Dewalt DCN690 First fix gun

[Handyman in Sussex]

Hi All,

I got one of these a year ago and have a problem with it not firing. It will fire one nail and the next will start the fan and just go "click".
It's not the magic lever on top that needs turning because the light doesn't come on for that and that doesn't fix it if I do turn it.
The fix for it is to pull the spring loaded nail retainer button down, shake the gun until the strip of nails drops out away from the firing pin area and then let the spring go again pushing the nails back up.
This will make the gun work again.... maybe for one nail, maybe for 3, but normally not much more than 3 before it goes "click" no nail and needs to be done again.............. Doing my head in now...... That and the weight is making me wish I never tried one out and stuck with Paslodes.......
Does anyone know of a service procedure for this problem or has it happened to yours or has anyone got a link to how I can sort it out please?
Many thanks in advance,
Jonty

[steviejoiner74]

Do you clean it regularly? The nose piece and magazine need to be kept really clean or the problems you describe are common. Cheapo nails can be a problem as well with duff heads that don't follow through as good as dewalt or paslode nails. If you are going into really hard material with the longer pins this can cause the dewalt nailers to struggle as well.

[Handyman in Sussex]

Do you clean it regularly? The nose piece and magazine need to be kept really clean or the problems you describe are common. Cheapo nails can be a problem as well with duff heads that don't follow through as good as dewalt or paslode nails. If you are going into really hard material with the longer pins this can cause the dewalt nailers to struggle as well.

No haven't cleaned it yet which is probably the main reason for the problem as you say. I'll need to look up the procedure for this, I know the Passy's well enough but not these, I thought they required less maintenance.
I normally use Passy nails or a cheapo called firmahold as recommended by my local fixings supplier.
Yes we have been going into 600 year old oak with 90's..... doesn't always bury the head completely

[Handyman in Sussex]

Uh Oh, I've just read a load of bad reviews about lots of these needing new driver blades after less than 6 months and Dewalt not covering it under warranty..... They say they don't need a lot of cleaning according to the write ups, it's one of the selling points against gas guns, but this driver blade thing is coming up a lot..... ... I hope it's not that

[Handyman in Sussex]

I'm confused, I can't find anything about cleaning or maintaining this gun..... Only bad reviews.... I have quoted the instructions below which just say to blow the dust out with an air gun and nothing else is required...... This is making me think it is more serious than just a clean now..

MAINTENANCE:
Your DEWALT power tool has been designed to
operate over a long period of time with a minimum
of maintenance. Continuous satisfactory operation
depends upon proper tool care and regular cleaning.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of
serious personal injury, turn tool
off and disconnect battery pack
before making any adjustments or
removing/installing attachments or
accessories. An accidental start-up
can cause injury.
The charger and battery pack are not serviceable.
There are no serviceable parts inside.
Lubrication
Your power tool requires no additional lubrication.
NOTICE: NEVER
spray or in any other
way apply lubricants or
cleaning solvents inside
the tool. This can
seriously affect the life
and performance of the tool.
Cleaning
WARNING: Blow dirt and dust out of
the main housing with dry air as often as
dirt is seen collecting in and around the
air vents. Wear approved eye protection
and approved dust mask when
performing this procedure.
WARNING: Never use solvents or
other harsh chemicals for cleaning the
non-metallic parts of the tool. These
chemicals may weaken the materials
used in these parts. Use a cloth
dampened only with water and mild
soap. Never let any liquid get inside the
tool; never immerse any part of the tool
into a liquid.

[fin]

double check there isnt a nail lurking somewhere causing this problem. it happened to me a couple of times.

also recently. i was using the gun nailing stud work up. i was using a cheap brand of nails. think it was champion nails. the nails are in shorter than usual strips held together with a waxy plasticy stuff. i fired the nail and straight away the motor made a noise consistent with a nail jam. i looked but nothing was there. tried it again and it fired. jammed up and the light came on. i moved the lever and tried again. same thing. and again and again and again. i also noticed that it would only half sink the nails even going into cls.

i took it to my local dewalt repair centre but they said they couldnt do anything as i had no receipt due to being given it as a trial by dewalt. obviously the staff at the repair centre dont know me or anything so i had no problem with that and kinda expected it.

i contacted dewalt and after a couple of emails they took my details and had the gun picked up. a few days later it was returned to me cleaned and repaired under warranty. it now works fine again. they didnt say what they did to it so i dont know what was wrong. i was very pleased with the service though.

[Job and Knock]

I've come across a similar problem with the 2nd fix guns, both the DC616 and DC618 models. the problems can stem from two areas with the 2nd fix guns; either the rod which drives the pin is bent or the return "springs" (actually more like miniature rubber bungees) are weak/old/damaged/one has snapped. This is normally after a fair bit of use. Not sure how relevant this is to your situation, but I've recently repaired three guns suffering from this malady with success.

[fin]

when i had taken it myself to the dewalt shop the fella there said he suspected electrical fault as the lights were both flashing on the back. like a fault code perhaps? anyway i didnt want to take it apart incase i broke it. i dont mind striping down something like a drill or circ saw but i thought it may have been a bit more complex and maybe special tools needed?

it was repaired under warranty anyway so all good.

[Handyman in Sussex]

No nail lurking anywhere it shouldn't be, I tried switching to bump mode but the switch doesn't move easily at all..... I had to force it over with a screwdriver..... That can't be right?
I got it to move over and in that mode I don't get a single misfire..... I didn't switch it back in case it starts playing up again and I needed it to work so left it there so I could use the gun. I think it's that switch that is giving the gun problems maybe.... Perhaps it's best to send it to a Dewalt repair centre...

[steviejoiner74]

I was thinking of getting one of these as my paslode is forever needing parts and maintenance. However the dewalts appear not much better and if anything harder to fix. The paslodes are at least a doddle to fix.

[fin]

worth an email to dewalt. i see they have now bought a new model out slightly different model number.

stevie... what sort of gas are you using?

[steviejoiner74]

Cheapo gas fin,we use firmahold,champion and another crap make. I know the gas doesn't help when it ain't genuine but it's far too expensive for paslode stuff.A box of replica nails is 26 quid compared to paslodes at 60 odd quid,it's a no brainer!!

[fin]

cant ya get gas seperate? have you tried rawl gas and nails?

i used cheap gas in my makita and thought it was knackered until a full on strip down and mega clean fixed it

[steviejoiner74]

Tried all the makes fin,the gun just needs cleaned more and you get the odd strip of nails that have lumps on the strip that jam the gun. I don't know why paslode don't drop the price,I don't know anyone who uses their nails now. Even a pack of 2 gasses is 20 quid!!
Their 2nd fix nails are cheap enough and I use them.

[fin]

yea i never see any other makes of 2nd fix nails.

the rawl nails seem much better quality than some of the other types. i got 3 boxes of them for a roof job we did recently. sure they are galv nails aswell. gun seems happy enough with the rawl gas too.

id steer well clear of those champion nails like.