You might have heard that Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless nailers feature a “nitrogen air spring mechanism.”
Some of the benefits of this include zero ramp-up time, and I believe it’s what gives cordless nailers a near-pneumatic-like performance.
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It makes sense when you think about it, for cordless nailers to feature a self-cycling air-powered actuator.
Shown above is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel brad nailer (Gen II).
Now, here’s a look at one of the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless framing nailers that we recently posted about.
In that post, a couple of readers discussed the potential for Milwaukee’s nitrogen spring mechanism to lose air.
Milwaukee has been using nitrogen spring mechanisms in their M18 Fuel cordless nailers, starting with their initial offerings back in 2016.
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In each Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless nailer, the compressed nitrogen chamber is sealed and should not require any user attention, ever. The last I checked, the user manuals don’t even mention the nitrogen chamber, its workings, or anything related.
Nitrogen-based cordless nailers aren’t a modern invention – we first saw this type of tech in Senco’s Fusion nailers starting in 2010 – a decade ago! I briefly reviewed Senco’s Fusion finish nailer here.
In a comment to our Milwaukee cordless framing nailer post, a reader mentioned that he has had to add air to his Hitachi cordless framing nailer. I’m sure he’s not the first to have to do this, but it’s really the first time I’ve ever heard it happening. (Thank you Rudy for sharing about that!!)
My understanding is that Milwaukee’s cordless nailers are designed to be maintenance-free for as long as you use them.
They’re not supposed to need maintenance, servicing, or refilling. To date, I have not heard of any Milwaukee cordless nailers losing power over time, or leaking air due to a compromised seal.
Marketing materials for the new Milwaukee framing nailer emphasize that it doesn’t require a gas cartridge to operate, and that this “eliminates the maintenance and cost of gas cartridges.”
Some contractor supply shops will hold free Paslode nailer cleaning events every so often, but it’s still something you have to do regularly.
If you had to deal with seal maintenance or nitrogen refilling on a Milwaukee cordless nailer, that would just about destroy one of their biggest selling points.
Milwaukee’s cordless nailers having been on the market for 4 years now, and Milwaukee is a very popular cordless power tool brand, and so I know that quite a few of you have used these nailers before.
Will these nailers leak? Probably not. “Nitrogen air spring” technology is fairly mature by now, and Milwaukee has had time to respond to user feedback or any failings reported to them.
I like to think that I hear about widespread problems, if not from readers or local contractors, then from the occasional research we do to stay up to date about user sentiments. However, although I haven’t heard of any Milwaukee cordless nailers developing compromised nitrogen chamber seals, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.
This brings me to ask: have you ever experienced a compromised seal that led to your Milwaukee cordless nailer to require servicing, repairs, or refilling of any kind?
Have they leaked? I’m sure that defects and heavy wear and tear are possible, but I haven’t heard of any air chamber-related issues thus far. That’s also the main point of this post, to learn more about your experiences with Milwaukee’s cordless nailers and others like them. I’m sure that if this kind of problem is happening, it would have happened to at least some of you. Please chime in!
If you haven’t already done so, here’s the scoop on the new framing nailers, as well as pre-order links for both types:
New Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Framing Nailers are Launching Soon
Buy Now: 21° Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: 21° Bare Tool via Tool Nut
Buy Now: 30° Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: 30° Bare Tool via Tool Nut
Bob
Its man made, it will leak. Some sort of seal system is keeping the compressed gas contained. How many cycles before it leaks? Who knows. Could be a lot? Could be why the production delay? If its easy to diy rebuild/refill maybe not such a big deal. Regular air nailers need to be rebuilt. Fairly strait forward. Need more info before I can make an informed descision. Intetested if anyone had a leak so far.
Stuart
True.
The question isn’t so much about if it’ll ever leak, but about whether “will it leak?” is a valid concern to have.
dstblj 52
The only number that really matters for something like this is the MTBF.
fred
True too.
Until Milwaukee sells a statistically large enough sample of these we will not likely have the data to calculate MTBF.
