The newest Ridgid 18-gauge finish nailer is arriving at Home Depot locations around the country. Itโs touting some impressive claims surrounding Ridgidโs Clean Drive system. We all know realityย doesnโt always match the claims โ check out any political post and following comments on social media if you donโt believe me. Iโm not going to fact-check the latest Republican/Democrat/Libertarian rants for you, but I do want to know if the Ridgid R213BNF is worth bringing into the fold.
Pros
- Clean Drive system reduces misfires and jams
- Complete feature set leaves nothing behind
- Excellent value
Cons
- One of the heavier 18-gauge pneumatics
Feature Set
Clean Drive Design
Clean Drive is the headliner for the latest Ridgid 18-gauge finish nailer. The system creates a tighter path for the nail and driver blade so that it delivers more consistent drives and fewer jams. Ridgid is claiming 17 times more perfect drives.
That translates to 3,750 nails before a misfire or jam compared to just over 200 for the competition in Ridgidโs internal testing. Those are some impressive statistics.
In the real world, Iโm not about to count that many nails just to make a point. I will say that after driving hundreds of nails, Iโm still waiting for that first misfeed or jam. So far, so good.
Standard Pro Features
- Two-stage tool-free mode selection above trigger
- Oil-free motor
- Dry fire lockout
- Tool-free jam clearance access โ just pop the lever forward and lift the door
- Tool-free depth adjustment in front of trigger
- Rear-loading semi-transparent magazine
- 3 no-mar pads included
- Hex grip overmoldedย handle
- Swiveling belt hook
- Swiveling connector included
Additional Field Notes
Iโm a little concerned for the long-term durability of the magazine. The slide has some wobble to it that Iโm not crazy about. It shouldnโt be a big issue considering this is a finish nailer that wonโt (or shouldnโt) be subject to a lot of abuse and you have the Lifetime Service Agreement to back you up if you register.
Ergonomics
One of the joys of using 18-gauge nailers is how lightweight they are. Sure, youโre still connected to a hose and compressor, but you save a ton of weight over the cordless models. The Ridgid R213BNF weighs in at 3.03 pounds on our scale with the connector installed. Thatโs a little heavier than most of the popular brands. In Ridgidโs defense, they give you slightly more nail length at 2-1/8โณ.
The slight forward lean you expect is there and Ridgidโs HexGrip overmoldย leaves you with a comfortable, secure grip.
Performance
Using the Ridgid 18-gauge finish nailer is an absolute pleasure.ย Ridgidโs narrow nose design is very helpful when you want to be accurate. It also helps keep the no-mar pad size down so you still keep the accuracy when you have to avoid damage to your workpiece.
As youโre lining up shot, the narrow tip lets you see your placement easily. Rather than shooting through the tip, the nail drives just above the tip. If youโre the type of person that makes a mark, youโll be able to see it when you fire.
Power shouldnโt be an issue with a finish nailer this size, and it isnโt. Thereโs plenty of power to drive the entire range of nail length, including in denser wood. Driving depth is also very consistent.
Price and Value
At around $79 from Home Depot, the Ridgid R213BNF is a few dollars less than the previous model ($99). Compared to the entire group, itโs a mid-range price sitting squarely between the cheap guns and the premium models. From what Iโve seen so far, itโs a good value for the performance and feature set.
The Bottom Line
If youโre looking for Pro-level performance on a sub-$100 budget, Ridgid gives you a lot of bang for your buck with their updated 18-gauge finish nailer.
Ridgid 18-Gauge Finish Nailer Specifications
- Model: Ridgid R213BNF
- Power Source: Compressed air
- Operating Pressure:
- Air Consumption:
- Nail Gauge: 18
- Nail Length: 5/8โณ โ 2-1/8โณ
- Capacity: 105 nails
- Weight: 3.03 pounds
- Dimensions: 9-5/8โณ x 9-1/2โณ x 2-5/8โณ
- Price: $79
- Warranty: 3 years and Lifetime Service Agreement with registration
ย
