Ryobi took the nailer scene by storm with the introduction of the cordless AirStrike series. Even our resident carpentry expert David Delk was thoroughly impressed when he reviewed the Ryobi AirStrike Brad Nailer a while back. The technology is sound and you’re trading a compressor, hose, and standard nailer for a standalone package that weighs a little more.
So what’s new with the Ryobi P330?
First of all, it brings the nail diameter up to 15 gauge. Previously there was only an 18 gauge brad nailer, 18 gauge narrow crown stapler, and 16 gauge finish nailer. So the family is expanding into larger diameters.
Is a framing nailer in the future? Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. That’s probably more in the wheelhouse for Ridgid’s Hyperdrive Brushless Nailer line.
Ryobi has also made this the first angled nailer in the line. This is great for applications in corners, around hardware, and cabinet making along with being the general standard for 15 gauge nailers.
Ready to sell the compressor and stop tripping over hoses? Let’s dig deeper.
First Impressions
Having used the other nailers in the Ryobi AirStrike series, there weren’t many surprises. Minus the battery, the nailer weighs in at 6.8 pounds. The Ryobi’s 4.0 amp hour battery will add about 1.5 more pounds, so you’re going to notice the weight over a traditional pneumatic nailer.
Two other things I noticed – I wasn’t dragging a hose around to my work space and I could hear my wife and mom having a conversation in the next room since there was no compressor.
Other than the weight, ergonomics are pretty solid. Ryobi’s Grip Zone overmold provides an excellent gripping surface. The nailer is well balanced despite it’s bulky appearance.
The Ryobi AirStrike 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer has a typical no-mar tip and also includes a dry fire lockout to protect surfaces. You’ll find a switch to select between sequential and contact firing above the battery.
There are two adjustments to help with depth of drive. A typical thumb wheel can be found near the front of the nailer. An air pressure adjustment is on the back of the housing. I was able to dial in my nail depth using the air pressure adjustment alone. The LED is activated by your finger just below the trigger and a reversible belt clip rounds out the key features.
Ryobi AirStrike 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer Specifications
- Model: P330
- Power Source: 18V One+ Battery
- Nail Gauge: 15 gauge
- Capacity: 105 nails
- Nail Length: 1″ – 2-1/2″
- Run Time: Up to 750 nails
- Collation: Plastic strip
- Weight: 6.8 pounds
- Price: $229
- Warranty: 3 years
Performance
I finally got my hands on the material to wrap up Mom’s Christmas present, which was putting the final touches on a $20,000 kitchen remodel. The new cabinets, granite counter tops, and appliances were all in place. All that was left to do was get the window trim complete – a perfect test for the Ryobi AirStrike 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer.
We used oak casing to match the new cabinets and also installed window jamb trim to bring a more finished look to the kitchen. Unfortunately, this kitchen was an addition built some 30 years ago that was a bit below Tom Gaige standard. The larger window was slightly tilted which meant I was going to have to deal with less than perfect results.
On this project I worked exclusively in sequential actuation mode to make the most of accuracy. You’ll notice a slight delay in both modes while the motor cycles as opposed to the instant gratification you get from a traditional nailer. The inside was pretty easy – 90 degree cuts all around. Using 2″ nails, the AirStrike secured each piece in turn and handled the slight belly in the top and sides easily.
The outside casing was a different story. The slight tilt of the frame meant that I couldn’t just cut some 45’s and throw them up without making some adjustments. I was able to tighten up the look of the window by creating a perfectly rectangular outside trim and let the imperfections fall to how much jamb trim extended beyond the casing. With blinds and curtains back up, you wouldn’t notice anything unless you were looking for it.
I didn’t have any jamming or misfire issues during this project. I was also working pretty slow to try and make sure the results were as solid as my ability would allow. There was certainly power to spare should I have chosen a thicker material and longer nails to work with.
Conclusions
Technically, the Ryobi AirStrike 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer and the rest of the family are DIY tools, but I’m not completely convinced. Maybe as the Ridgid Hyperdrive line expands I’ll buy into that idea, but there just aren’t many 18V nailers in this class at the moment. If you’re giving me a choice between a little extra weight or a compressor/hose setup, give me the Ryobi. The results so far justify the change.
I’ll admit that I don’t do trim carpentry every day for a living, so those professionals that are working with a series of trim nailers all day may want to stick with the lighter weight pneumatic models while they wait for Ridgid to expand their line. For the occasional user that isn’t going to leave the tool banging around in the back of the truck, Ryobi is offering a viable option to ditch the compressor.