It is also true that most “fleets” of decently-made commodities experience failures that can be plotted on what looks like a “bathtub” curve of failures over time. If you happen to buy a power tool that experiences an early failure (akin to infant mortality) you are not a happy camper – but your experience contributes to the typical steep section of the first bit of the curve. If your power tool is typical of a good durable one – then it’s lack of failure over several years will contribute to the “bottom” of that bathtub curve. Then like most tools – it will finally start to just wear out – hence contributing to the other end of that bathtub curve where failure rates rise.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathtub_curve
TIM WADE
I personally have the Milwaukee 30° Framer, 15° Angled finish gun, 1/4″crown stapler, and gen ll brad nailer since they came out. I got rid of the gen l brad nailer immediately after firing 10 brads as it was garbage. I have had 0 issues with any of them and doubt if l could live without them now. No leaks and only jammed the brad nailer once and the finish nailer once, both were from hitting a drywall screw behind trim.
Todd
I have two m18 spikeing guns 3 months old they are both starting to have problems sinking nails whats wrong
Shawn
Probably nitrogen leaked out.
Curtis Y
My framing nailer 2744-20 must have leaked since it’s not fully driving the nails. 8 months use. Now I need to look for a repair place.
Colin
Just had ours redone on warranty. Repair guy said I would expect to recharge every 6 months and we use them lots.
Shawn
Who did you find that fixes them.
Colin Loewen
Our local building supply store (EG Penners) in Steinbach Manitoba. They sent it to the Milwaukee store in Winnipeg. I had it back after 2 weeks. In my business I can’t really afford wait times like that. Fortunately we use primarily air tools but cordless is often really handy! I suspect I could have dropped it off at the Milwaukee repair centre for faster turn around time but that’s an hour from home for me.
Curtis Y
I’m here looking for reasons why mine stopped driving in all the way. No clue how many nails we have put through it this first year. It’s the 21 degree Framing Nailer 2744-20. Or as I have named it “The Brick”
Parm
No it won’t senco invented the tech and it didn’t leak
In their nailers
Zachary Hoffenberg
I have been using the m18 framing nailer since it came out. 1 have had to have both of the guns I own “recharged” because they stopped sinking nails and I am currently sending them in again to get them “recharged” as they both no longer sink nails all the way.
drake william
? Man I have a M18/ 16 GA STRAIGHT FINISHING NAILER . As you know it will shoot a 2.5″ nail but I have only used 2″ that’s it. It will NOT drive a nail all the way up doesn’t matter what type wood. Is there anything I can do?
Toolfreak
They’re likely sealed well enough to not leak during the warranty period of the tool, but I’m wondering what it costs to fix if/when they leak once out of warranty if the user wants to keep the tool and get it fixed rather than just buy a new one.
I doubt there are many leak cases out there, if there were, surely they would be easy to find in video or forum reviews of cordless nailers.
Jake
I bought one in October 2020 and had to have it sent back for repairs in late November2020 , fired maybe 10,000 nails before it no longer was able to drive a nail in half way
fred
If the Senco Fusion guns are any indicator – the drive assembly is a single ( very expensive – almost $200) service part. To me that implies that they do not expect that you or their service centers will be servicing the nitrogen system – but rather replacing it should it leak or fail. I have not seen a Milwaukee parts diagram/price list for this new framing nailer – but for their cordless finish nailers they do not show service parts for the internals,
Paul
I wouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t service parts available for these Milwaukee tools.
For all their marketing talk about professional use and skilled trade workers using tools, this lack of serviceability smacks of low end product to me.
I work with industrial machinery (centrifuges, industrial food prep, food testing mainly). Well designed machines made for professional use have service parts available.
Paul
I really appreciate these articles about potential failure points. To read the marketing, everything is THE BEST THING EVAR. Turns out, everything fails over time!
I’d agree with you that the nitrogen spring probably won’t be the first thing to fail.
My money’s on the computer or electronics. These are most delicate things in there.
I use my pneumatic nailers maybe 10 times a year as I DIY remodeling my house. I’m also a fan of M18 and I think these are cool. However, I won’t be buying them.
For me, I don’t use it often enough to justify the price. My pneumatic tools are big chunks of steel with nary a microchip in sight. I love how durable they are. I’ve used my roofing nailer for hours in the pouring rain. Set it down in a puddle on my flat roof. Used it to bash in a nail when I was tired and lazy. And it still works perfectly.
Battery operated cordless tools have their place, but they’re never going to beat the long term cost of “dumb” tools.
