Construction gun and its use

The modern tool is designed to remove the high workload from a person, and at the same time increase the specialist’s performance several times. In the case of a nail gun, this efficiency indicator is without a doubt one of the highest. Installation of profiles for plasterboard systems, soft roofing, furniture manufacturing and other types of work with this device are more intensive and require less energy.

The review involves different types of tools for driving nails, pins or special staples. The best models of pneumatic, electric or gas pistols are presented in their respective categories. The rating position of the models is based on the characteristics of the equipment, its operating parameters and the opinions of specialists who use nailing units in their work.

Types of construction guns

Depending on what energy carrier is used, the gun is divided into three types:

• pneumatic;
• gas;
• powder

Each of these types has a lock that protects against accidental shooting. This reduces the risk of injury, ensuring safe use of the tool.

A pneumatic construction gun is one of the most popular types of these tools. Its operation requires compressed air, which is supplied from a central compressor or cylinders. Using this tool, you can hammer in staples when installing sound and waterproofing roofs, installing suspended ceilings, as well as during fastening various sheet and roll materials, fiberboard and chipboard.

A gas construction gun is a cartridgeless tool. It is equipped with a chamber where butane-propane gases are burned. As a result of this process, a blast wave is created, due to which the dowel is pushed out and penetrates the mounting surface. The difference between such tools is that they are suitable for working with any substrate.

A construction powder pistol is a device loaded with special cartridges. Their design is designed in such a way that a blow to the dowel produces a firing pin driven by the energy of the powder charge.

Most often, such guns are used in work with brick, concrete and reinforced concrete surfaces.

Features and scope

The construction gun is designed for driving dowel nails into concrete, reinforced concrete, brick, stone, steel and other hard surfaces.

In appearance, the tool is similar to an ordinary pistol or a small jackhammer. It is used in the installation of electrical and ventilation equipment, various pipelines, roofing, plumbing and many other construction and installation works. Its operating principle is based on the use of special cartridges, the cartridges of which are painted in different colors, indicating the charge level.

The dowel gun is quite easy to use. Thanks to its maneuverability (it does not require a power source), it ensures the installation of fasteners in the most inaccessible places, regardless of any weather conditions.

Briefly about the main thing

In fact, a powder mounting gun works on the principle of a mini-copper: the kinetic energy initiated by the explosion of powder gases is directed to the head of the dowel-nail, and introduces it into the surface of concrete, stone, metal or any other material. Only hardness matters. For concrete, for example, the capabilities of the equipment in question are limited to grade M400, and for steel - low-carbon steels such as St. 2 or Steel 15 with a tensile strength limit of no more than 380...420 MPa. However, this is sufficient for most building structures.

Dowel fastening is considered a good alternative to permanent connections that are obtained as a result of welding. Zeroing occurs quickly and is not accompanied by a change in the mechanical characteristics of the materials being joined, and the mounting gun itself is compact and easy to use. True, it is not recommended to work with it without special permission.

Dowel-nails produced in accordance with TU 14-4-1731-92 are equipped with attachment washers that increase the fastening area and ensure centering of the dowel, and the washers must have an anti-corrosion coating. The operational capabilities of the method are expanded if you use dowels that have a threaded end on their rod: then the connection can be detachable.

The shooting sequence is as follows. The dowel-nail is placed in the guide part of the barrel of a powder mounting gun. The end of the guide itself is pressed tightly against the surface of the structure. At the opposite end, the diameter of the barrel is increased: a piston is located there, which produces shock pressure on the dowel. When the mounting gun is triggered, a pressure of up to 300 MPa arises in the barrel bore, which accelerates the dowel to speeds of the order of 90...100 m/s. The velocity diagram is not uniform. At the initial moment the speed is always lower. First, due to the resistance of the dowel itself, and then the material into which the fasteners are driven. This eliminates the possibility of the dowel ricocheting off the hard surface of the structure.

