Product Info Blog
Product information, demos, videos and more.
If you are looking to buy an 8’ to 12’ extension pole to fit your Ramset, Hilti, Simpson or DeWalt powder actuated tool (PAT) please consider an option that will save you money and give you the right tool for the job. One of the major issues we see with extension poles for PAT tools over 6’ is shipping. For instance, a 6’ pole extension pole for a Ramset Cobra may cost $50 to ship via UPS or FEDEX whereas the same pole in 8’ can cost $175 plus! Both poles are lightweight, under 10 lbs but it’s the oversize that makes it so expensive. So, an 8’ pole will cost you close to $500 or more and may be perfect for one job but not practical for most jobs. Please ignore the fact that I am a salesman for just a moment and consider what I think is a better option when you need an 8’ extension pole. Consider the STIFFY PAT tool with a telescopic pole tool.
STIFFY PAT Tool With Telescopic Pole Extension
For just a bit more than what you will pay for an 8’ extension pole with shipping for your Ramset or Hilti tool, you can get the STIFFY PAT tool and a telescopic pole tool that extends from 4’ – 12’. If you prefer, you can get a 6’-18’ telescopic pole as well. The STIFFY tool is a .27 caliber strip tool and is designed exclusively for overhead fastening. In fact, the only real knock on the tool is that it will only shoot up. The tool is lightweight and very simple to operate and maintain. If you can work with the 4’-12’ pole, it will collapse and fit in most gang boxes with the tool attached. One real advantage of the STIFFY/Telescopic pole combo is you don’t’ have a lever to fire the tool. You simply press the tool against the concrete deck to fasten. Now picture if you have a fixed length extension pole and your ceiling is just a little shorter. You may be bending over to fire the tool!
More Advantages Of The Telescopic PAT Pole Tool
The telescopic pole tool that we recommend for the STIFFY is the Lagmaster Plus. In addition to fitting the STIFFY PAT tool, the Lagmaster Plus includes interchangeable plugs that allows it to not only fire the STIFFY but you can install eye lags and Sammy Screws with the tool. Plugs are also included for hex drivers, broom thread and more. So, with this set up, you can accomplish what you set out to do, fasten to a higher deck and have the ability to perform other tasks as well.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it, my thoughts on a better option than a fixed length 8’-12’ pole tool for your Ramset and Hilti tools. It is more than just the shipping cost, operationally, a PAT tool on a telescopic extension pole is just a better set up. With the Stiffy & the Lagmaster Plus, you will have the right tool for the job as well as a one that adapts to whatever you run into on the next project.
Vertical flange clips are used for by the trades for suspending ceilings, electrical and cable runs, lighting, signage and more. There are a couple of different types, this post is will cover the C clip purlin. A C purlin has a vertical flange that sticks straight up 90 degrees. The VOH14 C Purlin Clip will work on C purlins of up to 1/4″ as well as the vertical flange on a bar joist up to 1/4″ thick. Applications for a c purlin clip include suspending cable, j hooks, grid wire, jack chain and more. You have a couple of installation options to consider including options to install the clip from the floor. There are even installation options that will allow you to install the clip and tie ceiling grid wire to the clip while installing the clip, all from the floor.
Installing The C Purlin Clip
Installing a C purlin clip can be as easy as placing the clip over the flange and hammering it on. The real beauty of a c purlin clip though is being able to install the clip from the floor. I can’t tell you how many thousands of c purlin clips pre tied to ceiling grid wire we have sold allowing installers to install cable runs and more from the floor or even a more manageable lift height. Installing the clip from the floor is made easy with a simple installation tool, part number HOIT-AL You basically attach the installation tool to the end of a 1/2″ EMT with a 1/2″ set screw connector and you have a 10′ extension. You can couple two pieces of EMT if you have to. The other option is to mount the installation tool on a telescopic pole tool. The video below on the left will give a quick run through of the way it works. Now if you want to see something really cool. Check out the Purlin Master Plus Tool. This handy little tool will not only set the c purlin clip but it will twist ceiling grid wire on it for you! The video on the right show how the tool works.
Installing C Purlin Clip With HOIT-AL Tool
Installing C Purlin Clip With Purlin Master Tool
The DeWalt DCN890 battery concrete nailer is a great tool and it becomes even more useful if you add the the Stick E contract trip or probe to the tool. With this probe, you can shoot up the DeWalt series of Stick E clips which include MC straps, EMT straps, rod hangers, ceiling clips, lathing discs and more. Check out the video below and see how simple it is to add the probe. You can find the DeWalt DCN890 tool, pins, clips and more online at ConstructionFastening.Net
The Vortex series of drill bits from Norseman have a few unique features that you may find helpful in your install and fabricating work. The most noticeable feature of the bits it the point. The step shank point serves a few purposes. First off the shape reduces friction and thus heat which increases tool life. Norseman is claiming the bits can last up to four times longer than standard bits. The tip is also useful when enlarging existing holes. The bit will center nicely and drill through without damaging the tip of the drill bit. The step on the smaller bits, say 1/8″ and under is hard to notice so not sure if it is a benefit at the smaller size. The Norseman Vortex Drill Bits are recommended for cast iron, brass, sheet metal, acrylic, mild steel, copper, and hard steel. I have heard from a few of our customers that the bits do a nice job on stainless steel as well.
