Please note, this product is no longer available.
First Impressions Of The DCN690 Nailer
My first impressions of the Dewalt DCN690M2 cordless framing nailer are its size and weight. Looking at it in comparison to its competition (Paslode IM350 / Bostitch GF33PT) it looks smaller (it is shorter) and more compact.
With regards to the weight the competition is lighter but this is due to the Dewalt DCN690 having a battery supplying all its power. In all fairness though the weight isn’t an issue because the gun is well balanced and neat in the hand.
The Dewalt DCN690 has a few good features that the competition lacks. I am immediately able to see a tool free depth set which is easy and smooth to operate. There is a switch present on the side of the gun to allow you to switch between bump and sequential firing modes. This feature is on the smaller Dewalt finish nailers like the DC618 and is a superb feature which will dramatically increase productivity due to the speed it allows you to use the tool at. Neither of these features is present on the Paslode or Bostitch. There is a light system on the rear of the gun to indicate low battery and nail stall, this is on other guns but it looks good on the DCN690 and Dewalt have really paid attention to making the gun look good as well as functioning better than any other cordless framing nailer. What the other cordless nailers do not have is a stall release lever which allows you to easily clear nail stalls when the indicator light flashes. If the nail does jam there is a simple two bolt release for the magazine to clear any jammed nails.
The Dewalt DCN690 has a brushless motor which is the next generation in cordless technology. A brushless motor will be easier on the battery pack and the long term life of the tool will be improved.
The main selling feature of the gun is that it is fully battery operated and does not require any gas. The reason this is such a huge feature is because the downfall of its Paslode and Bostitch counterparts are the difficulties users have when the weather is cold. These nailers will not function in very cold and freezing weather but the Dewalt DCN690 will keep running all the way down to -15 degrees Celsius (minus 15) which means when Paslode and Bostitch users have to take a tea break or use a conventional hammer the Dewalt DCN690M2 users will still be working with ease. Another key feature of the all battery nailer is that it does not need annual servicing.
Down to the spec of the Dewalt DCN690M2
The Dewalt DCN690M2 comes complete with 2 x 18 volt battery packs with a huge 4.0Ah capacity delivering power and run time. The power the DCN690 delivers allows it to drive in up to 90mm nails but not any old 90mm nail, it will drive a
90mm ring shank nails with ease which none of the competitors can do. The Dewalt DCN690 is also available in a bare version
DCN690N if you already have batteries from other Dewalt Lithium ion tools.
My review of the Dewalt DCN690 points to one thing for me and that is that the gun will change the market. Its technology is unrivalled, its ability is unmatched and its price is reasonable. A must have tool for 2013.