Coggs
They will leak at some point, most likley the day after the warranty expires. Pretty much nothing made today is meant to least very long. That may be fine depending on your use case for the tool and how you realize your investment value.
I don’t use my cordless nailers often, do shelf life is more important to me than shots fired life, which is why the paslodes didn’t do well for me, the fuel would expire and I would always be tossing it. I have been using the DeWalt cordless for that reason but I still use air guns plenty as well. They are smaller and lighter, as well as offer a much wider array of fasteners.
Adam Schultz
I have had the 15 g nailer since they first came out in 2016 and have shot 10s of thousands of nails with that thing. Never had a misfire or prould nail and the only jam i ever had was yesterday when my co worker accidently put in brad nails. It cleared easy and I put in the right nails and it was fine again. I also had the gen 1 brad nailer for about 2 hours then I returned it because it was the worst ever M18 tool produced ( wouldn’t even sink nails in pine out of the box). A few months ago I got the gen 2 brad nailer and it has yet to misfire, jam or not sink a nail. Used it on two big projects and a lot of small ones since. They are both extremely well functioning nailers with 0 issues. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY LEAK OR POWER DOWN OF PERFORMANCE. I do feel like now and then I may smell a very faint odor like a gas but that is not a certainty as it may be something else in the room. However, I have always wondered about the very issue you have posted about. Like, will the nitrogen gas chamber fail at some point after the 5 year warranty is out? Can it only take so many fires before it depletes? I’ve shot a LOT of nails with the 15 g and it’s still working like a champ. I’m inclined to believe that of course it could happen as all tools have moving parts could fail, but it will most likely NOT happen and if so for a very long time.
Jon
If you are smelling something it isn’t nitrogen.
LEVI
Thats correct, nitrogen is odorless.
Eddye
You’re right guys. He’s talking about his own gas in case you didn’t catch that
Eddye
That’s right guys, he’s referring to another type of gas if you catch his drift
Peter Froese
My experience is with the hitachi/metabo hpt nailers, i have both the framing nailer, and the 18 guage cordless nailers that have a similar sealed nitrogen chamber.
I’ve had to recharge both of them once, and have had them for over 2 years, the local repair shop got the equipment for free from hitachi, so they pass that along and didn’t charge me for the recharge. All it cost me was 15 minutes waiting and looking at the tool wall, kinda hard to complain about.
Hopefully the Milwaukee are similar.
NZTom
I doubt the Milwaukee will be similar, the Hikoki use compressed air, Nitrogen may be more difficult for a Service Centre to work with.
Big Richard
Every brand is a little different, but I know when the Senco Fusion came out, they said the nitrogen canister is sealed at 130psi and while it will eventually lose some pressure, it is something 5 psi over 100,000 shots.
Nothing with moving parts is truly “maintenance free”. You could argue it is regular/planned maintenance free, but at some point there will be a failure.
fred
Now pushing 80 – I can tell you that your assertion is all too true for us as well as our tools. As you said:
“Nothing with moving parts is truly “maintenance free”. You could argue it is regular/planned maintenance free, but at some point there will be a failure.”
Grant Beeson
I have a M18 18 gauge gen. 2 nailer and it has not leaked. I bought it for DIY work on my property over a compressed air nail gun to save space, to reduce noise, and I already has M18 batteries. It has been very useful and convenient. I am have been looking at the 15 gauge nailer and the new framing nailers with considerable interest. That being said sometimes if I ever wanted to use a cheaper tool I could always use a ?
William Newell
Even if that is the case that the guns will eventually leak. Milwaukee has store locations that will maintenance the tools. In most cases any battery tool that I have bought that needed to be maintenanced even after warranty was done for free.
Nathan
built in planned obsolescence. While it is probably overly scarcastic statement to most it is at least partially true. I mean it will leak, for some, it will most likely take some time. I usually agree milwukee makes decent equipment. so it will last but it will fail one day.
well by then it will be the fuel 3 – – – – – – version and well your nitro canister isn’t made anymore and nearly unobtainable. so cost wise you’ll buy a new one.
Likewise for most pressurized cylinders there is a finite time life for the canister. Usually that only apples to things that whole 1000 PSI or such, but even today some canned aerosols have life limits on the cans. at only 40 psi of nitrogen.
