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 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 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.
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
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.
The Stiffy Tool has been around for a while, and we have just added it to our site. Let me share a few things that we really like about the Stiffy Tool and why you may want to consider it for your next powder actuated tool for overhead work.
When I say the Stiffy Tool (sorry that is its real name) has been around for some time, I am not kidding. The tool itself goes back decades. First it was red in it’s Steelcon version, then Ramset grabbed it and turned it orange. CEAS attachments has this old standby in gray. It is a time proven time-tested design that is quiet, lightweight and super easy to service in the field. So here is what we like about the Stiffy Tool.
First and foremost, the tool is time tested and reliable. The fact that it is lightweight, quiet, and easy to service when need are all real plusses. To see what I think are a couple of the big advantages of the Stiffy Tool, you have to look a little deeper. First, it is a bump fire tool. That means there is no trigger, you simply deliberately raise the tool up to the work surface and push up and the tool fires. It is a true bump fire tool as there is no trigger slide like on the Ramset Viper 4 or a lever like some other tools that can be adapted to a pole tool. That means you can mount the tool to a telescopic pole tool. The telescopic pole tool means you can collapse the tool to 4’ and fit it in your gang box. When needed, you can extend the pole tool up to 12’. Or you can get a 6’-18’ telescopic pole if you have taller ceilings.
We recommend the Lagmaster Plus pole tool that has interchangeable heads. So, while you would have a telescopic pole for your Stiffy Tool, you could change the head and now you can install eye lags into wood or steel, install and tie bar joist and purlin clips as well as Sammy Screws from the floor. The combination of the Stiffy Tool and the Lagmaster Plus will allow you to handle most any type of ceiling you are suspending grid wire. Of note as well is the manual load advance which will cut down on you skipped load count.
Shooting wood with the Stiffy Tool. By switching to the wood nose piece (sold separately) you can suspend from wood structure with the tool. The special timber clip and pin is ring shanked and is designed
specifically for this application.
Cons for the tool. I would be hard pressed to offer any complaints on the Stiffy. Yes, it is only an overhead tool, but that is what makes it so good at what it does. The piston is a gravity return so you will need to clean the tool a little more often, but it is easy to do. The load advance is manual which some see to not like but truly it lowers your skipped load count and really is a simple thing.
The Ramset series of disc tools proved to be a real work horse for years. The D-60 tool kit was
the choice of many electricians as it was quiet and featured a power adjustment. The D-45 tool
was a real brute. With its super tough front end, it was a great tool for general work and held up
very well in difficult situations like shooting foam to concrete foundations, or 2x to steel. The
Autofast tool was a favorite of many framers. The disc series of tools from Ramset has been
out of production for some time and many of the parts have become obsolete. But the old
Ramset guns just keep going! Sadly though, we are coming to the end of the load supply for
the tools. We still have a fair supply of the yellow, but we have exhausted our source for brown,
green and red disc loads. So now what? Below find our recommendations for replacement
tools. You can also shop them at our ecommerce site here.
Ramset Cobra
The Ramset Cobra is a solid time proven design. It is considered a clone of the Hilti DX-350 tool and is fully serviceable. That means
parts, all the parts are readily available. Please don’t confuse it with the Cobra Plus models you find at the big box stores. Finding parts for these tools is not easy at all. We have the pistons but that is about it. The Cobra tool is a good allaround tool that will handle up to a 3” pin with a washer. Pins and loads are readily available. One application we do not recommend for the tool is fastening foam to foundations. A tool like the Ramset XT540 has a much stronger front end that can handle this overdrive application. The Cobra can be mounted on an extension pole for overhead work but if you shoot any number of hangers overhead, consider the Ramset Viper 4 tool below.
Ramset Viper 4
The Ramset Viper 4 is a powder tool and more of a specialized tool. The tool will only fire to the ceiling and must be used on a pole. If you are an electrician, acoustic contractor, or a low voltage contractor, this would be a good choice for you. Any time you are needing to suspend ceiling lights or cables, this is the way to go. While it can only fire up, you can always add an inexpensive Cobra Ramset when you do need to shoot to the wall or floor. It will use the same pins and loads as your Viper 4.
