Features
- Combustion-free operation (no fuel cells or powder loads required)
- Drives fasteners into concrete and steel substrates
- Field-serviceable driver piston for maintenance
- Variable power settings for different applications
- 1" compact magazine for improved access in tight areas
- Interchangeable nose pieces (standard/drywall included)
- Integrated LED worklights for low-light conditions
- Compatible with accessory 2" magazine for longer fasteners
Specifications
Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
Battery Voltage | 20V (nominal) |
Battery/Charger | Tool only (battery and charger not included) |
Power Source | Cordless |
Magazine Capacity | 33 fasteners |
Fastener Diameter | 0.102" - 0.145" |
Fastener Length (Standard Magazine) | 1/2" - 1" |
Fastener Length (With Dcn8906 Accessory Magazine) | 1-1/4" - 2-1/4" |
Magazine Angle | 15° |
Tool Weight (Bare) | 8.9 lb |
Tool Length | 16 in |
Tool Height | 15.5 in |
Loading Type | Strip |
Included Items | Standard/drywall nose piece; kit box (tool only) |
Warranty | 3 Year Limited Warranty; 1 Year Free Service; 90 Days Satisfaction Guaranteed |
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Electric, battery-powered concrete nailer designed for installing drywall track and fastening into concrete and steel substrates. Operates on a 20V battery platform (tool only; battery and charger not included). Features a field-serviceable driver piston, variable power settings, interchangeable nose pieces, and integrated LED worklights. Accepts DEWALT Cordless Concrete Nailer fasteners 1/2"–1"; when used with the DCN8906 2" accessory magazine it supports 1-1/4"–2-1/4" fasteners.
DeWalt 1" Magazine Cordless Concrete Nailer Review
Why I reached for this nailer
On a recent interiors job—bottom track on slab, a few runs of furring on block, and brackets into light structural steel—I put DeWalt’s cordless concrete nailer (DCN891) into regular rotation. I wanted a fast, cordless way to pin track without fuel cells or powder charges, and the 1-inch compact magazine promised better access along walls and inside tight mechanical chases. After several days of mixed fastening, I have a clear sense of where it shines and where it still feels like a specialty tool.
Setup, controls, and ergonomics
Out of the kit box you get the tool, a standard/drywall nose piece, and not much else—no battery or charger. That’s fine if you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V platform; I ran it primarily on 5.0Ah packs. Bare, the tool is 8.9 lb; with a mid-size battery the working weight lands around the 10 lb mark. At 16 inches long and 15.5 inches tall, it’s husky for overhead work but reasonably balanced for waist-level fastening.
Key usability details that matter on site:
- 33-pin, 15° strip magazine. With the compact 1-inch mag, reloads come more often than with larger housings, but the shorter body does make a difference in tight corners.
- Variable power settings. The dial gives you meaningful steps; I could control spalling on green slab and still drive confidently into older, harder concrete by bumping power.
- Interchangeable nose pieces. The included drywall tip helps register on track and keeps things consistent; swapping is quick.
- Integrated LEDs. Small thing, big help when you’re shooting in low light near base plates.
The driver piston is field-serviceable, which prevents a small issue from sidelining the tool for a week. That’s a practical advantage over designs that need a service center for wear parts.
Performance on concrete
For track into cured slab, the DCN891 is fast and consistent. Cycle time is quick enough that layout is the constraint, not the tool. With 0.102"–0.145" pins in the 1/2" to 1" range, I had dependable set depth without mushrooming the head or pulverizing the surface, provided I chose pin length sensibly and matched the power to the material. The lack of combustion is noticeable—no fuel smell, fewer fumes, and less noise than powder shots—so you can work in occupied spaces without getting side-eye from adjacent trades.
A few notes from the slab:
- On very hard, old concrete, shorter pins at a higher power setting gave me better hold than simply going longer. The tool lets you tune that without guesswork.
- In green or softer slab, dropping power reduced blowouts and surface spall.
- Misfires were rare. When one did happen, clearing the strip and reseating the pins sorted it quickly.
The magazine’s 33-pin capacity does mean you reload more frequently during long runs of track. The positive is you don’t fight a long magazine when shooting near obstructions or inside shallow soffits.
Performance on steel
Shooting into light structural steel and heavier gauge studs worked well with the right pins. The tool has the muscle to seat hardened fasteners cleanly, and the variable power again helps avoid overdriving. I wouldn’t pick it as a universal solution for thick structural members, but for the kind of light steel fastening typical in commercial interiors—clips, track to steel, hangers—it’s efficient and repeatable.
Overhead and vertical work
Here’s where the tool’s strengths and compromises meet. The compact magazine improves reach, but the overall weight still adds up on overhead and long vertical runs. After a couple dozen ceiling shots in a row, I felt it in the shoulders. The LEDs earn their keep overhead, and the nose design gives a stable register, but if your day is primarily shooting above head height, plan for breaks or consider a lighter-duty alternative for portions of the work.
The 2-inch accessory magazine
Swapping to the DCN8906 accessory magazine expands fastener length to 1-1/4"–2-1/4". That makes the tool more versatile for sill plates, furring strips on rough block, or situations where you need deeper penetration. The trade-off is exactly what you’d expect: a longer, heavier package that isn’t as nimble in cramped spots. The swap is straightforward, and if your workload spans short and long pins, the ability to convert is valuable. If you rarely need over an inch, the standard compact mag keeps the tool handier.
Maintenance and reliability
The DCN891’s serviceability is a real plus. Being able to access and replace the driver piston on site turns “tool down” into a short break, not a lost day. In use, the tool ran cleanly, and clearing a jam—on the rare occasion it occurred—wasn’t a knuckle-busting affair. The included kit box is durable enough for daily transport, and DeWalt backs the tool with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. For something that depends on a piston and a lot of shock loads, that support matters.
