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If you have just a little bit of framing to do in your basement and you hate the idea of drilling in the concrete with a hammer drill and using Tapcon, the Ramset HD22 single shot powder actuated tool may be an option for you. This is an inexpensive tool readily available on line that will fasten your 2×4 to concrete quickly and safely. Here is what you need and how to do the job with the HD22. Please note the tool is also known as the ITW Ramset 00022 HammerShot. Search either one on Amazon and you will find them.
What You Need To Fasten 2 x 4’s To Concrete With The Ramset HD22
Well of course first thing you need the tool. After that, you will need to select the proper pin for you application. If you are shooting down 2x material to concrete, you will use a 2-1/2” pin. If the lumber is treated, make sure you use the Ramset 1516SDE nail as the chemical treating can interact with a standard pin. For loads, you have 3 power levels to choose from. Starting with the lowest level you have brown, green and then yellow. The idea is to start with the lowest power level and work up to the level required. If I could only pick one load, it would be yellow and then probably green. You will also need a hammer to actuate the tool. Two very important things that many times get overlooked are safety glasses and hearing protection. Please don’t overlook either of these! Technically, you need complete a simple online license test. It’s very simple and easy but I am pretty sure not many DIY are doing it. But now you know. Here is the link for Ramset Licensing.
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The Process Of Fastening The 2 x 4
The fastening process is fairly straight forward. I was always taught load the nail first then add the charge. The official video shows load the charge first and then the pin, the manual shows nail first and then load the charge. Well, I was a certified Ramset instructor for years and we always taught nail first then the power load. I would rather load the nail in the end of an unloaded tool than vice versa. Now position the tool on your work surface and strike the end of the end of the tool deliberately. Bang you are done!
The Ramset HD22 (again also known as ITW Ramset 00022 HammerShot) is a tool designed for limited use. You won’t find replacement parts for the tool but the cost is so low that if you just need it now and then it may be the right tool for you. If you do basement framing on a routine basis, consider stepping up to a semi-automatic tool that uses a 10 shot strip of loads and has replacement parts available for faster fastening and longevity.