Ramset RA27
The Ramset RA27 is a production-oriented tool that is a good choice for work like drywall track or other applications where you will be
shooting the same size pin over and over again. The optional magazine will handle pins up to 1-5/16”. If you are shooting without the magazine, the RA27 will handle up to a 2” pin with washer. The tool has a power adjustment feature and is nicely balanced for all day use. The tool will also shoot clips and assemblies and can be used on an extension pole. This tool is designed to compete side by side with the popular Hilti DX351 too
Ramset XT540
This Ramset XT540 tools is a heavy duty tool that can stand up to a lot of hard use. What constitutes hard use? In my experience two applications come to mind. One is shooting a lot of steel. The XT540 has a very strong front end that can take the heavy hit of red loads day in and day out. The second and one that seems to be even harder on a powder actuated tool is shooting foam to concrete. Typically, in this scenario the pin free flights through the foam and you can have a lot of overdrive. This is even more exaggerated when the concrete is very green. The front-end design of the XT540 is made to handle these applications. The tool features a power
adjustment and can be outfitted with a magazine. The longest pin is a 3” with a washer. The longest pin when using the magazine is 1-5/16”.
In Conclusion
So when you finally have to part with your Ramset Disc tool, you have choices. Hopefully one of the tools listed will fit the bill for your application. Visit or e commerce site for a replacement for your faithful old Ramset Disc Tool as well as pins loads and accessories. If you are a contractor and not sure what the best option is, give a call toll free at 1-877-212-2377.
New for your direct fastening application, the Ramset T4SS Tool Kit. The T4SS replaces the T3SS tool from Ramset, the industy leader. The T4SS single shot tool uses the same clips and assemblies as the T3SS but the fuel cells and the batteries are a little different. The tool features a battery and fuel level monitor so you know where you stand. The batteries are lithium ion and offer more than 3,000 shots per charge. The fuel cells are smaller but their size will offer you a little more control over the usage. Like the T3SS, the Ramset T4SS tool can be used on a pole tool for overhead applications. Another improvement is a depth adjustment. A wide variety of pins and assemblies are offered making this the go to tool for electrical, mechanical and low voltage contractors. No licensing is required to operate the tool. Add a magnetic probe to shoot the mechanical pins, the fastest way to attach duct strap. Visit our e-commerce site to shop the tool and supplies.
Fastening 2x material to steel is fast and easy with a Ramset, Hilti or other powder actauted tool as long as you keep a few things in mind. First off, make sure your steel is thick enough to fasten to with a powder actuated tool (P.A.T.). A good rule of thumb is if the steel is at least as thick as the shank of the pin, you should be good to go. The pin we recommened for fastening 2x material to steel with a P.A.T. tool is the Ramset SP178 which has a shank diameter of .150 on the thinner part of the shank (about 5/32″). The steel can be much thicker even 3/4″. The pin will only go in about 1/2″ if your tool has enough power. You don’t need to penetrate the steel for full holding power. Obviously you would want to penetrate thinner steel. Click here if you would like to see performance in steel.
You will likely need you highest power level, but for safety sake, start with lower power and work your way up. As long as we are on safety, any time you fire your P.A.T. keep your safety glasse on and you will for sure want hearing protection when firing to steel. If fastening 2x to steel on a regular basis, I would recommend a tool like the Ramset XT540 or the Simpson PTP27. Both tools have a well built front end which will hold up to heavy hit of shooting to steel.
If you are looking for a fast way to fasten 2x material to steel using a Hilti, Ramset or other powder actuated tool really does work well. Keep in mind the requirements mentioned above as well as taking the proper safety precautions and you will be pleasantly suprprised how well it works. You can find the Ramset SP178 pin for fastening 2x material to steel here.
