Lowe’s Kobalt tool brand surprised fans recently, with the launch of a new 24V Max XTR cordless brad nailer.
Kobalt announced the new cordless nailer with a cheeky – and true – post on social media, with the caption starting with:
It took us long enough…
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Lowe’s has been steadily expanding their lineup of Kobalt 24V Max Li-ion cordless power tools, and this was definitely a hole that needed filling.
ToolGuyd readers first spotted a new Kobalt XTR 18-gauge brad nailer listing last month (you guys are awesome!), but that was a bare tool. It turns out that Lowe’s is launching the nailer as a kit, with battery and charger.
The new nailer is said to be “the perfect tool for most applications, such as residential trim work, cabinetry, furniture, and similar finishing applications.”
It “is equipped with a pre-charged internal gas chamber to drive a piston which gives a user a similar feel to traditional pneumatic nail gun performance.”
We’ve seen other cordless nailers with similar drive mechanisms before. (What’s your stands on battery-powered nailers like this?)
The Kobalt XTR brad nailer accepts 18-gauge brad nails 5/8″ to 2-1/8″ long, and has a 110 nail capacity.
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As with most other cordless brad nailers, it features both sequential and bump driving modes. Lowe’s description says this is done via “electronic selection.”
The nailer also features a brushless motor, tool-free driving depth adjustment, dry-fire lockout, a flashing LED that indicates low nails, and a dual LED worklight.
It also has an “electronic control panel that allows the user to easily turn the tool on with the touch of a button.” Features like this help to prevent unintentional activation in a tool bag or box during transport.
The kit comes with the nailer, a compact 2Ah battery, charger, and tool bag.
Price: $249
But Wait, There’s More!
Now thru January 4, 2023, buy the nailer and kit and select a FREE gift from the following options:
- Kobalt XTR cordless reciprocating saw
- Kobalt XTR 7-1/4″ circular saw
- Kobalt Ultimate Output 4Ah battery 2-pack
The free tool and battery gift options range in retail value from $140 to $149.
Andrew
The fact that Kobalt, Ryobi, and Craftsman have what appears to be usable cordless nailers and Makita still has junk is very annoying.
Harrison
Clearly Makita needs to step up their nailer game, but junk? That might be taking it a bit far. Their 18 and 16g brad nailers are well built, and have decent reputations. Their 18g nailers don’t have as long of a capacity, but are also a fraction of the size of this beast, so there’s that.
They need to get a cordless framing nailer to market ASAP, and it needs to be fantastic.
I’m guessing they had something in the works, and the latest Milwaukee and Hikoki sent them back to the drawing board.
Oh well, I own the M18 and love it.
Rog
Why is it so lonnnnnggggg tho? In the usage pic the butt is 9/10ths the way up that guy’s forearm
MM
I was thinking the same thing. At first I wondered if it was just an optical illusion because it might be narrower than other brands so perhaps it just looks long, but I don’t think that’s the case. It’s just big!
As for the gas spring system, I don’t have enough personal experience with nailers like this to have an informed opinion. I’ve used Milwaukees before and they performed just fine in my limited use and they use a similar compress-gas piston to drive the nails. However, I have read many reports from people who found their M18 nailer would lose gas pressure over time, and according to Milwaukee the gas cylinder is not user serviceable, so you have to return the tool to a service center to have it recharged. Maybe this problem is exaggerated but it sounds like a hassle I would rather not risk. I have the Dewalt 20V 18ga and 15ga DA nailers, I’m happy with them. I’ll probably pick up a 23ga pinner this holiday season, I still haven’t decided between the M12 and the Dewalt. I like that the M12 is more compact and lighter than the Dewalt, and it seems like it’s generally well-liked whereas the Dewalt is pretty new so there still isn’t much information out there about it. OTOH the Dewalt has no concerns about the gas cylinder losing pressure and is rated for longer pins.
