RAMSET ROCKET TOOL Maintenance and service guide
RAMSET ROCKET TOOL
OPERATOR’S
SAFETY & OPERATING
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
DANGER
THIS TOOL FOR USE BY LICENSED OPERATORS ONLY.
READ AND OBEY ALL SAFETY AND OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERATING TOOL.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC, LOW VELOCITY
PISTON TYPE FASTENING TOOL
Just as no one can merely read a book about driving an automobile and then
hope to drive one safely, no one should attempt to use any Ramset tool without
adequate, competent personal instruction. And just as one must be licensed to
drive an automobile, one must also be licensed to use a powder actuated tool.
No automobile instruction book or instructor can forewarn a learner against all
possibilities and emergencies, nor can Ramset instructors and printed material
detail all possible conditions surrounding the use of Ramset tools and products.
Responsibility for the safe and proper use of this tool rests with the tool user
and the employer.
SAFETY INTRODUCTION DANGER
SAFETY INTRODUCTION DANGER
2
Operator’s and bystanders
must wear eye and hearing
protection.
Never close tool with hand over fastener loading end of the tool.
A serious hand injury from penetration by the piston or a
discharged fastener could result.
Read manual before
operating tool.
DANGER
THIS TOOL IS TO BE USED ONLY BY PROPERLY TRAINED
AND LICENSED OPERATORS.
YOU MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE
RAMSET’S TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE
TOOL AND OBTAIN A CERTIFIED OPERATOR’S LICENSE
BEFORE HANDLING, LOADING OR OPERATING THIS TOOL.
ATTEMPTING TO HANDLE OR OPERATE THIS TOOL
WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING AND LICENSING CAN RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OPERATOR OR BYSTANDERS.
DANGER
Preparation
Acceptable Base Materials
Powder actuated fastening is suitable for
use in the following base materials only:
• Poured Concrete
• Structural Steel
• Masonry Joints (see page 8)
Never attempt to fasten into any other
type of material.
Fastening into other
materials can cause blindness or other
serious injury.
Unacceptable Base Materials
Never attempt to fasten into very hard or
brittle materials such as cast iron, tile,
glass, or rock of any type. These materials
can shatter, causing the fastener and/or base
material fragments to fly free and cause
serious injury to the tool operator and others.
Never fasten into soft base materials, such as
drywall or lumber products.
These materials
may allow the fastener to travel completely
through and out the other side, endangering
those in the path of the fastener.
Never fasten into any base material that
does not pass the Center Punch test.
Failure to assure the suitability of the base
material can result in serious injury to the
eyes or other body parts.
Center Punch Test
ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES
WHEN PERFORMING THIS TEST.
1. Always check the material being
fastened into for hardness before
attempting any fastening operation.
2. Using a fastener as a center punch,
strike the fastener against the work
surface using an average hammer
blow and check the results.
Center Punch Test Results
1. If the fastener point is flattened,
the material is too hard for a
powder actuated fastening.
2. If the fastener penetrates the
material easily, the material is
too soft.
3. If the material cracks or shatters,
the material is too brittle.
4. If the fastener makes a small
indentation into the material, the
material is suitable for fastening.
DANGER SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER 3
NEVER FASTEN INTO VERY HARD OR
BRITTLE MATERIALS
NEVER FASTEN INTO SOFT MATERIALS
SUCH AS DRYWALL
Loads & Load Selection Safety
1. Always make a test fastening after
being sure that the base material
is suitable for powder actuated
fastening. Failure to determine the
correct power level to be used may
result in the use of excessive power,
allowing the fastener to pass completely
through the work material, causing
serious or fatal injuries to others who
may be in the path of the fastener.
2. Color-blind operators must always
select strip loads by number to
prevent use of an incorrect load for
the same reasons as in #1 above.
Workplace Safety
1. Operators and bystanders must
always wear approved safety goggles
and approved hearing protection.
Failure to do so may result in blindness
or serious eye injury from flying debris
and loss of hearing from constant or
repeated unprotected exposure to
fastening noise.
