The Ridgid 18V 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer Delivers Precision and Power
Those who do a lot of woodwork know how important it is to have a reliable angled finish nailer in their arsenals. Whether you’re building cabinets or installing trim and molding, you’re dealing with tight spaces and corners. That said, if you’re in the market for a new one, the Ridgid 18V 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer (R09899) may have what you’re looking for.
To help you decide, let’s explore what this cordless model has to offer in performance and design features.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Confident driving capabilities
- Narrow nose design for increased visibility
- Fast rate of fire
- Dry-fire lockout
- Zero ramp-up time
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Ridgid 18V 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer Performance
- Nail Type: 34° 15-gauge finish nails
- Firing Rate: 3 nails per second
- Nail Length: 1 1/4 in. – 2 1/2 in.
- Magazine Capacity: 114 nails
- Firing Modes: Single fire, bump fire
- Runtime: 700 nails per charge (2.0Ah battery)
Firing Power
Starting with this tool’s power plant, the Ridgid R09899 utilizes a brushless motor that is capable of firing up to three nails per second with zero ramp-up time. In total, you can expect around 700 nails per charge with the kitted 2.0Ah Max Output battery, but if you need a little more runtime, you can always step up to a larger 18V battery. This nailer can handle nails ranging from 1-1/4 inches up to 2-1/2 inches, allowing you to tackle a wide range of applications.
Part of my testing process for nailers is to fire them into an LVL beam, as well as our Oak test block, to see if they can successfully drive a fastener in denser material. The Ridgid R09899 passed with flying colors and fully sank several 2 1/2-inch nails into both materials. For me, this success is a huge testament to the power of this tool and inspires a lot of confidence in its abilities.
Clean Drive System
Of course, Ridgid was going for more than speed and runtime. There’s also the matter of quality and precision. In this case, the R09899 utilizes their Clean Drive technology and a narrow nose design.
The goal is to drive nails flush at any angle, eliminate MDF trim blowouts, reduce jams, and minimize blade marks on the work surface. It’s tighter, more precise drive track greatly reduces the number of jams and misfires you get over time.
Jam Clearing
No nailer is perfect, and even the Ridgid 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer with Clean Drive eventually will. When that happens, the access door on top is easy to open by flipping the latch release forward. For added safety, be sure to remove the battery and nails first, just in case.
Firing Modes
As you would expect, this nailer has a selectable mode switch that allows for either contact actuation or single sequential driving. You’re not likely to bump fire at a crazy rate with a finish nailer, but I was able to consistently drive 2 1/2-inch nails at roughly a 1/2-second interval without an issue. It’s possible to shoot faster than that, but it’s tough to get good results no matter what nailer you’re using.
Ridgid 18V 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer Design
- Model: Ridgid R09899
- Power Source: Ridgid 18V battery
- Weight: 6.1 lbs (bare tool), 7.1 lbs (with kitted 2.0Ah battery)
- Length: 13.25 in.
Size and Weight
According to Ridgid, this is the industry’s lightest cordless 15-gauge angled finish nailer, and at 6.1 pounds as a bare tool, I’d say they’re definitely in the running. Even with the kitted 2.0Ah battery, the total weight only jumps to 7.1 pounds. For a cordless nailer, that’s not bad at all!
From tip to tail, it measures 13.25 inches, and thanks to the 34-degree magazine, working in close quarters is a breeze. Additionally, Ridgid draped the grip with a textured rubber overmold to increase comfort and grip security.
Ergonomics
The overall feel of this cordless nailer is really quite pleasant. It’s well-balanced and doesn’t feel too top or bottom heavy. Admittedly, there is a slight forward lean, but that’s to be expected with most nailers in this class.
Drive Depth Adjustment
The tool-free depth adjustment is a pretty standard thumb-wheel style. This isn’t anything new to the world of nailers, but it’s a welcomed feature!
Additional Features
- LED work light
- Dry-fire lockout
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
Ridgid 18V 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer Price
The R09899 is available at The Home Depot and retails for $359 as a kit (R09899K) that comes with the tool, a 2.0Ah battery, and a charger. You can also buy it as a bare tool for $299 (R09899B). Ridgid backs it with their Lifetime Service Agreement when registered within 90-days of purchase.
The Bottom Line
The big deal here is that Ridgid was able to successfully transition away from traditional pneumatic power sources and still maintain quality results. The Ridgid R09899 15-gauge finish nailer displayed confident driving power in both hard and soft woods, and its lightweight design was a welcomed bonus. Based on my experience, this is a full-featured Pro-grade tool that I would easily recommend to anyone who’s ready to ditch the air hose and compressor.
