The Ramset Cobra Plus is an excellent tool for a homeowner or a contractor to frame a basement.  The Ramset Cobra Plus is readily available at many big box store and online.  The tool is a .27 caliber powder actuated tool that will handle fasteners up to 3″ both with and without a washer.  The tool also features power adjustment so you can fine tune your power level to the job.  More on power levels of the load later.  So let’s take a look at what the tool does well while framing your basement.

The Ramset Cobra will do a nice job of fastening 2x material to poured concrete and grout filled block.  The standard pin to use for fastening a 2x to concrete and grout filled block is a 2-1/2″ pin.  There are some codes that will require a 3″ but it’s more common in rental multi story projects.  If you are attaching treated lumber, it is important that you use a pin that has a coating on the nail for that application.   Treated lumber can react with a standard pin and actually cause the nail to fail.  The Ramset 1516SDE has a coating that is designed for this application.  As for what power level to use, it will likely be yellow or red.  The idea is to use enough power to set the nail all the way but not to over drive the nail.  While I know many will fasten 2x to hollow block with the tool, it really isn’t designed for that and there is no published data for that application.

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The Ramset Cobra Plus tool will also make quick work of attaching your 2x to steel.  Many are amazed that it works and works so well.  The trick is to have the correct nail.  The nail of choice is the Ramset SP178 pin.  This pin has a ballistic point as well as a step shank that is much thicker than standard nails.  If you don’t have access to that nail, use a 2” nail.  You will likely need a red to fasten to the steel beam.  When fastening to steel with a Ramset tool, the nail will go in about a half inch and stop.  If the steel is less than half inch, the nail will pierce the steel which is fine.  If the steel is thicker than half inch, it won’t pierce the beam but that nail won’t come out!

Replacement parts for the Ramset Cobra Plus are somewhat limited.  Thankfully the drive piston which is the most common replacement part is readily available.  But it can be confusing as there have been three generations of the Cobra Plus as well as the standard Cobra tool.  If your tool looks like the one in the picture above, here is a link to make sure you get the correct piston on Amazon.

The theory with choosing a power level to use with a powder actuated tool is simple, start low and work high.  The three power levels, starting from lowest to highest is; GREEN, YELLOW and RED.  As mentioned above, the Cobra Plus does have power adjustment so you can down power a load.  You can’t increase the power of a load.

If you are a small contractor or a do it yourselfer, the Ramset Cobra Plus tool will serve you well.  Make certain to read the manual, wear safety glasses and hearing protection.  Technically certification is required by OSHA.  You can find the very simple test on line here.  It’s very common sense stuff.  If you are a contractor that is going to use the tool day in and day out, you may want to consider stepping  up to a different tool like the standard Cobra or Simpson PTP27 tool as all the parts to service and repair the tool are readily available.