DeWalt 1-3/4 in. 15 Degree Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt roofing nailer to work on a tear-off and re-roof of a modest gable, plus a small vinyl siding patch around a new vent. Out of the box, it’s a straightforward setup. You get both contact (bump) and sequential triggers, a swivel air fitting, and a vinyl siding adapter. Swapping triggers isn’t as quick as flipping a selector on the fly—you need to change the trigger—so I chose bump fire for shingling and switched to the gray sequential trigger for the siding. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you routinely change modes during the day.

The tool feels lighter than its specs suggest (about 5.36 lb). More importantly, it’s well balanced; the weight stays close to the hand, which matters when you’re reaching out along a ridge or across a valley. DeWalt’s aluminum frame has that dense, jobsite-ready feel and the shoe has carbide inserts where the nose meets shingles. Those hard-wearing points take the brunt of gritty granules, which helps keep the nose square and reduces sloppy wear over time.

I ran it at about 90 PSI with a mid-size portable compressor. DeWalt calls for 4.2 SCFM at 90 PSI; a small pancake will drive it but cycles often, so plan accordingly if you’ve got multiple nailers running. The included swivel fitting is a small but meaningful win—fewer hose kinks and less wrestling on a hot roof.

Features that matter on the roof

• Nail range and capacity: It drives 15° coil roofing nails from 3/4 to 1-3/4 inch with the standard 0.12-inch diameter. I spent most of the roof on 1-1/4 inch galvanized coils and switched to 1-3/4 for thicker areas around overlay and ridge. The 120-nail capacity is right in line with the class, and the two-door magazine speeds reloads. I could crack it open, drop a coil, feed the lead, and be back on the gun in a few seconds.

• Tool-free depth: The depth dial is easy to read and actually holds its setting. I tested on scrap felt and shingles, dialed to kiss the head just flush, then moved onto the roof. On mixed substrate—old sheathing and new OSB—depth consistency stayed tight without the “one flush, one crushed” lottery you sometimes see on bump fire.

• Adjustable shingle guide: The integrated shingle guide is basic but handy when you want consistent exposure spacing. I tend to work off chalk lines and sight references, but I used the guide along a long eave to maintain exposure on a run of three-tabs. Once dialed, it stayed put.

On-roof performance

Power and pace are what determine whether a roofing nailer earns a spot in the primary pouch. In bump mode, this one is easy to keep on beat without unintentional doubles. Recoil is controlled—it plants, fires, and resets without rocking the nose. That helps when you’re running along the tarp edge or nailing into edges where a misstep cracks a shingle. Line of sight to the nose is decent, so hitting right above the adhesive strip is predictable.

Over a full morning session, I didn’t see depth drift, and the gun kept heads uniformly flush. On laminates that were soft in the sun, it avoided the tendency to “mush” the surface, and on cooler shingles it still drove cleanly without underdrives. I had one minor hang-up with a low-quality coil; clearing was fast. The two-door magazine makes it simple to remove tension and pull the strip.

The nose feels sure-footed on granules, and the carbide contact points help it track. The shoe hasn’t chewed shingles or left scuffs beyond what’s typical for a day’s work.

Vinyl siding adapter test

The included vinyl siding adapter is a smart add-on if you occasionally hang siding. I used it to replace a few courses around a new vent. With 1-1/2 inch nails, the adapter provides a standoff that keeps the head from pinning the panel, and with the sequential trigger installed, the control is where it needs to be. The depth dial and adapter together let the panel float as intended, so expansion isn’t compromised. If you hang siding regularly you may want a dedicated siding nailer, but for occasional jobs or punch lists, this setup is perfectly serviceable.

Ergonomics and handling

At just over five pounds, the weight is competitive. More importantly, the grip and balance let me run it one-handed without fighting nose dive. The hose swivel reduces a surprising amount of fatigue because you aren’t constantly untwisting the line. I also appreciate the fairly compact profile; it’s easy to slip between a stack of shingles and the underlayment without snagging.

Noise is typical for a roofing nailer; hearing protection is still a must. Exhaust direction is unobtrusive, and I didn’t get blasted in the face when working close to the surface.

Maintenance and durability

• Oiling: A few drops of pneumatic oil a couple of times a day kept it cycling smoothly. Roofing is dusty work and the grit finds its way into everything; a little oil and a quick wipe of the nose goes a long way toward preventing sticky firing.

• Wear points: After the day, the carbide inserts showed the kind of light polishing you’d expect, but no rounding over. That’s the part that keeps a roofing nailer consistent after months of gritty contact. The aluminum frame didn’t pick up much more than cosmetic scuffs.

• Warranty and support: It ships with a 1-year limited warranty, and DeWalt extends to three years if you register. A 90-day return window is common in this category and provides some cushion if it doesn’t suit your workflow.

What could be better

• Trigger mode change: Switching between bump and sequential requires swapping triggers rather than flipping a selector. It’s simple but not instantaneous. If your crew often toggles modes mid-task, this might slow you down.

• Air demand: At 4.2 SCFM at 90 PSI, it’s not a hog, but small compressors will cycle frequently, especially if you’ve got a second gun running cap nails or a framing nailer doing sheathing. Plan your compressor capacity accordingly.

• Capacity is standard, not oversized: 120 nails per coil is fine, but some competitors with slightly larger canisters squeeze in a touch more. Not a functional issue, just means reloads at typical intervals.

I can’t complain about misfires or doubles; it behaved well with decent nails. If you run bargain coils, expect occasional hiccups like any roofing nailer.

Practical tips from use

• Start at 90 PSI, set your depth on scrap, then confirm flush heads on the roof before you get into a rhythm.

• Keep a small brush or rag in the pouch to clear granules from the nose and shingle guide now and then.

• Use the shingle guide to maintain exposure on long runs; it’s an easy way to prevent creeping.

• For vinyl siding, switch to the sequential trigger and use the adapter; let panels float by underdriving slightly and checking for free lateral movement.

The bottom line

The DeWalt roofing nailer hits the mark on the essentials: consistent depth control, stable bump firing, quick reloads, and a balanced feel that doesn’t wear you out. The aluminum build and carbide contact points suggest it will hold calibration and resist the abrasive damage that kills cheap roofing guns. The included swivel fitting and siding adapter are thoughtful touches that improve daily use and versatility.

I’d recommend this tool to roofing crews and serious DIYers who want a reliable, well-balanced nailer without paying a premium for bells and whistles they won’t use. If you need to toggle trigger modes constantly, the trigger swap is a mild annoyance. Otherwise, it’s a straightforward, dependable performer that keeps pace on the roof, drives nails flush across mixed substrates, and doubles competently for occasional siding work.