Milwaukee M18 Fuel Coil Roofing Nailer Review 2909 - Pro Tool Reviews

Nov 13, 2024

Milwaukee has expanded its impressive M18 Fuel platform with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Coil Roofing Nailer (2909-20), a tool aimed at offering roofing professionals a cordless solution for repair and installation work. This nailer is designed for contractors who want the convenience of a battery-powered tool without sacrificing performance. Here’s a detailed look at the features, performance, and applications of this new addition to Milwaukee’s lineup.

As we expect from any Pro-grade roofing nailer, you can switch between bump fire and single fire modes. The big difference is that you only have to press a button instead of fooling with a trigger disassembly like you do on some pneumatic roofing nailers.

When you’re bump firing, Milwaukee’s cordless roofing nailer can fire up to 6 nails per second—3 nails per second faster than the DeWalt DCN45RN and the Metabo HPT NV1845DA. Unless you’re trying to show off for a TikTok video, that speed should be just fine for the type of work Milwaukee designed this nailer to handle.

Along with roofing applications, the 2909 is great for installing vinyl siding. Milwaukee includes a dedicated vinyl siding tool attachment that magnetically attaches to the tip of the nailer. This helps prevent cracking the nail flange during siding installations.

It’s stored directly on the tool for easy access, and there are replacements available in case it’s ever lost or misplaced. This feature underscores Milwaukee’s attention to detail and the practical needs of its user base.

Powered by an M18 CP3.0 battery, the nailer is rated to drive approximately 1,100 nails per charge. This capacity is substantial for most repair or small installation jobs, making it a viable option for contractors who need to complete projects without interruptions. For roofers who traditionally rely on pneumatic tools, the battery life on this cordless option should feel more than adequate for repair tasks or small sections of roofing.

Milwaukee made an interesting choice pairing this nailer with a 3.0Ah battery, but there’s a pretty good reason for this. The smaller battery cuts down on the overall weight, making it feel closer to pneumatic nailers which are traditionally lighter than cordless options. If you’re tackling a larger roofing job, I’d suggest keeping a spare M18 battery on hand so you can swap them out throughout the day to keep you working.

I started by firing a few nails into our test roof to see how well the nailer keeps up in bump fire mode. Thanks to the tool’s nitrogen-filled gas spring, we didn’t detect any delay in firing and our nails were consistently flush against the material.

With a satisfactory initial impression, I fired several quick series to see if the nailer would pause or miss a shot when you’re able to reach three or four shingles before shifting your position. The nailer didn’t miss a beat, and in fact, it didn’t show any signs of slowing down. These results give us a lot of confidence in the 2909’s driving power, meaning it really is a true pneumatic replacement.

This tool is specifically designed with repair and punch list work in mind, rather than full re-roofing projects. For roofing contractors handling repair jobs—especially those working on emergency hurricane repairs or smaller, more targeted roofing tasks—this nailer is an excellent fit. The portability and lack of setup requirements make it ideal for jobs where dragging out compressors and hoses is impractical or unnecessary.

At 7.25 pounds as a bare tool, the 2909 is lighter than the total setup of many pneumatic nailers with a compressor and air hose. Even with the kitted 3.0Ah battery, the total weight only jumps to 8.6 pounds.

Its compact and well-balanced design makes it easy to maneuver, even on ladders or scaffolding. Plus, the grips rubber overmold allows you to maintain a secure hold on the tool while you work.

It’s clear that Milwaukee has focused on ensuring that the M18 Fuel roofing nailer remains comfortable during prolonged use. This makes it an attractive choice for Pros focused on smaller repair and patchwork jobs.

One cool design element on this nailer are the large rubber pads located on either side of this nailer. The purpose of these pads is to prevent abrasion and damage to the tool when you set it down on rough surfaces, like asphalt shingles. Notably, these pads are replaceable, extending the overall life of the tool and protecting delicate surfaces like vinyl siding

Click here to purchase replacement pads!

The M18 Fuel 2909 features a single-door loading system, simplifying the reloading process with a one-touch latch mechanism. Additionally, there is a tool-free adjustable baseplate inside the magazine that allows this nailer to accommodate nails ranging from .75 inches, up to 1.75 inches. This feature lets you quickly adapt your nail size to match code requirements based on your region and application.

As with most modern nailers, the Milwaukee 2909 features a tool-free depth adjustment wheel. There are ten tactile detents, allowing for precise nail depth control at the tips of your fingers. The depth control feature ensures consistency when switching between different applications, providing ease of use and reliability.

For added convenience, the nailer comes with a rafter hook that doubles as a belt hook, which can be attached to either side of the tool. This adaptability is ideal for both left- and right-handed users, making it easier to carry and store the nailer on the job site.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Coil Roofing Nailer is priced at $379 as a bare tool, and $479 for the kit, which includes a CP3.0 battery, charger, and storage bag. While it’s on the higher end of cordless nailers, the convenience, durability, and lack of ongoing air tool maintenance make this a valuable investment for Professionals making quick, reliable repairs.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Coil Roofing Nailer brings a new level of convenience and mobility to roofing professionals. Its combination of driving power and cordless operation means contractors no longer need to rely solely on pneumatic setups for repair and smaller jobs. Its thoughtful design elements, like the single-door nail loading, vinyl siding attachment, and reversible rafter hook, add to its overall utility. For anyone working on roofing repair and maintenance, the Milwaukee 2909 offers a dependable cordless alternative that doesn’t compromise on performance.