What Are Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer Problems & How to Fix Them?

The Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer is a tool that I personally use quite often. This tool helps me a lot in my work and makes my tasks much easier. Like any tool, it requires regular maintenance, which I strive to do all the time.
However, sometimes problems arise that need to be resolved.
Over many years of experience in the field, I have encountered numerous problems with the Milwaukee nailers. I know that you also often encounter these problems, so I decided to tell you how to fix these problems quickly and easily.

So, Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer can face these 6 problems: 

• Feeder issues 
• Malfunctioning nailer
• Nailer not sinking 
• Barrel jamming 
• Electric issues 
• Frequently breaking components

So, in this guide, I will help you to learn more about Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer problems and as an expert in the field, I will teach you how to fix them.

Also, I will give you tips and additional information on maintaining this framing nailer in good condition.

Key Takeaways 

• Milwaukee Framing Nailer problems include- malfunctioning and jammed feeder and nailer, electrical issues, and broken parts.
• For regular, maintenance and to prevent problems, clean the nailer regularly and maintain it.  
• For persisting problems, consult your manufacturer. 

Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer Problems, Reasons, And Solutions

Problems	Reasons	Solution
Feeder Issue	Misalignment of the pins Worn or damaged spring	Ensure that the pins are aligned correctly. Close the feeder. Regular maintenance
Malfunctioning Nailer	Use of wrong nails or fasteners Nail wedged or stuck in the feeder or driver Improper loading of nails Worn-out parts Built-up debris	Load nails properly. Use manufacturer-specified nails for the nailer. To remove the stuck fastener use a cleat or small pin
Nails not sinking	Problem with the trigger system.Problem with battery or contact tip.	Reset the contact tip by removing the batteries.
Barrel Jams	Problem with the feeding mechanism Incorrect nails Improper magazine A build-up of gunk, dusk, and rust in the barrel.	Disassemble and remove excess or stuck nails Clear any obstruction in the magazine Use compatible nails. Clean the barrelLubricate the barrel.
Electrical Issues	They were malfunctioning solenoids. Incorrect voltage Broken electrical connections Drained battery life.	Fix any broken connections. Ensure full battery charge and replace the old battery. Check the spark plug.
Frequently Braking Components- Pin, spring, hub, and magazine	Worn out Broken	Disassemble the nail gunInspect the components for signs of damage Replace the damaged or worn-out partsReassemble the tool.

Elaboration Of The Problems

Here I show you the elaboration of the problems and how to solve them:

Problem 1: Jamming & Feeder Issues

It can happen that sometimes your framing gun is firing but the nails aren’t feeding. This is a common problem you might face.

Reason: 

• The main reason this problem arises is because of the misalignment of the pins. 
• Feeder issues also occur because of overuse, worn, or damaged springs. You can prevent feeders by regular monitoring and maintenance. 

Solution: 

Here I tell you how to solve feeder issues of your nail gun:

• Verify that the fed pins are aligned correctly.
• Close the feeder and the nailer will work without any doubt. 
• Keep the feeder clean and well-lubricated to ensure proper operation.

Caution: Disconnect the nailer from the power source before beginning any repair. Because it may work suddenly during repair or examination. So, remove the battery from your framing nailer before repair. 

Problem 2: Malfunctioning Nailer

A malfunctioning nailer is one of the common problems where the nailer fails to fire or can’t drive nails. 

Reason:

• Similar to jamming problems in Metabo Cordless Framing Nailers, it occurs when the wrong nails or fasteners are used. As a result, mechanical problems arise and the nail gets jammed. 
• Sometimes a nail could get stuck or wedged in the feeder or driver tip. This prevents the nailer from functioning well. 
• Other factors that can cause malfunctioning nailers are improper loading of nails, worn-out parts, or built-up dirt. 

Solution: 

Here I give you the ways to fix a malfunctioning gun:

• Use the appropriate nails specified by the manufacturer for the nailer. 
• Load the guns properly as instructed by the manufacturer.
• Remove a stuck fastener using a small pin or cleat.
• If the problem persists, check for any worn-out or damaged parts. If necessary replace them with new ones.
• Take help from Milwaukee customer support or any technician. 

Problem 3: Nails Not Sinking 

Another common problem that I often encounter is that framing nailers won’t sink nails.

Reason: 

• A problem with the trigger system or battery can cause this problem.
• Problem with the contact tip.

Solution: 

• Remove the battery and reset the contact tip:

• Take off the gas cap if there’s any.
• Clean the nozzle surfaces using a towel to remove any dust or dirt. 
• Insert the batteries and check if it is working.

Problem 4: Barrel Jams 

Barrel jamming arises when a nail gets stuck in the barrel and prevents it from further firing. Jamming is a common problem in tools like Dewalt 20V trimmers. 

Reason:

• A malfunctioning feeding mechanism can lead to barrel jamming. When the firing mechanism receives too many nails it causes the gun to malfunction. The misfire is caused by improper alignment of the firing pin.
• Another reason is built-up dirt, dust, and debris stuck in the barrel. So, to prevent such a problem, cleaning the gun regularly is important.

Solution: 

Here are the ways to fix barrel jam:

• Disconnect the nailer from the power source before disassembling it to remove excess or stuck nails.
• Carefully examine the barrel to identify the cause of the jams. 
• Clean the barrel to ensure a smooth pathway for the nails.
• Apply a thin layer of machine oil to help the pins slide through more easily.

Tip: You should lubricate your nailer with machine oil regularly. This will prevent barrel jamming in the future and enhance your experience of using the Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer.

Here’s a video on how to oil framing nailer-

Problem 5: Electrical Issues 

Reasons: 

• Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer can face electric issues like malfunctioning solenoids because of incorrect voltage. If you apply incorrect voltage to the solenoid coil, it will fail or burn out and can’t be repaired. 
• As Milwaukee m18 Framing Nailers are cordless and operate on rechargeable batteries, they can drain out of charge too quickly. Because the batteries may be too old to function. In most cases, old batteries will also affect the nailer’s performance. 

Solution: 

• Disassemble the nailer to fix any broken connections. 
• Avoid running your battery down to zero.
• If the battery is too old, replace it with a new one. 
• Examine the spark plug to make sure it is in good condition. Make sure the connections aren’t loose.

Problem 6: Frequently Breaking Components

Pins:

One part that commonly breaks in Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer is the pin. A broken or worn-out pin prevents fasteners from feeding and causes feeding issues. This results in irregular firing from the nailer. A worn pin also can cause the nailer to jam. This will restrict the nailer from firing altogether. 

Spring:

A broken spring causes the nailer to misfire and affects the operation of the nailer. 

Hub: 

The hub is attached to the spring and feeder. When the nail gun becomes worn or breaks, it will no longer be able to apply pressure to the nail gun feeder.

Magazine: 

The magazine of nailers easily breaks if they are not handled properly. A malfunctioning nailer magazine can cause nail guns to become pinched and stuck in place. 

Solution: 

Here’s how to solve broken components:

• Disassemble the nailer.
• Check on the magazine, pin, spring, and pushers for signs of damage.
• If there are any broken parts, replace them with a new one.
• Reassemble the tool. It will work flawlessly. 

Here’s a video on how to disassemble and fix Milwaukee Framing Nailer-

FAQ:

Closing Words 

Now that you know your Milwaukee M18 Framing Nailer problems, inspect them and fix them accordingly. If you still face other problems consult the manufacturer or seek assistance from a service center.

Please, share with us your experience and tell us what kind of problems you encountered and how you solved them.

Good luck!