2. Always keep the work area clear of
bystanders and unnecessary materials
that could interfere with safe tool
operation. Operating the tool in a
congested or cluttered area may affect
your ability to operate the tool safely.
3. Never operate tool if flammable
or explosive materials are nearby.
Powder loads burn and create sparks
when fired and could ignite these
materials or fumes.
4. Always post warning signs within
50 ft. of the area where fastening
is to be done. Sign must state:
“WARNING - Powder Actuated Tool
In Use”. Failure to warn others may
result in serious injury to them. Contact
Ramset at 1-800-241-5640 to obtain
this sign.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS DANGER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS DANGER
4
ALWAYS MAKE A TEST FASTENING
COLOR-BLIND OPERATORS MUST
ALWAYS SELECT LOADS BY NUMBER
KEEP WORK AREA CLEAR OF
BYSTANDERS AND CLUTTER
NEVER OPERATE THE TOOL AROUND
FLAMMABLE OR EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
WARNING
POWDER
ACTUATED
TOOL IN USE
WITHIN 50 FEET
Safety is important – Take proper precautions.
ALWAYS POST WARNING SIGNS
Tool Handling Safety
1. Always be sure tool is operating
properly before attempting to use
it. Follow the “Daily Function Check”
shown to the right and described
on page 9.
2. Always load tool using a strip load
selected directly from a box indicating
the power load type and number.
Never attempt to use loose strip
loads that could be mis-identified.
3.
Never carry loose strip loads in pockets
with pins or other hard objects.
4. Never load a tool unless you intend
to immediately make a fastening.
Loading a tool and leaving it unattended
in the work area can result in the tool
being accidentally discharged by others.
5. Never place your hand or any other
body part over the fastener loading
end of the tool. Serious hand injury
could result from being struck by either
a fastener or the tool piston should the
tool be accidentally fired.
6. Always store the tool unloaded and
keep the tool and the loads securely
locked in a tool box. Keep keys away
f
rom children and unlicensed persons.
7. Always keep the tool pointed away
from yourself and others.
8. Never carry a loaded tool around
the work area.
9. Never allow anyone not trained
to use the tool.
10. Never engage in horseplay with
the tool.
11. Using the tool in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning tool or handling
loads may result in exposure to
lead or other substances known
to cause birth defects, and other
physical harm. Have adequate
ventilation at all times and wash
thoroughly after exposure.
DANGER SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER 5
NEVER LOAD THE TOOL UNLESS IT IS
TO BE USED IMMEDIATELY
NEVER PLACE HANDS OR BODY OVER
MUZZLE OPENING
KEEP TOOL LOCKED & OUT OF THE
REACH OF CHILDREN
Empty
AB
CD
ALWAYS DO A DAILY FUNCTION CHECK
BEFORE LOADING TOOL
FAILURE TO FOLLOW
INSTRUCTIONS CAN
CAUSE INJURY TO THE
TOOL OPERATOR OR
TO BYSTANDERS.
Fastener Driving Safety
1. Only use the tool for fastening into
a suitable base material.
2. Never fire the tool without a fastener.
Firing a tool without a fastener will
cause the piston to strike the work
surface, and may cause serious injury
to you and others in the work area.
3. Always hold the tool perpendicular
to and firmly against the work
surface
when making a fastening.
Failure to do
so could allow a fastener
to ricochet.
4. Never attempt to drive a fastener
close to an edge or to another
fastener. See page 8 for guidelines.
ALWAYS FOLLOW THE
MISFIRE PROCEDURE.
If the tool does not fire after pulling the
trigger, continue to hold the depressed
tool against the work surface for at least
30 seconds.
Then carefully open the tool,
remove the load strip, and put it in a can
of water or other non-flammable liquid.
Never carelessly discard a strip with live
loads into a trash container.
If the tool becomes stuck or jammed with
a live powder load,
keep the tool pointed
in a safe direction, and immediately tag it,
“Danger- defective - do not use”.
