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Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement

Introduction

This guide shows how to remove or replace the main board electronics in a Dewalt DCN21PL Nailer.

What you need

  1. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove the battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove the battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Before you begin the repair, remove the battery from the device.

    Edit

  2. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove casing screws: step 2, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove casing screws: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Use a T10 driver to remove the four screws securing the bottom half of the casing.

    • Remove the four T10 screws securing the top half of the casing.

    Edit

  3. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove the magazine: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T10 driver to remove the screw securing the magazine to the base.

    Edit

  4. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the magazine down and away to unlatch and release it from the nailer.

    Edit

  5. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove framing hook: step 5, image 1 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove framing hook: step 5, image 2 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove framing hook: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Use a T15 driver to remove the framing hook retaining screw.

    • Remove the hook.

    Edit

  6. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove hook clamp: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • This step may require a lot of force.

    • Use your two thumbs to firmly spread the metal hook clamp apart while slowly pushing it forward off the handle.

    • When this clamp is being removed, it has a tendency to launch off of the handle after you release tension.

    Edit

  7. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Use a sharp blade to slice the label underneath the battery mount to disconnect the two halves of the case.

    • Always cut away from you or others around you.

    Edit

  8. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T20 driver to remove the two screws securing the two halves of the case to the front assembly.

    Edit

  10. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove return system: step 9, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove return system: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use the provided 3.5 mm hex key to remove the two return system bolts on either side of the nailer.

    Edit

  11. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Grab the end cap and slide the return system assembly out of the back of the nailer to remove it.

    Edit

  12. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Use a small flathead screwdriver in the gap between the two halves of the casing near the trigger to pry the two halves apart.

    Edit

  13. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use a small flathead screwdriver near the top seam to continue prying the case apart .

    Edit

  14. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove right half of case: step 13, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove right half of case: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Once loose, lift up to remove the right half of the clamshell case.

    Edit

  15. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove lens cover: step 14, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove lens cover: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the plastic lens cover.

    Edit

  16. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove board and switches: step 15, image 1 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove board and switches: step 15, image 2 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove board and switches: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • The two switches and four detent springs are only held in place by the plastic casing, so they may fall out when you remove the board—this is fine.

    • Grasp either side of the main circuit board and slowly pull it up and out of the slot in the casing.

    • Reassembly tip: note the correct location and orientation of the two switches and their detent springs.

    Edit

  17. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove trigger lock: step 16, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove trigger lock: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Pull up on the trigger lock to remove.

    Edit

  18. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove left half of case: step 17, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove left half of case: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Flip the nailer over.

    • Remove the remaining clamshell casing.

    Edit

  19. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement, Remove main electronics: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Use wire snips to cut the small black cable tie securing the four main board wires together.

    Edit

  20. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the white plastic actuator straight up off its axle to remove.

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  21. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the point of a pick tool into the push-in connector's inlet hole, which has the main board wire plugged into it.

    • With the pick tool still inserted, pull the red main board wire out of the push-in connector.

    • Make sure you choose the inlet that connects to the main board, not the solenoid.

    • Repeat this same process for the black wire and other push-in connector.

    Edit

  22. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Use a T20 driver to remove the following screws:

    • Two 15 mm-long board retaining screws, one on either side.

    • Three 10 mm-long motor wire screws.

    Edit

  23. Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 Dewalt Nailers DCN21PL 2018 Main Electronics Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the board off its guide pin to remove.

    • Reassembly tip: make sure the actuator plunger lines up with the guide hole on the main board housing.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

One other person completed this guide.

Author

Carsten Frauenheim

Member since: 03/10/20

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