Worxnitro WX842L 20V Cordless 18 Gauge Brad Nailer User Manual

Overview

The WX842L 20V Cordless 18 Gauge Brad Nailer is a battery-powered finish nailer for trim, molding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, and other woodworking projects. Its cordless design eliminates the need for an air compressor, hose, or power cord, while the two firing modes support either precise nail placement or faster repetitive fastening.

This tool is intended for DIY users, remodelers, finish carpenters, and tradespeople who need a portable solution for driving 18-gauge brad nails into suitable wood materials. Always test the nail length and depth setting on scrap material before working on a finished surface.

Specifications

• Models: WX842L and WX842L.X
• Power: 20V Max cordless battery system
• Nail type: 18-gauge brad nails
• Compatible nail length: 5/8 to 2 inches (15 to 50 mm)
• Magazine capacity: 100 nails
• Nailing speed: Up to 80 nails per minute
• Bare-tool weight: 6.2 lb (2.8 kg)
• Recommended batteries: WORX 20V battery packs, including 1.5 Ah, 2.0 Ah, 2.5 Ah, and 4.0 Ah versions listed for this tool
• Recommended charger: WORX WA3881 2.0 A charger

The stated 20V Max rating refers to the battery’s maximum initial voltage without a workload. The nominal operating voltage is 18V.

Detailed Description

The WX842L 20V Cordless 18 Gauge Brad Nailer uses a battery-powered driving mechanism to set narrow brad nails below or close to the surface of the workpiece. A workpiece contact must be pressed against the material before the tool can fire, helping reduce unintended operation.

The main components include the workpiece contact, no-mar pad, LED worklights, spare no-mar pad, magazine release button, low-nail indicator window, side-loading magazine, on/off trigger, mode selector switch, battery release button, battery pack, belt hook, tool-free depth-of-drive adjustment, and tool-free jam release.

The no-mar pad helps protect finished surfaces from contact marks. The LED worklights illuminate the fastening area and also provide operating feedback. The belt hook can be positioned on either the left or right side of the nailer.

Safety

General precautions

• Read and retain the complete instruction manual before using the nailer.
• Keep the work area clean, dry, and well lit. Remove clutter that could cause slips or loss of control.
• Keep children and bystanders away while operating the tool.
• Do not use the nailer near flammable liquids, gases, vapors, or combustible dust.
• Stay alert and do not operate the tool while tired or under the influence of alcohol, medication, or drugs.
• Wear eye protection, hearing protection, protective gloves, and suitable non-slip footwear. Use a dust mask when working with materials that create fine dust.
• Keep loose clothing, jewelry, long hair, and gloves away from moving parts.
• Maintain stable footing and do not overreach.
• Remove the battery before adjusting the tool, changing accessories, clearing a jam, or storing the nailer.

Nailer-specific warnings

• Assume that the nailer contains fasteners even when the magazine appears empty.
• Never point the tool at yourself or another person.
• Do not activate the nailer unless the workpiece contact is firmly against the material.
• Remove the battery before attempting to clear a jam. The mechanism may remain compressed and could release a fastener unexpectedly.
• Do not hold, wedge, or defeat the workpiece-contact mechanism.
• Do not use this tool to fasten electrical cables. A driven nail can damage cable insulation and create shock or fire hazards.
• Use only the specified 18-gauge brad nail size and length range.

Battery safety

• Use only a battery pack and charger intended for this WORX 20V system.
• Do not open, crush, burn, expose to excessive heat, or immerse the battery pack.
• Keep the battery away from keys, coins, nails, screws, paper clips, and other metal objects that could bridge the terminals.
• Keep the battery clean and dry. Wipe dirty terminals with a clean, dry cloth.
• If battery liquid contacts skin or eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention.
• Keep battery packs out of children’s reach and remove the battery from the nailer when it is not being used.
• Charge the battery with the correct charger according to the charger instructions. Do not leave it on prolonged charge when it is not needed.
• Recycle or dispose of exhausted batteries through an appropriate battery-recycling service. Do not burn batteries or place them in unsorted household waste.

Setup and Operation

Install or remove the battery

1. Make sure the on/off trigger is released and the nailer is pointed away from people.
2. Slide a charged compatible battery pack into the battery compartment until it locks in place.
3. To remove the battery, press the battery pack release button and pull the pack out of the tool.
4. Always remove the battery before loading nails, servicing the tool, or clearing a jam.

Charge the battery

1. Use the specified WORX charger with a compatible 20V battery pack.
2. Connect the charger and place the battery into the charger correctly.
3. Allow the charging cycle to finish according to the charger indicators and instructions.
4. Remove the battery from the charger when charging is complete or when the tool is ready for use.

