There are several manufacturers of this tool, including Ramset, Dewalt, and Hilti. Some styles work by striking a hammer to the end of the tool, which sets off the gunpowder charge; others have a trigger that is pulled to fire the cartridge.
Safety Considerations
Always load the nail first, then the cartridge. If you have the cartridge loaded before inserting the nail, there is a chance that the charge may detonate accidentally and fire the nail into you.Treat the nail gun like any gun and keep the barrel pointed away from you and other people. The gun is designed so that it will only fire when the tip is pressed down against a work surface, but accidents have been known to happen.When using a hammer-blow type of nailer, remember that significant force by a hammer is required to drive the firing pin. If you cannot provide that force in one decisive blow, a trigger-style tool may be a better choice.Professional tools like the Ramset XT540 use a 10-shot strip of powder loads that automatically advances after each shot. As a do-it-yourselfer working on a limited scale, it may be better to choose a tool in which each shot is loaded individually.Keep the nail gun perpendicular to the work material and never at even the slightest angle.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that most powder-actuated nailer injuries happen when a body part is placed in front of the barrel. The second most prevalent type of injury comes from blowback or projectile debris. Be sure to always use safety glasses. You will need hearing protection, since the nail gun produces a very loud bang that can harm your ears.OSHA requires that employees who use a concrete nail gun take a test and be licensed to use the tool. However, as a homeowner user, you do not need to be licensed. You should, though, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them precisely.
Tips on Using a Concrete Nail Gun
Unlike when you manually drive nails into concrete, a concrete nail gun does not require that you drill a pilot hole. In fact, it is unsafe to fire into a pilot hole. Beginners can find it tricky to get nails to penetrate to the proper depth. Either the concrete is too hard, and the nail fires only partway into the material. Or the masonry and workpiece are too soft, and the nail penetrates right through the wood. Remember that the depth of the nail will be controlled by several variables: the length of the nail, the thickness of the wood, the hardness of the masonry surface, and the size of the powder load. Manufacturers offer several different powder loads to match different needs. Ramset has a simple-to-follow, color-coded set of guidelines that tells you which charge to use in conjunction with nail length and work material. One powder load manufacturer offers six different powder loads—gray, brown, green, yellow, red, and purple—in order of increasing power. Although the method is not perfect, you can roughly gauge the penetration needed with this test: Hit a nail onto the concrete or masonry surface, then examine the point of the nail. If the point of the nail flattens, the material is quite hard and will require a more powerful charge. If it penetrates easily, the masonry is soft and will require a less powerful charge. Poured concrete is typically quite hard, requiring a powerful charge to sink the nail, while cinderblock or other forms of brick are relatively soft.
How to Use a Concrete Nail Gun
Buying Vs. Renting
If you have more than a couple of concrete nails to drive—or if you just like using gadgets designed for specialized tasks—you should buy or borrow a nail gun designed for concrete. Officially known as a powder-actuated nailer, this tool goes under different names, including gun nailer, .22 nailer, power nailer, or by the trademarked brand name, Ramset.
Slide the nail into the barrel of the nailer at the barrel end, not through the chamber as you do with conventional firearms. The nail will enter the barrel head-first. Push the nail until the pointed end of the nail has cleared the barrel end. Do not push it any deeper than this.
On some gun designs, the shell is fired by pulling a trigger, the same way a handgun is fired.
As a do-it-yourself homeowner, you may want this tool for:
Basement finishing, when you want to attach sole plates to the concrete floor to create walls Attaching metal electrical boxes to a concrete wall Securing metal or wood studs to concrete Hanging cabinets on masonry walls Attaching brackets to the mortar between bricks to hold shelves
Keeping a Concrete Nail Gun Clean
A concrete nail gun is a relatively simple tool that needs easy maintenance after each use. When you are finished with the nail gun for the day, use a few sprays from a can of compressed air to clean out the feed system. Wipe down the tool itself with a clean, damp cloth. In addition, look to the user manual for specific instructions on any required lubrication or cleaning of your particular model of nail gun.
When to Replace Your Concrete Nail Gun
A well-maintained nail gun should last you for several years of work around the house. Sometimes, even the most cared-for nail gun will jam. But if the nail gun jams almost every time you use it, there could be an issue within the tool. Be safe and stop using that nail gun; replace it with a new one.