Lock
the tool in a tool box and call your local
Ramset distributor for assistance.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS DANGER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS DANGER
6
90°
ALWAYS HOLD THE TOOL
PERPENDICULAR TO THE WORK SURFACE
NEVER DRIVE A FASTENER CLOSE TO
AN EDGE
30
HOLD THE TOOL FIRMLY AGAINST
THE WORK SURFACE FOR AT
LEAST 30 SECONDS
Your Ramset Rocket Tool uses only the Ramset fasteners and loads shown below or
listed for the tool in the Product Catalog.
FASTENERS
FASTENERS / LOADS
FASTENERS / LOADS
7
Never use any other types of fasteners or strip loads in the Ramset Rocket Tool. Use of other
types of fasteners or loads may cause unintentional load discharge, damage the tool, cause
poor fastening performance, or create a risk of serious injury to the operator or bystanders.
DANGER
LOADS
Ramset RS27 strip loads are specially made for use in the Ramset Rocket Tool.
The power level of the load is indicated by
the number marked on each box, the color
of the box, and the color on the tip of each
load. As the number increases, the power
level also increases.
Always perform the center punch test
described on page 3 to test the base material.
Always make a test fastening using the
lowest power level first. If more power is
required to set the fastener, use the next
higher power level until the powder level
necessary to drive the fastener is reached.
RS27 10 SHOT STRIP LOAD
POWER CATALOG LOAD CASE
LEVEL NUMBER COLOR COLOR
2 2RS27 Brown Brass
3 3RS27 Green Brass
4 4RS27 Yellow Brass
5 5RS27 Red Brass
.300 HEAD PLASTIC FLUTED DRIVE PINS
.145 Shank Diameter in Shank Lengths from
1/2” to 2”
.300 HEAD PLASTIC FLUTED DRIVE PINS
WITH 7/8” WASHER
.145 Shank Diameter in Shank Lengths from
1” to 2”
.300 HEAD POWER POINT
PLASTIC FLUTED DRIVE PINS
.150 Straight Shank in Shank Lengths
from 1/2” to 7/8”
.150 /.180 Step Shank in Lengths
from 1” to 1-1/4”
CEILING CLIP ASSEMBLIES
Ceiling Clip with 1” or 1-1/4” premounted
.145 Shank Pin and Ceiling Clip with 1” or
1-1/4” Premounted .150/.180 Shank Pin
1/4” - 20 THREADED STUDS
.145 Shank Diameter in Shank Lengths of 1/2”
and 1” and Thread Lengths of 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”
8 mm HEAD TOP-HAT DRIVE PINS
.145 Shank Diameter in Shank Lengths from
1/2” to 1”
CONDUIT CLIP ASSEMBLIES
For 1/2” and 3/4” Diameter Conduit with 7/8”
Premounted Fastener
FASTENING APPLICATIONS
Your Ramset tool can be used for a wide
range of fastening needs in a variety of base
materials.Reading and follow these important
fastening guidelines will help you get the best
results from your tool, fasteners, and powder
loads, as well as help you perform these
fastening operations safely and effectively.
Powder actuated fastenings are permanent
fastening so attempting to remove a fastener
from concrete or steel may result in serious
injury.
Fastening to Concrete
When fastening into concrete, always maintain
a minimum spacing of 3” between fastenings
and 3” from any free edge. Concrete thickness
should be at least three times the intended
penetration depth into the concrete. The
primary exception to the 3” edge distance
can occur in a sill plate application where,
by necessity, the edge distance is reduced.
Driving fasteners too close to an edge or too
close to each other can cause the concrete
edge to fail or fasteners to fly free.
Fastening to Concrete Block or
to Masonry Walls
While this application is not recommended,
when used, it is necessary to take care to
observe a 3” edge distance to avoid cracking
the block and over penetration of the fastener
to avoid loss of holding value. Fastening
may be made into the horizontal joint but
not into the vertical joint.
