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Metabo HPT MultiVolt 18-Guage Brad Nailer NT1850DF Review

Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer NT1850DF

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: NT1850DF
Price: 3.49.00
Power source: 18V MultiVolt
Motor size: Brushless
Weight: 4.4 lbs

The Metabo HPT Brad Nailer is equipped with brushless motor technology and powered by a Compact 3.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery. It weighs 4.4lbs [bare tool] and is equipped with an Air Spring Drive System that uses compressed air in a sealed cylinder to fire the nail.

Air Spring Drive System

The unit is filled at the factory to specified PSI with the piston in the lowered position. Once the tool is turned on, the brushless motor drives the piston so that it compresses the air into the cylinder.

When the trigger is actuated, compressed air is released, driving the piston down, resulting in the firing pin striking the nail at the same force as a pneumatic. Utilizing this sealed compressed results in zero ramp-up time. The cool thing is that the nailer is always “at-the-ready.”  Meaning when you fire the nailer, the fastener is installed with zero lag, and the piston is immediately reset.

Run-time and Capacity

The Metabo HPT brad nailer is capable of driving up to 1,650 brads per charge. The tools straight magazine holds 100 brads. This cordless brad nailer drives 5/8″ to 2″ brad nails and can fire at a 3 brad per second rate. There is a yellow reload indicator on the magazine for easy visual recognition of low nail quantities to avoid dry firing.

Note -= The tool will NOT lockout when empty, something I wish Metabo HPT had considered adding.

Metabo HPT Specifications

• Fasteners -18-Gauge, Straight Brad Nails
• Nail Length – 5/8″ – 2″
• Magazine Capacity – 100
• Magazine Type – Side Loading
• Battery Type – 18V or Multi-Volt battery [up to 8.0 Ah battery]
• Battery Amp Hour – Compact 3.0Ah
• Belt Hook – Variable Position
• Jam Release – Tool-less
• Depth of Drive – Tool-less
• Motor Type – Brushless
• Driving Speed – 3 Nails/Sec
• Nails per Charge – Up to 1,650
• Selective Firing Mode- Sequential/Bump
• Battery Charge Indicator – Yes
• LED Light – Yes
• Weight – 4.4 lbs. [bare tool]

Metabo HPT Brad Nailer Features

The Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt 18-gauge brad nailer. features a low battery indicator, selective actuation, tool-less jam release, tool-less depth of drive, variable position belt hook, safety switch, and LED light. Selective actuation switch transitions between sequential mode and bump fire mode. We liked the quick-clear nose with tool-less jam release for easy maintenance and reduced downtime. We installed approximately 1000 fasteners and did not encounter a single jamb when testing this nailer.

LED Light

The Metabo HPT has a bright spotlight that shines ONLY on the right side of the tool and completely misses the tool’s contact tip. The result is the work surface to the right side of the tool is illuminated but not the working tip of the tool.

Depth of Drive

Metabo HPT improved the depth of drive knob and attachment over the previous model.  The older model had a knob that if turned too many times would become disconnected. the newer model has a clip on the end to prevent this from happening – well done Metabo HPT.

Overall setting the depth of drive is easy, and very responsive. I was able to get noticeable results with quarter turns on the knob.

Power and Performance

We were able to successfully install brads in Oak, Mahogany, Pine, and Plywood boards with ease. We used the Metabo HPT brad nailer to install smaller trim parts as well as install tongue and groove beadboard.

Toe-Nailing

The Metabo HPT tip once depressed, was very accurate in brad placement in the tongue and groove nailing. It was powerful enough to toenail into ALL of the materials we tested.

Contact Tip

The Metabo HPT contact tip will not fire if you press down, and back off the surface a bit, to readjust the nailer. To fire a brad nail you need to fully back off the contact tip to reset the safety and then depress to engage the brad nailer. This can be a pain when trying to dial in your brad placement, and you find yourself moving the nailer around, to get into that “sweet-spot” nailing position.

Line Of Sight

The line of sight on this nailer is good, the nailer has an arrow on its contact tip, indicating where the brad nail is coming from, and once identified, we were easily able to achieve perfect accuracy.

Trigger-Lock Switch

The Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt 18-gauge brad nailer. has a hard-to-operate trigger “slide-lock.” The button is too small and difficult to access, I just don’t see people using it when you can simply take out the battery.

Improvements

Metabo HPT took our advice on reducing the size/weight of this nailer, as well as, improving the depth of drive knob attachment.  The only thing I see now that could be improved is to remove the trigger lock, add a dry fire lockout and relocate and improve the LED light.

Price

The Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Brad Nailer NT1850DF sells as a kit for $349.00, which includes the tool, charger, [1] 3.o Ah battery, and a tool bag.

Final Thoughts on the Metabo HPT Brad Nailer

The Metabo HPT brad nailer is new and improved with its reduced size and weight. It’s a solid nailer with impressive fastener penetration power and good accuracy. It has zero ramp-up time between fasteners allowing you can install brads smoothly and efficiently

Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer NT1850DF Video Review

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