Intro
Trim carpentry is where the quality of a build becomes visible. Skirting boards, architraves, crown moulding, door casings, and wainscoting — these are the details that turn a bare room into a finished space. Nailing them by hand with a hammer and punch is slow, leaves hammer marks, and makes it hard to keep every nail at a consistent depth. A 16-gauge finishing nailer solves all of this. These tools drive slender nails that hold firmly but leave holes small enough to fill with a single swipe of putty, and their depth control ensures every nail sits exactly flush or slightly countersunk without damaging the surrounding wood. Cordless finishing nailers have taken this convenience a step further by eliminating both the compressor and the gas cartridges that older cordless models required. With a brushless motor and lithium-ion batteries, modern finishing nailers are ready the moment you pick them up, silent when idle, and produce professional-quality results whether you are trimming out a single room or a whole house.
Generalities
When choosing a cordless finishing nailer, the most important decision is between gas and gasless operation. Gas-powered nailers use a small fuel cartridge and battery to drive each nail, but the gas cells are an ongoing cost and the tool requires regular cleaning to prevent carbon build-up. Gasless models use a purely mechanical flywheel or spring mechanism powered by the battery — no gas, no fumes, and far less maintenance. Nail gauge is the next consideration: 16-gauge nails provide a strong hold with holes that are easy to fill, making them the standard for trim and finish work. Look for a nail range of 32 to 63 mm to cover everything from thin decorative mouldings to substantial baseboards. A magazine capacity of around 100 nails keeps reloads infrequent without making the tool too bulky.
In this review we examine the Dewalt DCN660P2-QW, a cordless 16-gauge finishing nailer from Dewalt's XR 18V platform. We evaluate its gasless brushless motor operation, the sequential and burst firing modes capable of 4 nails per second, the 32 to 63 mm nail range, and the value of the included dual 5 Ah batteries and multi-voltage charger. With a 3.9 out of 5 stars rating from 19 users, the sample is modest but Dewalt's XR platform pedigree provides a strong foundation for assessment.
Description
The Dewalt DCN660 is a cordless 16-gauge finishing nailer powered by Dewalt's XR 18-volt lithium-ion battery platform. Unlike older cordless nailers that rely on gas fuel cells, this model uses a brushless motor and a fully mechanical flywheel mechanism to drive each nail — no gas cartridges to buy, no fumes to ventilate, and no carbon residue to scrub off the tool after use. It fires 16-gauge straight-collated nails from 32 mm to 63 mm in length with a 1.2 mm diameter, a range that handles everything from delicate quarter-round moulding to heavy skirting boards and door casings. The 20-degree magazine holds 110 nails, striking a good balance between capacity and the tool's overall compactness.
The gasless mechanical operation is the standout design feature. It means the tool is ready to fire as soon as you pull the trigger — no warm-up time, no waiting for a gas-air mixture to cycle. The double security system prevents accidental discharge by requiring both the nose contact and trigger to be engaged, and a tool-free magazine release makes clearing jams or switching nail sizes fast. The depth adjustment wheel is accessible without tools, letting you dial in exact countersink depth for different wood densities. At 2.6 kilograms with a battery fitted, it is light enough for overhead crown moulding work and compact enough — 47.5 × 37.5 × 16.6 centimetres — to fit between studs and into corner positions.
Two firing modes give you flexibility for different tasks. Sequential mode requires a deliberate nose-press and trigger-pull for each nail — ideal for precise placement on delicate trim where a misaligned nail means patching and repainting. Burst mode fires up to 4 nails per second as you move along the workpiece, which is a genuine time-saver when running long lengths of skirting or fixing plywood backing. The transition between modes is straightforward, and the tool provides clear tactile feedback through the trigger so you always know whether a nail has fired.
This kit — designated by the P2 suffix — includes two XR 18-volt 5 Ah batteries and a multi-voltage charger in a Dewalt carry case. The 5 Ah batteries provide extended runtime between charges and are compatible with over 140 other tools in the Dewalt XR 18V range, so if you already own Dewalt cordless tools these batteries slot straight into your existing rotation. The multi-voltage charger handles both 18V and 54V FlexVolt batteries, future-proofing your charging setup. Tool-free jam clearance and the depth adjustment wheel round out a well-considered package.
