New images, specs, and pricing details have emerged for the new Makita XGT 40V Max cordless pin nailer, GTP01.
Not to mince words, I’m disappointed and a little bit confused.
Makita launched an XGT 40V Max cordless brad nailer in 2021. It’s not available in the USA (yet?), but that brad nailer looks to be an improvement over Makita’s existing 18V model.
Advertisement
Because of that, I assumed the same would be true about the new Makita XGT pin nailer.
Makita announced the XGT cordless pin nailer with few details and no images, but they did say this model would be “up to 15% faster” than their latest 18V model. Does that mean at most 15% faster when driving the smallest sized pin nails? Makita USA has not provided any context for this claim.
I was hoping to see an improvement in size, but the new XGT 40V Max pin nailer is not any more compact than the 18V model. In fact, it’s a little larger in length and width.
Granted there’s a limit as to how compact a 23 gauge cordless pin nailer can get. But, if I’m interpreting Makita’s specs accurately, the XGT 40V Max model weighs more than the 18V model, and it costs nearly 50% more for the bare tool. For what gains? “Up to 15% faster firing” – is that it?
The XGT nailer weighs 5.3 lbs with battery, and the 18V model 4.9 lbs with battery. For reference, many compact cordless drills weigh 3 to 4 lbs with a battery.
The 40V Max pinner looks chunky. I was hoping that having a brushless motor would help shrink its size down a bit, but that doesn’t look to be the case.
Advertisement
A cordless pin nailer is still a cordless pin nailer, with no air hoses or air compressor needed.
Personally, I still prefer a cordless air compressor and air pin nailer combination maybe 3 times out of 5, as it gives me portability with a smaller and lighter tool. At the time of this posting, Makita still does not have any cordless air compressors in their 18V or XGT 40V Max systems.
But, cordless is still cordless, I suppose. Even at 5.3 lbs and as large as it looks, the XGT pin nailer might be more maneuverable in certain environments than an air-powered combination.
I bought into the XGT system, with the intent of replacing an 18V X2 plunge-cutting saw with a single-battery solution.
Some other Makita XGT 40V Max tools appeal to me, such as their new multi-functional cordless air duster.
I am particularly interested in compact cordless pin nailers for smaller woodworking projects where it can be a hassle to drag out a compressor and air hose.
I was very hopeful.
But, this new 40V Max 23 gauge pin nailer looks to be a very hard sell.
Makita 40V Max Pin Nailer Specs (GTP01)
- Drives 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 1″, 1-3/16″, 1-3/8″ pin nails
- (does NOT work with 1-1/4″ pin nails)
- 10-3/8″ L x 3-3/8″ W x 8-7/8″ H
- Weighs 5.3 lbs with battery
- Bare Tool Price: $296
- Kit Price: $519
Makita 18V Pin Nailer Specs (XTP02)
- Drives 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 1″, 1-3/16″, 1-3/8″ pin nails
- (does NOT work with 1-1/4″ pin nails)
- 10-1/8″ L x 3-1/8″ W x 8-7/8″ H
- Weighs 4.9 lbs with battery
- Bare Tool Price: $199
So what do you get for the premium? A slightly longer, wider, and heavier tool that costs 49% more and can drive pin nails “up to 15% faster?”
The battery cost is also going to be higher with the XGT system. With the 18V line, you can opt for a compact 5-cell 2.0Ah battery to save some weight. With XGT, the lowest capacity battery option is a larger and heavier 10-cell 2.5Ah battery.
Makita has a new XGT cordless router that’s said to be 35% faster than their 18V model. That’s an improvement and potential reason to consider XGT over 18V.
I suppose that there’s some benefit for XGT-exclusive users looking for a cordless pin nailer solution, but are there any XGT-exclusive users out there yet? There are still very many holes in the XGT 40V Max cordless system that Makita has yet to fill.
Makita users are still waiting for the brand’s first cordless table saw and cordless air compressor. The XGT system is still lacking any cordless jig saw options. This is the first and only XGT nailer that’s available in the USA so far.
This feels like a big letdown.
Am I missing something here? Or do you agree with my disappointment?
If you must have a Makita-branded cordless pin nailer, you might be better off with the 18V model. If you need a battery and charger, as the 18V nailer doesn’t look to be available in any kit configuration, you can pick up a “special buy” drill or impact driver kit (around Father’s Day or the winter holidays) for $99 if only for the battery and charger. Starter kits are also available.