Norseman Vortex Drill Bit Indexes
Norseman Vortex Drill Bits are available on our site as single bits as well as in a couple of different drill bit indexes. The most popular is the bigger 29 piece set that goes from 1/16″ to 1/2″ by 64ths, part number 22913. The real draw to the bigger index is the index itself. One, the blaze orange is easy to find. Second the Ultra Dex cases from Norseman offer a real advantage over the metal bit index. They don’t dent or rust like the metal indexes and it is so much easier to get the bits out. The index seals up tight and has a rubber gasket to keep debris and moister out. We do stock the smaller 21 piece index as well with sizes 1/16″ to 3/8″ x 64ths. Most of our customers are buying the 29 piece and then replacing common single bits as necessary. As for the price; yes they are more expensive than a standard bit, but those that have bought the bits come back for more! Norseman has always made top quality cutting tools right here in the USA and the Vortex line of bits is no exception.
The Ramset Viper 4 Tool is designed specifically for overhead fastening into concrete. We have been selling and servicing the Viper 4 since it was released and so I want to share a little real life info on the tool that will let you know what to expect and get the most out of the tool.
The MCS11 hanger is designed for MC or BX cable and will also work with armored fiber and data cable. You have likely seen a few different mc cable hanger supports on the market. The MCS11 is really one of the most basic and versatile designs. With it’s 1/4-20″ mounting point, you can add a beam clamp, hammer on clamp, shooter clip, bar joist clip or a Sammy Screw threaded rod hanger and support the hanger from just about anything. You can see a few samples in the image.. As an added bonus, you will find it very competitively priced compared to what is currently offered. The overall dimensions of the MCS11 MC Cable Support Hanger is 11″ and will hold up to 10 cables. Visit our site for more information. You can see them at ConstuctionFastening.Net
The Hilti ® SD5000-A22 Screw Gun is cordless drywall screw gun typically used for attaching drywall to metal and wood studs. Adding a magazine and collated screws can really increase the speed of the tool. Typically a seasoned drywaller will scoff at collated screw guns but they have their place. There are times when you simply don’t have both hands available to load screws until you are tacked off. One of those times maybe overhead. If you are looking to make your Hilti SD5000-A22 screw gun even more useful, check out the SGP Screw Gun Pole. The tool is designed to reduce common fatigue from overhead drywall installation, in particular your neck and shoulders. Check out the flyer below or click here to learn more and see a short video of the tool in action.
Using a j-hook mounted to a multi clip or batwing as they are known in the trades is a fast secure way to suspend your cable runs. We offer j-hooks with bat wings in 3/4″, 2″ and 4″ inch sizes. J-hooks with bat wings are super easy to install to grid wire, pencil rod and all thread. They are rated for up to 1/4″ all thread but I have some guys who have used them on 3/8″ in a pinch. To install, just squeeze the bat wing
and position on the rod or wire. They will grab tight and stay in position for you. Bat wing j-hooks are especially useful when you want to suspend multiple cable runs on one hanger. you can space them where you need them. If you have mounted j hooks with angle brackets on threaded rod before you know it can be time consuming to thread a nut up the rod, place the j hook and then spin another nut up to lock in place. Now do it two more times! So yes, j-hooks with bat wings offer a speed advantage. Another plus is if you need to come back and add another run. If you already have a suspended support wire in place already, you can just clip another j-hook on and you are good to go. Below is a short video of our j-hooks with batwings. you can also find more info and other cable supports on our e-commerce site ConstrucitonFastening.Net
The DeWalt 50213-PWR CSI Spiral Ceiling Clip/Pin is another ceiling clip worth giving a try if you are looking to improve your stick rate in tough situations. The 50213-PWR CSI pin has a beefy .157 spiral shank. That’s about 8 percent thicker than a standard ceiling clip which means it’s less likely to turn or fish hook. That means a better stick rate. The DeWalt CSI Pin/Clips are made for use in most
powder actuated tools including DeWalt, Hilti, Ramset, Powers, Simpson and others. Over the years we have had opportunity to trouble shoot a lot of powder actuated tools. What we have found is that upgraded pins like the DeWalt CSI clips are well worth trying. What we stock and sell locally in MN as our everyday pin is what some vendors would consider as premium. While some jobs, like concrete over metal concrete are super easy to shoot even with an economy pin, you should have at least have a better pin on hand when your stick rate starts to drop.
Want to give the DeWalt 50213-PWR a try for yourself? Visit our sample request page here and we will get a handful out for you to try. Visit our e-commerce to order the DeWalt 50213-PWR ceiling clip and find more info including performance data.
Construction Fastening Systems, Inc.
Specialty tools & fasteners for the trades.
Serving the entire U.S.
Based In Twin Cities, MN
