RIDGID HyperDrive Brushless Brad Nailer R09890B Review

Selectable Trigger

The R09890B has a selectable trigger switch allowing users to select contact actuation or single sequential actuation. The tool arrives from the factory in the single sequential actuation setting.

Personally, I'm not a fan of bump firing as it tend to lead itself to non-precision nailing and is riskier than single sequential actuation. I do know a few finish guys that like to bump fire their base trim along the bottom wall plate.
LED Light and Diagnostics

Just below the trigger is a grip light that operated an LED light independently of the trigger to illuminate the work surface. The light will also turn on when the either tool trigger or the nose contact is depressed.

I love LED lights on tools, and found the LED to emit plenty of light to the nose of the tool, a feature that may prove helpful in corners, closets and niches.

Our testing showed the light stays on 10-seconds. The LED light has a rectangular pattern that illuminates the tool nose as well and left and right peripheral areas - nice touch.

The LED work-light also provides user feedback on the battery pack. The LED light will flash is the battery needs charging and continue to flash for other diagnostic issues mentioned int he user manual.
RIDGID 18 Gauge 18 Volt Brushless Brad NailerTool Free Power Adjustment

This nailer has a power adjustment lever on the rear of the tool. Its located in a protective groove and is identified with a plus and minus symbol. [see photo above]

We liked this feature as the power this tool may need is largely dependent on the size of brad nail and work piece fastening to. Moving the lever toward the plus symbol increases air power and to the left decreases it. Harder materials and longer nails mean more power, during our testing, we found that the best approach is to set your air power on high and use the depth of drive adjustment to fine tune your result.
RIDGID 18 Gauge 18 Volt Brushless Brad Nailer
Depth of Drive Adjustment

The large orange dial at the working end of the tool controls depth of drive. This dial worked well and was responsive with a quarter turn or less. Having the ability to control depth of drive ensured proper fastening as well as protects the work surface from over-driving and damage.
Dry Fire Lock Out

The R09890B has a dry fire feature which prevents the nailer from firing when the magazine reached five nails of less.
RIDGID 18 Gauge 18 Volt Brushless Brad NailerTool Free Jamb Release

This is a bottom loading tool, after sliding the magazine cover open, brad nails are placed into the bottom of the magazine, and the mag cover is released with a release button.

When you experience a jam the top clamp on the nose of the tool opens to expose the drive pin channel and nail slot. Sometimes when you drive a fastener too deep into material or excess material or debris can cause the driver mechanism to be stuck in an open position.

I found this function to work well, it's designed and works similar to other nailers with this same feature. The driver mechanism is easily returned to its normal resting position by turning the elevation screw clockwise, with the help of a flat head screwdriver.

RIDGID 18 Gauge 18 Volt Brushless Brad Nailer
Micro Textured Hex handle Grip

The tool has a decent amount of rubber over-mold and bumpers for resting it on surfaces. We especially like the micro bumps on the grip handle. I found them comfortable but more importantly they help ensure a solid, secure grip.
Other Features

There is a detachable, right-side or left-side belt clip, and 2 non-marring pads are included with a carry bag. Battery and charger are separate but I'm sure when this tool takes off they will provide a kit.

RIDGID 18 Volt Cordless Brad Nailer
Using the RIDGID 18 Volt Cordless Brad Nailer

I tested the RIDGID 18 Volt Cordless Brad Nailer is durable, powerful, fast and convenient. I used it with AC plywood, Pine, Poplar, Oak and Maple and trim parts. It worked well and it was easy to determine where to place the fastener. So far I have driven approximately a thousand brads and no jambs yet.

RIDGID is onto something here, I'm taking notice, and I'm sure others will be too.

[cofee]

I am a professional carpenter. My tool platform is all Rigid. Decent tools not outrageously priced. I use them everyday for work. However, I purchased this pin nailer 3 years ago. At first it worked like a charm. Then it had problems with not setting nails. At first I was successful using appropriate length nails which worked for awhile. Until it didn't. I brought it in for repair twice. Same thing happens. So basically I just use it for nailing base shoe now. It works well for that with the right length nails. I will use it for casing maybe one door or tiny job because I can handle setting a few nails by hand. But bigger jobs. I recommend the Dewalt propane cartridge gun.
I am, however, happy with all of my other Rigid tools. The Stealth impact driver out performs any other impact gun on the market. And the multi tool platform is really awesome. The shears for that thing work great.
I was disappointed that they quit selling the 10 slide 18 V miter saw before I got my hands on one. I heard they work great. And it would be so nice for a small odd job here and there.