MM
I am not disappointed because I had zero interest in this tool, but it does seem strange that the newer tool is larger and heavier than the older model, and that the only advantage is a rather poorly defined “up to 15% faster”….and it has a whopping 50% price increase. The battery options are strange too. I often use my Dewalt 18ga brad nailer with a 2ah pack, unless one has a lot of nailing to do a small battery runs it just fine. A 10-cell pack seems like overkill for a tool like this, I’d rather not be dragging that much weight around.
I am in the market for a cordless 23ga pinner but I am not considering either of the Makitas, I’ll be waiting until the DCN623 drops and then comparing it to Milwaukee’s M12 model and picking whichever I prefer. The Dewalt should be available very soon, my local Home Depot is showing limited stock of the kits but doesn’t have the bare tool in stock yet.
Dave
I don’t work with pin nailers so maybe it’s a common thing but what’s up with the 1-1/4″ size exclusion? Is that just an unpopular nail size or is there a mechanical design aspect to the nailers to preclude the use of the size?
Eric
I assume the difference in length between 1 3/16″ and 1 1/4″ is too small for whichever mechanism they use to retain the nails in the magazine. Other brands seem to do it, however.
Eric
Well, I should have read closer – it shouldn’t be any different than the gap between 5/8″ and 11/16″, so that guess doesn’t make sense.
Gordon
This is going to sound like confirmation bias, but this feels like the biggest reason LXT and CXT are going to remain. XGT just doesn’t make sense for every tool. As it is, I tend to grab a 2.0ah battery if I can. I’m not driving lag screws, or putting in thousands of drywall screws at a time. The repetitive motion and added weight of 5.0ah+ batteries really adds up.
Jared
The only appeal I see for this tool is if you’re strictly an XGT user – but the price difference is so large it sort of belies that philosophy.
This is a pretty big tool for a pin nailer – and expensive too. LXT is better on both counts and the one drawback (firing speed) seems like a small gain in comparison.
Adam
I agree why do you need a XGT 40 volt for a pin nailer, an 18 volt does the same thing with a pin nailer, you only need the XGT for the bigger tools, I have the new Milwaukee 16 gauge nailer it only has a 18 volt 2amp hour battery.
Steven L
Weight lbs, 23 ga cordless
Makita 5.3
Dewalt 4.2
Milwaukee 3.3
23 ga pneumatic
Dewalt 2.5
Grex 2.2
Makita totally missed the mark.
John
The most number of cordless tools for me easily falls in the Makita 18V/36V camp. With that said, I would not own their nailers since reviews are almost always poor. I have 4 Hitachi cordless nailers which are great and the Milwaukee M12 pin nailer which is awesome. Not every company can make every tool a great tool. It is not possible so I no longer sweat about it. I have 6 or 7 battery platforms and just buy what I view as the best of the bunch when tools are needed and not worry too much on platform.
Blocky
I fully appreciate this perspective.
Paul C
I don’t have any Makita tools but I am looking into a pin nailer if my next project requires it. It will likely be pneumatic just for cost but we’ll see. Cordless is definitely easier than and preferred over my air compressor setup, but you know, money.
What bothers me most about this are the pictures of how they are using this. A pin nailer for installing baseboard? And you are using the same molding profile for a chair rail? Is this intentional to make the nailer look smaller than it actually is or this is some impressive pin nailer that is designed to replace my larger guns. Since this is not a typical use case, my mind just questions the whole thing, and I can’t see myself using this tool.
Stuart
I think that they selected that type of trim for photo purposes due to its narrow groove, to show that the pin nailer tip can fit into smaller spaces. The profile looks strange to me, and prone to collecting dust. Maybe it’s meant for routing wires?
Koko The Talking Ape
It’s “faster”? So instead of going “pff pff pff pff,” it can go “pffpffpffpffpff”?
I have to say, that’s probably the single least important quality for a pin nailer to have. I personally like to place the pins kind of carefully, and that kind of speed not going to be an issue.
Matt the Hoople
LOL. THATS WHAT I was thinking. It’s not like a roofing nailer where a skilled installer can make the nailer fly and lay a roof in no time.
Also agree that the photos showing installation of trim are dumb.
Pin nailers are for making the smallest hole possible in nice wood working projects to hold the pieces together while the glue dries. Who cares if it’s 15% faster when you have to take the time to precisely locate the pin.
Also, since it for the above use, I don’t really see the need for the portability since most of that type of work is normally done at a work bench in a shop. I guess a trim carpenter doing really fancy profiles by stacking trims may get some benefit.
I would rather have a smaller, showers, less powerful model for the increased flexibility and ease of use.
Now, as we get into 16 gauge and larger nailer, I’m on board that speed and power become important.
Munklepunk
We had a housing development where the foreman made us use 23 for everything, base, case, everything visible and non structural. The painters were complaining about having to fill nail holes. We did it but had to spot glue just in case because if it was bumped to hard it would come loose. Probably used 5 times the amount of nails.
Nathan
Only if you are going to be setup in a house with an XGT based mitresaw, and maybe an XGT table saw, and dust collector and you have no mains power to plug into. It would make alot of sense but for all that investment wouldn’t you have the other 18V makita tools too and thus the other model with smaller battery?
And I don’t know if either of the other tools exist but I bet they will eventually.
Chris
The more effort I see out of Makita on this new platform, the more I think they didn’t put enough effort to begin with.
Makita has 18, 36, and now 40V. I get why they wanted to stop the 36V line (portability, ergonomics, etc.) but they should have went with a higher voltage and differentiated higher battery demanding tools.
Milwaukee has 18V (plenty for DIYers, homeowners, and contractors) and MX (72V) which is a leap in performance, price, and use case with only the largest tools being designed around this idea. I don’t think Milwaukee is going to make a 72V drill and impact anytime soon. They both serve a purpose.
Dewalt did the same by having 18V and flexvolt (56V) with more interoperability in mind if you really want to carry their super chunk battery on your 18V drill. Ultimately creating 2 different levels of power equipment in 2 distinct classes.
Makita just hasn’t done enough to differentiate platforms and they seem to want to replace their 18V lineup with the 40V from the looks of it. I think they should have had a bigger gap in voltages and a different goal in mind with the larger platform.
Makita needs to hire more battery engineers and catch up with everyone else anyways. Their 18V battery lineup is a relic compared to other brands and instead of improving it, maybe they just want to “move on”. Maybe the grass is (Makita)greener on the other side.
JoeM
*Metaphorical Joke on The Subject, not to be taken literally.*
“Hi! I’ve got a huge cockroach problem, and I need a bug bomb to get rid of them. If you’ve got the number of an exterminator that is willing to do some Tenting for a weekend, I’m down for that too!”
“Here you go. Here’s your Rocket Launcher. Give it to those Roaches, and have fun! We’re throwing in 2 dozen spare rockets, in case they still give you trouble.”
“…Okay, I said I needed a bug bomb for some Roaches, and I could have sworn this was a hardware store, not an illegal arms dealer… I want to kill bugs, not take down aircraft that look suspicious… ”
“Sir… that is our top of the line insecticide product… nothing works better than that, it’s guaranteed for the life of the device, plus 5 years parts and labour. If it breaks, malfunctions, or gets damaged..”
“…It’ll blow up and kill me, my family, three houses to either side of me, and rupture a gas pipe under the road… Not much of a warranty if it kills the user, and all the witnesses who could possibly testify on their behalf that it was the device in question, if it can malfunction in such a way as to cover its own tracks… What’s your second-highest item on the list of top-of-the-line insecticide products? Is it a bug bomb of some sort?”
“*Pulls out a solid 6-foot cube of C4, and a little box containing the timer and blasting cap* Most people don’t like the smell of this one… plus it usually doesn’t fit in the back seat of a car, or even most trunks. Pickup trucks, sure… but not regular vehicles… Definitely not for a family situation…”
“Okay… I’m going to go somewhere else… This is not the place to buy Insecticide from… But if I’m ever in the mood to Commit Genocide, I’ll let you know, okay?”
“Alright, nice seeing you at Walmart today! Have a good one, and good luck with those Roaches!”
My point? Yeah… Why can Milwaukee make a spectacular 12 V edition of this, and DeWALT a 20 V edition… but Makita here is only comfortable with a 40 V load? Mosquito? Meet Nuke. Nuke, Mosquito. It’s overkill unless you are either driving those pins into Granite, or running the tool for 40+ hours straight.
Drew
That’s hilarious! I was thinking the same thing. Why would you make a 40V pin nailer? Completely unnecessary
Steve
It starts with having to slap a 10 cell battery on what’s supposed compact, agile, tool and goes downhill from there.
CarpenterOne3
Makita cordless nailer have always sucked, they focus so much on releasing a new impact driver every month that the majority of there other tools suck nowadays, it’s sad as they were once the best finish carpenter brand but they have lost that title in my opinion, They do have a bunch of premium stuff in Japan but for whatever reason they keep it there 🤷🏽
Oleg K
40v pin nailer? What’s next, nuclear-powered pin nailer? Or did we run out of wood and are now using 3/4″ stainless steel for crown moldings? I don’t understand this constant struggle with building a more powerful nailer and power tools in general. Pretty soon, impact drivers will rival the torque in Bugatti Chiron.
rob
We all use Hitachi and Milwaukee cordless nailers. Nobody cares about the Makita pinner. There’s a good number of XGT tools coming that we do care about, however. The metal circ, new recip and small blower for me, personally.
