Nailers are a growing class within the cordless tool sector. Starting on the finish side, theyโre branching out into framing and flooring with some whispers about cordless roofing nailers coming. Some of the first 12V models are showing up as well. But what hasnโt been as big of a push is the cordless pin nailer. With a 23-gauge fastener, it doesnโt take a ton of power, yet it still seems somewhat neglected. Woodworkers have a few options now and today, weโre looking closer at the Makita XTP02 Cordless Pin Nailer.
Makita has a couple of cordless pin nailers available. The Makita XTP02 is what we have in hand and runs on the 18V LXT platform that has a huge number of tools in its lineup. Thereโs also a 12V model available if the CXTย line is more appealing to you.
Makita XTP02 Pinner Noteworthy Features
- Dry Fire Lockout โ Prevents the driver blade from firing when thereโs no nail to protect the work surface and tool.
- Depth Adjustment โ Tool-free thumb wheel on the right side is easy to reach and operate.
- Contact Actuation โ The only firing mode you have is single contact actuation. Considering the use of a pin nailer, thereโs really no need for a bump fire mode.
- LED Work Light โ The left-side LED helps, but its positioning means the magazine blocks from getting light to the tip for the most accurate nailing.
- No-Marย Tips โ Two no-mar tips comes with the Makita Cordless Pin Nailer: one pre-installed and the other stored at the magazine base.
- Belt Hook โ A standard belt hook comes with the Makita XTP02 pin nailer and can be installed on either side. While not every woodworker will need it, those that do would sorely miss it if the hook werenโt there.
- Narrow Nose Design โ The narrow nose and tip design make it easy to be accurate within a 1/4โณ of your target without trying hard.
- Battery Indicator โ For those slightly older Makita batteries that donโt have an indicator on them, you can check your charge level on the tool. Pressing the nailer tip against any material will light it up.
Makita Cordless Pin Nailer Missing Features
Thereโs really one thing missing from the Makita Cordless Pin Nailer: tool-free jam clearance. Time will tell how often we really need to get in there. Chances are pretty good that itโs not going to be much of an issue.
Ergonomics
Makitaโs typically solid ergonomics are in play. The handle and trigger design are comfortable to use and the balance is spot on for nailing downward or from the side.
Weight is always an issue with cordless nailers compared to their pneumatic counterparts and the Makita Cordless Pin Nailer is no exception. As a bare tool, it weighs in at 3 pounds, 10 ounces on our scale. For a power tool, thatโs pretty light.ย Itโs among the lightest cordless nailers available โ as it should be considering it only needs to drive 23-gauge nails. While youโll definitely notice the weight difference moving over from pneumatics, the convenience of no hose or compressor is a trade-off Iโm more than happy to make this time around.
Makita XTP02 Pin Nailer Performance
Iโm waiting for some impressions on the performance of this Makita XTP02 nailer from one of our Pro carpenters. However, I took some time to gather a few impressions of my own before I sent it out. The most frequent question we get about cordless nailers surrounds firing delay when you pull the trigger. There is a slight delay on the Makita XPT02. Itโs not so slow that it comes across as sluggish and doesnโt prevent you from quickly firing a series of nails.
But again, consider the use of a pin nailer. Youโre not trying to fire as fast as a framer, so the speed you can fire is much greater than youโll need and that slight delay is less than we see in some of the other nailers out there. From where I sit, itโs just not that big of a deal. Weโll see if our carpenter agrees.
Other than that, thereโs little to no recoil and I havenโt had any firing issues with this first limited series of tests. So far, it looks like another notch in the win column for Makita. One of the complaints many users had with the previous model is leaving nails proud in hardwoods โ thatโs one of the things Iโm asking our carpenter to specifically address.
Price
On the pneumatic side of things, you can expect to snag a pretty nice pin nailer in the 1-3/8โณ class for less than $100. Makita comes in at $219, but you can only get it as a bare tool. For the major competition on the cordless side, the $169 Ryobi P318 pin nailer comes in cheaper while Hitachi will run you a little bit more. So for a Pro model, this settles in nicely, especially if youโre already on the Makita 18V platform.
Have you used the Makita Cordless Pin Nailer? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
Makita Cordless Pin Nailer Manufacturerโs Key Features
- Refined firing mechanism reduces recoil; reduces the force required on the work surface when driving pins
- Drives 6 different lengths of 23 gauge pins (5/8โณ, 11/16โณ, 3/4โณ, 1โณ, 1-3/16โณ and 1-3/8โณ); magazine capacity up to 120 pins
- Anti-dry fire mechanism engineered to prevent driving blanks and damage to the work surface
- โTool-lessโ depth adjustment for precise flush and countersink finish
- Cordless for increased convenience; eliminates the need for a compressor and air hose
- Contact trigger for improved accuracy and precision
- Trigger lock button for operator convenience
- Built-in L.E.D. light illuminates the work area
- Ergonomically designed handle with rubberized soft grip provides increased comfort
- Rubber bumpers protect the tool and surface from damage
- Reversible tool hook allows the tool to remain close
- Narrow nose design allows easy nailing access in confined areas
- 3-stage L.E.D. gauge indicates battery charge level
- Compact and ergonomic design at only 10-1/8โณ long
- Weighs only 4.9 lbs. with battery (battery not included) for reduced operator fatigue
Makita Cordless Pin Nailer Specifications
- Model: Makita XTP02Z
- Power Source: Makita 18V LXT battery
- Nail Size: 23-gauge
- Nail Length: 5/8โณ โ 1-3/8โณ
- Capacity: 120 nails
- Weight: 3 lbs., 10 oz. (bare)
- Price: $219 (bare tool)
- Warranty: 3 years
