Types of mounting guns

Installing anything with this equipment is much faster than with a hammer drill

If you are a professional installer of, for example, drywall, and have become acutely aware that you want to increase your momentum, do more and better, then it’s time to think about updating your tool fleet. Today we will discuss a concrete mounting gun - its types, advantages and disadvantages, and also consider the most popular models on the market. Let's go!

Principle of operation

Despite the fact that there are several types of mounting guns, the operating principle of each of them is based on the sharp pushing of the fastener by a piston. The launch is carried out under the influence of external energy sources:

compressed air;
flammable gas;
powder cartridges;
electricity.

Mounting pistols of the most primitive type must be loaded and cocked before each new shot. But there are automatic and semi-automatic models that not only load themselves with fasteners from a special magazine, but also cock the mechanism without human intervention, and also eject the cartridge case automatically (powder types of equipment).

Device and characteristics

A construction pistol is a tool that is made in the form of a firearm in its classic form or a jackhammer in miniature. It consists:

from the body;
handles with trigger;
nail store;
a piston providing a pressure of 4–6 atmospheres.

Some equipment models are equipped with small spikes that prevent the tool from slipping out of your hands. Others have in their design mechanisms to protect against repeated shots.

The working elements of the mounting gun are made of durable metal, and the body can be either metal or plastic. The handle often has a rubberized surface.

The ease of use of a mounting gun directly depends on characteristics such as the size and weight of the tool. Depending on the type and design, the weight of the equipment can range from 1.5–5 kg, but sometimes heavier models are also found.

The length of the gun depends on the size of the fastener the tool is made to work with. These parameters are determined by the material of the working surface. The instructions for the gun must clearly indicate the sizes and types of fasteners with which the tool is capable of working.

Equipment for punching wooden surfaces has the lowest power. However, such guns are capable of working with nails up to 20 cm long.

Metal guns are designed for smaller fasteners. In this case, you should choose nails that are able to penetrate such a surface well.

The equipment for working with concrete has the greatest power. At the same time, the fastener must withstand high impact impacts while maintaining its functionality. As a rule, it is shorter but wider than in other cases. Equipment for working with concrete can also be used for brick.

Universal Operating Instructions

Regardless of what type of tool you have in your hands, the procedure for everyone is almost the same. So how to use a caulk gun?

At the first stage, you need to prepare a cylinder with the composition. To do this, the tip of the container is trimmed, after which a special cap is screwed on. It should be cut at an angle of 45°, the cut diameter depends on how wide the seam you need. Start with a hole of 2-3 mm, test on a piece of paper, if necessary, increase the size of the hole.

There are several types of mounting guns depending on the energy source and type of fastener. Each of them has its own characteristics that need to be taken into account when choosing equipment.

Gas

A gas mounting gun is one of the types of equipment of this type, which is characterized by increased power. It is suitable for working with concrete and thin metal. To use it, a disposable gas cylinder is required.

Such guns are usually used by professional builders for work on large sites. At home, using a tool of this type is associated with large costs, which can pay off within several years, which in most cases is impractical.

The operating principle of a gas gun is as follows:

Gas moves from the cylinder to the combustion chamber.
After pressing the start button, it ignites.
The pressure increases, which puts pressure on the piston mechanism.
The piston forcefully pushes out the fastener.

A significant drawback of such guns is that gas can leak through the seal and evaporate. Therefore, it is recommended to use the contents of the charged cylinder immediately in full.

An important characteristic that is recommended to be taken into account when choosing a gas gun is the cooling rate. Overheating of the tool negatively affects the speed of work.

After its use, it is recommended to promptly clean the combustion chamber and ventilate the work area to eliminate the possibility of negative effects of harmful substances on human health.

Pneumatic

A pneumatic mounting gun is a budget option for this type of equipment. But it should be taken into account that its operation requires a compressor with a receiver.

Pneumatic models have average power and a wide range of tasks. They are used to work with various materials with the exception of reinforced concrete, stone and thick metal.

Working principle of pneumatic mounting equipment:

Air enters the gun from the compressor receiver through a hose.
After pressing the start button, the piston moves sharply under high pressure.
The piston forcefully pushes out the fastener.

An air pistol has a low cost per shot, since only a compressor and fasteners are required for operation. Equipment of this type has the following advantages:

lack of return;
Quiet operation of the pistol.

There are also several disadvantages:

the presence of a hose complicates the work process;
a source of electricity is required to start the gun;
Occasional compressor noise can be a nuisance.

Porokhovaya

The powder mounting gun has the greatest power and can be used to work on any surface.