It’s an interesting idea I aways figured they would use a pure mechanical system. As in motor gear ratchet system resets a metal spring as the prime shooter. At least that’s how I would make one I think.
Coggs
The mechanical/flywheel mechanism is how the Dewalts work. The downside is they tend to be larger, with longer cycle times and a little less power, so take your pick.
What would be interesting to see if a company could have a field replaceable unit for the charged cylinder, and if lets say at 3x the cost, would there be a market for it??
OldDominionDIYer
I own a M18 (Gen 1) 16Ga. nailer and I really love it, no issues though if I’m not careful I sometimes shoot a nail that doesn’t fully sink. In every case I was using a poor angle or not applying enough force to overcome the recoil. Other than that it has performed flawlessly and has been a huge time saver. No leaks and in all likelihood the first failure item won’t be the nitrogen chamber. What are the other major cordless MFRs using to drive their cordless nailer offerings? Any issues with those systems?
Koko the Talking Ape
This is the first I’ve heard of a gas spring being used this way.
It’s an interesting choice. The spring rate of gas springs can be varied easily, by adding or subtracting gas (though you wouldn’t do that in this case.) Also, they aren’t linear: the spring rate increases as the gas is compressed, and decreases as it is expanded (where it becomes a “degressive” spring.) So they are difficult or impossible to bottom out. It’s possible to combine dampening and spring functions in one device. Etc.
I did wonder about the thermodynamics of the gas. If the gas is compressed, it gets hot, and that heat represents some of the energy that was used to compress the gas. If the heat is allowed to bleed away, then that energy is wasted. That’s why compressed air isn’t usually used to power vehicles, for instance. But here, the spring is pulsed rapidly, heating and cooling the gas alternately. Maybe there isn’t time for any heat to leak away.
Mr Woohan
#brilliant ?♂️
Mack
They do leak, they all leak just a touch of air through to the driver blade area. The Hitachi is designed so that every 150k shots ( 1 year of full time framing) you can take it to a shop and they can do a quick refill of that cylinder. Because its air it is a quick job that usually cost $40. Regular maintenance is part of that gun and is in the owners manual. The Milwaukee will also leak but because it is nitrogen it won’t be a quick fix. Those nitro tanks aren’t cheap, they are like $300. That’s a hefty repair bill. Milwaukee doesn’t want you to know this hence it isn’t in their manual. Ask any repair shop what Senco gun cost to repair. It’s the same technology.
fred
With the Senco – I see parts retailers selling the gas cylinder assembly for something like $190. A service center might get the part for less – but the cost of labor to replace it will likely add more than any discounted part cost will save. Faced with that sort of cost decision you might well opt to buy something new rather than have the old fixed.
DHammerman
I’ve been using the Ryobi nailers for some time now. The only maintenance that they’ve needed is a spray of silicone on the striking mechanism every now and then.
I’ve watched several tools run through the brand cycle of Ryobi to Ridgid to Milwaukee evolution(nailers, 7 1/4″ sliding cordless miter saw, etc). They tend to introduce tools on the lower level brands and see how they hold up, and what type of changes need to be made to bring them up to Milwaukee use standards.
I have a handy man business with 7 people on the road, and have been using the Ryobi nailers (18g, 15g, and 23g). What I have found is that the only maintenance that they need is a squirt of silicone every so often to keep the sliding parts moving freely. One user tip is to be sure and hold the nailer securely on the peice you’re emailing to, otherwise if it lifts off during driving it will short cycle the nailer. If that happens, remove and reinstall the battery, then test the nailer on a scrap peice of wood to ensure it is working properly again.
The other issue my co workers have had is running the battery too low on voltage. If the battery runs below the voltage threshold, the charger will see it as a faulty battery.
Oh, one other thing, the 15g prefers having semi round head nails, they tend to feed better.
Mr Woohan
U must be talking about old batteries that nobody uses anymore cause now the tool only drains the battery so low before it stops working! That’s how it is on all Lithium batteries now. Read up on new battery technology please ?♂️
DHammerman
Actually, when the battery stops the tool from running, and someone keeps restarting the tool, it can let the voltage threshold below the limit. Please have knowledge on the topic before taking a stand.
Coggs
The Ryobi doesn’t use a charged gas spring mechanism, it basically has an air compressor on board. They are actually good tools for the price.
