Metabo HPT 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer
Metabo HPT 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer NT1850DE Review
Metabo HPT 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer
Manufacturer: Metabo HPT 
Model number: NT1850DE 
Price: 280 bare / 340 kit
Power source: 18 volt X2 [36V]
Weight: 7.3
It weighs 7.3lbs and is equipped with an Air Spring Drive System that uses compressed air in a sealed cylinder to fire the nail.
Here’s How It Works
The unit is filled at the factory to specified PSI with the piston is in the lowered position. Once the tool is turned on, the brushless motor drives piston so that it compresses the air into the cylinder.
When the trigger is actuated, compressed air is released, driving the piston down, resulting in the firing pin striking the nail at the same force as a pneumatic. Utilizing this sealed compressed results in zero ramp up time.
The cool thing is that the nailer is always “at-the-ready.” Meaning when you fire the nailer, the fastener is installed with zero lag, and the piston is immediately reset.
Run-time and Capacity
The Metabo HPT brad nailer it is capable of driving up to 1,650 nails per charge. The tools straight magazine holes 100 nails. This 18-Gauge cordless nailer drives nails from 5/8″ to 2″ in length. There is a yellow reload indicator on magazine for easy visual recognition of low nail quantities to avoid dry firing.
The tool will NOT lock out when empty.
Metabo HPT Specifications
- Fasteners -18-Gauge, Straight Brad Nails
- Nail Length – 5/8″ – 2″
- Magazine Capacity – 100
- Magazine Type – Side Loading
- Battery Type – 18V Lithium Ion
- Battery Amp Hour – Compact 3.0Ah
- Belt Hook – Variable Position
- Jam Release – Tool-less
- Depth of Drive – Tool-less
- Motor Type – Brushless
- Driving Speed – 2-3 Nails/Sec
- Nails per Charge – Up to 1,650
- Firing Modes- Sequential/Bump
- Battery Charge Indicator – Yes
- LED Light – Yes
- Weight – 7.3 lbs
Features
The Metabo HPT brad nailer features a low battery indicator, selective actuation, tool-less jam release, tool-less depth of drive, variable position belt hook and LED light. A selective actuation switch transitions between sequential mode and bump fire mode,
A quick clear nose with tool-less jam release for easy maintenance and reduced downtime. We installed approximately 1000 fasteners, and did not encounter a single jamb when testing this nailer.
LED Light
The Metabo HPT and the Makita have super bright spot which shines on the right side of the tool, and completely misses the tools contact tip. The result is the work surface to the right side of the tool is illuminated but not the working tip of the tool.
Depth of Drive
Metabo HPT has a knob that turns 11 times, but you can un-screw it too much and disconnect the contact point. Setting the depth of drive was easy, and very responsive.
Power and Performance
We were able to successfully install brads in Maple, Oak, Mahogany and IPE boards with ease. We used the Metabo HPT brad nailer to install trim onto framing lumber as well as install tongue and groove bead board. The Metabo HPT brad nailer has a hard to operate trigger “slide-lock.” The button is too small and difficult to access.
Toe-Nailing
The Metabo HPT tip once depressed, was very accurate in brad placement in the tongue and groove nailing. It was powerful enough to toe nail into ALL of the materials we tested.
Contact Tip
The Metabo HPT contact tip will not fire if you press down, and back off the surface a bit, to readjust the nailer. To fire a brad nail you need to fully back off the contact tip to reset the safety and then depress to engage the brad nailer. This can be a pain when trying to dial in your brad placement, and you find yourself moving the nailer around, to get into that “sweet-spot” nailing position.
Line Of Sight
Metabo HPTs “Ass-End” is big, and the front right section is chunky. This hindered its line of sight, but the nailer has arrows on its contact tip, indicating where the brad nail is coming from, and we were easily able to achieve perfect accuracy.
Belt Clip
Metabo HPT has a 1-1/2” wide, massive belt clips, which resembles more a rafter hook, [see photo] than a belt clip. The team felt that it was a bit “goofy” for a trim carpenter. Functionally speaking, it simply sticks out too far.
Improvements
I’d like to see Metabo HPT try to lower the weight on this brad nailer. Additionally, the depth of drive adjustment should have a locking tab to prevent the contact tp from falling off when adjusting the tool.
Price
The Metabo HPT brad nailer sells as a kit for $339.97, and as a bare tool for $280.00.
Metabo HPT Metabo HPT 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer
Final Thoughts
The Metabo HPT brad nailer is a solid nailer with impressive fastener penetration power, and excellent accuracy. It allows you to install brad nailers with zero ramp-up time. You can install fasteners accurately at a decent rate of work with no disruption to work speed.
About the author
Rob Robillard
Robert Robillard is a remodeler, general contractor, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts, and serves as the Editor of Tool Box Buzz and founding editor of A Concord Carpenter . Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review - Tool and Product Review - Video Channel, , where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the remodeling industry. The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob
http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/@https://twitter.com/robertrobillardRob Robillard
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Dear Rob,
I’m struggling (purchasing) between the Metabo and gen2 Milwaukee 18 guage finish nailers. After your review on framing nailers, I went ahead and purchased the Metabo 21 degree and I love it. But, I have quite a few Milwaukee M18 tools that I love and use every day. So, the question is both finish and brad nailer choices. Do I go green or red in this case? which comes out to be better in your opinion?
Thank you kindly, (Your reviews are outstanding!!!!)
Markus