You all know that we love bringing you the “inside scoop” from tradesmen and professional contractors with our Pro-Follows. Did you also know that we pass along tools from manufacturers so our contractors can use (and abuse) them in the field on actual job sites? When Paslode offered up a their new cordless finish nailer, I knew Steve Wartman and his crew would be able to put it to good use.
The guys have been using the new Paslode nailer for a couple of months on the in-law addition. They’ve used it for installing baseboard, crown molding, window casing and more. The report is that Paslode really listened to user feedback on the previous model, and this finish nailer performs well.
Battery Lock
Paslode learned that on the previous model, contractors would often unlock the battery to preserve battery life, and as a result, they would often drop the battery the next time they picked up the nailer. That’s why this battery lock is a welcome addition. It allows a user to lock the battery in the on or off position, and either way the battery is secure.
7.4V Lithium-ion Battery
Manufacturers are always competing for runtime, and that means incorporating the latest in battery technology. Palsode upgraded the NiCad battery with a 7.4v lithium-ion battery that boasts 50% more runtime and up to 6,000 nails per charge. The battery charges in 1 hour and includes a quick charge feature that drives up to 200 nails after just two minutes of charge time.
Performance
Steve’s crew thought the nailer performed great. They didn’t have any misfires or jams, and the cycle time is relatively short meaning you can fire the next nail pretty quickly.
The guys didn’t experience any jams. I’m sure it’ll happen eventually, and when it does, Paslode makes it easy to clear jams by flipping up the front plate assembly.
You can see the larger thumbwheel for adjusting the depth of drive, and that’s big enough to maneuver even while wearing gloves.
You can find this nailer at your local HD or Lowe’s (amongst other places) for $399.
Specifications
Model: IM250ALi
Weight: 4.5lbs with battery
Height: 11.25″
Length: 12″
Width: 3.5″
Nail Capacity: 100 (2 strips)
Nail Range: 1-1/4″- 2-1/2″ length
Nail Angle: 20º Angled Collation
Nail Type: 16 Gauge – Smooth, Galvanized
Fuel Type: quicklode™ Trim Fuel (Part #: 816007)
Nails per Fuel Cell: Approximately 1200
Battery Life: 6000 nails per charge
Warranty: 5-year limited warranty, 1-year full warranty
I like the little charged light and i suppose the battery lock is useful as well.
That nailer looks pretty sweet. Makes me want to put up crown molding just so I have an excuse to buy one
I’m curious as to how this compares to the equivalent DeWalt (I would guess this would be the DC618K).
I haven’t used (nor anyone I’ve talked to) the DeWalt version. They look pretty similar though. The big difference is that the DeWalt is powered by a battery (no gas). Also, the DeWalt is about twice as heavy.
I haven’t used the Dewalt either but the big difference besides the weight is that is operates with a flywheel. It takes a bit more time for the flywheel to spin up to speed so the recycle time is reportedly a bit slower than on the Paslode. Plus as you mentioned weight is a definite factor.
I used the RIDGID all battery powered equivalent a few years ago and the cycle time was too long. My wife and Amy Matthews (from DIY Network) were holding up a 5/4×12″x10′ piece of cement board while I nailed it up. After that camera shot we switched back to pneumatic for the rest of the project. For small trim a longer cycle time wouldn’t be a big deal though.
What are the pros and cons of going this way versus pneumatic?
You don’t need to set up a compressor or hoses. Which is less equipment to lug around and hoses to trip over. The main disadvantages of gas powered cordless nailers is odor and maintenance. Because they use gas they have a bit of odor from the combustion. Also they require more regular maintenance due to the residue from combustion. Cordless are generally good for smaller jobs and punchlist work.
The odor doesn’t bother me one bit, and actually when working with/around gas it’s kinda reassuring. I wouldn’t be surprised if Paslode engineered it to have an odor much like gas in your home.
This looks like a really cool tool. So much more convenient than dealing with hoses and compressors!
That quick charge stat you gave is incredible. Two minutes!
That front plate for fixing jams is smart.
Awesome tool. have wanted one for a long time, just can’t justify the price for as much as I would use it. Although if one just happend to pop up in the rewards center, I wouldn’t complain 😉 😀
Cordless nailers are great for many jobs, but for about the same price as the Paslode, you could get a Senco Fusion. It gives the advantages of cordless/hoseless nailing and no fuel cells to buy (and deal with the associated smell) or the maintenance issues. The Fusion also has a faster cycle time.
I haven’t used the Fusion. Actually, aside from an old screw gun, I haven’t used much Senco at all. I’d be really curious to see just how fast it really fires.
Not sure I’ve seen you around OPC before so I wanted to say welcome, and I hope to see you around again.
Senco claims three shots per second. I’ve played with a couple of them (the 15ga and 18ga) and in bump fire mode, both shot as fast as I could work the tool, so the claimed fire rate seems accurate. I haven’t used one on a job of any kind, just goofing off with some scrap, but liked it much better than the Paslode,
Bostitch and DeWalt cordless nailers I’ve used before. I liked the size and balance better than the gas units and saw much better performance in a smaller size than the flywheels in the short sample size. It would be nice to hear what someone thinks who has used one for a while.
You are correct, I haven’t commented before, but have been following the site for about six months and really enjoy everyone’s articles. Thanks for the welcome.
seems like a really well done battery powered version
I bought the angled Li Ion16ga paslode nailer in Nov of 2012. Right out of the box it misfired a few times and continues to do so intermintenly. I just used up my first 2000 pack of paslode angled nails and the unit has jamed, I can no longer depress the unit against the work piece and I can see a spring hanging between the shell and the barrell on the left side of the unit. I’m hoping warranty will cover this issue as I’m sending it to a service center in St. Paul, MN.
NO, I am not completely satisfied with this tool.
Hey Steve,
Sorry to hear about your frustrations. Sounds to me like you got a dud, and I hope Paslode takes care of you.
Yes, I like to know, if paslode manufacturer can fix my framing gun.
It’s not firing, I put battery and fuel and when press against a board it sounds like its going to fire but when I press the trigger I doesn’t work???? Can someone tell me how I can fix it or send to someone who can fix it. It’s very important and very useful for me, because my best friend gave me that gun when I started my business. I wish paslode manufacture or company can fix or replace for me, really love that gun………
The paslode Li ion nailer is my first nailer and it seems to work as described. My only problem to date is the battery fits tight and I have trouble removing. There are no secure finger holds on the end of the battery to pull on and I have had to resort to using channel lock pliers to assist. Is there a fix for this problem?
G’day I’ve had one of the earliest cordless models and yes it may miss fire and get hot but its an efficient system when you want productivity from your staff.
The orange models were better than the black models. Yes some mass produced products have problems but most of the time it’s the user who abuses the tool.
People use old gas, slam the nose piece into the material and hold it down too long which causes the pin drive to jam and then the user try’s to get another nail in, the gun has no chance to recover in its cycle.
Service the gun when recommended and you won’t have problems, treat it like your car. If you want to get serious buy the IM90 nothing comes close to this framer.
My first Paslode was purchased in 1996 so I know these guns inside out.
People say they won’t buy it because of the smell, dont drive your car then.
No other gun has the same power output.
An air compressor and a hose, though noisier, would seem handier than recharging batteries and possibly using gas.