I've had pretty similar experiences with refurbished cordless nailers, and I'd agree they're generally worth it if you're mindful of a few things. One thing I'd add, though, is that the battery issue can be more pronounced in colder weather. I've noticed that refurbished batteries seem to lose charge quicker when temperatures drop, so if you're working outdoors or in unheated spaces, it's good to keep batteries warm or at least have a couple extras handy.
Also, about the inconsistent firing—I've found that regular maintenance helps quite a bit. Every few months, I take mine apart, clean out any dust or debris, and lightly lubricate the moving parts. It doesn't completely eliminate the occasional misfire, but it definitely reduces how often it happens. If you haven't tried that yet, it might be worth giving it a shot.
From a sustainability standpoint, refurbished tools are a great choice. You're extending the life of equipment that might otherwise end up in a landfill, and that's always a plus in my book. But if you're looking for maximum efficiency and consistency—especially on larger projects—I still think investing in a higher-end new model can pay off in the long run. It's really about balancing your budget, your workload, and your commitment to sustainable practices.
Personally, I still keep a good hammer around for smaller tasks or quick fixes—sometimes it's just easier than pulling out the nailer and dealing with batteries. But for bigger jobs or repetitive tasks like framing or decking, cordless nailers (even refurbished ones) are hard to beat for speed and convenience.
Good points about the cold weather and battery life—I’ve definitely noticed the same thing. Last winter, I was framing out a shed in near-freezing temps, and my refurbished nailer batteries drained way faster than usual. Keeping a spare battery in my jacket pocket helped a lot, just to keep it warm enough to swap out when needed.
I’m with you on the maintenance too. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—thought it was just extra hassle—but giving mine a quick clean and lube every few months really did cut down on misfires. Still happens occasionally, but not nearly as often as before.
And yeah, sustainability is a nice bonus, but for me it’s mostly about convenience and speed. For small stuff around the house, I still grab my hammer—it’s just simpler. But for anything bigger or repetitive, cordless nailer wins hands down. Glad to see others having similar experiences...makes me feel like I’m not crazy for sticking with refurb tools!
Interesting points about refurb tools—I've been tempted by them myself, but always hesitated due to concerns about reliability. Hearing your experience makes me reconsider a bit. On the battery issue, I wonder if certain brands or battery types handle cold weather better than others? I've noticed my lithium-ion batteries seem particularly sensitive to temperature drops, but maybe that's just my perception.
Also, regarding maintenance, do you find refurbished tools require more frequent upkeep compared to new ones, or is it about the same? I've always assumed refurb would mean more TLC, but maybe that's just a misconception on my part. I'm all for saving money, but if it means spending extra time on maintenance, I'd have to weigh that carefully. Curious to hear your thoughts on this.
"I've noticed my lithium-ion batteries seem particularly sensitive to temperature drops, but maybe that's just my perception."
You're definitely onto something there—I've had similar experiences. Lithium-ion batteries do struggle in colder temps, especially if they're left in an unheated garage or vehicle overnight. I've found that keeping them indoors or at least insulated helps a lot. Some brands seem slightly better than others, but honestly, it's more about storage and handling than brand differences, at least from what I've seen.
As for refurbished tools needing extra TLC, I used to think the same thing. But after picking up a refurb nail gun last year, I've been pleasantly surprised. Maintenance-wise, it's been pretty much identical to my new tools. The key seems to be buying from reputable sources that thoroughly inspect and test their refurbs. If you do that, you're usually getting something that's been double-checked and tuned up already—sometimes even more carefully than a brand-new tool off the assembly line.
Just my two cents, but I'd say don't let the refurb label scare you off completely...you might miss out on some great deals.
You're right about the cold affecting lithium-ion batteries—I learned that the hard way last winter. Left my cordless nailer in the truck overnight during a cold snap, and next morning it was barely firing. Thought I'd killed the battery completely, but after warming it up indoors for a couple hours, it bounced right back. Lesson learned: batteries hate freezing temps.
On refurb tools, I've had mixed luck. Got a refurbished framing nailer a while back—worked great for about six months, then started misfiring constantly. Took it apart and found some worn seals that clearly weren't replaced during refurbishing. On the other hand, my buddy swears by refurbs and hasn't had any issues yet. Maybe it's just luck of the draw or depends heavily on who's doing the refurbishing?
Either way, I still prefer nail guns to hammers whenever possible...my wrist thanks me every time.