Customer ratings sit at 3.9 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews — a reasonable but limited data set that suggests general satisfaction with room for improvement. The bestseller rank of #475 in Staplers & Tackers places it in a competitive niche. The tool dates from 2016, so it has been on the market long enough for its reliability characteristics to be understood. As a Dewalt XR product, spare parts and service are available through Dewalt's established network. Note that listed spare parts availability is stated as 'not available or provided', which is worth clarifying with Dewalt directly if long-term serviceability is a priority.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Gasless brushless motor operation eliminates gas cartridge costs, fumes, and carbon cleaning — lower running costs and far less maintenance than gas-powered finishing nailers
- Kit includes two 5 Ah batteries and a multi-voltage charger — ready to work out of the box with extended runtime and compatibility across the Dewalt XR 18V ecosystem
- 32 to 63 mm nail range in 16-gauge covers everything from small quarter-round moulding to heavy skirting and door casings — a single tool for all trim carpentry
- Burst mode fires up to 4 nails per second for rapid installation along long runs; sequential mode provides precise single-nail placement for delicate or visible trim
- Weighs 2.6 kg with battery — light and compact enough for overhead crown moulding work and tight corner nailing without fatigue
- Tool-free depth adjustment and magazine release make mid-job changes fast — dial in countersink depth or clear a jam without reaching for tools
- Double security anti-accidental firing system prevents unintended discharge — important for a tool that is often used at face height on door casings and crown moulding
- Batteries and charger are compatible with over 140 Dewalt XR 18V tools — a significant ecosystem advantage if you already own Dewalt cordless equipment
Cons
- 3.9 out of 5 stars from only 19 reviews — the rating is modest and the sample size is small, making it hard to draw firm conclusions about long-term reliability
- At 553.47 EUR for the kit, this is a premium investment — the gasless technology and dual-battery kit command a significant price premium over pneumatic finishing nailers
- Listed spare parts availability is unclear — the product listing states spare part information is 'not available or provided', which is a concern for a tool at this price
- 110-nail magazine capacity is adequate but not generous — frequent reloads may interrupt workflow on larger trim-out jobs compared to tools with higher capacities
- The 20-degree magazine angle, while good for tight spaces, limits nail collation compatibility — you must use 20-degree collated nails rather than the more common 30 to 34-degree format
Use cases
This cordless gasless finishing nailer is built for carpenters and serious renovators who want compressor-free, low-maintenance trim installation — from skirting and architraves to crown moulding and cabinetry — with the battery convenience of the Dewalt XR 18V ecosystem.
Skirting and Baseboard Installation
Running skirting boards around an entire room means dozens of nails per wall. The burst mode at 4 nails per second makes fast work of long straight runs, while sequential mode gives precision for mitred corners and scribed joints. The 63 mm maximum nail length handles thick skirting profiles, and the depth adjustment ensures nails sit flush without denting the MDF or softwood.
Crown Moulding and Cornice Work
Installing crown moulding means working overhead at awkward angles with both hands occupied holding the trim in place. At 2.6 kg, the DCN660 is light enough for extended overhead use, and the cordless design means no air hose tugging at the tool while you are balancing on a ladder. The sequential mode gives precise control for visible mitre joints where a misfired nail would mean starting the piece over.
Door and Window Casing Installation
Casing out doors and windows requires nails at multiple heights and angles, often in tight spaces between the jamb and adjacent walls. The compact 47.5 × 37.5 cm body fits into these spaces, and the gasless operation means no fumes accumulating in enclosed rooms. The depth adjustment is especially useful here — different wood species around a single doorway may need different driving depths.
Wainscoting and Wall Panelling
Installing beadboard, shiplap, or raised panel wainscoting involves hundreds of nails across an entire room. Burst mode accelerates the repetitive middle sections, while sequential mode handles the visible perimeter nails that will be filled and painted. The 110-nail magazine covers a full wall panel before reloading, and the Dewalt 5 Ah batteries will last through a full day of panelling work.
Cabinetry and Built-In Installation
Fitting kitchen cabinets, built-in wardrobes, or bookshelves involves nailing in positions where a pneumatic hose would snag on every open door and drawer front. The cordless design moves freely around and inside cabinet carcasses, and the gasless mechanism means no fuel odours inside enclosed cabinet spaces. The 32 mm minimum nail length is short enough for thin cabinet backs and drawer bottoms.