The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Duplex Nailer Increases Production and Efficiency
Traditionally, in the world of concrete formwork construction, there are really only a few solutions…either you’re going the ol’ hammer and nail route, or you’re breaking out the compressor and air hoses. While these methods have worked for decades, modern technologies are stepping in to make things a little easier. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Duplex Nailer falls into a unique category of cordless nailers, but the benefits are huge when it comes to improving jobsite productivity.
Pros
- Excellent driving power
- Well-balanced
- Highly visible nose claw
- Aggressive nose claw for easy toe-nailing
- Dry-fire lockout
Cons
- Limited magazine capacity
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Duplex Nailer Performance
- Firing Rate: 4 nails per second
- Runtime: 800 nails per charge (with 5.0Ah battery)
- Magazine Angle: 21°
- Magazine Capacity: 31 nails
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Duplex Nailer aims to increase productivity and efficiency during concrete form assembly. This cordless nailer can fire up to four nails per second, outpacing traditional hammer and nail applications. Milwaukee equipped this nailer with tool-free jam clearance and depth drive adjustments to reduce potential downtime.
This nailer is exclusively compatible with Milwaukee’s collated duplex nails, and there’s a good reason for it. These nails feature a larger top and increased spacing between the nail heads so they’re easier to pry out at the end of the job. The nails are available in two sizes—8D, with 2-1/4 inches driveable depth, and 16D, with 3 inches of drivable depth.
Magazine Capacity
This nailer has a max capacity of 31 nails, which is slightly lower than most framing nailers. I can see this being a slight pain-point for fast-paced Pros, but the tradeoff is that you can ditch the air hose and compressor, for good! At the moment, there aren’t any extended magazines available, but we’re hoping to see something hit the shelves in the near future.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Duplex Nailer Design Notes
- Model: Milwaukee 2844
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
- Weight: 9.5 lbs (bare tool), 11.1 lbs (with kitted 5.0Ah battery)
- Length: 15.5 in.
Size and Weight
The Milwaukee 2844 takes on a similar profile as their M18 21-degree framing nailer (2744). It weighs in at 9.5 pounds as a bare tool, and 11.1 pounds with a 5.0Ah battery. At 15.5 inches from tip to tail, it is noticeably longer than the typical framing nailer, but this is no accident. Milwaukee intentionally moved the grip position closer to the middle of the tool body in order to offset some of the weight.
That shift in weight helps balance the weight of a fully loaded magazine with the nitrogen gas spring mechanism. In the past, this has been a pain point for cordless nailers, but I think Milwaukee really hit the nail on the head…so to speak.
Overall, I enjoy the feel of this duplex nailer. The grip is draped with a textured rubber overmold, and Milwaukee includes a large metal belt hook, as well as an oversized rafter hook. One really nice design element is the nailers flat top. It might seem insignificant, but since wooden concrete forms are typically built below waist level, the ability to balance the tool on the ground is especially helpful.
Firing Modes
If you’re familiar with Milwaukee’s other cordless nailers, then there are no surprises when looking at the control panel. There you’ll find a large power button, as well as a mode button that allow you to switch between single fire and bump-fire. There’s also a low-battery indicator and a temperature overload indicator.
Visibility
One of my main gripes with any nailer is when you simply can’t see where you’re going to drive the nail, leading to lower accuracy and mistakes. Milwaukee equipped this nailer with an aggressive nose claw that not only offers a high degree of visibility, but also allows for easy toe-nailing and reduces the chances of the tool slipping on your material.
Additional Features
- LED work light
- Compatible with all Milwaukee M18 batteries
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Duplex Nailer Price
The Milwaukee 2844 retails for $549 as a bare tool, and $649 as a kit that includes a 5.0Ah battery, charger, and storage bag. As far as kit prices go, that’s a pretty good deal, all things considered. Both options come with a 2-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
Right off the bat, it’s not difficult to see the appeal of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless duplex nailer. Aside from the obvious convenience, you also benefit from reducing the overall shock to supports, bracing, and frames caused by hammering duplex nails by hand. Ditching the compressor and air hoses is just icing on the proverbial cake. While there is some room for improvement on the magazine capacity, I must tip my cap to Milwaukee’s team for their excellent design.
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