Harrison
The gas cylinder may have an eventual service requirement, but it’s 100% worth it for a tool that feels and performs like a pneumatic, minus the hose.
Nobody has this anxiety of pneumatic nailers, but they also wear out and need new parts and seals. If you’re a pro, it’s the cost of doing business. If you’re DIY it’ll probably never fail anyways.
I’m not a big Milwaukee guy, but their nailers are fantastic.
MM
The difference is that normal pneumatic nailers only wear out when they are being used. However, when a gas spring is involved it will slowly lose pressure regardless if it is being used or not because even when the mechanism inside the tool isn’t “cocked” the gas spring is still under pressure and there will be some small % leaking through the seals.
Harrison
I get it. But we accept these limits for many things in our lives, from lifting struts on doors, to monotube gas shock absorbers. Most of those are garbage when they reach end of life, the nailer at least can be re-pressurized.
MM
@Harrison
Oh, it’s not a dealbreaker for me, like I said I was leaning towards picking up the M12 version of the 23ga pinner anyway, I’m willing to deal with that issue should it come up. I was just explaining why nobody has this concern for a traditional pneumatic nailer.
Adam the Handyman
I have the Milwaukee 15g nailer 1st generation when it first came out and had literally shot at least 10k ? nails through that thing and so far so good. Love that nailer. Only has jammed a few times. I also have the 2nd gen brad nailer and that one only after a year malfunctioned by it wasn’t the gas chamber it was the while firing pin mechanism and it was fixed for free under warranty and been using it a few months now. From what I understood when looking into it, the gas is self contained and should last for a very long time.
Stuart
I didn’t say anything in the post, as the images speak for themselves.
The way I see it, if you’re a Kobalt 24V Max tool user, a long brad nailer is better than no cordless nailer at all.
Jeff
Counter weight maybe??
Elliott
I have played with it off the clock. Its balanced. I would say 1/4 sec delay. Sinks nail flush into pt 4×4. Only complaints are size and a larger drive pin indentation. Considering most gen 1 cordless nailers size/perfomance, i consider it a win.
CoBlue
How does it do at sinking long nails into hardwoods? That’s where a lot of otherwise quite nice cordless nailers really seem to struggle.
Jbongo
It’s great to see they finally announced it. I’m interested to see the long term reviews on it. Some of the other 24V Max Kobalt tools also have a different set of free gift/tool with purchase as well. Sounds like a good way to start a collection 😀
Leo B.
I’ve trimmed closets this wouldn’t fit in! It’s a valuable addition to the system, though, so it can’t be faulted there. Thanks for the news!
Christopher Benfield
Why not make something practical like a adapter that allows a battery to operate 110v corded tools. Like a portable power supply. I have thousands invested in kobalt and lowes will never sell me their junk again. It doesn’t last long enough and can’t be repaired in the field. I would see everything kobalt I own, except it’s only worth 1/4 of what it cost new. “JUNK”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clay
You can’t fool me, that is not a brad nailer. I have watched Star Trek — I know a disruptor pistol when I see one.
blocky
Lol. Practically a disruptor rifle, this one.
Brian
Like to know how it matches up to the Hiltis version ?
at over a grand in price.
Stratton
I bought one two weeks ago, saw the deal 2 days ago returned it and repurchased to get the 24 volt XTR circular saw free! excited to use it
Garej
Big fan of the Kobalt 24V lineup especially the XTR grade tools. Was glad to see this but really disappointed to see this is the first XTR tool that doesn’t come with a hard case or High-Output battery if it comes with the battery.
ella
how much pressure is pre charged for kobalt 24V nail.
Stuart
They don’t specify, but it’s also irrelevant as the air chamber should be sealed.
Steve
Would have been nice to see this deal when it was available. Sucks is to be late. To think I was in the market for one earlier this month.
Stuart
I would encourage you to sign up for the newsletter, with the “daily” option, at least from October thru December if deals are your priority.