In this blog, I will explain why I decided to pick up the DeWALT 18V XR Brushless Concrete Nailer (DCN890), and share my initial experience of how I used it on a real world job.
If you are running a carpentry or fit-out crew, you know the absolute headache of traditional gas-powered fastening systems. We have all been there: you don’t know when a fuel cell is running low until your nail gun abruptly stops firing. The battery isn’t flat, so a empty gas cell is almost always the culprit. If you are lucky enough to have a spare cell in the truck, it’s a quick fix—otherwise, your entire job gets delayed while someone runs to the supplier.
In this blog, I will explain more why I chose DeWalt XR concrete nailer.
Why I chose a Fully Cordless Battery Concrete Nailer
I needed a concrete nailer for a new framing project that was due to start in September 2026. I compared the options available at Bunnings, Sydney Tools, and TKD before finally deciding to buy the DeWalt XR Concrete Nailer from TKD.
Lowest Price
When I entered TKD shop beside Newcastle’s city, the DeWalt XR concrete nailer’s price attracted me. The skin gun price is only $1049, which is nearly half the price of a new Ramset TrackFast 65. And TKD also had an attractive online bonus redemption at that moment, including: 10 nails + 1x 5AH battery + 1x charger.
Fully Cordless Battery System
I had been using a Ramset Trackfast TF1200 for nearly ten years. The battery had reached the end of its life, and I unexpectedly lost the gun in last year.
The major inconvenience with gas-powered nailer is having to deal with either a flat battery or an empty gas cell, which can be a bit of a hassle during work. You never know when the fuel cell is running low until the tool suddenly stops firing. If your battery is fully charged, a flat gas cell is almost always the reason. And sometimes, you’re not lucky enough to have a spare on hand, your entire job gets delayed while you run to the store. Switching to a battery-only system to eliminates this headache, this is what I am thinking.
The ongoing costs on gas cells is actually another I am not comfortable.
DeWalt XR concrete nailer is fully charged by codeless battery, nothing to worry about empty gas cell and the on-going cost on new gas cell anymore.
Ideal for Project-Specific Applications
I made decision very quickly and bought this concrete nail gun. I know I am not the guys who build steel track and stud partitions wall in every day. We only need a concrete nailer to build steel wall partitions or suspended ceiling projects, which might only happen couple times in one year. That is why a battery-powered tool is perfect — there are no gas cells to expire while it sits in the truck.
Consecitive Nailing
Once I held the nailer in my hand and started fastening steel track, I found it is a bit heavier than my before TrackFast, and it can not nailed as consecutively as one gas-powered concrete nailer. Sometimes, when I press the gun, and I have to wait for a ramp-up time. We can hear the brushless motor rev up for a brief moment to spin a heavy internal wheel to max speed before I can fire.
In order to improve the standard sequential mode (single arrow icon, see following photo), DCN890 concrete nailer has a RapidCycle mode (double right arrow icon), the motor rotation speed is automatically restored after driving a pin to allow fast consecutive nailing. While offering the ability to drive more pins in less time, this mode quickly depletes the battery charge.
You can watch one short video I used the DeWalt DCN890 concrete nailer to fasten steel tracks to a steel-clad concrete slab. We can see, sometimes I have to wait until the gun ramp-up before it can fire again.
A New Battery with an Old Case
Before the redeemed battery delivered, I borrow one old 12V battery from my workmate, and the battery can be stored inside the new concrete nailer’s case. There are two battery compartments for storing the batteries in the case.
While when I received the new redeemed 5.0Ah 18 volt lithium ion battery, I found this new battery is bigger than old ones and is harder to be fit in the battery compartments (see following photo).
Wider Range Pin and Flexible Speeding Switch
It’s really a surprise to see Dewalt XR DCN890 concrete nailer has a nail range of 13mm to 57mm and can drive into both steel and concrete. What mostly I used the pin with my before Ramset Trackfast TF1200 was 16mm (for steel surface) and 19mm (for concrete surface). I definitely will try the different longer-size pins in future jobs.
Dewalt DCN890 is equipped with a speed selection switch to adjust the tool when driving into different materials.
- Speed 1: Softer materials (low strength concrete/cinder block)
- Speed 2: Medium hardness materials (high-strength concrete)
- Speed 3: Hard materials (Structural steel)
In the event that pins are not driving to depth in speed 1, we can try to switch to speed 2 or 3 for additional driving power.
Notice: Driving pins into soft materials at high speed settings will cause excessive wear to your tool and may result in early failures.
| Speed Setting | Application | Typical Pin Length |
| 1 | Fastening Steel/Wood to Low Strength Concrete/Masonry (<27.5 MPa) | 19- 25 mm |
| 2 | Fastening Steel/Wood to High Strength Concrete (>27.5 MPa) | 19- 29 mm |
| 3 | Fastening to structural steel; 50 mm x 100 mm Wood to Concrete | 13- 57 mm |
WARNING: Pins must be driven straight into the material. Do not tilt the nailer while driving fasteners.
I tried all three speed settings on a very hard stone surface, but the pins still couldn’t penetrate the surface and ended up bending. While it was becoming better when I use the magazine support leg to help prevent the pins from bending.
Using the Trigger Lock-off All Times
To reduce the risk of unexpected serious personal injury, keep the trigger lock-off switch LOCKED when the tool is not in use.
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, lock off the trigger, disconnect the battery pack from the tool, and remove pins from the magazine before making adjustments.
DeWalt DCN890 User Manual
In DeWalt DCN890 user manual, DeWALT labels each part with a number, so you have to look up the corresponding part number in the manual’s description. While this numbering system keeps the user manual compact, it isn’t as user-friendly as a visual guide with clear pictures.
While it is very important to ready through the manual before start using nailer. I have included excerpts from the manual alongside photos to make this guide much easier to follow. While it’s necessary to read through whole manual before starting use concrete nailer, including LED Indiator, Stall Release, Clearing a Jammed Pin, etc.
In Summary
The DeWALT XR DCN890 Concrete Nailer is highly economical and flexible, making it perfect for tradies who need it for specific projects (e.g., steel partitioning or suspended ceilings), rather than those using a concrete nailer for continuous and high-volume use.
Very Good Deal for DeWalt XR Concrete Nailer: Bunnings has a very good promotion for DeWalt XR DCN890 concrete nailer (bare unit): $1017 + same online redemption offer. Offer valid on purchases made between 01.10.2026 to 31.01.2027. Redeemable up to 14 days after the promotion ends.
Reference
- DeWalt DCN890 manual