Gas nail guns

Toua GFN3490CHLi

Autonomous products that have found wide application in the production of various frame works. The gun is capable of working with rack nails, the length of which ranges from 50 to 90 mm. This device does not have to be connected to a compressor or electrical network. The instrument belongs to the professional class. It is designed to work exclusively with wood, for example, when constructing sheathing or packaging. It is often used by craftsmen who build houses. In particular, such a model will be quite suitable in the process of manufacturing frame structures, assembling roofing and rafter systems. In addition, this device has proven itself well in the field of working with plywood and fiberboard type boards, especially if they need to be attached to wooden structures.

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The device does not require lubrication due to the fact that a mixture of liquefied gas and special lubricants developed specifically for this model is used as a working element. The gun is capable of operating in a wide temperature range – from -15 to + 60 degrees. The maximum pressure in the cylinder is 16 bar. The products are very convenient to use; there is no need to acquire special skills. The kit comes with two batteries, and there is an LED indicator on the handle to indicate when the battery is low.

Advantages:

• A full charge of one battery is enough for approximately 4,000 nails;
• Nails up to 90 mm long can be used;
• The weight of the equipment is not too large;
• Wide operating temperature range.

Flaws:

• Designed mainly for working with wood.

Toua GFN3490CHLi

Toua GSN F1

Engineers developed this mounting gun specifically for work related to electrical installation - in this area, the model is rightfully considered the best. The product is excellent for adjusting clips, organizing platforms for screeds, installing plastic cable ducts, pipe holders for various purposes, installing corrugated hoses, and so on. The main thing that users note is the high efficiency and low weight of the equipment. Thanks to these factors, the fasteners are aimed at the ceiling very quickly and efficiently. There is a narrow barrel used here for all kinds of clips, the diameter of which can reach 16 mm. The barrel itself is used as a clamping mechanism, which operates at a minimum depth, so the plastic fastener remains intact.

The kit also includes one more barrel, which will work at medium and maximum depth, which helps to use the gun for general installation work - installing guides, plasterboard sheets, plywood, and so on. The barrel can be changed within a few seconds if necessary. There is a decent level of power generated when driving nails, so even fairly thick material will be nailed securely to the substrate. The equipment is easy to operate and maintain. The kit also includes two lithium-ion batteries, and a full charge of one of them is enough for 8,000 nails. There is a bracket for hanging the tool on a belt.

Advantages:

• For a gas appliance it is relatively quiet;
• Excellent build quality and components;
• The ergonomics of the device are perfectly thought out;
• The model is characterized by excellent balancing;
• High speed of work;
• The barrel can be replaced if necessary.

Flaws:

• Sometimes oil from the cylinder gets into the valve, so it will have to be cleaned periodically.

Toua GSN F1

Lixie LXJG-III

The gun has a high level of power, which makes it possible to carry out installation work related to fairly durable building materials, for example, steel, concrete, brickwork, and there is no need to pre-drill holes in the base. The tool operates at a very high speed, so even a significant amount of work aimed, for example, at shooting plastic or steel parts, is completed in the shortest possible time. The product is equipped with a very powerful battery with a capacity of 10,000 mAh; in order to fully charge it you will have to spend about 150 minutes. The volume of one gas cylinder will be enough to hammer about one and a half thousand nails into the densest and hardest substrates. The kit comes with two batteries, safety glasses and a durable case.

When working with this tool, you can use special nails with a length of 15 to 42 mm. The device does not require a power source; it can be used completely autonomously for a long time. The device is capable of operating in a temperature range from 0 to 40 degrees. The diameter of the nail shank should be between 2.2 and 3.0 mm. The magazine is located at a zero angle to the surface, which completely eliminates jamming of nails. It holds up to 30 nails. The weight of the equipment is 4.5 kg with overall dimensions of 490x123x350 mm. The maximum shot energy can reach 110 J.

Advantages:

• High battery life;
• Build and manufacturing quality;
• Long service life;
• Can work with absolutely any materials;
• Two very high-capacity batteries included.

Flaws:

• Small magazine capacity - only 30 nails.

Lixie LXJG-III