There’s only a few times when I’ve had to nail down shingles, but it has always been a daunting task. But imagine if I was doing a whole side of a house, and then the chore becomes even more of a challenge if I wanted to use a pneumatic tool that had a hose and weighed a lot.
That’s why I was so happy to see DEWALT introduce its new 20V MAX 15° Coil Roofing Nailer (DCN45RN) for those who have to do this for a living. While the size is situated for smaller shingling jobs, it still is a workhorse that can get the job done swiftly and without the hassle of cables and hoses.
The tool is remarkably lightweight, especially the 2-V battery. I can see this being used for service and repair jobs, small production work, flashing and shingling around windows, skylights, and vents.
I called up a friend of mine who has been repairing roofs for over 30 years, and asked him to try it out on a recent workday. Silas has been using pneumatic equipment for years, and tells me it is such a hassle to get his equipment situated, sometimes as much as 20 minutes set up time and the same amount breaking it down.
When I handed him the DEWALT 20V MAX 15° Coil Roofing Nailer, his eyes lit up and he was literally in shock. Silas was amazed at the lightweight feel of the tool, and the simplicity in how it operates.
“This would be fantastic for short job that I only needed to make a quick repair,” he says. “But I can see getting a good size of the roof done, too.”
DEWALT says the 20V MAX 15° Coil Roofing Nailer drives 500 nails per charge, and can fire up to three nails per second. It includes features standard among pro-grade corded equipment such as bump actuation mode and tool-free depth adjustment for precise nailing. The nailer can install up to one square (100 square feet) of asphalt roofing shingles per charge at four nails per shingle using a 2.0Ah Battery (DCB203).
Silas used the nailer on a job that was about two squares, but he was more than pleased with how quickly the battery charged and he was back to work at it. He says it would be best with an additional two or three batteries to have ready to go when the first one loses power, but the charge held very well on the model he was using.
The nailer includes components that allow for tool-free adjustments, including a tool-free stall release that returns the driver blade in the event of a jam. With a 120-nail capacity and a standard nail canister, the 20V MAX 15° Coil Roofing Nailer is compatible with most coil 1/4 to 1-3/4-in. roofing nails.
DEWALT says the tool features an efficient brushless motor for long runtime and motor life. In addition, the tool is ergonomically designed with a handle that fits comfortably in a user’s hand, helping to limit fatigue.
“This was a much better feel in my hand than any other pneumatic tool I’ve ever used,” Silas says.
The 20V MAX 15° Coil Roofing Nailer will come kitted with one 2.0Ah battery and charger for $399 MSRP (DCN45RND1) or as a bare tool (without a battery or charger) for $319 MSRP (DCN45RNB). For roofers and general contractors alike, this nailer adds to the extensive line of DEWALT fastening products. More information on DEWALT tools, including additional fastening options, can be found at www.DEWALT.com.