Install the belt hook

The belt hook may be fitted to either side of the nailer. Choose the side that gives the most comfortable and secure carrying position, then fasten it in place before carrying the tool.

Load brad nails

1. Remove the battery pack from the nailer.
2. Press the magazine release button at the rear of the magazine.
3. Slide the magazine cover open.
4. Place compatible 18-gauge brad nails in the upper-left portion of the magazine channel, with the nail points facing in the correct direction for the tool.
5. Close the magazine cover until it snaps securely into place.
6. Check the low-nail indicator window and reinstall the battery only after the magazine is closed.

Keep the tool pointed away from yourself and others while loading. Wear protective gloves during this operation.

Select the firing mode

Use the mode selector switch to choose one of the two operating modes:

• Single sequential actuation: Designed for controlled, accurate nail placement.
• Contact actuation: Designed for faster, repetitive nail placement.

Make sure the selector is fully seated in the selected position. The nailer may not operate correctly if the selector is between modes.

Operate in single sequential mode

1. Place the workpiece contact firmly against the work surface.
2. Press the on/off trigger to drive one nail.
3. Release the trigger and lift or reposition the tool before the next fastening action.

Operate in contact actuation mode

1. Press and hold the on/off trigger.
2. Place the workpiece contact against the work surface to drive a nail.
3. Release the workpiece contact after each nail is driven.
4. Move the tool to the next fastening point and press the contact against the surface again.

The nailer requires both the trigger and workpiece contact to be activated for firing. If no nail is driven within five seconds after pressing the trigger or workpiece contact, release the control and operate it again.

Adjust the driving depth

1. Remove the battery if an adjustment is being made as part of setup or servicing.
2. Turn the tool-free depth-of-drive adjustment knob to change how far the brad enters the material.
3. Install the battery and drive a test nail into scrap material.
4. Repeat the adjustment and test until the nail sits at the desired depth without damaging the workpiece.

Material hardness and nail length affect the final driving depth. Use a nail length appropriate for the wood rather than relying only on the adjustment knob.

Use the LED worklights

The LED worklights activate when the on/off trigger is pressed or when the workpiece contact is pushed against a surface. They illuminate the fastening area and flash in specific patterns when the tool detects certain operating conditions.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Remove the battery before adjustment, servicing, or maintenance.
• Wipe the nailer with a dry cloth.
• Do not use water or chemical cleaners on the power tool.
• Keep the magazine, controls, and work area free of dust and debris.
• Keep the motor ventilation slots clear.
• Store the nailer in a dry location.
• Occasional sparks visible through the ventilation slots can be normal and do not necessarily indicate a fault.

Troubleshooting

LED flashes five times

Possible cause: The magazine contains no nails.

Solution: Load compatible brad nails and close the magazine securely.

LED flashes two times

Possible cause: The battery charge is low.

Solution: Charge the battery pack before continuing work.

LED flashes three times

Possible cause: The tool has become too hot.

Solution: Release the trigger, remove the tool from the workpiece, and allow it to cool before using it again.

Fasteners do not drive fully

• Increase the driving depth using the depth adjustment.
• Check whether the wood is too hard for the selected nail length.
• Try a brad nail length that is suitable for the material.

Fasteners drive too deeply

Reduce the driving depth with the adjustment knob, then test the setting on scrap material.

Frequent jams

• Confirm that the nails are the correct 18-gauge size and compatible length.
• Replace bent or damaged nails.
• Clean debris from the magazine.

Clear a jammed nail

1. Try operating the tool two more times to confirm that a nail is jammed.
2. Remove the battery pack and all nails from the magazine. Wear protective gloves.
3. Keep the magazine open and pull up the tool-free jam-release mechanism to unhook the latch.
4. Check that the driving mechanism tip is in its initial position.
5. If necessary, insert a flat-head screwdriver into the tip of the driving mechanism and push it back to the initial position.
6. Remove bent or obstructing nails.
7. Close the jam release and secure the latch.
8. Reload compatible brad nails and reinstall the battery.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Cordless 20V operation supports portable finishing work.
• Accepts common 18-gauge brad nails from 5/8 to 2 inches.
• 100-nail magazine reduces reload frequency.
• Single sequential and contact actuation modes suit both precision and repetitive fastening.
• Tool-free depth adjustment and jam release simplify setup and maintenance.
• LED worklights improve visibility around the fastening point.

Cons

• The battery and charger must be charged and maintained for cordless operation.
• Driving performance depends on selecting an appropriate nail length and depth setting for the wood.
• The tool requires careful jam-clearing procedures because the driving mechanism can remain compressed.
• Its intended applications are finish and trim fastening rather than heavy structural construction.