Joshua Morris
Annoyed that only dewalt made any progress in the size of pins driven
Why are we stuck at 1 3/8 inch for most of these pin nailers
Why aren’t we getting closer to 2 inch pins
MM
I could have sworn that when I first started reading about the Dewalt 23ga pinner many months ago, if not more than a year ago, it was claimed to drive 2 inch pins. I can’t cite a source for that but I am very certain that’s what I had read. Then when it was formally announced they specified 1.5″ max capacity. I can’t help but wonder if they originally tried for 2″, then found it couldn’t perform reliably with 2″ pins and therefore released it with the 1.5″ max instead?
Big Richard
Your memory serves you right. While there was plenty of photos of the DeWalt going around in early 2021, it inadvertently was up on Home Depot Canada’s website back in June/July of 2021 for a couple weeks. That listing had a semi-full product spec section. One of those bullets was its 2″ pin capacity. The only thing I can think of is that HD.ca did a little copy and paste from DeWalt’s pneumatic pinner, which can take up to 2″ pins, when making that listing.
An early prototype also may have been designed to take 2″ pins, but it was not reliable/consistent with that size. Who knows.
MM
Glad to hear that I was not mis-remembering!
Speaking of website leaks from Canada, I spotted this the other day:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/dewalt-dcf900b-20v-max-1-2-in-high-torque-impact-wrench-bare-0547592p.html
Big Richard
Very nice, that’s the first retailer I’ve seen have it. Hopefully it is harbinger of its arrival in the near future.
I still haven’t heard anything about that potential third new impact wrench, the DCF961. I have to assume it would be a 3/4″, but maybe a 1″. Also wonder if it will be 60v.
MM
I would think that they must be announcing a new 3/4 drive version soon. With 1000 ft-lb tightening and 1400 for removal the specs on that tool are a bit high for 1/2 drive in my opinion. I think they’re either going to release a version of the 900 with a 3/4 anvil, sort of like how the DCF897 is just an 899 with a 3/4 anvil, or they’re going to have an entirely new model. Or both.
Frankly I’d love it if the rumored 961 was indeed a Flexvolt version. I don’t need to use an impact this large very often, but when I do I want all the power I can get and I’d rather have it in a 3/4 or 1″ anvil.
Big Richard
Good point. With the 897 and 899, they were essentially the same tool with the same specs, just different anvils. The 961 is supposed to have a couple hundred additional ft-lbs over the 900. So if they are mirroring that approach, at least this time around there will be a little more differentiation from each other than what the 897 and 899 had.
Perry
My guess is that this new 40v version is bigger due to a need to redesign the flaws of the 18v model. Which. Was. Terrible.
fred
I can attest to the fact that their version #1 (XTP01Z) was awful. But what about version #2 (XTP02Z) that some say is better?
Anyway – i guess they are expanding the XGT 40V lineup to make it look more complete and help boost sales. That said, I would think that they might have added some other tools first before adding a pin nailer.
Kent_Skinner
I’d like to see this side by side with the M12 pin nailer. I can only assume the red one is much more compact.
MM
The Makita measures 10-3/8″ L x 3-3/8″ W x 8-7/8″ H according to the specs Stuart posted.
The M12 measures 8.7″ L x 2.6″ W x 7.7″ H according to Milwaukee’s website.
The Dewalt measures 9.2″ L x 3.15″ W x 8.3″ H according to a combination of Dewalt and Acme Tool.
I assume those specs are without batteries. With batteries the Makita is going to be even worse than the competition since your only option would be for dual-row batteries while the Dewalt would likely be used with a single-row pack which would add less additional length to the tool. The M12 could be powered with a batt that added no extra length to the tool if you went with one of the CP pacs, or if you were using the larger packs with the brick on the end the extra length would be minimal like the Dewalt’s thin single-row packs.
So yes, the M12 is smaller than the Dewalt and both of those are smaller than the Makita and the difference only becomes more pronounced once batteries are added in. One thing I did notice though: It appears the Makita can be slid up right next to a wall or other large obstruction and drive pins very close to the obstacle–the tip that drives the pins is more or less flush with the top of the tool, while with both the Dewalt and the Milwaukee the housing of the tool sticks up higher.