Grex has just come out with a new 18 gauge cordless brad nailer, model GC1850, that is powered by AAA batteries and a fuel cell.
But here’s the ooh ahh part – the new Grex cordless nailer is said to be around the same size and weight as most pneumatic brad nailers, and delivers comparable power too. Grex says it’s the first of its kind.
Advertisement
To prove it, Grex compared their new cordless brad nailer alongside Paslode, Dewalt (18V), and Senco Fusion nailers.
Here are just a few of the more recent and upcoming battery-only-powered cordless nailers:
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel brushless nailers
- Porter Cable 20V Max nailers
- Ridgid 18V Brushless HypderDrive nailers
Most brands have been coming out with cordless-only nailers, and so it’s surprising to see that Grex’s new nailer works with fuel cells.
Well, fuel cells and 2 AAA batteries!
The Grex GC1850 is rated to run at least 50,000 shots per battery lifecycle, while each fuel cartridge is expected to last for around 1,300 shots.
Advertisement
The fuel cells consist of odorless compressed liquefied propane gas. We’re not sure how much the cartridges will cost, but hopefully it’s reasonable.
Update: We’re seeing street pricing of $25 for 4 cartridges.
So what’s the story behind the new nailer?
As mentioned, it’s said to be comparable in size, weight, and power to most other pneumatic brad nailers. This is actually a big deal.
While I personally prefer the convenience of fully electric nailers, the newest cordless nailers are quite heavy – in some cases more than double the weight of comparable air nailers. If you’re wielding a nailer for long stretches of time during a project, a lighter tool is going to be a lot easier on your arms and body.
Raymond Wong, Chief Marketing Officer at Grex, says this about the nailer:
Addressing an age-old concern among trim carpenters and woodworkers, we understood the need for a lightweight, cordless finish nailer. One providing the same benefits as our competition – without sacrificing the ergonomics of an air tool. Our cordless is the first to do both.
Additional features include:
- Self-lubricating piston ring and cylinder
- Easy driver replacement
- All-metal body, for better durability, reliability, and to facilitate heat dissipation
- Powerful enough to fully sink 2-inch brad nails into 2-inch oak
- Safety nose with no-mar tip
- Anti dry-fire lock-out
- Adjustable driving power
MSRP: $499
Street Price: $440
Buy Now(via Tool Nut)
First Thoughts
I find myself at a loss of what to think about this new nailer.
On one hand, it’s powered by AAA batteries, which helps to keep the nailer lightweight and compact in size.
On the other hand, it works with consumable fuel cartridges.
It’s smaller and lighter than competing units, and is as powerful as traditional air brad nailers.
But it’s priced at $499, which is not a small amount of money considering we’re talking about a brad nailer.
My only Grex experience was an airbrush demo at a Woodworking Show once. I liked the continuous feed compressor, mainly since I previously used a small hotdog shaped compressor for my airbrushing and it was a nuisance when it kicked back on.
I have heard good things about Grex nailers in general, but don’t think I’d be ready to plunk down $500 for this cordless fuel cell model. But I also don’t work with a brad nailer on a daily basis. I imagine that, if I did, I might be a lot more open minded.
Matt
So.. It costs more than the fuel kits.. And has multiple consumables (I’m tempted to give the m18 a break because those batteries would work with your other tools, not so much with these fuel cartridges). All I’m seeing is something that costs more up front and over time..
PS, Stuart did you mean 1,300 shots per fuel cartridge or 13,000, it came out in the article as 1,3000
Stuart
Whoops, thanks! 1,300.
In sales sheets, Grex uses the words lowest cost of ownership. They also say lowest cost of fuel per shot so I don’t know if they only mean this compared to other fuel-based cordless nailers.
fred
We bought our first Grex tool – a P635 pin nailer in 2005 – and went on to buy 2 more – then 3 P650’s . We had barely heard of the brand when we bought our first one – but they became a mainstay for us – and we liked them almost as much as the Cadex nailers we used.
I’ve posted before that we used Paslode Impulse nailers (including the IM200-F18 brad nailer) – which we kind of had a love-hate relationship with. They were good for punch list jobs – and cramped spaces where an air hose was a nuisance – but the fuel gas combustion was smelly. Because the piston and combustion chamber needs to be cleaned from time to time – there was a bit more maintenance required compared to pneumatics.
