Trying to use a Hilti DX 36

[Paladin306]

Trying to use a Hilti DX 36 powder actuated tool to attach my bottom sill boards to the concrete floor of my shop. Except, (you knew there was going to be a "but" right?, the darn thing won't fire. Here's what I've done thus far:

I started by reading the manuel. Then, using eye and ear protection, I loaded the nail, the charge strip, cocked the gun by pulling the barrel forward and then back, placed the barrel against the sill board at a 90 degree angle and then pressed down reasonably hard and pulled the trigger. Nothing, nada, zip, zero. The trigger does pull. But nothing happens.

The tool is brand new. I'm assuming this is operator error and there is some safety device that I haven't found yet, just not sure what it is.

Any ideas???

My long awaited renovation has finally started, including putting up the stud walls in my steel building. Check out my thread here.

Shop Renovation Thread: www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256595

 

[nehog]

I can only suggest pushing down harder when pulling the trigger--mine is a 'whack with hammer' version, and sometimes I need to use a bigger whack!

 

[pcmeiners]

second Nehog, you need to push down approx 10 lbs pressure ( safety measure).

 

[Milton Shaw]

Also pull another shell into position, you might not have advance it far enough to fire the first charge. It does take a lot of pressure to push it down enough to ready it to fire.

 

[Firebird 1]

Once you put pressure you need to keep it steady on, if you let of by a mere fraction it will not fire. Apply adequate pressure and pull the trigger. I have had few problems with hilti tools, especially a new one. If still no luck I would call the salesman.

 

[Paladin306]

Thanks all, I tried these tactics and it now works. Apparently, I just wasn't "holding my nose right". Between the screws that I've used to attach the horizontal 2x4 pieces to the metal purlins and the nails into the concrete these walls are "solid as a rock".

My renovation thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256595

 

[plow]

Would you mind posting pics of the connections?

 

[Paladin306]

Would you mind posting pics of the connections?

I originally posted that I would do this tomorrow but, after rechecking tomorrow's schedule decided to go ahead and take some pics this evening.

25' down with 35' foot to go (on the long wall)
View media item 50724
These 2 13/16" nails are Hilti's Sill plate fastener X-CP 72 P8 S23
Item #237455 and were shot with the DX 36. They sink into the concrete and solidly adhere the sill board to the shop floor. But, as you can see, they don't go past the plastic washer?. I'm assuming this is by design as the square metal washer is tight as can be.

View media item 50725
Most of the studs are on 16" centers. So, I just cut the horizontal pieces to be 14.5" and then used a nail gun to connect them to the studs. Using #14 x 2.25" self drilling screws to the steel purlins and the wood studs are solid as a rock.

View media item 50726
Shop Renovation Thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=256595

Mark

 

[plow]

Cool. Mine is a 25 Cal. an I was trying to get an idea on how it should look. Just messing around using the red charges, a 1" blows out the concrete. I need to go by my local fastenall and talk to somebody about the proper charges and nail thingys. Are you using it to attach the wood to the Z purling as well??

 

[plow]

Sorry, just noticed the self tappers.

 

[Paladin306]

Sorry, just noticed the self tappers.

Yes sir, that's correct, using #14 self drilling for the purlins.

Mark

 

[Angry welder]

Question????? After you pull the trigger have you pulled the shot strip back out of the gun and looked to see where the firing pin is hitting at. Some times when you insert the load strip it will fall between the bullet blanks and not fire.

Second are you sure when you push down that the forward slide pushes back completely on the gun. Sometimes it will not go back all the way and the trigger will still pull but not release the firing pin on it.

 

[Paladin306]

Question????? After you pull the trigger have you pulled the shot strip back out of the gun and looked to see where the firing pin is hitting at. Some times when you insert the load strip it will fall between the bullet blanks and not fire.

Second are you sure when you push down that the forward slide pushes back completely on the gun. Sometimes it will not go back all the way and the trigger will still pull but not release the firing pin on it.

Howdy Angry Welder,

I'm not really sure what I was doing wrong. But, since I called Hilti customer service and followed their directions, I've had zero problems. It's fired reliably every single time.

I have it set on the highest setting and am using red loads but, the nail usually doesn't go completely into the stud as a nail normally would if you were nailing two pieces of wood together. In other words it normally goes deep enough to where the plastic washer is tight against the metal washer which is also tight against the wood. I'm assuming this is the way it's supposed to work since everything is tight. But, I don't really know for sure.

Mark