Before we look at the fasteners, here's
a safety tip about the tools that drive
them. The most important element in
the use of power-actuated tools is
ensuring that all your operators are
adequately trained. Every U.S. manufacturer
will provide this training at no
cost to you, and every state requires it,
but the contractor should make sure
that the trainer is an authorized,
licensed instructor.
Several companies manufacture
powder-actuated fasteners (PAFs)
including ITW Ramset/Red Head.
Hilti, Desa, and Speed. Of all concrete
fasteners, PAFs are the fastest to
install, so they probably have the lowest
in-place cost of all fasteners. The
most common fasteners in this category
are drive pins (specially made nails)
and threaded studs. Shank diameters
for drive