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ToolGuyd > Compressors, Air Tools, Nailers > Reader Question: Milwaukee Cordless Nailers? Answer: Coming Soon!

Reader Question: Milwaukee Cordless Nailers? Answer: Coming Soon!

Dec 29, 2015 Stuart 33 Comments

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Dewalt Brushless Cordless Finish Nailer Side

Paul wrote in, asking a question that we’ve seen before and asked ourselves: where are Milwaukee’s cordless nailers?

One thing I have learned from Milwaukee is that they seek to be a solutions provider, and they try to shy away from “me too” tools and tool categories. But they’re also very big about pushing for a cordless workplace.

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Paul asked:

There are a ton of cordless nailer options out there but Milwaukee doesn’t seem interested. Have you heard anything on this? Rumors? Any chance the new high capacity batteries will help with designing a battery-only (no gas) line of nailers that will offer compressor-like performance?

I have heard absolutely nothing from Milwaukee, or elsewhere, about new Milwaukee cordless nailers. There are no rumors, teasers, or indication of any kind that Milwaukee plans to come out with a line of cordless nailers.

Update: Almost every time I say something like Unfortunately, we don’t think we’ll be seeing new cordless nailers from Milwaukee or any other pro brand anytime soon, I’m proven wrong.

It’s Official: Read More About the New Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Nailers!
Milwaukee’s Response: The entire Milwaukee team looks forward to the launch of our FUEL cordless nailer line up during the first half of 2016!

Got that? Milwaukee FUEL CORDLESS NAILERS are coming in 2016!

Oh, there are now so many questions! Will they offer air-like performance? How will they differ from traditional cordless nailers? How will they differ from Ryobi, Ridgid, and Senco’s air based driving mechanisms? What sizes are coming out – the full range? M12 and M18, or just M18? (How awesome would an M12 brad nailer or stapler be?!)

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Thanks to this teaser, most of the following from the original post is now completely irrelevant, but I’ll leave it in.


Dewalt has been making some strides in the cordless nailer market, with their new brushless finish nailer and previously released 2-speed brushless framing nailer. But even with these tools on the market, users are asking for a brad nailer, pinner, and stapler.

In recent years, Ryobi came out with their Airstrike nailers, Ridgid came out with their HyperDrive air-like nailers, and Makita came out with an air-like cordless brad nailer.

With all that said, there really hasn’t been a flood of new cordless nailers to the market. Getting the size and performance of a cordless nailer just right seems to be the challenge for power tool designers. Why else wouldn’t we see greater selection from higher-tier brands?

Dewalt also recently came out with a new full line of air nailers. This shows that air nailers are still very much in high demand.

Milwaukee doesn’t seem to offer any nailers at all right now, only an M12 palm nailer. No air nailers, no cordless nailers.

The company seems to be approaching expansion in a systematic way. For instance, they’re not just coming out with one pipe wrench, they’re coming out with several pipe wrenches, tubing cutters, and a basin wrench.

Maybe nailers are on their roadmap, or even in active development. If Milwaukee does focus their sights on the nail fastening market, will they focus on cordless tools, or cordless plus pneumatic?

We don’t know if Milwaukee is working on cordless nailers.

We don’t know why Milwaukee might not be working on cordless nailers, or why they haven’t already entered this market.

What I do know is that they’re not alone. What about Bosch? Hitachi?

Any chance the new high capacity batteries will help with designing a battery-only (no gas) line of nailers that will offer compressor-like performance?

If you’re talking about the new M18 High Demand 9.0Ah battery, the answer is no. With cordless nailers, you’re not going to need or want the added size and weight of this new size of battery.

As for the new and recent 6Ah and 5Ah batteries, the answer is still no. All XC batteries, whether 3Ah, 4Ah, 5Ah, or 6Ah, should theoretically be capable of the same power output. Only runtime should be different.

Developing air-like performance is much more dependent on the internal workings of a nailer. Users want:

  • High power for driving in standard length nails
  • Repeatability
  • Fast nail-to-nail cycling time
  • Compact size
  • Light weight
  • Long runtime

Only runtime depends on battery capacity, but it’s also the least important aspect, in my opinion.

A new line of cordless nailers could be Milwaukee’s best-kept secret, but I don’t think so. If you’re waiting for a cordless nailer from Milwaukee or another pro brand, you might be waiting for a while longer.

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Sections: Compressors, Air Tools, Nailers, Reader Question Tags: cordless nailerMore from: Milwaukee

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33 Comments

  1. Steven Richman

    Dec 29, 2015

    The entire Milwaukee team looks forward to the launch of our FUEL cordless nailer line up during the first half of 2016! More to come soon.
    Steven Richman. Milwaukee Tool.

