If you’re new to cordless brad nailers and want to try them out, you’ll find the Craftsman CMCN618C1 V20 Cordless Brad Nailer Kit a great starter since it comes with nearly everything you need. But what does this cordless brad nailer bring to the table?
The Craftsman Cordless Brad Nailer Kit has a couple of features and specs that are worth talking about, as well as pros and cons. To help you decide whether to buy this brad nailer or not, read my review below to find out the full scoop.
Craftsman CMCN618C1 V20 Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
This cordless brad nailer is a great choice for home, garage, and/or jobsite projects. From baseboard replacements to molding, floor trimming, and all kinds of home remodeling projects, this Craftsman tool is a convenient must-try for the DIY enthusiast.
Specifications
As a cordless brad nailer, the Craftsman CMCN618C1 will drive any adhesive collated 18-gauge nail from 5/8 to 2 inches in length. It weighs 5.3 pounds and has about 1.2 hours of battery recharge time.
Measuring 12.5 x 11.56 x 4.2 inches, it will hold up to 100 nails in its magazine. It works on a V20 MAX lithium-ion battery that will drive up to 420 nails per charge.
Quality
As with all of their Cordless (V20) tools, it is backed by a 3-year limited warranty, plus a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. You can contact Craftsman for more information – just bring the proof of purchase for your product in question.
When it comes to quality, Craftsman upholds it for their product and their customers – it has a powerful motor and already comes with a V20 20V MAX lithium-ion battery with a charger for you to get started. It even has free 1-1/4, 1-inch, and 2-inch brad nails (at 100 each).
Usability
When it comes to usability, the cordless brad nailer has a no-mar pad that will keep the surface from getting scuffed by the tool. It also has various tool-less features, such as depth adjustment and jam clearance, which simplify operation. As for the design, the brad nailer has an optimal center of gravity so that you’ll find it comfortable when carrying it around.
Aside from that, it has a contoured molded handle, which will help in reducing fatigue, especially for long hours of use. Switching between firing and actuation mode is also convenient to adapt to your project needs. With a belt hook, you’ll find it easy to store the tool on your side when not in use.
Should You Buy the Craftsman CMCN618C1 Cordless Brad Nailer?
The Craftsman CMCN618C1 is a great brad nailer for you if most of your tasks involve crown molding and overhead tasks due to its tool-less features that will make your life easier. On top of that, it has a comfortable grip so it’s great for long hours of use.
If you are still unsure about the decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.
Pros of the Craftsman CMCN618C1
Let’s start with the pros.
It is lightweight.
At only 5.3 pounds, the Craftsman CMCN618C1 is a lightweight tool when compared to the most cordless brad nails of its class. This makes it comfortable to use and less likely to give you fatigue. Some of the best applications of a lightweight brad nailer include crown molding and anything that requires overhead positions.
While other brad nailers weigh more than this, the Craftsman CMCN618C1 is more convenient for first-time users, as well as those who previously used a pneumatic tool. If you feel that switching from an air-powered to a compressor-free tool is a hassle due to the added weight of the battery, this is a good brad nailer for you to start with.
It has a tool-less jam and stall release.
Anything that is toolless will speed up your work while also a benefit when you’re multitasking. Having the jam release feature will make it less frustrating when a nail gets stuck. After all, we can’t always see our nails when we aim into the material if we’re in a difficult position, which sometimes creates jamming.
The grip is comfortable to hold.
With its molded grip, this brad nailer will feel comfortable for hours of use. This is important if you are working on crown molding and similar tasks that require you to hold it in a difficult position. When you have less fatigue from your tool, you’ll find it easier to maintain accuracy and safety for any task, which is important when handling any power tool.
It comes with free nails.
Aside from the battery and charger that comes with the brad nailer, it also comes with 1-1/4, 1-inch, and 2-inch brad nails (at 100 each). This makes the brad nailer a great gift for someone who is just starting up a woodworking hobby or likes to work on DIY projects around their house.
Cons of the Craftsman CMCN618C1
Even though the Craftsman CMCN618C1 is a great tool, there are a few cons worth noting as well.
The charging time is a little slow.
When you charge the unit at a low temperature, it’s a little slow on its charging time. Although this seems like an inconvenience, it can be worked around by making sure you charge the unit at room temperature.
The battery may impact the nail delay.
Using the brad nailer when the battery is low will result in a slight delay on the nail, especially during rapid firing, which could slow down your work. However, this is only a minor caveat.
What Are the Alternatives to the Craftsman CMCN618C1?
Although the Craftsman CMCN618C1 is a great brad nailer kit to consider, if it doesn’t suit your needs, here are my other alternative suggestions:
A similar unit to the Craftsman tool is the Metabo HPT NT1850DES Cordless Brad Nailer Kit, which has a lightweight battery design, which will similarly significantly reduce user fatigue when handling the tool. Aside from that, it also has a tool-less mechanism for the depth drive adjustment.
However, what makes the Metabo HTP NT1850DES different from the Craftsman tool that I mentioned above is the brushless motor, which makes it cool-running. However, with the Metabo tool, you’ll need to adapt to learning how to adjust the depth.
Another great option for you is the Porter-Cable PCC790LA 20V MAX Cordless Brad Nailer, which is suitable for DIY crown molding projects. Able to fire up to 1,300 nails per charge, it weighs 5.9 pounds and has a similar tool-less stall and jam release lever to make your life easier when one of your nails gets stuck.
Aside from that, it has LED lights to illuminate your work area, which is especially useful at night or in low-light situations. Although the weight isn’t as light as you’d expect, it’s pretty decent for a brad nailer.
If you’re looking for a similar lightweight alternative, the Ryobi P320 Airstrike Cordless Brad Nailer is for you, which only weighs 5 pounds. It has an LED light for convenience in dim areas plus two non-marring pads to protect the surface of whatever you are working on.
Among its similarities with the Craftsman tool that I mentioned above include the tool-less jam release system. Although this is only a bare tool, it features AirStrike technology, which gives it a similar power to that of a pneumatic brad nailer – driving up to 1,700 nails per charge.
Summary
As a whole, the Craftsman CMCN618C1 is a convenient cordless brad nailer to have for home use, as well as for a couple of jobsite and/or garage work. It has a decent weight, a comfortable grip, various tool-less features for added convenience, and it even comes with free nails to get you started, so it’s also a great gift for someone interested in home DIY projects.
Even with its small caveats, which aren’t exactly deal-breakers, overall, the Craftsman CMCN618C1 is still worth buying as the pros outweigh its cons.