Tool Box Buzz

Ridgid 18V Cordless 16GA Straight Finish Nailer – Model R09893B

Ridgid 18V Cordless 16GA Straight Finish Nailer

4/5

Manufacturer: RIDGID
Model number: R09893B
Price: $269.00
Power source: 18V
Weight: 5.6Lbs

The finish nailer is a vital tool for any carpenter’s toolbox. A finish nailer is especially beneficial for installing baseboards, hardwood flooring, cabinet trim, door and window casings, chair railing, crown molding, and any trim that requires larger finish nails. For smaller more delicate applications users would lean towards a brad nailer or pin nailer to not damage trim pieces with blowouts and splitting.

In quarter 1 of 2024, Ridgid released their second generation cordless straight finish nailer, the R09893. This finish nailer is sold as a bare tool or in a kit with a 2.0 Ah battery. It should be noted that for this review, Ridgid sent us the R09893B finish nailer with a larger 4.0 Ah battery to test which is currently not available in any kit combination.

Ridgid R09893B Specifications

• 16ga straight finish nails between 1-1/4″ – 2-1/2″
• LED Light
• 1,700 nails per 4.0 Ah Battery
• Tool-free depth of drive adjustment dial
• Single Fire or Sequential Mode
• Tool-free jam release
• Dry-fire lockout

Setting the Power

The Ridgid R09893B has a unique feature that allows the user to control the power delivered when the nail is fired. This feature would function similarly to regulating the pressure on a compressor. The amount of power required will depend on the size of the nail and the workpiece material. This is especially useful for driving fasteners into soft materials like MDF or pine to prevent blowouts or splits in softer wood trim. This feature can be utilized in conjunction with the nailer’s nose-mounted depth of drive adjustment.

Power Test on Pine

We tested the power function using 2″ 16 ga straight finish nails on both pine and poplar. We wanted to see if we could find the “sweet spot” between the power setting and depth of drive. During the pine test, we started on max power and max depth of drive and noticed that the nails sank too deep. We turned the power down to the lowest setting and kept the depth of drive to the deepest and noticed the first couple of nails did not set at all.  We were able to achieve our “sweet spot” with both the Power and the Depth of Drive set in the middle.

Power Test on Poplar

Poplar is a hardwood that remodeling contractors find themselves using quite a bit. We conducted the same type of test as we did on the pine wood. Starting at half the power and max depth of drive the nails sat flush with the wood. We got the same results when we upped the power to full and the depth of drive to half. With max power and max depth of drive, we were able to fire several nails that sank just below the surface. We also did a rapid bump fire test with 2″ nails, shooting 20 in a row with perfect depth.

Depth of Drive Adjustment

The depth of drive has 26 depth settings between the shallowest setting and max depth. The knob is knurled and easily located at the top right side of the nailer but is smaller than other finish nailers we have used.

The results of the depth of nails fired were consistent. Once we located the sweet spot for both the air power and depth of drive our nails set to the correct depth. We feel that the depth of drive adjustments was cumbersome while wearing gloves due to it being recessed lower than the housing next to it, making it harder to turn.

Ridgid R09893B | Compact Size

Ridgid has made impressive cuts in size and weight without sacrificing power or functionality. In comparison to the previous model R09892B, the newer R09893B is 10% more compact.

Ridgid R09893B vs. R09892B

12.20″  High    |    12.40″ High
13.10″ Wide    |    14.12″ Wide
3.90″ Deep      |    5.11″ Deep

The new Ridgid R09893 is 15% lighter than the previous model R09892.  The new model weighs 5.60 lbs versus the older model’s 6.60 lbs weight. When paired with the 4 Ah battery the nailer is still heavier than a pneumatic nailer. We feel that this is the price to pay when going cordless.

The nailer has a small nose with a no-mar tip which is great for user visibility. The R0989B comes with onboard storage for an extra no-mar tip that is located on the magazine of the tool. We thought the extra no-mar pad might become loose or lost during use or transportation but found it secure and still in place after a month of using the nailer.

Tool Free Jamb Release

Jambs can happen for a majority of reasons. Clearing the jamb from the nailer is simple to accomplish.  After removing the battery and releasing the strip of nails in the magazine, the Ridgid R09893B has a quick-release latch at the top of the nailer. „ Pull up on the latch and open the jam release. Remove the bent finish nail, close and secure the latch, install the nails, and resume fastening. If a nail or fastener becomes jammed in the tool, remove the battery pack and keep the tool pointed away from you while clearing the jam.

Loading the Nails

The Ridgid R09893B has its nails fed into the magazine from the bottom. After sliding the nail strip in and far enough up, slide the pusher to the rear of the magazine. Release the pusher and allow it to push the nails up to the top of the magazine.  The pusher will stop when it rests against the end of the nail strip.

The crew likes that the Ridgid R09893B has an open design magazine. It allows the operator to easily see the amount of nails remaining. The R09893B has a dry fire lockout feature. When the magazine has 6 nails remaining, the dry-fire lockout feature will not allow the user to continue to fire until the nails are reloaded. The LED light will flash when the dry fire lockout feature is engaged.

Ridgid R09893B | LED Light

The Ridigid R09893 has a bright LED light at the tip of the nailer and provides good work area coverage. There is a switch on the grip of the nailer that allows the user to turn on the LED without the need to press the firing trigger.

The small nose and LED light to provide a great line of site and nails hit exactly where they need to”

Nailer Firing Modes

This finish nailer has a single sequential actuation mode and contact actuation mode. Single sequential actuation mode provides the most accurate finish nail placement.  Contact actuation allows very fast repetitive fastener placement which typically is not necessary in finish carpentry.

Kitted or Bare Tool Options

The Ridgid R09893B is a bare tool option that comes only with two no-mar tips and a user guide and sells for $269.00. The kitted version is model R09893K which includes the 18V Brushless 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer, (2) No-Mar Tips, (1) R87002 2.0Ah Battery, (1) R86093 Charger, and Operator’s Manual. The kitted version sells for $319.00 exclusively at the Home Depot.

Conclusion

Do not forget their Lifetime Service Agreement which offers free parts and service for life. For Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement details click here: Ridgid Life-Time Service Agreement

#HomeDepotPartner

#MyHomeDepot

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.