Product Info Blog

Here is a brief video showing how easy it is to fasten a 2×4 to steel using your Hilti, Ramset, Simpson or DeWalt powder actuated tool. In the video we are using a Ramset Cobra, the Ramset SP178 Power Point pin and a red power load. A few words of caution: Safety first, make sure you have appropriate safety apparel including safety glasses and hearing protection. Don’t get to close to the end of your 2×4 or it may split. Also, keep in mind that the Ramset SP178 pins are not for use in treated lumber. Check out the video below and watch through the end to see the slow motion side shot, it’s kind of cool. You can find the pins online at ConstructionFastening.Net

The DeWalt 50376 rod hanger is designed for use in P.A.T. (powder actuated tools) like Ramset, Hilti, Simpson and DeWalt. The hanger features a 1/4″-20 rod coupler fastened to a ceiling clips with a 1-1/8″ pin with a .300 head installed. This hanger works well for suspending bridle rings, drop rods, j-hooks and more. After you shoot the hanger to the concrete deck, you have 1/4-20 female threads hanging from overhead. Whatever you have that can be attached with standard 1/4-20 hardware could ultimately be fastened to the hanger. The DeWalt 50376 rod hanger fits most powder actuated tools. Depending on the tool and what you are fastening, you may be able to pre assemble it to the hanger before you attach it. For instance, many tools will accept the hanger with a bridle ring or threaded rod pre attached. It really just depends on the muzzle end of your tool. We have a brief video below and you can find the DeWalt 50376 rod hanger online at ConstructionFastening.Net

If you are using hammer on flange clips to mount to I beams or bar joists, we have them on hand. The most common is the 1/8/-1/4″ size, meaning it is designed to hammer on to a 1/8″ to 1/4″ size horizontal flange. Typical applications are suspending signs, fixtures, lighting, cable runs and speakers. Really anything you want to suspend with grid wire, jack chain or cable. We put together a conversion chart for our part #HOK24 below. If you are using hammer on flange clips from Caddy, B-Line, Garvin or Minerallac, you will see the direct conversion on the chart below. You can find the HOK24 Hammer On Flange Clip at ConstructionFastening.Net.

What are the two most expensive fasteners in the world? You might have one of them on your shelf right now, the other I know you don’t have. The first most expensive fastener in the world is the wrong one. I still see enough guys using the wrong fastener or at the very least one that is a poor choice for the job. For instance, wedge anchors in hollow wall, lead or zamac anchors overhead and the wrong length Tapcon anchors to name just a few. Usually, they become expensive right away when you try to install and find out they won’t hold and you have to find something that will. Sometimes, they become very expensive down the line if they fail! The expense can range from sending a tech to reattach something to much, much worse. Read up on the Big Dig Ceiling Collapse for some sobering information on what the wrong anchor can cost. Make sure the anchors you install are correct for the application or they be much more expensive than you thought.

The second most expensive fastener in the world I know you don’t have. That’s the fastener you don’t have but you need now. It always amazed how one or two boxes of anchors can bring a multi-million dollar to a screeching halt. I have driven up to sites with five or six techs sitting on boxes of cable waiting for the fasteners to start the install, because they didn’t have the fasteners needed to work! Fasteners are such a small percent of the budget that many times they are often overlooked, or assumptions are made of how the install will be done or who is supplying the fasteners. So now the scramble begins. We ship many packages each week via UPS air to get the fasteners to a site to keep the job going. While it’s not my money being spent on the shipping, it still pains me to see cost to ship an item rival the cost of the product itself. And it can get even more expensive when you find what you need has a lead time or is on a nationwide backorder. Extra shipping, techs not being able to work and unexpected product delays start making the fastener you don’t have very expensive.

The Takeaway. So how do you avoid spending money on the two most expensive fasteners in the world. Know what the right fastener is for the job. Partner with a supplier that knows the application or is at least willing to do a little research and make sure you are using the right fastener. Keep a stock on hand or in your guy’s trucks. Again, not having what you need on hand can get expensive very fast. And don’t’ just keep the standard items on hand. If you see a tool or fastener that you think you may need someday, or you could have used on that one job, buy it! It will be much cheaper now than when you don’t have it.

Find the right fastener for your application at ConstructionFastening.Net

The PBC beam clamp is a great choice for any application where you want to attach something to an I-beam or bar joist using 1/4-20 hardware. Ideal for bridle rings, j-hooks, drop rods, cameras, access points and more. Check out a brief interview in the video below. Available online at ConstructionFastening.Net

Just a quick video highlighting our shooter j-hooks for use in Hilti, Ramset, Simpon and DeWalt powder actuated tools. A fast easy way to install you cable to the concrete deck. If you need a sample fill out our Sample Request Form. Available online at ConstructionFastening.Net

If you are using one of the collated drywall screw guns from Hilti, Milwaukee, DeWalt or Makita, you know they can save some serious time. Now you can mount the tool on a pole tool for overhead use. Check the video below and see if the SGP Screw Gun Pole would make your life a little easier. Available in two different lengths. Click here to learn more on the SGP Screw Gun Poles for collated drywall screw guns.

