Brad and finish nailer guide
Metabo HPT NT65M2S 16-Gauge 2-1/2 in. Pneumatic Finish Nailer
Molding, chair rail and cabinetry with 16-gauge nails up to 2-1/2 in.
The NT65M2S is Metabo HPT's 3.7 lb pneumatic finish nailer for 16-gauge nails from 1 to 2-1/2 in. It switches between bump and sequential firing, adds an air duster and a tool-free depth adjustment, and runs at 70 to 120 psi, using .042 cubic feet of air per cycle at 100 psi.
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Published specifications
- 16-gauge finish nails, 1 to 2-1/2 in.; 100-nail magazine
- 70 to 120 psi; .042 cu ft per cycle at 100 psi
- Bump or sequential firing via a selector switch
- Air duster; tool-free depth; 360 degree exhaust
- 3.7 lbs per Metabo HPT
- Professional 5-Year Tool Warranty, per Metabo HPT
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Takes nails up to 2-1/2 in., longer than the 18-gauge brad nailers here
- Switches between bump and sequential firing
- Air duster clears the work surface
Caveats
- Uses more air per nail than the NT50AE2 brad nailer, per the two manuals
- Needs a compressor, hose and pneumatic tool oil
- Linked manual is the older Hitachi-branded edition
What it drives and what comes with it
Metabo HPT says the NT65M2S takes 16-gauge finish nails from 1 in. to 2-1/2 in. and names molding, chair rail and cabinetry as its jobs. The straight magazine top-loads 100 nails, which the manual describes as two strips.
The box list on Metabo HPT's page names the nailer, safety glasses, a 1/4 in. NPT male plug, a no-mar tip and a carrying case. The Amazon listing's model field reads NT65M2S. The manual Metabo HPT links is the older Hitachi-branded edition for the NT65M2(S), from before the brand changed its name.
Air supply and how much it uses
The page and the manual give an operating pressure of 70 to 120 psi. The manual's air consumption table gives .034 cubic feet per cycle at 80 psi, .038 at 90 psi and .042 at 100 psi, so plan your compressor around those figures if you nail fast.
For comparison, the manual for Metabo HPT's NT50AE2 18-gauge brad nailer gives .025 cubic feet per cycle at 100 psi, so the finish nailer uses more air per nail (our arithmetic from the two manuals). The manual says never to connect the nailer to a source that can exceed 200 psi.
Brad nailer or finish nailer: what the specs show
Within this maker's line, the 16-gauge NT65M2S takes longer nails than the 18-gauge NT50AE2, up to 2-1/2 in. against 2 in., and it weighs 3.7 lbs against 2.2 lbs. The manual's nail table lists a larger nail head and shank for the 16-gauge nails than the brad nailer's table does.
Metabo HPT positions the NT65M2S for molding, chair rail and cabinetry and the NT50AE2 for trim work and furniture building. Neither page says which nail to choose for a given trim size, so match the nail length and gauge your trim plans call for.
Firing modes, duster and depth
A selective actuation switch picks bump fire or sequential fire. The manual warns about double fire from recoil in continuous push-lever firing and says to switch to single sequential actuation for intermittent work. Depth of drive adjusts without tools, and the exhaust port turns 360 degrees.
An air duster button blows dust off the work surface. The manual adds that oil in the tool or water drained from the compressor can sometimes spray out of the duster's outlet, and suggests a test before using it near a finished surface.
Oil, nails and warranty
The manual calls for pneumatic tool lubricant through a lubricator in the air line and lists Hitachi-branded lubricant as an optional accessory. It also says to use only genuine nails for this model, warning that other nails can cause malfunction or nail breakdown.
Metabo HPT's page says the NT65M2S is covered by its Professional 5-Year Tool Warranty, and its specification table lists a 5-year warranty. The manual read for this guide does not print warranty terms, so check Metabo HPT's warranty page for exclusions.
Common questions
What nails does the Metabo HPT NT65M2S take?
16-gauge finish nails from 1 in. to 2-1/2 in., in a 100-nail straight magazine, per Metabo HPT.
How much air does the NT65M2S use?
The manual gives .034 cubic feet per cycle at 80 psi, .038 at 90 psi and .042 at 100 psi, within a 70 to 120 psi operating range.
Is the NT65M2S a brad nailer?
No. It is a 16-gauge finish nailer. Metabo HPT's 18-gauge brad nailer in this guide set is the NT50AE2, which takes 5/8 to 2 in. brads.
Check the current listing
Main caveat to weigh before ordering: Uses more air per nail than the NT50AE2 brad nailer, per the two manuals.
Primary sources
- 2-1/2 Inch 16 Gauge Finish Nailer with Air Duster (NT65M2S) | Metabo HPT
- NT65M2(S) Finish Nailer Instruction and Safety Manual (linked from the Metabo HPT page)
Primary sources checked .
Compare with
Side-by-side pages, this model next to: DEWALT DWFP12231 18-Gauge 2 in. Pneumatic Brad Nailer Kit, Metabo HPT NT50AE2 18-Gauge 2 in. Pneumatic Brad Nailer, Metabo HPT NT1850DG 18V Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit (2.0Ah).