Sure, you can schlep around a compressor and nailer and probably have a better-suited rig than this one cordless marvel, but the proof is in the pudding -- in this case the extreme portability, flexibility across various nail sizes, nailing power, control of punching depth and overall efficiency! Granted, it's carrying a hefty price tag, but if you're like me and NOT a regular heavy duty user of nail guns, this merits some serious consideration. I'm a handyman and I encounter all different scenarios where I need to drive in 5 to 10 nails to repair or fasten something -- OR -- where I'm installing moldings completely around the room. For me, it's a blessing! I've done lots of crown molding, baseboard molding, shelf edging, pre-hung door installations, door jamb repairs, etc. and the DeWalt has never flinched, belched, misfired or choked in operation. Battery life per charge has been excellent and I'm using straight Paslode nails in it without a problem. I'm amazed at how well this gun performs WITHOUT splitting even the smallest pieces of molding. If your wallet can stand the initial outlay and if you're not a framer or HD end user, then you should consider the 18v DeWalt cordless nailer.

BEST CORDLESS NAILER I HAVE PURCHASED YET. I HAVE JUST ABOUT EVERY CORDLESS NAILER OUT THERE. COMPARED TO THE PASLODE, THIS DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY GAS CARTRIDGES, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP YOUR WORK TO LOAD A NEW ONE. IT SHOOTS NAILS UP TO 2 1/2 INCHES.
br /THE BUMP FEATURE IS GREAT. DOESN'T JAM AS MUCH AS OTHER NAILERS I HAVE. I RECOMMEND THIS TO ALL WHO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF HOME IMPROVEMENT.

Like another reviewer, I do a lot of trim carpentry and bought this tool mainly out of laziness because I already have a good selection of pneumatic nail guns and all the other junk necessary to use them. That said, I totally do not regret buying this baby, and sometimes shake my head at how long I put off plunking down the cash for it! While I don't feel this gun would survive production level work, that isn't what it is meant for, anyway. Where it comes into its own is on small jobs and/or where setting up a compressor isn't practical or possible. If you need to put up around a hundred feet of moldings, shoe rail, etc. this thing is perfect. It'll shoot about 2 sticks of 2 1/2" nails on a single battery, perhaps 50% more if using 1 1/2" nails. The supposed advantages of angled vs. straight finish nailers totally escapes me as I have yet to encounter a molding I couldn't nail with this gun.
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br /The factors that kept it from getting 5 stars are that it is a heavy little bugger (you're a real masochist if you use it to install more than a 100 feet of crown molding), the Ni-Cd battery chemistry is getting long in the tooth, and it does jam more than any other nail gun I own. To be fair, though, my other nail guns have never jammed and this one only occasionally chokes up on porter-cable sticks; senco's seem to slide right through it with no problem while somebody else mentioned that Paslode's work well, too. The battery issue is not so much of one IF you have more than one battery and/or the charger with you, but still, I really wish DeWalt would at least upgrade the cells inside the XRP battery packs to Ni-MH; keep the tools the same, just upgrade the batteries. They have the broadest range of 18V cordless tools, except maybe Ryobi (and that ain't exactly an apples-to-apples sort of comparison, if you know what I mean), but then they saddle them down with 1980's technology Ni-Cd batteries (just like Ryobi as well... hmmm.) which totally kills the run-time and productivity of the tool.
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br /All in all, I am extremely pleased with this tool!

As a professional trim carpenter, I put my tools through the paces. I was hesitant to purchase this gun for a couple of reasons,
br / 1. It's a good bit heavier than my senco 15 gauge guns
br / 2. I did not know how it would hold up over time
br / 3. Uses 16 gauge nails, a pain having
br / to buy different types (15ga and 16ga) of
br / trim nails for different guns.
br /I'm glad I bit the bullet, this gun is a timesaver on small jobs, nothing aches a trim carpenter like having to roll out extension cords, air hoses, and a compressor, to go in and set one door that was back ordered, or nail in a piece of base or two , or a little shoe molding . It's a lot of work rolling all this out , then back up just to do 5 or 10 minutes work.
br /So the main reason I purchased this gun, was not out of necessity but out of LAZINESS.... MIGHT AS WELL BE HONEST , RIGHT!!
br /For what I bought it for , it's perfect, a REAL time saver.
br /Also, since I bought it, I have talked with two trim crews who have went to using these trim guns exclusively , just so they wouldn't have to hassle with compressors and hoses. Both crews said they have had NO problems with the guns, not even a broken driver, I was glad to hear that. In all honesty, I would rather use my pneumatics on a big job (the dewalt is heavy to use all day),but for a small job this gun is near perfect.
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br /I would highly recommend this to DIY'ers, homeowners, etc.
br /It would be a steep purchase at first, but you would not have to fool with air hoses, extension cords, or lugging around a compressor..... best of all is all the tools Dewalt offers in their 18v tool line.

