As one of the top tool producers in the market, Ridgid continues to impress with its brad nailers. Professionals or DIYers, carpenters love the combination of performance and features ingrained in the Ridgid 18 gauge brad nailers. The meaningful improvements of their products over the recent years have earned the appreciation of the consistent users.
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Ridgid 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Review
In this section, we will put lights on some of the best Ridgid brad nailers that are the best in business.
1. RIDGID HYPERDRIVE 18-Volt 18-Gauge 2-1/8 in. Brushless Brad Nailer
Build Quality
You will be pleased with the quality of the build of the Ridgid Hyperdrive 18 gauge brad nailer. The magnesium body of this sublime cordless brad nailer contributes to keeping the weight to a minimum.
As for the handle, it is wrapped in Rigid’s rubberized hex-grip material. Grabbing the tool will make you feel comfortable like none other. Not to mention, Ridgid’s trademark orange finish and charcoal accents grip will make you feel extra comfortable.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Ridgid Hyperdrive is one of its most impressive aspects. It uses a powerful Ridgid HyperLithium 18V battery as its power source. All you need is a morning charge and it should be enough for you to work all day with. Even then you may still have some battery left at the end of the day.
Performance
The performance of the Ridgid Hyperdrive brad nailer is certainly a fruitful topic to discuss. You will be surprised by its exceptional performance. It generates enough power to sink the head of the nail flush into the work surface. In this aspect, the Ridgid Hyperdrive works even better than some pneumatic nailers.
The tool can hold up over extended use. It can shoot 2000 brad nails in one charge. As a carpenter, you will undoubtedly like the idea of a self-contained nailer over the pneumatic options.
Features
Many brad nailers lose their appeal with the poor firing mechanisms and as a result, lose value. The Ridgid Hyperdrive addresses this issue with a decent dry-fire lockout system that ensures consistent firing. With this tool at your hands, it is highly unlikely that you will encounter a jam.
On occasions, the dry-fire lockout feature will save you from marring out the trim when you are running low on nails. Besides, the depth-of-drive adjustment and power adjustment will help you precisely set the depth at which the nails should be driven.
Power
The Ridgid Hyperdrive offers enough power to even sustain the built-in LED lights on either side of the housing. It is unlikely that you will see this in regular pneumatic nailers as they do not have enough power to offer this neat feature. In case you need to use the LED lights in a situation where you are low on light, you can activate them by the button at the grip.
Cons
The overall weight of the Ridgid Hyperdrive may come as an issue to many. The gun weighs 5.8lbs which is nearly 2-3 pounds heavier than normal pneumatic guns. Also, there is a short yet noticeable delay in pulling the trigger.
2. Ridgid R213BNE Brad Nailer, 18 Gauge, 2-1/8″
Quiet Performance
The Ridgid R213BNE brad nailer is a top performer. This nailer does exactly what it is supposed to do. Its operation is quiet, you won’t have any issues with noise. The nailer generates enough power to drive nails into denser wood.
You can easily switch between trigger modes using the tool-free selectable trigger button. Depending on the type of work, you can either go sequential mode or contact mode.
Transparent Magazine
The Ridgid R213BNE Brad Nailer utilizes a semi-transparent magazine. This lets you have a convenient view of the nail supply. As a result, you can be aware of low nails and easily resupply.
Oil-free Motor
The oil-free motor is quite certainly one of its biggest pros. This feature alone saves you the hassle of daily oiling. As you are not required to oil the motor, it is obvious that you won’t have to deal with the oil splatter on the work surface.
Dry-fire Lockout
The dry-fire lockout feature of this brad nailer will ensure that you do not accidentally dry fire and damage the work surface. This is a valuable feature that any decent brad nailer should have. The firing stays consistent as a result and the possibility of you encountering a jam decreases significantly.
Build Quality
The Ridgid R213BNE Brad Nailer has a quality build with durable materials. The magnesium build along with the plastic magazine compartment makes a perfect combination that will serve you for years. Moreover, the hex grip has an innovative micro-texture that ensures maximum comfort and security.
Cons
The Ridgid R213BNE Brad Nailer is a bit large and heavy. Also, the product does not come with a case which might be the cause of dissatisfaction for many customers.
3. RIDGID 18-Gauge 2-1/8 in. Brad Nailer
Clean Drive Technology
The CLEAN DRIVE technology is undoubtedly the headliner for the latest Ridgid 18 gauge brad nailer. The significance of this technology is that it ensures a tighter oath for the nail and the driver blade. As a result, it produces more consistent drives and fewer jams.
As per the claims of Ridgid, it offers 17 times more perfect drives. This means 3700 before a jam or misfire compared to just over 300 of its closest competitor.
Dual Actuation Mode
Similar to most brad nailers, the Ridgid Clean Drive 18 gauge brad nailer also has two actuation modes. The standard for this brad nailer is the sequential mode whereupon pressing the trigger, one nail is released at a time. The sequential firing mode focuses more on accuracy rather than speed.
If you want to go quicker and nail multiple nails at a time, you have to select the contact mode. Also, you have the option to easily switch between the modes with the switch located at the base of the handle.
Performance
The Ridgid Clean Drive 18 gauge brad nailer is a joy to work with. The narrow nose design of this nailer helps you become more accurate in your work. Not to mention, the no-mar pad helps you keep your accuracy to the maximum without damaging or scarring the work surface.
Power
You can rest assured as power is not a concerning issue with a nailer of this size. It delivers enough power to drive the whole range of nail length. Moreover, the drive depth is consistent enough to carry out delicate trims.
Features
The most notable features include the oil-free motor. This eliminates the need for daily oiling and saves you the hassle. You also won’t see oil splattering on the work surface thanks to this feature.
Moreover, the dry-fire lockout extends the motor life and prevents misfires exceptionally. In case of infrequent jams, you can easily get rid of them using the tool-free jam clearing door.
Cons
However, as impressive as the brad nailer is, its weight is certainly a drawback. Also, the build quality is not up to the mark and needs some work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I load my Ridgid nail gun?
Take a stick of nails and slide them into the slot in the rear end of the magazine compartment. Make sure the stick has slid all the way in and is placed into the tool at the proper orientation. Once you are sure, press the pusher bypass button and drag it over the nail clip. Release the button to lock it in.
How do I unload my Ridgid brad nailer?
At first, unload all the fasteners before removing the tool from service. Then pull the pusher back away from the nail clip. Now you have to press the pusher bypass button and let the pusher rider over the remaining nails. Finally, hold the tool upright to slide the nails backward and remove them.
Conclusion
To keep things short, you don’t have to dive deep to discover what Ridgid has to offer regarding their 18 gauge brad nailers. The products are top-notch and they offer the newest technology to make sure you are compatible with any type of work. Ridgid gives you a bang for your buck in exchange for pro-level performance.
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