Fastening to Steel
Your Ramset tool can be used for fastening
on the flat surfaces of structural steel. When
fastening into steel, always maintain a mini-
mum spacing of 1-1/2” between fastenings
and 1/2” from any edge.
FASTENING APPLICATIONS
FASTENING APPLICATIONS
8
3"
MIN.
3"
MIN.
3" MIN.
3" MIN.
1/2"
MIN.
1-1/2"
MIN.
SPACING WOOD TO CONCRETE
3"
MIN.
3"
MIN.
3" MIN.
3" MIN.
1/2"
MIN.
1-1/2"
MIN.
PENETRATION — THIN GAUGE
METAL TO CONCRETE
3"
MIN.
3"
MIN.
3" MIN.
3" MIN.
1/2"
MIN.
1-1/2"
MIN.
SPACING — FURRING
STRIP TO CONCRETE
3"
MIN.
3"
MIN.
3" MIN.
3" MIN.
1/2"
MIN.
1-1/2"
MIN.
SPACING — STEEL TO STEEL
TOOL OPERATION
Daily Function Test
Always check the tool first to make sure
that it does not contain a strip load or
fastener. Test the tool several times by
depressing the muzzle bushing fully on a
hard surface and pulling the trigger. You
should hear an audible click as the firing pin
releases. Let up on the tool and check to be
sure that the barrel has opened to the full
open position.
OPERATING THE RAMSET
ROCKET TOOL
1. After checking to be sure that the tool
is not loaded, point it in a safe direction
and be sure that the barrel is fully
extended. This assures that the piston
is in position for the next fastening.
2. With finger off the trigger, place the
fastener, point out, into the muzzle
end of the tool until the point end is
inside the muzzle. NEVER load a
fastener with your finger on the trigger.
DO NOT use excessive force when
inserting a fastener. STOP immediately
if excessive force is require, inspect
the barrel to find out why the fastener
is not entering the muzzle freely. DO
NOT continue loading unless the
problem is corrected.
3. With the tool pointed in a safe
direction and finger away from the
trigger, insert a load strip into the
bottom of the handle and push it in
until bottom of the strip is equal to
the bottom of handle.
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
9
PERFORM FUNCTION TEST WITH
EMPTY, UNLOADED TOOL
BE SURE BARREL IS FULLY FORWARD
INSERT FASTENER INTO THE
MUZZLE END OF THE TOOL WITH
THE POINT OUT
INSERT LOAD STRIP INTO THE SLOTS IN
THE RECEIVER HOUSING
4. Hold the tool perpendicular (90°) to
the work surface with both hands and
press firmly to fully depress the tool.
Maintain firm downward pressure on
the tool with both hands and pull the
trigger to drive the fastener. DO NOT
DEPRESS THE TOOL AGAINST
ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE
INTENDED
WORK SURFACE. Holding
the tool firmly
in place will produce
more consistent fastening quality and
minimize tool wear or damage.
5. After making the fastening, let up
on the tool pressure and note that
the barrel assembly returns to the
full open position. This automatically
resets the piston for the next fastening.
Always keep fingers and other body
parts away from the muzzle end of
the tool.
6. Insert another fastener in the muzzle
end of the tool as before and the tool
is ready for the next fastening. Keep
your finger off of the trigger until the
tool is in position to drive the fastener.
7. To remove a used or partially used
strip load from the tool, pull the strip
out from the top of the tool. NEVER
try to remove a jammed or stuck
load strip. Should a “jammed” load
strip occur, call your local Authorized
Ramset Distributor for technical
assistance.
POWER LEVEL ADJUSTMENT
The power of the tool may be adjusted
for varying materials by turning the power
adjust wheel.
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
10
90°
HOLD THE TOOL FIRMLY AND
PERPENDICULAR TO THE WORK SURFACE
LET UP ON TOOL PRESSURE.
NOTE THE BARREL HAS RETURNED
TO THE OPEN POSITION
INSERT THE NEXT FASTENER
REMOVE THE LOAD STRIP
+ INCREASE
- DECREASE
POWER LEVEL ADJUSTMENT
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