I am a professional carpenter and this finish nailer is the best i have worked with. Easy to load, easy to use, easy to fix jams. Great tool, but i got mine at lowes, they have a offer on where u will get a 18v rip saw, 2 batteries, charger and a good tough carry bag with the nailer, all for $400. Better deal if u ask me.

I really have enjoyed Paslode cordless nailers, both staight trim nailers (have 2) and framing nailers (have 2) for several years. No comparsion to the trouble of a compressor and cords... Found the Dewalt 616 last week at Home Depot on clearance with drill for $239, what a deal. But using 2.5 inch Porta Cable nails on door trim (love Porta Cable circular Saws), I had multiple nails to not fully enter into the wood. Several misfires and much fustration. Bought Porta Cable nails for the price, because I was low on Paslode nails, after reading reviews, I will switch nails and give the Dewalt nailer another try. Nice design, easy to clear, and not maintenance heavy like the Paslode nailers.

I have been a carpenter for years and have never liked the Dewalt products but I must say I think I am a changed man. I bought this nailer b/c I didn't want to have to deal with gas cartridges of paslode or PC. I have only used this nailer for about a month but so far it has been great to say good bye to dealing with hoses.
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br /Each time I use this nailer I wish my crown stapler and framing nailer was cordless - I would be able to clear up about 2 feet in my truck by getting rid of the compressor.

This is a very cleverly designed tool which is ideal for those smaller "hit and run" jobs where hauling in the compressor and hose are just not worth it. This is a quality product, manufactured to the usual high Dewalt standards, so it works well for the heavier duty tasks also. Discharge rate and battery life is excellent and there are no annoying maintenance requirements such as daily oiling or gas cylinders. My only complaint is that it is a bit heavier and bigger than I would have liked (certainly compared to an equivalent air nailer), but of course the fact that its power source is "onboard" has a lot to do with that. This is a nice tool which is a truly quantum leap forward in cordless nailers. I couldn't imagine why anyone would consider buying a Paslode or a Senco over this, especially if you've already got a bunch of other DeWalt 18 volt tools. The nailer comes with the same outstanding DeWalt warranty offered with all its products, which although nice to have, I have never actually used because I have never had a problem with any of the many DeWalt tools I have used over the years. American ingenuity, convenience and quality at its best. My hat's off to those those hard working product guys at Dewalt (Black Decker). Keep it up!!

After many years of using Makita cordless tools I switched to DeWalt lines in past three years. DC616KA is one of many tools I am using for remodeling my own properties in the recent years. Bought this tool from Amazon.com On Feb 16, 06.
br /I agree with all the reviewers's positive comments regarding this tool.This tools runs with 18 volt battery is a great concept. It is as powerful as my Paslode pneumatic finish nailer.I wish DeWalt also making 18 ga. cordless nailer.
br /My nailer finally failed last week. I called DeWalt for repair. I was told to send it to my nearby service center (35 miles away in Parma, Ohio) for evaluation. I was willing to pay $150 to have it fixed. Sent it out with UPS (to save gas and time) and this tool was repaired and returned to me in 24 hours as "Warranty repair".Free of charge. Thanks, DeWalt.

If I told you all how much i paid for this gun and a 6 and half inch circ. saw and 2 batteries and charger included....well, I am cheating..but a local Lowe's couldn't sell it at 400 so they marked it down to half! (I think they made a mistake....and I got lucky.) Evidently people are scared of this tool with it's regular price as it doesn't seem to move in the tool stores i frequent. But it can produce!
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br /I love deals..but thought I'd never afford this but glad I did. Now, I would have paid more. I might even buy the 15 gauge angled version as I like this one so much.
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br /I thought it'd be heavy and slow but only had initial problems that went away. Some jamming etc, it's been a sound performer since for the 4 monthes that I've had it. It seems to hold a charge for a long time. The depth adjustment is perfect. Shorter nails sink in almost too much so need to check it. I've even nailed Ipe hardwood with this and it seems tougher than my air nailers. Only occasionally I've noticed if I nail too fast in fast mode....a little offsetting of nail heads happens requiring a couple of nail sets here and there. But i recently nailed off a whole house of pine plywood floor that was glued down...for a temp. fix for a mobile home for temp. living for a couple of years and the gun worked great. I could probably trim a whole small house with this and maybe charge it at most three times.
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br /Great for just grabbing out of the station wagon and doing quick work w/o setting up hoses and compressor. Hardly ever use the compressor for finish work anymore. Since this model is only 16 gauge I'd recommend using glue to hold serious trim work... and I do sometimes use my pinner with compressor for fine work but my 15 guage Senco's been retired until I get the other Dewalt 15 gauge angled cordless...(when the price comes down)
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It's an expensive tool but it's a good investment. It saves so much time and leave very mark on the wood. It's great for hang doors too. HD guys didn't know and tell me that the Porter Cable would be fine and jammed once a while. When I switched to the Paslode Nail, it hasn't jammed since then.