Bosch GSK 18V Brad Nailer in Action

Posted by Katy | Toolstop on 1st Jan 2021

This Toolstop Blog gives you a demo of the Bosch GSK 18V Brad Nailer, showing you its main features, benefits and a run down on how exactly it works. This Bosch GSK 18 V-LI Review will help make up your mind on your next Cordless Nailer purchase. Is this Bosch Nail Gun the way forward? Keep reading to find out!

Review of the Bosch GSK 18V

In this quick guide we’re going to show you how to affix skirting or other mouldings using a brad nailer. For a guide to choosing the right brad or fixing nailer for you (and how to tell the difference) please refer to our buying guide.

For this task we got some help from Bosch’s Eric Streuli who used a Bosch GSK 18V Li Brad Nailer. We’ve got some spec on this power tool below.

To operate this model:

Step 1 - Release the safety lock
Step 2 - Depress the nose against the skirting board
Step 3 - Press the trigger

It really is that simple.

Of course, if you need to you can adjust the depth the brad nails are driven into the workpiece by turning the depth adjustment wheel on the side of the nailer.

Everything you need to know about the Bosch GSK 18 V LI

Stats Worth Pointing Out:

The Bosch GSK 18V Li is a bit of a beast. First off, no gas (ie combustion) and no pneumatics (ie air lines). This is purely driven by Bosch’s 18V lithium-ion battery technology.

The triggering system is sequential and you’re going to get around 3 nails fired per second, assuming you’ve mastered the above technique!

As it’s a brad nailer, it handles brad nails of around 110 per magazine and of between 32 and 64mm in length with a diameter of 1.6mm, and it’s compatible with Paslode and DeWalt 20° finish nails.

Here are a few features you need to know about:

Non-marring rubber nose guard: essential for when you’re working on material that you simply can’t mark!
Tool-less Adjustable Depth-of-Drive: fast and easy adjustable nail depth control for more accuracy
Lock-Out Switch: when engaged, disables tool when not in use

Let's take a look at the Bosch GSK18V-LI in action:

Features of the Bosch GSK 18V

Ease of Use Features:

Jammed nails are a reality when using a brad nailer (brad nails are thin and light and easily bent), so the presence of Bosch’s “Tool-Free Jam Clearing” system on the GK 18V Li is a bonus. Simply lift the lid of the firing pin and remove the jammed nail.

Because brad nailers are used when you’re finishing a job off, particularly in an area where appearance is important, it’s good to know that the GSK18V Li won’t fire blanks. This protects the wood you’re nailing.

Bosch claim that the GSK 18V Li has the smallest diameter grip on class, along with large soft grip areas on the handle. If true then this means you’ll probably be able to handle and use this nail gun for longer without experiencing user fatigue.

Power:

As mentioned the Bosch GSK18V Li runs off Bosch’s fabled 18V lithium-ion batteries.

Bosch claims you’ll get around 700 32mm brad nails fired on one charge. This is a great choice of brad nailer if you’ve already bought into the Bosch 18V range of tools as you’ll be able to quickly slap a battery into it and get nailing!

Typical Applications for the Bosch GSK 18V-Li:

We reckon this nailer is ideal for: