Ryobi cordless pin nailer – it’s probably the easiest to make from a power standpoint, yet a class that isn’t widespread in the cordless sector. But for woodworkers and carpenters securing more delicate pieces, it’s a must-have tool. The Ryobi P318 enters the race as part of the AirStrike system of cordless nailers. It moves in to finish off a pretty comprehensive group that also includes a 15-gauge finish, 16-gauge finish, 18-gauge nailer, and a narrow crown stapler.
Ryobi 18V 23-Gauge Pin Nailer Noteworthy Features
Size and Weight
You expect pin nailers to be lightweight since they’re among the smallest you use. The Ryobi cordless pin nailer is definitely the smallest in the Airstrike line. But at more than 5 pounds with a battery (4.0 AH), you’ll still notice a pretty significant weight increase over your pneumatic models.
Trigger Safety
Because you don’t have a nose to depress as a safety feature, there’s a double action trigger you need to work. Use your middle finger to slide the safety down and pull the trigger. Just be careful – the design gives you the ability to fire a nail when you’re not pushing against material. You’re looking at sequential fire only – not surprising in this class of nailers.
Dry Fire Lockout
Dry fire lockout will prevent the trigger from activating the driver blade when you don’t have any nails in the magazine. A mechanism in the magazine itself acts as a block. However, if you try to fire with the magazine open, that block isn’t there and the nailer the Ryobi P318 will fire.
Ryobi Cordless Pin Nailer Magazine
The magazine is simple to operate. A plastic button at the base releases the cover so you can slide in up to 120 pin nails. Then just push it shut. I like that, aside from the release button, the Ryobi cordless pin nailer uses a metal magazine.
You get a non-marring edge guide to help keep your nails at a consistent distance away from your material edge.
Jam Clearance
If you happen to get a jam, you will need the onboard hex wrench to access it. There’s no tool-free option on this model.
Belt Hook
The Ryobi P318 features a belt hook that you can connect to either side of the tool. But even if you don’t want to attach it to your waistband or tool belt, it will stand up just fine on its own with any of your Ryobi batteries.
Key Features
- Up to 3500 pin nails per charge with a P108 battery
- Drives 1/2″ to 1-3/8″ pin nails
- Double-action trigger design for sequential driving
- Includes edge guide for consistent placement of pin nails
- LED for optimal vision
- 2 non-marring pads to keep work surface free of tool marks
- Dry-fire lockout feature extends tool life
- GripZone overmold for added comfort
- Part of the Ryobi One+ family of over 100 tools
Ryobi P318 Pin Nailer Performance
Ryobi is among the first manufacturers to produce a cordless line of finish nailers. One of the issues the industry has been pushing to solve is the firing delay after you pull the trigger. There’s still a delay with the Ryobi cordless pin nailer – roughly 1/2 a second. It’s not bad and I don’t find that it negatively affects my ability to work efficiently and accurately.
When it comes to power, that really shouldn’t be an issue with a 23-gauge cordless nailer. And it isn’t. There’s not even a depth of drive adjustment to concern yourself with. Each of the nails I fired drove without an issue. With 3500 nails per charge, you’re unlikely to outwork the battery, even if you drop to a compact pack to save weight.
The weight is probably the biggest talking point as you move from a pneumatic to a cordless model. But this isn’t a “work all day installing trim” kind of tool. It’s a woodworker’s tool that is more sparingly used throughout the project. In that regard, I don’t think the weight makes as much of an impact as it does with other finish nailers.
The Bottom Line
The Ryobi cordless pin nailer is an effective tool for more delicate work that needs to be held in place while glue dries. While it’s heavier than pneumatic models, it’s not a tool you’ll be working overhead with all day, so I don’t find it to be a detriment.
The important thing is that it delivers pin nails with the consistency that you need – even though you still have a slight firing delay when you pull the trigger.
$169 put the Ryobi P318 in the range of many name-brand pneumatic pin nailers, but more expensive than the bargain brands. If you’re already on Ryobi’s One+ 18V battery platform, it’s a good addition for woodworkers and carpenters. If you’re not, keep in mind that one battery pack opens up a comprehensive line of cordless finish nailers.
Ryobi Cordless Pin Nailer Specifications
- Model: Ryobi P318
- Power Source: Ryobi One+ 18V Battery
- Gauge: 23 Ga
- Fastener Range: 1/2″ to 1-3/8″
- Weight: 3.9 lbs (bare), 5.5 lbs (with 4.0 AH battery)
- Price: $169
- Warranty: 3 years
