DeWalt 2 in. x 15-Gauge Bright Finish Angled Finish Nails (2500 Pieces)

Why I keep a box of these on the shelf

I reach for 15‑gauge nails when trim needs real holding power—door jambs, thick baseboard, stair skirts—anything heavier than what 16‑ or 18‑gauge brads handle comfortably. These DeWalt 15‑gauge 2‑inch DA nails have become a dependable consumable in that role. They feed consistently, set cleanly, and strike a good balance between bite and surface damage. If you run a DA‑style angled finisher, this is the everyday 2‑inch stick you expect to grab without thinking.

What they are

• 15‑gauge, 2‑inch finish nails
• 34‑degree, glued (strip) collation
• Smooth shank, small head (about .126 in. head width)
• Bright finish (uncoated) steel
• Box of 2,500

That bright steel finish is important: these are intended for interior work. If you’re installing exterior trim or fencing, reach for galvanized or stainless. More on that in a bit.

Compatibility: DA‑style only

These nails are DA‑style, 34‑degree angled strips. They run correctly in DA‑pattern 15‑gauge finish nailers (including DeWalt’s DA guns and other brands that specify 34 degrees). They will not fit FN‑style 15‑gauge nailers, which use a different angle and head profile. If your nailer’s magazine or nose is labeled “DCA15” or “DA,” you’re in the right lane.

In my shop, they’ve fed cleanly in DA‑pattern pneumatics and in an angled battery finish nailer without any magazine slop. Strips are straight and the glue collation is clean, so loading is quick and the follower stays happy.

Driving and consistency

The chisel point is the right call for finish carpentry. It limits splitting and helps the nail start on line, especially in hardwood casing or on the narrow edge of jamb extensions. I’ve had very predictable starts in poplar, pine, and oak. The nails are true enough that bending deflections are minimal unless you strike a hidden fastener or a very hard, knotted patch.

Head size and shape are right where you want them for a 15‑gauge finisher. They set flush or just below the surface with a standard countersink from the nailer—no mushrooming, and the hole is small enough to fill quickly. With the smooth shank, you get a clean entry hole that doesn’t tear fibers around paint‑grade trim.

Across several hundred shots, I didn’t see a single collation break in the magazine and no glue smearing on the driver blade. Ejection is predictable: one nail at a time, no doubles, no half‑feeds. That’s exactly what you want in a finish‑grade fastener.

Holding power and where 2 inches shines

A 2‑inch 15‑gauge nail is a sweet spot for a lot of interior trim:

• 3/4‑inch baseboard or casing into studs
• Door jamb shimming and fastening
• Stair skirt boards into wall framing
• Window stool aprons and thicker moldings

The general rule is to get about 1–1/4 inches of penetration into solid framing, and these hit that target well in common trim scenarios. If you’re attaching very thick trim (like a 1‑inch skirt over drywall into studs), or if you’re relying solely on nails for heavy crown blocking, you may want to step up to 2‑1/2 inches. For everything else, 2 inches keeps you safely away from punching through to the other side of a jamb or into wiring runs, and it leaves a smaller hole to fill than a longer 15‑gauge nail.

Smooth shank holding power is strong enough for the intended applications. On tall baseboards in a busy hallway, I’ll still add construction adhesive to eliminate seasonal movement and creaks; the nails then act as clamps and permanent mechanical backup.

Finish quality

Because these are bright steel, the nails leave a crisp hole without extra coating residue. That’s ideal for paint‑grade work—spackle or painter’s putty fills quickly, and there’s no contaminant around the hole to fight with primer. On stain‑grade trim, the hole is compact, and you can drive with the grain to keep fibers from lifting. The chisel point is happiest when oriented parallel to the grain in delicate profiles, which further reduces the chance of splitting nose returns on casing.

Materials and limitations

• Softwoods (pine, fir, poplar): Excellent. Minimal splitting, strong bite.
• Hardwoods (oak, maple): Very good. Use proper air pressure and a sharp driver to avoid shine marks and set the head neatly.
• MDF: Good. The chisel point helps, but watch end‑grain areas and use adhesive for better long‑term hold.

The big caveat is corrosion. Bright steel is not for exterior use, bathrooms with constant moisture, or anywhere the fastener could be exposed to water. If you’re hanging exterior trim, cedar, or pressure‑treated lumber, switch to galvanized or stainless 15‑gauge nails. Using bright steel outdoors will eventually lead to staining and rust bleed‑through under paint.

Reliability in the gun

What stands out with these strips is their consistency. The glue collation keeps the sticks intact without breaking up in the pouch, and the nails sit snug in the magazine channel—no rattle, no skewed presentation to the driver. That reduces the odds of tip‑first jams. If you ever get feed issues with 15‑gauge nails, verify you’re using the correct angle standard for your gun; mixing DA and FN patterns is a common source of “mystery” jams.

Box size and value

A 2,500‑count box is the right quantity for pros and serious DIYers. It’s enough to get through a house worth of base and casing or multiple remodeling jobs without reordering mid‑project. At a bit over six pounds, the box is compact and easy to stash in a job box. From a cost‑per‑nail standpoint, they’re competitively priced with other name‑brand consumables, and the feed reliability means fewer wasted nails to misfires.

Tips for best results

• Pair nail length to penetration: 2 inches for most trim to studs; 2‑1/2 inches only when the extra reach is truly needed.
• Orient the chisel point with the grain for delicate profiles.
• Drive pressure just high enough to set the head slightly below the surface; avoid over‑driving in MDF.
• For big baseboards and stair parts, use a bead of construction adhesive and let the nails clamp the work.
• If you’re working near end grain or edges in hardwood, step your shots back slightly or pre‑drill a pilot to prevent splits.

What could be better

A galvanized or stainless option in the same packaging would make this an easy one‑stop choice for crews moving between interior and exterior tasks. The bright finish version is excellent indoors, but it limits the nail to dry environments. Also, a head marking for quick identification in the field would be a nice touch when nails mix on a bench.

Bottom line

These DeWalt 15‑gauge 2‑inch DA nails do what they’re supposed to do: feed reliably, drive straight, set cleanly, and hold trim where you put it. The chisel point and consistent collation deliver predictable results across common interior materials, and the 2,500‑count box is a practical, economical size.

Recommendation: I recommend these for anyone running a 34‑degree DA‑style 15‑gauge finish nailer on interior work. They’re consistent, easy to set flush, and strong enough for demanding trim and jamb tasks without leaving oversized repair holes. Just be mindful of the bright steel finish—keep them indoors, and choose galvanized or stainless for exterior or wet areas.