The IM200-F18’s we used had NiCad battery packs – but I can see the appeal of this Grex using AAA’s. It is a smaller tool to boot – so getting into tight spaces should be easier. Overall, I can see this tool selling for its niche market.
Nathan
Uhm bet those fuel cells won’t be cheap for long. is it really that much lighter than the dewalt/milwaukee/ridgid ones?
John
Very interesting and neat idea honestly. I just wonder how much of a pain its going to be to find the cartridges locally in a big box store. Grex does have some very good nailers, particularly their pin nailers. Though at this price for a Grex brad nailer, I might as well invest in the Milwaukee which I already have the batteries for and requires no consumables besides of course the nails. I would have liked to have seen this in a 23 gauge pinner though. There is still a wide open space for cordless pin nailers that only Makita has entered with a single (US available XTP01Z) model. Common Milwaukee get a small compact 23 gauge nailer out, maybe even in an M12 size 😉
bymbie
Might be a good option for people working off-the-grid, especially when you have to pack all your tools in… But the price is high.
RKA
It’s interesting that they have done this, but it won’t catch on imho. As already stated…
Air nailers have one consumable, nails.
Typical cordless have two consumables, the battery or fuel cartridge and nails. If the batteries are interchangeable with your other tools, it’s almost not an issue except for the added weight.
This grex has three consumables. One will likely not be found in your local big box store. The batteries may not be shared with other tools you have on site (maybe a laser distance measurer or laser level) although you can run to any neighborhood store and get more if you’re caught out.
Then there is the price, which can be overlooked to an extent if the design was well thought out. I don’t see this one having staying power unfortunately.
Toolaholic
Hey stuart. I actually tested this gun for Grex and it was amazing, but it got recalled due to faulty ignitors. Its now being relaunched. I can say its smaller than the paslode, and fires at around the same rate. The exhaust gas smells like propane forklift exhaust, so its not odorless, but its better than the paslode. The nose is much smaller than the paslode 18g. Overall i loved it but i had to send mine back during the recall. Ill be testing it again. The videos are on my instagram page @toolaholic
Vaheh
Handled this today in our shop, love the compactness and fact it uses triple A batteries. If you have a pro shop near you where you buy the gun the cells are a non-issue as far as finding them. Let’s face it this is not a choice for those ordering online but in major urban areas such as Los Angeles this is a great option. The weight is a big deal when dealing with conventional battery operated nailers so this has great appeal. I think this will sell really well in big markets.
john
Just cannot see this catching on. Manufacturers are decreasing consumable ongoing costs by going gasless but these chaps are increasing them.
I also strongly dispute the claim to be the lowest cost of ownership.
Big initial outlay, ongoing battery, gas and nails cost wheras say the Dewalt 18v XR/20v Max nailer is big intial outlay and then just nails cost.
I have both the new Dewalt 18v XR finish nailer 16ga and the Dewalt 18v XR framer and they are far better in use day in day out than the Paslodes
Rob
Rechargeable batteries have to be replaced eventually. I assume Grex is factoring that cost in when comparing cost of ownership and use. At 62 years old, the weight is more of a factor then before. I’ve use Paslode Impulse Framer, 16ga & 18ga for over 10 years. I’ve clean and repaired them as needed. My 18ga just quit working. I don’t want to spend any time or money to fix it. Grex $438 @ 4.7lbs or Milwaukee $379 @ 7lbs or Paslode $244 @ 4.9lbs? Grex fuel cells have no shelf live. Paslode do have a shelf live. You will eventually replace batteries with Milwaukee.
David
Products is no good. Broke down
David guilliaum
I bought it because I’ve had good luck with grex in the past…but I’ve had issues with the 1850 since day one…mainly nails not feeding properly and jamming..it worked okay for one rack of nails but would surely jam on second rack..I took the magazine apart to inspect and filed some rough burs that interfered with smooth feeding of nails..it worked for a few days but started jamming again and then the driver broke..I disassembled it 6 month ago and it’s in a pile on my workbench ever since…the 1850 was awesome when it wasn’t giving problems