[jojobobo]

Good review. I watched some other reviews of this item and none mentioned the magazine slop except you. Thank you for that. When I buy a tool I don't care about the cost as much as how well made and how long this tool will hold up. I have other Ridgid cordless tools and will more than likely purchase this one, but, only because they have the lifetime warranty.

[FallGuyKris]

I love the Ridgid brand. I 100% recommend this tool. I use it just about every day.

[michaelvidalhomeimprovemen]

I have the 18g and 16g models. Been using both over a year now. Love them, GREAT productivity!!!

[josephcassar]

Australian released under AEG Brand and as described I had enough of on going reliability issues with all my Paslode Guns, so High maintenance and continuous jamming issues, as a Builder Carpenter I run 4 Paslode guns, 2 Framers and 2 fixing Guns, just had one of the Fixing Guns serviced and repaired and that lasted a whole 2 weeks. Lets see how the AEG travels over the coming Months

[DumbbellCentral]

I have one of these and as of July 2020 have had absolutely no trouble sinking every nail even long ones

[romeomai]

Thanks for the review. I have been waiting for this tool release for months now. Coming in at $239, I think it is worth it.

[spade]

i got one of these for christmas its awesome.

[PaulAshley]

Got one for Christmas and finally used it. Love it!

[anteowooddesign]

I bought one of these since the reviews on youtube were positive, I like the idea of not having to drag compressors and hoses around and all my cordless stuff is ridgid already. After 2 months of real world use (install trim, moulding, cabinets, other carpentry) I took the tool back. The amount of misfires, unsunk nails, jams was absolutely ridiculous for the cost of the tool. It's the first Ridgid product I've been unhappy with. I wouldn't recommend it, it just doesn't work. I might get a cordless Paslode but right now I'm just going to stick to my pneumatics.

[jeffkirk]

Sweet. Im gonna have to keep an eye out. Might be a little wait here in Canada though. The east coast is a little behind with getting things

[tooljunkie]

very nice. ive been contemplating going cordless.. I hate having a 30 foot hose following me around all the time.gets in the way..ALOT I have a 20 gallon compressor so it never runs out of air but it's still annoying having that hose.. great review reall6 informative ..did purchase that at the Home Depot store or did you have to buy that online ??thanks again Rob!

[dwightstewart]

Man, that thing is huge. While perhaps fine on a building construction site, can't possibly imagine using that thing in a workshop, especially for normal woodworking (can't remember ever driving a 2" nail). Still waiting for that smaller, more realistic, nailer for woodworkers.

[kitomosashi]

I don't know much about nail guns but that's awesome I can definitely see myself using one of those to work with does it work on building wood fences?😑

[raymondbeechner]

Want to purchase a ridgid brad nailer, what's the difference between The hyper drive and the clean drive? Which one should I get for installing doors and trim? I already own the 16g and I'm happy with that so far. Thanks

[Rihtwise]

I'm on my second one and still the same issue of the nails not driving in. I've used from 3/4 up to 2 inch and none of them drive 1/4 inch into the wood. I've contacted home Depot and ridgid about the problem and both just want to give me another gun! WTF!!!

[brady]

These things are sweet. Built a birdhouse while trying it out lol

[Ayooooooooooo]

I've seen a intro like that on a movie for youth carpenter fundamentals called "measure twice cut once" know anything about it?

[TurkiyeCumhurbaskani]

Does Dewalt have this 18gauge version?, cause I have other Dewalt cordless 20V tools

[gabemckay]

Owned it for about a month. I've shot about 1000 nails with it. It's heavy so daily driver is out. It's slow. When you're a pro and speed counts, this will let you down. When shooting 2" into MDF trim, you'll have to set about 3 out of 10 nails by hand. Pine, 1 to 2 out of 10. Forget hardwoods, it doesn't have anywhere near the power needed for that. It's big, so tight spaces are impossible.

So I guess it's not a bad tool when you just need to finish a room and you have some time. It's not a high production tool at all. Stick to pneumatics for high production work.