Battery life and jobsite impact
On 20V 5.0Ah packs, I could comfortably get through typical track layout and a smattering of brackets without swapping batteries mid-morning. Runtime will swing with material hardness, pin size, and temperature, but the takeaway is you don’t need to carry fuel cells or powder loads—just batteries you likely already own. The cordless, combustion-free design also simplifies logistics: fewer consumables, no separate storage requirements for charges or fuel, and less paperwork on some sites.
Noise is still present—you’re driving steel into concrete—but it’s markedly less jarring than powder-actuated shots, and there’s no combustion residue. Dust is minimal at the point of impact compared with drilling and anchoring. If you’re working in hospitals, schools, or labs, that cleaner process can be the difference between getting the job done during the day versus waiting for off-hours.
Fasteners and cost considerations
You’ll want to stock the right range of DeWalt fasteners. Diameters from 0.102" to 0.145" cover most interior fastening, and the 1/2"–1" lengths in the compact mag hit the sweet spot for drywall track and light attachments. Cost per shot compares favorably to powder-actuated when you factor in not buying loads, and there are no gas cells to age out. That said, the pins are still a dedicated consumable—budget accordingly and keep several lengths on hand so you can adapt to variable slab conditions without overdriving.
Where it falls short
- Weight for overhead: Even with the compact magazine, the mass catches up to you above shoulder height.
- Reload frequency: The 33-pin capacity means more stops during long, uninterrupted runs.
- Tool-only purchase: Not an issue for 20V users, but a consideration if you’re cross-shopping and don’t own compatible batteries.
- Length limitations without the accessory mag: Out of the box you’re capped at 1-inch pins; if your work frequently needs deeper bites, you’ll want the 2-inch magazine.
None of these are deal-breakers, but they define who will get the most value from the tool.
The bottom line
The DeWalt cordless concrete nailer earns a spot in my concrete fastening kit for interiors and light commercial work. It’s quick, consistent, and cleaner than powder-actuated options, with real-world conveniences like variable power, integrated LEDs, and a field-serviceable driver. The compact 1-inch magazine is genuinely helpful in tight areas, and the option to swap to a 2-inch magazine broadens its range when needed.
I recommend this tool for drywall and framing crews, remodelers, and MEP trades who regularly fasten to concrete or light steel—especially in occupied spaces or sites that restrict powder-actuated tools. You’ll work faster than drilling and anchoring, avoid the hassle and cost of fuel cells or charges, and get predictable results with less mess. If your day is dominated by overhead fastening or you constantly need longer pins, plan on the accessory magazine and be mindful of the weight. For most track, plate, and bracket tasks at or below shoulder height, this nailer is a practical, efficient solution that fits neatly into a 20V workflow.
Project Ideas
Business
Fast-Track Framing & Track Anchoring
Offer a specialty service to rapidly install drywall track and light-gauge framing into concrete and steel for tenant improvements and retail fit-outs. Sell speed and low dust vs. drilling, with per-linear-foot or per-room pricing. The interchangeable nose pieces cover standard and drywall applications.
No-Drill Basement Finishing
Provide a dust-minimized basement finishing package: furring strips, insulation holds, and panel attachment directly to foundation walls. Position as a cleaner, faster alternative that reduces core drilling and vibration, ideal for occupied homes.
MEP/Low-Voltage Mounting Service
Partner with electricians and IT integrators to mount cable trays, conduits, J-hooks, and device backers to concrete quickly. Bill per drop or per linear foot. Variable power means consistent holds across mixed substrates on the same job.
Temporary Build-Outs & Events
Install temporary walls, signage cleats, floor track, and cable management in warehouses or venues with minimal disruption. Offer removal and surface patching packages post-event. The compact magazine excels in tight corridors and behind staging.
Punch-List and Small Fixes On-Demand
Launch a mobile service for quick anchoring needs: handrail backer strips, closet cleats, base track re-fastening, and fixture backing on concrete or steel. Flat trip fee plus itemized fasten rates. Market to property managers and small contractors who don’t own a concrete nailer.
Creative
Modern Concrete Slat Wall
Create a sleek slat feature wall on a basement or garage concrete wall by pinning treated furring strips directly into the concrete using 1" fasteners (or 1-1/4"+ with the accessory magazine for thicker strips). Attach decorative wood slats to the furring for a clean architectural look. The compact 1" magazine and LED worklights help in tight, low-light spaces.
Industrial Loft Shelving
Install steel shelf standards or Unistrut channels on masonry walls for rugged, adjustable shelving. Use variable power settings to drive fasteners into concrete or steel brackets without fuel cells. Perfect for urban lofts and garages, and the field-serviceable piston keeps the tool ready for long projects.
Garage Gear Wall & Bike Station
Build a gear wall by fastening cleats, hooks, and track systems to a concrete garage wall. Quickly secure mounting cleats for bike hooks, ladder racks, and storage bins. Swap to the drywall nose piece to install metal track for segmented panels over furring.
Basement Acoustic Panel Grid
Lay out a wood furring grid on foundation walls for mineral wool acoustic panels. Rapid-fire concrete nails seat the grid without drilling, then fabric-wrapped panels mount on top. The tool’s 15° strip magazine and consistent drive depth make clean, repeatable rows.
Patio Planter Anchors
Secure planter cleats, edging, or low decorative screens to a concrete patio. Use the accessory 2" magazine when greater embedment or thicker base materials are needed. Integrated LEDs help align fasteners under benches or overhangs.