Blythe
I’ve heard of people that had their metabo/hpt nailers recharged
Chuehue Yang
I just recently sent my Gen 2 brad nailer in. It had stopped firing and was making a weird ratcheting noise every time I pulled the trigger. In filling out the forms to send the tool in on Milwaukee’s website, they even had that problem listed as a reason reason for why I was sending the tool in. These tools are clearly not problem and service-free.
DHammerman
Actually, when the battery stops the tool from running, and someone keeps restarting the tool, it can let the voltage threshold below the limit. Please have knowledge on the topic before taking a stand.
I can’t specifically address the Milwaukee, but on the Ryobi that’s due to the gun short cycling. Usually it’s cured by removing and reinstalling the battery, Then cycling s couple of nails through it.
Chuehue Yang
Ryobi and Milwaukee nailers–totally different. If you don’t know what I’m talking about or haven’t experienced the problem yourself, don’t assume your Ryobi problems are the same. First thing I did when the gun started acting up was turn off the gun, take the battery out and restarted it. Didn’t work, and that’s why I sent it in. All I’m saying is the nailer is not problem or maintenance free, as is all tools.
Bnailer
Ryobi, Milwaukee, AEG and others are all sister companies owned by Chinese multinational TTI. They also share certain parts (batteries) and R&D (control boards), not that they will tell you that. Don’t let the red plastic fool you, they are not “totally different”. They keep certain elements unique to each brand to maintain market segmentation.
Stuart
No they don’t. The products are designed by different companies and with different parts. Just because they’re made at TTI factories does not mean they share components. They explicitly confirmed that they use different parts and components.
Unless you have proof, all you’re doing is spreading false information.
Bob
Agree we have to wait to see if that air spring lasts. If the $200+ air spring wears out like the seals on a regular pneumatic I would say that’s a deal breaker. Unless they can get the cost of that service part way down. For comparison I rebuilt my 20+ year old Hitachi air gun for around $40.
Hopefully it holds up. Alleged pneumatic like performance, no ramp up time, sounds promising. Not strictly needed as these are punch list/small job tools but certainly welcome. If we were really critical nail guns are a luxury. Guys could actually use those two hundred dollar titanium hammers they carry around. Of course when my elbow needs surgical reattachment I might not think its a luxury any more. Lol
Keith
I have the new generation M18 Brad nailer – got it a few weeks after it can out and I’ve fired roughly 20,000 Brad’s through it already. I’ve never had a misfire, jam, proud shot or anything else out of the ordinary shooting Brad’s into MDF, Maple, Oak acacia and all manner of plywoods. I don’t have to carry a compressor or roll out hoses anymore, it’s quiet.
Simply – one of the best tools I’ve ever purchased. If I get 3 years out of it the way I use it and it suddenly declines in performance – I would gladly buy another one to not have to use a compressor again.
Jerrell
They need to make in a wide crown model… !
Jesse
If Milwaukee does a 5yr warranty on the gun any leaking of sorts will be covered by that. If starts to leak after the 5yr warranty just throw it away and buy a new 1. At a guess i would think it will only start to leak if its had a heck of alot use anyway..
High & Mighty
Well I can assure that the gas canister/cartridge will eventually run dry unless it has some way of drawing in nitrogen from the air we breathe and powering the firing mechanism which I don’t think is possible. We’re not that far advanced yet. Just because it’s working like it should doesn’t mean that the nitrogen is infinite. Your losing nitrogen every time a nail is shot. It’s a very miniscule amount, but it is depleting every time it shoots. What’s the lifespan of the tool until it no longer fires? No one knows. I’d be partial to taking it apart to get an idea of what might fail and to see how much gas it has and then take it apart a year from now and see how much gas it has. And again and again. Nitrogen has no smell to it so you won’t be able to tell if it’s leaking or not unless you take it apart. But to not have serviceable parts is a problem. Nothing is fail proof.
