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Dewalt 20V XR 15 GA Cordless Angled Finish Nailer Kit Review

Dewalt DCN650D1 15 GA Cordless Angled Finish Nailer Kit

4/5

Manufacturer: Dewalt
Model number: DCN650D1
Price: 414.00
Power source: 20 v Brushless
Weight: 5.8

We recently took the Dewalt DCN650D1 15 GA Cordless Angled Finish Nailer Kit to our job site to see how well it performed and if it in fact was fast enough to cut the air hose.

The short answer is yes it is. My personal answer is, it depends.

The DEWALT DCN650 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer drives 15 Gauge angled finish nails from 1-1/4″ to 2-1/2″ which makes it ideal for finish carpentry and trim work. It is powered off the 20 volt platform, weights 5.8 lbs. and has a brushless motor.

No More Gas Cartridges

Most carpenters, myself included, hate that our gas nailers have to be cleaned and serviced. Many don’t have the time or make the effort to learn how to do it themselves. When you run out of fuel or the tool needs to be cleaned. We all know that tool downtime kills efficiency and productivity.

The beautiful thing about battery-only, cordless nailers is that as long as you have a charged battery, you’re ready to use the tool. They also do not require the cleaning that gas models require, which means low maintenance and reliability.

Fastener Sizes

The DEWALT DCN650 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer drives 15 Gauge, “DA” style, angled finish nails, sizes ranging from 1-1/4″ to 2-1/2.”

The DEWALT nailer features an in-line magazine which keeps the size compact and allows it to be utilized in multiple orientations and in tight spaces.

The magazine takes two clips of fasteners.

Micro Nose and Nail Placement

The DEWALT nailer has a micro nose that offers really nice line of sight, as good as any pneumatic nailer I’ve owned. We all know that the nose-end of a nailer can help or impede the accuracy of nail placement. This nailer installs the nail approximately 1/16 of an inch above the top of the tools nose piece.

Firing / Actuation Mode of Operation

The DEWALT DCN650 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer has a tool-free selectable trigger for sequential or contact actuation modes. The contact mode is super-fast with negligible ramp up time.

While we found the tool fast it’s still not a pneumatic nailer in the speed department, while this is less important to me, I know many of you [mostly trim carpenters] feel speed is important.

I prefer using all of my nailers in the sequential mode, as speed is far less important to me. Fastener placement, safety, accuracy and doing a good job is my focus.

A tool-free depth adjustment for countersinking of nails is included, and was a bit stiff and awkward to operate but it did loosen up a little over time.

This nailer also features a tool-free stall release lever. This lever is located near the top of the tools housing, it is used to release and reset the driver blade in the event of a nail jam. Additionally the nose of the tool opens, tool-free, to access the front end of the nailer, if needed.

LED Light Placement

DEWALT placed dual LED lights in the base of the tool, below the hand placement and near the battery. To me this is an odd place to place the light, I’d think having the light at the working end of the tool would be better.

I tested the light in low light levels and it does illuminate the work area fairly well.

Ergonomics

Since the introduction of DEWALT’s 20-volt line I’ve been impressed with the innovation and attention the detail that they put into their handle designs.

DEWALT has invested a lot of time, money and research into designing their tools to provide superior balance and ergonomics. These efforts can be seen in their cordless tool handles.  Finding that sweet-spot or perfectly balanced grip nirvana and that immediately noticed “ergonomic feel” helps user safety, reduces fatigue and hopefully improves accuracy.

UX Engineering

DEWALT’s engineering approach to tool design is based on tapping into the human subconscious thoughts on a tool design. The DEWALT team, trying to unlock the secrets of psychology in the details of their tool designs, wants to positively impress a person’s UX or “first impression.”

UX or User Experience is a combination of tasks focused on optimization of a product for effective and enjoyable use; User Interface Design is its compliment, the look and feel, the presentation and interactivity of a tool.

And let’s face it – you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, right?

DEWALT believes that by paying attention to the finest details like gentle sweeps, variable champers, quality coatings and logos, to mention a few, lmatte5rs! The old saying “I loved it the second I saw it, or this feels diesel” is their ultimate goal.

The DEWALT DCN650 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer has the following dimensions:

• Tool Height 13.3 in
• Tool Length 12.9 in
• Tool Width 3.7 in
• Tool Weight 5.8 lbs.

An adjustable belt hook comes attached and can be switched out for left or right attachment depending on user preference. Additionally there is a location at the bottom of the tools magazine area that features a pencil sharpener, a 16” on center spacer bar and two additional contact nose tips.

Specifications

• Belt / Rafter Hook Yes
• Depth Adjustment Tool Free
• Fastener Length 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 in
• Fastener Type / Gauge: 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nails “DA” Style
• Firing / Actuation Mode Tool Free Selectable Trigger
• Jam Clearance Tool Free
• Power Tool Type Cordless
• System 20V MAX*
• Tool Height 13.3 in
• Tool Length 12.9 in
• Tool Weight 5.8 lbs
• Tool Width 3.7 in

Includes

• DCN650 – Angled Finish Nailer
• DCB203 – 2.0Ah Battery
• DCB112 – Charger
• Kit Bag

Using the DEWALT DCN650 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer

We used the DEWALT DCN650 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer in our work shop as well as in the field on trim and pre-finished cabinetry moldings. We most recently used it on a exterior porch project to tack on pvc trim while gluing joints. We use a finish nailer to tack pvc trim in place, and then go back later to install hidden Cortex fasteners.

Overall Impression

The one thing that impresses me the most about DEWALT is that they have never taken their foot off the gas with regard to their development process. Like many high-end tool companies they are constantly evolving, involving and receiving feedback from PRO end users.

The DEWALT nailer works amazingly well, and we were impressed enough with it that we will replace our other brand nailer for this one.

Dewalt DCN650D1 Finish Nailer Video Review

1 Comment

1. William gadbois

   June 5, 2019 at 5:52 pm

   I love my dewalt tools, BUT I bought this gun and after a couple racks of nails the thing jammed up, I thought well it’s easy to fix the way the gun is made so no big deal, but as all guns that jam it just gets worse and it did, the thing kept jamming until I opened it up and not one but 2 nails , I’d had enough, returned it………

   Reply

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