Product: Nextec Hammerhead Auto Hammer Manufacturer: Craftsman Value Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 3 Price: $99.99
Pros: Looks cool, Comes with storage case
Cons: Will not drive 3-1/2" nails, Super loud
Features & Specs
- Motor voltage: 12V
- Impacts per minute: 3600
- Fastener Types: Common and Finish
- Fastener Range: 2d to 16d
- Fastener Length: 1” to 3-1/2”
- Weight: 1.86 lbs (with battery)
- Warranty: 1 year
TheCraftsman Nextec Hammerhead Auto Hammer was the first battery powered nailhammering device to come on the market a while back and we figured it was timewe put this tool through our series of torture tests. With all the hype andclaims of what this tool can do, it was time for us to experience first handthe wrath of the Hammerhead.
Our test tool came in a cardboard box with a niftylift-and-see-through lid that lets you look, but not touch, the tool. Once wegot into the box, we took out the included 30 minute quick charger and put theincluded single 12V battery into it to let it charge up to full strength. Whilewe waited, we did a thorough examination of the tool. The body of the CraftsmanNextec Hammerhead Auto Hammer is made of gray ABS plastic with black over mold rubber grip areas on the front and back sides of the tool. There is a trigger that must be pressed in order to activate thehammer action. Just above the nail sleeve is a handy LED light that should helpmake it easy to see what you are doing when working in a dark place like anattic or crawl space. The nail sleeve is designed to protect the user from evercoming into contact with the hammer anvil that is located up inside thec hamber; also, as a second function, it helps as a guide and nail holder thanksto its built-in magnet. The overall size of the tool is pretty small, yet it feels comfortable in the hand. The weight of the tool sort of feels like holding a large hammer in your hand. We did have to laugh at the mini, almost micro nail puller that was included with the auto hammer. We hope that this little nail puller is not an indication of the size of nails that this tool canhandle.
Testing and Use
Once the battery was fully charged as indicated by the LED light on the charger, we putit into the base of the Craftsman Nextec Hammerhead Auto Hammer. Next, we tooka nice, dry, #1 grade piece of pressure treated 4x4 lumber and set it up as ourtest material. There was no beating around the bush with us; the package saidit is able to drive 3-1/2" common 16d nails, so we decided to start our testingwith these. It immediately becameevident that we were not going to get far with this test. First off, even afternumerous attempts, we could not get a single nail to go more then 2" into ourtest lumber. Even worse was the noise the tool made. Our decibel meter wasgoing crazy as we were hitting readings as loud as 110 dB SPL measured fromthree feet aw...
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