Shawn
Just picked up my third gun since February.. yes they do leak…. Get about 4 months of production use
Brian
I bought a gun and lasted 4’months before needing refilling . My salesman said he’s had 4 this week already with the same issue ( all would have been bought once they were available ). As long as Milwaukee fixes it for free not a huge deal , but kind of annoying nonetheless
Bryan Cox
I bought mine in August and in November it would not sink a nail. I sent it in for repair and they sent it back. I tested it as soon as I got home and it had the same problem. Needless to say I almost threw it across the garage. I contacted them and they said they refilled the nitrogen. It never occurred to them to wonder why it leaked. The gun replaced one that I use for work and not having it for 2 weeks for repairs sucked. I was not willing to wait another 2 weeks for a hopeful repair. After some phone calls they sent me a new one. I love my Milwaukee tools and hopefully this was a one time screw up.
Shawn
Been down same road. We have 5 guys using them…. Last about 5 months. Only had them actually fill nitrogen on one 15 ga gun. Sent one gun in 5 times… would sink nails about 1/4 inch into beech… They were trying to tell me. I didn’t know about the God damn depth adjustment knob. Even sent them a link to a you tube video I made with side by side with two identical guns, sent in a piece of 6010 beech rail with unset nails from one gun and set nails from another newer identical gun….still trying to tell me didn’t k.ow how to use depth adjustment . I swear we are living in the movie Idiocracy … Tech person was telling me they work with hydrolics… Seemed to think I was talking crazy about nitrogen.. Freaking nuts. Hoping someone will come up with a way to service them in the field…. I’m about done dealing with Miluakee.
Brian
Bought the 18 gauge in about October, in December it stopped sinking nails and started making a wierd ratcheting noise, took it to the local service center, they sent it to Milwaukee, still haven’t heard back from them, local service center says they haven’t heard anything from Milwaukee. Been over a month and have not even heard so much as a possible return date. To say I’m not happy would be a huge understatement
Colin
Exactly what ours did. They said they did a cleaning and a recharge and now it works like a charm. We use it a LOT so we can’t have it seizing up like that. Hope this recharge holds up better.
They suggested the recharge might need to be done as a routine maintenance once or twice a year depending on use. We got it back 2 weeks ago so time will tell.
Shawn
Who serviced it? Place I’m sending the guns to isn’t repairing them most of the time. Send back with no recharge…
Colin
I brought it back to the Lumber Store that we deal with. (EG Penner in Steinbach Manitoba) They sent it to the Milwaukee Service Centre in Winnipeg, MB. We had it back in 2/3 weeks. I could have made that go quicker if I dropped it off there myself.
Shawn
Evidently I need to send my nailers to the Canadian service center then.. because the one in Missouri has no idea how to fix their guns. Sent one in that was 4 months old lost power… They sent a brand new one out . Paperwork said our 4-month-old gun was worn past the point of repair not defective… I don’t have a problem getting a brand new nail gun but it seems awfully wasteful went a little bump of nitrogen would have made the other one shoot. Got on the phone with somebody from there and they told me the guns are powered by hydraulics….not even kidding.. I spent about a half hour arguing with them that we
in fact knew how to set the depth adjustment on the nose….because that’s what they thought was wrong with the nailer that wouldn’t even sink nails into pine 2×4
Colin
Probably wouldn’t hurt if a few engineers/tool designers would spend a few days in the field to understand what they are supposed to design:)
Our tool department is great to deal with but they often complain about the manufacturers and their incompetence!
Stuart
A lot of brands have extensive field testing and responsive R&D practices in place.
Paul
Hi My Milwaukee Gen 2 Brad nailer is back in the shop because the nitrogen spring is broken. I never applied for the 3 year warranty so have to pay for the repair. The repair cost is £300! The was only £400 in the first place.
Shawn
They don’t require us to apply for the warranty in the states. Go off manufacture date
Tom
Owned my framing nailer for 3 months nailing pin won’t engage. So I believe this is do to a nitrogen leak. Now I’ll see if Milwaukee will replace it.
Chris Hitchcock
Same tried to restart shoots a couple then same thing wtf should I do gonna call when I get home bullsh$@
Chris Hitchcock
My Milwaukee gun keeps misfiring had for a couple month trying to reset piston will shoot one or two time then the same thing wtf can’t find any answered to this problem. Someone please help
Big Richard
What gun do you have? I bought a used 15ga from a guy that said it didn’t work, turns out he was trying to fire FN style nails, while it is a DA style gun. The wrong nails eventually bent the firing pin so it didn’t retract completely, intermittently.