    Reply
    • JMG

      Dec 29, 2015

      Are there any plans for stackable tool containers too?

      Reply
    • JMG

      Dec 29, 2015

      I should have asked if they would be combined with Dynacase packages.

      Reply
    • adam

      Dec 29, 2015

      Any chance Milwaukee is going to get into lawn & garden tools? My dream tool outside is a battery operated 2gal sprayer. I don’t mix enough of anything to go to a pull behind a tractor sprayer, but I do enough to get sick of pumping a sprayer (and a lot of efficiency).

      That and you could probably develop a pole pruning saw pretty easy ( I don’t need one yet, but would get a Milwaukee if you had one). At an agricultural expo recently, I saw several company with battery operated pruning snips. Only problem is that you wear a vest that houses the battery. I’m sure you could figure out a much better M12 solution to this. A few of the right tools here, and you could quickly get a foothold with agricultural users (I think at least).

      Reply
      • Jason

        Dec 30, 2015

        It would be cool if Milwaukee got into Lawn and Garden. With the 9.0ah battery pack they could do some interesting things. The only thing is Dewalt hit that market hard first. Also Makita has outdoor cordless tools but they are not marketed well they don’t have any of the tools at local stores its all online only. That really limits exposure.

        Reply
    • Paul

      Dec 29, 2015

      Thanks Steven! Looking forward to those. I really don’t want to branch into another cordless line so this is good news.

      How about a cordless 10″ sliding compound miter saw? Perfect use for those high end batteries.

      Reply
    • mnoswad

      Dec 30, 2015

      And you guys think this is a real confirmation? wow. gullible.

      I’m sure Stu is working on it, but I wont believe it until I see pics.

      Reply
  2. cody

    Dec 29, 2015

    Bosch and Hitachi offer 18 volt nailers in the UK.

    Reply
  3. cody

    Dec 29, 2015

    Milwaukee did make a pneumatic finish nailer, framing nailer, and a roofing nailer. But now they are labeled as discounted on Home Depots website.

    Reply
  4. mike aka Fazzman

    Dec 29, 2015

    Id pony up for a 12v brad nailer,would probably be the perfect size.

    Reply
    • Brad

      Jan 18, 2016

      Same here I just jumped into the M12 fuel line up and a brushless M12 Brad nailer that could do a couple hundred nails would be perfect for my renovation and diy projects.

      Reply
  5. fred

    Dec 29, 2015

    I’m always hopeful – but so far the (only a few) recent cordless nailers that I’ve tried have been a disappointment. I’ll admit that I have not used any of the Dewalts – but the 2 Makitas (Brad Nailer XNB01z and 23ga Pinner – XTP01Z) were not up to the hardwood-test.) Maybe the new Makita – that Toolguyd recently posted about will be better.. My ex-compatriots would really like to replace their gas-actuated Paslode Impulse guns – without buying into yet another battery platform – so I’m sure they will be looking at the Milwaukee offerings.

    Reply
    • Michael

      Dec 29, 2015

      I have a craftsman 19.2V 18 gage that will drive a 2in nail into oak but, it takes about 2 seconds to reset. Soooo good for hobby or diy but far from pro use.

      Reply
  6. alan

    Dec 29, 2015

    With Milwaukess forway into all Trades, what do you guys think. Aside from the usual framing/finish lineup, is it possible to create a battery operated PAT ? I love my Hilti DXA41. Would be curious to see, but I think weight might compete with something like that .

    Reply
    • fred

      Dec 29, 2015

      I would bet that designing a battery cordless to compete with a PAT would be a really big challenge. Even a pneumatic can’t compete in all situations. We used a Porta-Nails 460 T-Nailer which worked OK on walls and soft concrete – but for old well-cured concrete and hard slabs it could not do the job – and out came the PAT.

      Reply
  7. alan

    Dec 29, 2015

    All I can say is YESSSS……these are really the last 2 tools I need. Have not bought any tools in the last 3-4 months……I have a bajillion of the the Red lineup. Latest being their SDS cordless that have left me now using my corded Hiltis for quite some time.

