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.