Product · RYOBI
Ryobi R18PD3 drill kit and R18GN18 18 gauge nailer
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This Ryobi bundle combines the R18PD3 combi drill starter kit with the R18GN18 cordless 18 gauge brad nailer. It is for DIYers who do trim work, skirting, picture rails, panelling and small furniture projects. The nailer is the attraction: it fires brads without a compressor, hose or gas cartridges, which makes second fix work in a home much quicker and quieter.
- Tools
- Combi drill and 18 gauge brad nailer
- Batteries
- 2 x 1.5 Ah
- Charger
- Included in drill starter kit
- Platform
- Ryobi ONE+
In its favour
- The nailer fires 18 gauge nails from 15 to 50 mm with no compressor or gas, according to Ryobi.
- Tool free depth adjustment and jam release are listed.
- The drill offers 50 Nm and a 13 mm ratcheting chuck.
Good to know
- Small 1.5 Ah batteries have to share two tools.
- Nailers can fire unexpectedly; keep hands clear and follow the manual.
Our take
The nailer
Ryobi calls the system Air Strike Technology and says it removes the need for a noisy compressor, a bulky air hose or gas cartridges. It fires 18 gauge, 1.2 mm nails from 15 to 50 mm long. Depth of drive adjusts without tools, so you can set nails flush or just below the surface for filling, and jams clear without tools.
Grip light technology switches on an LED when you hold the handle, useful in dim corners when fixing skirting.
What 18 gauge brads are for
Brad nails are thin and leave small holes that are easy to fill and paint. They hold mouldings, architrave, beading and thin panels while glue sets. They are not for structural fixing, so use screws for anything that carries load.
The R18PD3 drill and the batteries
Ryobi's drill provides 50 Nm, a 13 mm ratcheting chuck, two gears and 24 clutch settings for masonry, wood, plastic and metal. Paired with the nailer, it covers pilot holes, screw fixings and trim fixing.
The kit's two 1.5 Ah packs keep both tools light, which helps when nailing overhead. A nailer uses less energy per shot than a chainsaw or trimmer uses per minute, so the small packs are a better match here than in the garden bundles. A larger ONE+ pack would still help on long jobs.
Safety and alternatives
Nailers can fire unexpectedly, so keep hands clear of the nose and follow the manual. The other Ryobi R18PD3 bundles swap the nailer for a chainsaw or a pole hedge trimmer. For a drill only kit with bigger batteries, the Ryobi RPD18BL2 offers a brushless drill and a 5 Ah pack.
Because the nailer is supplied as a bare tool, the two drill packs are the only batteries in the box, so charge both before a day of skirting work.
Verdict
Buy this bundle if you do trim and panelling work at home and want a cordless brad nailer and drill on one battery system. If your projects are more about garden work, the Ryobi chainsaw or hedge trimmer bundles fit better, and the Bosch GSB 18V-45 and GBH 18V-22 kit suits masonry heavy jobs.
Compared with alternatives in: Best cordless power tool kits and bundles
Amazon listing title: RYOBI R18GN18-0 18V ONE Plus Cordless 18 Gauge Nailer Bare Tool, One Size, Hyper Green & R18PD3-215GZ 18 V ONE+ Cordless Combi Drill Starter Kit (2 x 1.5 Ah), Hyper Green