Every now and then, someone designs a tool that forever changes the way we look at all other similar tools. Senco has done just that with its new AirFree series of power nailers. No need for a compressor, air line, or gas cartridge—all of the required energy comes courtesy of a single rechargeable battery.

Senco’s AirFree 25 handles 18-ga. brad nails up to 2 in. long. A small electric motor provides all the nail-driving power that’s needed. It takes no more than a second or so for the nailer to power up for single shots. For continuous nailing, nails can be fired less than a second apart.

A fully charged battery typically can drive more than 500 nails, although the exact number is going to vary based on the nail size and the material being joined. When the battery charge gets low, the motor won’t power up fast enough to trigger the plunger. That’s a plus because it practically eliminates partially driven nails. The batteries recharge in less than an hour.

In my tests, the nailer was equipped with the largest nails it accepts. Then I drove the nails into hardwood, setting them just below the surface. The nailer worked well, showing plenty of power. Occasionally, I’d get an unset nail, but no more frequently than with my air-powered nailers.

The safety bar is a bit large and awkward for nailing small trim. I either couldn’t get the brad placed far enough into small coves, or the bar would slip off small half-rounds, resulting in misplaced or misfired brads.

A depth-of-drive control is located conveniently on the back side of the motor housing, making it quick and intuitively easy to adjust the nailset depth. The only complaint I have about the device is that the drive-control knob is almost too easy to adjust: I found myself inadvertently changing the depth of set by moving it with the back of my hand when working in tight corners. A few protruding nails in hard-to-reach spots makes one careful not to massage the control again.

Since the arrival of Senco’s Airfree nailers, my compressed-air nailers are gathering dust. Now, if only Senco could use this technology to make a small, airless pin nailer, I’d be in nailer Nirvana.

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