Powder actuated tool
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A Powder actuated tool (PAT) commonly referred to as a Nail Gun is a tool designed to fire nails through the use of a small explosive charge.
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[edit] Operation
Powder actuated tools come in two forms Direct Acting and Indirect Acting.
Direct acting tools are where the explosive charge acts directly on the fastner. Indirect acting tools have a piston between the fastner and the charge.
Direct acting tools in the UK are not recommended for general construction use and are not freely available. I cannot comment on the rest of the world.
PAT tools are mainly used for firing into steel and concrete. They are used in many areas of construction from placing sole plates to mechanical uses such as suspeding pipe or duct work.
[edit] Cartridges
The term powder refers to gun powder which is contained in the cartridges used to operate the tool. Cartridges are typically mounted on a plastic strip or metal disc. They come in different calibres and power levels. They resemble bullets.
They tend to be industry standard rimfire safety cartridge which means that the firing pin strikes the rim of the cartridge (hence the name), which contains a small amount of primer, igniting the gunpowder
 Example of cartridges |
[edit] Manufacturers
There are many manufacturers of PAT tools the most well known in the UK being Hilti. In fact on most construction sites in the UK they are referred to as a Hilti gun even though they may not be made by Hilti.
[edit] Safety Features
Many tools have built in safety and whilst the term Nail Gun makes you think that you can just pull the trigger and fire nails it is misleading.
PAT tools often have to be pressed against the work surface before they can be actuated. This typically requires pressure from 12-18kg on the tool before the trigger becomes live.
You cannot just fire nails into free flight like a gun.
[edit] Maintenance
Due to the process of igniting a charge these types of tool require maintenance. Carbon deposits build up inside the tool and combined with dust from construction sites this makes the tool less effective the more it is used so they must be cleaned regularly.
