Powder actuated nail gun question.

**ripvdub** · 02-27-2012, 05:32 PM

Im using a remington powder actuated nail gun to secure some treated 2x4s to the floor in my basement. Can anyone tell me why the nails won't go all the way into the wood/concrete? Everytime I try they stick up out the top of the 2x4 by about .5 inches. is there a.trick to loading it? Thanks in advance.

**Cyclonepride** · 02-27-2012, 05:35 PM

It's been a long time since I used one, but I seem to remember there being different sized loads, and you may need a larger load size. Don't hold me to that, but it seems right.

**C.John** · 02-27-2012, 05:42 PM

Different sized loads. (1 through 4?)

**Scott34** · 02-27-2012, 05:48 PM

I havent had a ton of experience with them but some of the problem I had when using them was them bouncing. I had to make sure I held the gun down through the shooting of the gun to get it to work

**EYEoftheSTORM** · 02-27-2012, 05:50 PM

You can buy loads with more powder so that its more powerful. Going into concrete can be tough..

**Covenant Clone** · 02-27-2012, 05:56 PM

Fully cured concrete (assuming your house is at least a few years old) is really hard. You won't get a ram set nail into it regardless of the size of the cartridge. When we do basement finishes we end up using tapcon concrete anchors almost every time. Little more work but not many options with fully cured concrete.

**Scott34** · 02-27-2012, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Covenant Clone

Fully cured concrete (assuming your house is at least a few years old) is really hard. You won't get a ram set nail into it regardless of the size of the cartridge. When we do basement finishes we end up using tapcon concrete anchors almost every time. Little more work but not many options with fully cured concrete.

Was actually just going to say this. A cheaper way to go rather than using tapcons is using 2 16 penny nails and driving them down together in the one hole that you drill. We did this at the last company I worked for. I didnt think they would hold very well the first time I had to do it but, they hold just as well.

**scottie33** · 02-27-2012, 06:14 PM

you can increase the amount of powder in the shot

with some guns such as roof deck to joists you can dial up or down the distance the powder blows away from the shot

you can use tapcons. .will need hammer drill to drill the concrete...make sure go buy tapcons with hexheads and not phillips or flat they strip out easily...and make sure if you use hammer drill, turn off hammer function when you screw in tapcon or you'll break the falcon

you can use redhead expansion anchors, same task with tapcons

you can drill with hammer drill and buy rebate tie wire in rolls and cut a five inch piece and stick that in the hole with a double head nail or something similar and pound in

have fun!

**ripvdub** · 02-27-2012, 06:25 PM

I am using a charge of 4, I think I can go up to a 5. I was able to get 2" nails in, but it's the 3" nails that I cant get to go in. ill try a 5 charge and maybe 2.5" nails. If not ill try tapcons. Thanks.

**leroycyclone** · 02-27-2012, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by ripvdub

Im using a remington powder actuated nail gun to secure some treated 2x4s to the floor in my basement. Can anyone tell me why the nails won't go all the way into the wood/concrete? Everytime I try they stick up out the top of the 2x4 by about .5 inches. is there a.trick to loading it? Thanks in advance.

I know what you are talking about.

I think it's the hardness of the concrete.

Using 3" nails, sometimes they stick out of the 2x4 slightly. Sometimes they blow in so hard they split the 2x4.