Metabo HPT Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer Review

Metabo HPT 18V Coil Roofing Nailer

Metabo HPT Breaks Another Barrier with its 18V Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer

Metabo HPT has been a dominant player in the pneumatic nailer world for years, and its ventures in the cordless realm have been impressively successful. They had one of the first legit cordless framing nailers, brought the first cordless duplex nailer to market, and made the first cordless metal connector nailer that genuinely impressed us. Today, I’m taking a close look at another barrier-breaking tool—the Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer. Does it deserve a spot on your trailer? Let’s find out!

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Robust design
  • Includes vinyl siding guard
  • Easy-load magazine
  • Confident driving power
  • Compatible with all Metabo HPT 18V and MultiVolt batteries

Cons

  • A little heavier than comparable cordless models
  • Premium price tag

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer Performance

Metabo HPT Coil Roofing Nailer
  • Firing Rate: 3 nails per second
  • Nail Range: 7/8 – 1 3/4 in.
  • Magazine Capacity: 120 nails
  • Runtime: 500 nails per charge (with kitted 18V 2.0Ah battery)
  • Fastener Format: Coil

Firing Options

Firing Control Panel

The Metabo HPT NV18DBSM features sequential and bump-fire modes with a top firing speed of 3 nails per second. For seasoned roofers on install jobs, it might lag behind the pace you’re used to working slightly. However, for smaller roofing jobs, quick repairs, or vinyl siding installations, it keeps up well.

Switching between modes is straightforward—a solid blue light indicates single-fire mode, while a blinking blue light means you’re in bump-fire mode. This makes it easy to adapt to different nailing tasks without any tricky trigger adjustments or swaps.

There’s also a lockout switch that prevents accidental firing.

Nail Length Adjustment

This nailer accommodates nail sizes from 7/8 inches to 1-3/4 inches, making it versatile for various roofing and siding applications.

Adjusting for nail length is simple. Just rotate the spool guide counterclockwise until the depth matches your nail length, then turn it clockwise to lock it in place. This ensures proper alignment and smooth feeding into the firing chamber.

Nailing Power

During our testing, this nailer displayed some really impressive power. It easily drove 1 1/2-inch nails flush while securing shingles, but we wanted to kick things up a notch. We pulled out our “roofing sandwich” which consists of a solid 2×10 yellow pine base, felt paper, sheet metal, and is topped with standard roofing shingles.

This nailer consistently sank the same nails into our board without hesitation. While this isn’t an exact roofing simulation, it does prove that you won’t have any issues seating nails into a roofing truss during your project. Additionally, it was able to complete this task in single-fire and bump-fire modes!

Vinyl Siding Attachment

Vinyl Siding Attachment

The included vinyl siding adapter is a handy addition, snapping easily onto the tip of the nailer.

This accessory prevents overdriving nails and ensures the proper spacing needed to allow the vinyl siding to expand and contract with temperature changes.

However, the tool lacks onboard storage for the adapter, so be sure to keep it in a safe place.

Clearing Jams

While we didn’t experience any jams during our testing, it’s bound to happen sooner or later. Luckily, the firing chamber is easily accessible through the upper magazine door. Simply lift the door and remove the blockage. This process is tool-free and only takes a few seconds, letting you avoid excessive downtime on the job.

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer Design Notes

Metabo HPT Coil Roofing Nailer Profile
  • Model: Metabo HPT NV18DBSM
  • Power Source: Metabo HPT MultiVolt Battery
  • Weight: 8.7 lbs (bare tool), 9.6 lbs (with kitted 2.0Ah battery)

Size and Weight

The nailer itself feels balanced, but it is pretty heavy. Bare, it weighs 8.7 pounds and 9.6 pounds with the kitted 2.0Ah battery.

It has a solid build, and the rubberized overmolded grip and key contact points ensure comfort and prevent surface marring when you set the tool down.

Magazine Door

Two-piece magazine door

The two-piece magazine door is made of plastic to reduce weight, as well as some sturdy steel components to increase overall durability. Using plastic on a roofing nailer magazine is something we see on pneumatic models as well, so it’s not something we’re particularly worried about.

This system makes it easy to load in nails, and the positive locking mechanism ensures the door won’t flop open while you’re working.

Tool-Free Depth Adjustment

Depth adjustment wheel

A thumbwheel depth adjustment on the top front of the tool allows for quick and precise changes to nail depth, ensuring flush nailing without over-penetration. This feature is particularly useful for achieving clean results on delicate materials like vinyl siding.

As you turn the wheel, you’ll feel positive detents along the way, which help keep the depth consistent.

Additional Features

  • Two-position belt hook
  • Compatible with all Metabo HPT 18V and MultiVolt batteries

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer Price

The Metabo HPT NV18DBSM cordless roofing nailer kit is available for $429. This price includes the tool, battery, charger, bag, safety glasses, and vinyl siding adapter, offering good value for the features and portability provided.

The tool also comes with a lifetime warranty, and the battery includes a two-year warranty, ensuring long-term reliability and peace of mind.

The Bottom Line

The Metabo HPT MultiVolt Coil Roofing Nailer offers a compelling option for those needing a cordless solution for smaller roofing and siding tasks. Its robust design, ease of use, and compatibility with Metabo HPT’s battery platforms make it a versatile addition to any toolbox. While its firing rate, size, and weight make it a tough sell as a replacement for pneumatic tools on large-scale jobs, its performance and convenience shine in repair and maintenance scenarios. When it’s the right tool for the job, it’s awfully nice to ditch the hose and compressor, and the setup that goes along with them!

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