool is a compact oscillating tool, featuring interchangeable heads for different applications. All multi tools come with a cutting blade and sanding pad as standard, but there are dozens of other attachments to purchase separately. Most of these will be variants of cutters and sanders, with heads for polishing, scraping, and grinding also available.
Multi tools are designed to provide a quick and more convenient solution to smaller cutting or sanding jobs, where it’s not always suitable or possible to use standard-sized saws or sanders.
How does a multi tool work?
Much like an electric razor, a multi tool head moves side-to-side at extremely high speeds (known as oscillation). Most other cutting tools move in either a spinning or backwards and forwards motion (known as reciprocation).
The speed at which the tool oscillates is what makes it cut and sand so effectively. Ryobi’s One+ multi tool for example, can oscillate up to 20,000 times per minute. This oscillation is what enables multi tools to be so versatile.
Different uses of a multi tool
Multi tools have a wide variety of uses thanks to their compact design and portability. Reciprocating or circular saws, although better equipped to cut through robust material, will struggle to offer the precise cuts that a multi tool can achieve.
One of the most popular uses for a multi tool is cutting the bottoms of skirting boards and door frames when fitting hardwood flooring. Without a multi tool, this job would need to be done by hand as most other conventional saws are unable to achieve the correct cutting angle.
They are also the tool of choice when fitting electrical outlets into drywall. The blades on multi tools can withstand the impact of hitting screws or nails used to hold the drywall together. The shape of the tool and the position of the blade also means the user can cut straight lines much more easily than they would be able to with a jigsaw or rotary tool.
One of the more niche applications for a multi tool is the removal of grout between tiles. A multi tool can cut out the grout in a fraction of the time it would take if done by hand. With the right blade, the tool can also cut through the tile itself.
When it comes to sanding capabilities, they are great for sanding around furniture legs, doors and door frames, and anything else with narrow edges or rounded surfaces.
If you’re in the market for a multi tool, but don’t want to pay the high prices charged by your preferred tool manufacturer, why not try looking into getting one from another manufacturer and partnering it with a Badaptor? A Badaptor allows you to use the 18V batteries you already own with compatible 18V tools from DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Ryobi. You can get your Badaptor today at badaptor.com.
Looking to buy a cordless nail gun and are unsure which one suits the job you’ve got lined up? Here’s what you need to know to get the right tool.
Electrical vs fuel/gas powered
There are two types of cordless nail gun available: fuel/gas-powered and electric. Both require a rechargeable battery to operate but have different methods of driving nails.
Fuel-powered nail guns have a replaceable fuel canister that contains combustible gas. When the trigger is pulled, the battery sends a charge to the end of the gas canister, where a very small amount of the gas is released. The electrical charge from the battery will be converted into a spark, which ignites the gas, causing a small explosion. This drives a piston, forcing the nail into the material.
Battery-powered nail guns use electromagnetic energy to drive nails. Similar to modern brushless tools, which we covered in a previous blog, the battery creates an electromagnetic field around a coil known as a solenoid. Within this solenoid is a piston which is used to fire the nails. Once significant force has been generated by the solenoid, it forces the piston down, which drives the nail.
Most companies producing cordless nail guns are trying to move away from the gas-powered method, as this not only reduces tool weight but also eliminates the additional cost of fuel cells needed to drive the nails.
Benefits and disadvantages of cordless over pneumatic
The benefit of any cordless tool over a corded one is portability. Without the restriction of a cord, you can work anywhere without the worry of trip hazards or stretching and potentially snapping cables or hoses.
A pneumatic nail gun requires an air compressor in place of a regular power cable. Once switched on, they take time to pressurize before they can be used. With a cordless nail gun, the tool is ready to be used the moment it’s switched on, decreasing downtime.
Conventionally, pneumatic tools are more powerful than cordless tools due to the method of firing nails. This means that not all cordless tools can be used for all applications. More robust surfaces will require a pneumatic nail gun over a cordless one. Pneumatic tools can also run all day without any drop in efficiency or power. Cordless tools are reliant on a fully charged battery to operate at maximum efficiency.
How to use a nail gun
It’s worth doing some basic research before you attempt to use a nail gun for the first time. With the speed and velocity both electrical and fuel-powered nail guns can achieve, safety is paramount.
Depending on the toughness of the materials you’re nailing into, you may need to change the strength of the tool and nail depth. Most nail guns will have a switch or lever to adjust strike strength and another switch for depth adjustment. On the Ryobi 16GA nail gun, the strength adjustment lever is on the back of the tool, while the depth adjustment wheel is just behind the firing piston on the front of the tool.
Once everything’s set, you’re ready to load the nails. Make sure your gun is switched off or disconnected from power before loading. Most nail guns will have a release catch that you pull to the bottom to allow loading. Pull this catch down to the bottom until it clicks and the loader opens up. Insert the nails, making sure they are the correct way around, and then either pull the catch to release it or press the release button located on the opposite side of the loader.
You’re then ready to start nailing. Line up the tool with the material in question and press the nozzle against the surface. This engages the mechanism inside the nail gun, letting it know it’s safe to fire. Without pressing the nozzle in, the gun won’t fire. Then simply pull the trigger and keep it pressed until the gun has finished firing. If you release the trigger too early, you may cause the tool to stall or misfire.
Main types of cordless nail gun
A quick Google search for cordless nail guns will usually show up with two main types: framing nailers (also referred to as 1st fix nail guns), and finish nailers (referred to as 2nd fix nail guns). Although there are many more variants available, these are the two most common types and are predominantly used by DIYers and handymen.
Framing nailers are the more powerful of the two nailers and are used for structural/construction purposes. Most framing nailers use 15 or 16-gauge nails, which are thicker and have larger heads than the 18-gauge nails used in finish nailers. This does mean, however, that they tend to leave larger, more visible holes in the wood. Most DIYers would only use framing nailers for fence building and outside structural builds (pagodas, canopies etc).
Finish nailers, on the other hand, are the go-to tool for interior DIY jobs such as door frames and skirting board fixing. These use 18-gauge nails, which have very tiny heads that are almost invisible when driven into the wood.
Outside of these options, there are nail guns specifically designed for certain jobs. These include roof nailers, pin nailers, flooring nailers, and even palm nailers for hard-to-reach areas. These are trade specialist tools which wouldn’t usually be required in DIY applications. For more information on the extended range of nail guns available, check out House Grails’ blog post.
Ryobi has recently extended its range of cordless nail guns to better suit the needs of its customers. They offer very cost-effective 16 and 18-gauge nail guns, and have recently released a 15-gauge gun for tougher applications. When compared to the offerings from DeWalt and Milwaukee, they are far cheaper, without compromising on quality or performance. In many cases, the Ryobi nail guns have outperformed their more expensive counterparts.
If you’re looking to expand your tool collection outside of your usual brand, with a Badaptor, there’s no need to purchase a new battery system and charger. A Badaptor will convert the 18V batteries you already own to work with DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee or Ryobi 18V tools.