Not saying this is your issue, but am just saying that the firing pins can get bent and cause similar problems.
Csaba
Yes
KmanAuto
I’m taking my M18 Brad Nailer to the Milwaukee Corporate Location repair center tomorrow morning (I live in Milwaukee…). Installing Pine Plank Ceilings at my Motel/Resort (Small Mom & Pop place). I’m on the LAST unit to do, and the largest. Yesterday, I did half the living room/kitchen with Zero problems. I’ve had 3 misfires/jams I can remember since getting the gun, not bad at all. Picked it up today, and I get a Jam, misfire or ratcheting noise 5 our of 7 nails.
Not happy. I HAD to at least finish the kitchen/living room (since it was Half Done and we have guests coming in, so at least thats done, I can hold off on the bedrooms until the gun is done). What should have taken me 2 hrs took me about 7 hours today. I had to limp the gun along to get that ceiling done.
I was originally using 2″ brad nails yesterday, no problem. Today it wouldn’t sink them. Went down to 1 1/2″, got a few rows of pine plank in, still had issues but it worked better. Then it stopped sinking those. Went down to 1 1/4″, got a few more rows, then finally had to finish with 1″ nails. Couldn’t go shorter than that. I’d say it was as if it didn’t have the pressure. Weird, it would sink one nail, then a couple only half way then sink a nail then only half way.
KmanAuto
For the record and additional information for those interested, I’ve owned the gun coming up on 2 years June 6th.
I’ve gone through about 100,000 brad nails of varying sizes.
The gun has not been dropped, and physically looks like it just came out of the box.
I’ve installed all new pine plank ceilings in 15 units so far (Unit being a hotel/resort unit, with 2 bedrooms and kitchen/living room combo). Each unit takes an average of 6,500-7000 nails. I need to use more than would normally be needed as the original ceilings are quite old (40’s, still good condition though) and are made of a thick paperboard that is attached to studs. It is not economical to remove the paperboard ceiling tiles. Think drop ceiling, but it’s not a drop ceiling and the material is about 2x more dense. As such, I DO hit studs, but without many more nails, over time the pine plank will sag and drop. I shoot the nails at angles, left right, up, down etc… and it’s all good 🙂
That was my BEST POWER TOOL until today. Hopefully going right to Milwaukee’s HQ Service Center I won’t need to wait too long for turn around. I really need to finish this unit next weekend, otherwise I’ll likely need to wait until September when we close for the winter. Frustrating….
J framer
I purchased my gun when they were released that weekend. I Have used it for primary Renos and back framing. Now over the past few years, that kind of work has been dominant. I did have some anyway houses and one completely new house I built. In that case, I used the gun for laying out joist foundation work and truss layout. Not sheeting floors or building wall. And now my gun has loss the power to sink nails. Not sure how it happened but it has.
FinnishFramer
I ended up on this site to see if others have the same problems with the M18 framing nailer.
I bought a nailer at the beginning of 2020, after 3 months it didn’t sink 90mm nails.
The seller said that, I was the first to bring that nailer in for service.
They wondered about the situation, and said that
the gas tank is leaking. – I got a new one from them.
–
Again
After 6 months same problem.
I went to Milwaukee service. They refilled the gas tank and replaced the piston.
Worked well.. again for a few months..
I think they still have room for improvement in terms of quality.
Greetings from Finland.
Richard
Would like to know if they sell replacement seals there are two nylon seals and 1 center rubber seal lost all nitrogen but seen on line a guy recharged his with compressed air around 160psi worked fine after that
Shawn
Do you have a link? I figured out how to recharge the metabo guns. Got a guy on the crew still likes running red.
Jason
Here is a link to the vid for the guy that fixed his.
https://youtu.be/-xCEuIKXkeo?si=Z0v5eSls-xhaFNtO
Eric Courtemanche
Mine stop sinking nails all the way after framing one 3000 sq ft house.
I will have to send it for warranty repair/refill
Dave
My M18 30 deg framing nailer lasted 2 years and maybe 1000 nails, very light use. Went back for warranty, the repair was “pressurize system”. Never again, and I am a huge Milwaukee tool fan. Good thing I already bought the Milwaukee M18 15ga, 18ga, and the 18 ga narrow crown stapler. I guess it’s just a matter of time before they all leak out.