What is a DeWalt STICK-E Cable Tie Donut? Well, if you are hoping for a glazed donut, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a fast clean way to bundle cable, you will be pleasantly surprised at this simple little piece of plastic. As you look at the design you will see the slots are large enough for your standard ties and up to ½” hook and loop cable ties. As you look at the side view, you see the mount is scalloped a little bit to seat the cable. You will also notice no sharp metal edges like a ceiling clip. There are a few ways to mount it quickly to concrete, wood and steel.

Concrete & Masonry Materials. The DeWalt DFD405902 STICK-E Cable Tie Donut is designed to be used with the DeWalt, DC890P2 battery concrete nailer and the STICK-E contact probe. These tools are becoming more common in the low voltage, electric and mechanical fields. They are expensive but more and more tradesmen are finding this a nice addition to their toolbox. They are quieter than powder actuated tools and require no license to operate. For this application, the tool has a magazine of pins, and you stick the donut cable mount on the probe and fire away. A simple fast and easy way to attach you bundle to the concrete.

Wood. While intended for mounting quickly to concrete, the cable tie donut can be mounted to wood with a simple #6 coarse drywall screw. Just start the screw and it will pull its way through the donut and cinch down tight. If you are going to a plywood backer board, you would want either a #6 x ¾” or 1” coarse drywall screw. If you are mounting to a wood stud through drywall, a #6 x 1-1/4” or 1-5/8” should work.

Metal. There may a few different applications where you could be mounting to metal. If you are mounting to a metal stud through drywall, a sharp point fine drywall screw may work but if it is a heavier gauge stud, you may need a self-drilling drywall screw. If you are mounting to something like a cabinet or a rack, a self-drilling screw with a #3 point may be needed.

The DeWalt DFD405902 STICK-E Cable Tie Donut is a nice alternative to a ceiling clip with a more finished look and no sharp edges. And keep in mind it’s not just limited to it’s original mounting option with the DeWalt battery concrete nailer. With the right screw the STICK-E Cable Tie Donut makes an excellent mount for cable ties and hook and loop alike. Visit ConstructionFastening.Net to see these and other products in the DeWalt Stick-E Line up.

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Adhesive anchoring or chemical anchoring has been around for some time. It offers some of the highest strength anchoring available in concrete. It used to be a little tricky to use but products like the Simpson Strongtie AT-XP10 makes it much easier. The AT-XP10 can be used in any good quality 10-ounce caulk tool. The better install tool is the CDT10S that Simpson offers. It has a better ratio and is well built. If you are just going to do a couple installs a good quality caulk gun will work just fine. While the tube looks like a single tube, it is a two-part formula, there is an inner tube that contains the hardener.

Installation is simple. Drill your hole and prepare by blowing the hole, brushing the hole, and then blowing one more time. Just remember blow, brush, blow. Your goal is to knock off the dust and loose particles of the side wall of the hole. Now install the nozzle on the cartridge of AT-XP10. Dispense some of the material until you can see one consistent color. Fill the hole to about 2/3 or so and twist the rod in. You goal is to have the chemical just oozing out of the hole. Once the adhesive fully sets you are good to go. The product comes with one nozzle, which will do the entire tube: IF YOU DON’T STOP! Depending on the temperature, you will have about 4-5 minutes or less before the chemical starts hardening in the nozzle. So, obviously the trick is to get all your holes laid out cleaned and ready to roll before you start.

The video below gives you a nice overview of the product and installation. We have a customer that uses chemical anchoring and routinely uses a 5/8”-11 x 8” 304 stainless steel cut stud in his application. So, we started stocking them for him and now have them on our website if that size fits the bill.

This is just a basic overview of the Simpson Strongtie ATXP10. You can find more information including test data and design recommendations at Simpson Strongtie. You can find the AT-XP10 along with extra nozzles, injector tools and pre cut all thread studs at ConstructionFastening.Net

We now offer an extension to fit the DeWALT® DCF620. When couple that with the DCF6202 Magazine attachment, you can quickly screw off drywall overhead. The SGP screw gun extension pole tool comes in two lengths. The SGP-3 extends from 3′-6′ in 2″ increments. The SGP-4 extends from 4′-8′ in 2″ increments.

So you may think what is the advantage of a screw gun like the DeWalt DCF620 on an extension pole? After all, you have to go the ceiling to install the drywall. That is true, but consider a couple of points. First off, if you can have one crew tack up the panel, move along and then have a second crew on the floor screwing it off, you have cut your man hours on ladders, carts and lifts substantially. Holding a screw gun overhead generates a lot of fatigue especially in the shoulders and neck. With the SGP extension poles for your screw gun, you won’t be holding your screw gun overhead and then bracing with your other hand on the ceiling. With the screw gun on a pole tool you will also be further away from the work surface as well as any debris or dust that may result.

The drywall application is just one of the uses for the SGP extension poles for screw guns. One thing we have found with any of the specially extension poles we have offered is that our customers are very resourceful and find many uses that we have never thought of! While we don’t currently offer the DeWALT® DCF620 or the DCF6202, you can rind them easily online at Amazon or other retailers. The SGP screw gun pole has been tested to fit the following tools: Hilti® SD 5000-A22 w/ Magazine attachment, DeWALT® DCF620 w/ DCF6202 Magazine attachment, Milwaukee® M18 Fuel 2866-20 w/ Magazine attachment 49-20-0001, Makita° XSF03 w/ Magazine attachment 01519. Visit our online store, to shop for the SGP Screw Gun Poles.