    Reply
  8. Frank_MFD

    Dec 29, 2015

    Porter Cable just launched a new cordless (battery only) 18ga brad nailer and 18ga narrow crown stapler off their 20V lithium system. I purchased the brad nailer 3 weeks ago from Lowes. I was in the market for a cordless nailer to replace/supplement my pneumatic system. I did not own any PC 20V tools. I’ve always known Porter Cable to be a strong and dependable brand in woodworking and finish tools. Taking that into consideration, as well as doing a little homework, I decided to purchase the new brad nailer. All there is to say is that I was not disappointed! The tool exceeded all my expectations for a cordless nailers. Great power, weight and balance. A friend had a new Ridgid nailer on a job, we compared size, weight, balance side by side, and there was no comparison. The Porter Cable unit was smaller, lighter, and most importantly, had much better balance. The Ridgid unit was extremely front heavy based on the design (air canister). PC was balanced and felt much better in your hand. No bump mode, but I would never need with a finish tool. Lastly, it was only $199 for kit, one 1.5 Ah battery and charger. New Ridgid 18ga brad (bare) = $239, Dewalt = $200+, etc… Sorry for the long post, but I was just extremely impressed with the PC unit. I actually bought a few more tools over the holiday and will be adding the stapler to my truck soon.. Stuart, any thoughts on the Porter Cable nailer and stapler? I haven’t seen a post from you yet on this.

    Reply
  9. Matthew

    Dec 29, 2015

    Excellent news. Bought the Ryobi finish angle nailer and like it. Had to invest in the Ryobi line up but the two pack large capacity batteries were only $100 for 2.

    Their other tools are affordable as well.

    May end up selling the Ryobi for the Milwaukees depending on the price.

    Reply
  10. RX9

    Dec 29, 2015

    Aaaaand just like that, the only real reason I was holding onto the remaining 20V max stuff I have has just disappeared.

    Reply
  11. Chris

    Dec 29, 2015

    This is great news…a large reason why Ive hung onto my Ryobi stuff is that someday I wanted to buy into the AirStrike guns.

    But if Milwaukee comes out with something as good or better I can use it as an excuse to convert my other Ryobi stuff to red.

    Reply
  12. Jon

    Dec 30, 2015

    You mentioned that 3Ah and 6Ah batteries would theoretically be capable of the same power output (just longer run-time) but that’s not really true.

    A battery pack with double the capacity (same voltage) will actually maintain a higher voltage under load. In other words the same exact DC motor will draw MORE total watts from a larger battery than a smaller one.

    Many people complain about this for example when watching youtube videos comparing one tool to another – one tool was powered with a compact pack and the other with a high capacity pack. You would not think this would make a difference (except in run-time) but it does and people have experienced this first hand as well.

    Some tool makers claim their tools or batteries work differently or don’t exhibit this effect however that’s not true because you can’t defeat the basic principle of resistance (larger packs have lower internal resistance period, it’s physics).

    Reply
    • Nate 818

      Jan 1, 2016

      If you could upvote comments on this I’d upvote your comment.

      Reply
  13. Steve

    Dec 30, 2015

    Randall who is a milwaukee rep for home depot in the kansas city area told me they have allready started production for some cordless nailers im hoping their framing.

    Reply
  14. John

    Dec 30, 2015

    Oh man if they come out with M12 Fuel (smaller more portable models) I’d so pick these up immediately. Even if they instead went with a m18 Fuel I’d still immediately pickup mad hope they have the whole range: pin nailer (21-23 gauge), brad nailer (18 gauge), and finish nailer (16 gauge). My credit cards are burning waiting for these to come out!

    Reply
    • Steve

      Dec 30, 2015

      I would do the same although I would prefer m18 for more power and longer run time but m12 would be nice in light but sometimes power comes before pretty (I don’t know this catch but im going to use pretty).

      Reply
    • Chris

      Dec 30, 2015

      Would be great to see something like a small 18 ga nailer and maybe a pin nailer in M12, leave the M18 for 16, 15 ga and framing nailers

      Too bad they wont be out during the current 50/100/150 off promo!

      Reply
      • glenn

        Dec 31, 2015

        Yep, an M12 brad nailer/stapler would be awesome.

        Something with the same spec as Ryobi’s old P300 would be the go.

        Reply
  15. Steve

    Jan 5, 2016

    Milwaukee has officially announced they will come out with Fuel nailers!

    Reply
    • Chris

      Jan 8, 2016

      Where are you seeing that?

      Reply
      • Steve

        Jan 8, 2016

        Milwaukee twitter. President Steve Richman says him and his team are hoping to make a set of FUEL nailers coming first half of 2016.

        Reply
  16. Brad B

    Oct 1, 2016

    I’ve already got the 15g angle finish and the 18g pin nailer and am very pleased with the performance so far !!! But I will say you find the next thing is you end up 20 different batteries now !! Lol. Milwaukee is becoming the apple for contractors …

    Reply
  17. Gary Baxter

    Oct 4, 2017

    Where’s Milwaukee’s M18 Cordless Framing nailer? Absolutely no talk about filling this void in their product line that I can find anywhere. I hope it’s soon – I’m in the market with the demise of my pneumatic framing nailer.

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Oct 4, 2017

      There was no mention of such a nailer at the media event or in any private conversations.

      Reply

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