The principle of its operation:

Fasteners are placed in the front of the pistol, and a special blank cartridge is placed in the rear.
After pressing the start button, the powder gases expand and, as a result, the piston pushes.
The piston pushes out the dowel-nail.

A powder pistol operates like a firearm and is dangerous for injury. Therefore, its use is possible only with special permission. In addition, strict adherence to safety regulations is required.

A powder pistol can be single-shot, multi-shot or a combination type.

The gun itself and its consumables are very expensive.

Electric

Electric mounting guns are suitable for working with different types of surfaces: from wood to brick. They are divided into two types:

network;
rechargeable.

The latter have the following advantages:

Ease of use;
ability to work without access to the electrical network, etc.

The cost of this type of equipment is so high that not every specialist can purchase it, even for professional activities. Purchasing such a pistol is only advisable if you plan to use it daily.

Nailer

A nailer is better known as a nailer. It is very popular due to its high speed. It can be used for different purposes: both for construction and for assembling furniture. Unlike manual nailing using a hammer, this type of equipment can penetrate hard materials such as brick. To do this, it is necessary to use high-strength fasteners.

Stapling

A staple gun works similar to a construction stapler. However, larger staples are used.

Gun for dowel-nail

A dowel-nail gun is a classic version of this type of equipment.

Single shot

After each shot, a single-shot mounting gun must be loaded with new fasteners, and when using powder models, a cartridge will also be required, which negatively affects the speed of operation.

Multi-charger

To work with multi-shot pistols, special tapes with fasteners attached to them are used. The tape is changed only after all fasteners have been used up. In this way it is possible to achieve high operating speed.

Useful tips

It is advisable to seal the edges with masking tape Source ytimg.com

Smoothing and rubbing in sealant Source waysi.ru
If the question regarding how to work with a sealant gun is clear, pay attention to some nuances affecting the process of applying the composition itself. The main aspects are as follows:

When cutting off the end of a plastic tube, pay attention to the marks on its tip. They are intended to determine the width of the resulting seam (not applied to tubes from all manufacturers).
The seam on which it is planned to apply sealant must be cleaned and degreased in any possible way.
You need to apply the sealant from the corner, evenly moving the gun adapter in the desired direction.
When squeezing out the composition, try to maintain a continuous line.
Smoothing or rubbing (pressing) of the composition is allowed. To do this, wet your finger with soapy water and move it in the desired direction.
It is more convenient to remove excess composition with a spatula, after moistening it in a soap solution.
To avoid staining the area that does not require treatment, cover it with masking (paper) tape. The pasted strip must be removed after the applied composition has completely hardened.

Rubbing with a finger dipped in a soap solution Source avatars.mds.yandex.

It is most convenient to cut the adapter with a stationery knife Source Aa sdelaysam-svoimirukami.ru

What other construction pistols are there?

In addition to the listed types of equipment, there are several other construction tools, which are also called guns:

A glue gun is an electric tool that is used to heat and apply hot glue.
Technical hair dryer. Used when carrying out relevant work.
Caulk gun. It is used in conjunction with sealant cans, which have a standard appearance. They can be purchased separately as a consumable.
A syringe gun is an alternative to the previous option. Equipped with its own removable reusable can.
Foam gun. The balloon is mounted upside down and has a long spout. Used for applying polyurethane foam.
A nailer is a specialized tool used during construction work.

How to choose the right mounting gun?

When choosing installation equipment, it is recommended to consider several important characteristics:

Autonomy. To achieve maximum convenience of the work process, it is recommended to choose models that do not depend on external sources (air compressor and electrical network).
Size and weight. These parameters may vary not only depending on the type of equipment, but also on its model.
Speed of work. This indicator characterizes how many shots can be fired in a certain period of time, for example per minute or per second.
Penetrating power is one of the most important characteristics. It depends on what materials can be worked with using a specific tool model.
Indicators of noise, recoil and vibration.
Possibility of using the tool in a damp environment.

When purchasing a mounting gun, you must remember that special permission is required to use powder models.

When choosing equipment, it is recommended to consider a number of tips:

For work at home, a simple single-shot pistol is enough. For infrequent use, it is not advisable to purchase an expensive model.
To perform a large volume of tasks, it is better to purchase a drum gun. Despite its heavy weight, it is convenient to use, as it significantly increases the speed of work.
Tools for professional use must be equipped with a mounting depth adjustment system. This will significantly expand the functionality of the pistol. Adjustment of the mounting depth of powder models is carried out by selecting the power of the cartridge.
To simplify the process of installing a UD profile, when choosing a gas gun, it is better to choose models with an attached leg.
To avoid interruptions in the operation of the electric gun, it is recommended to choose models with two batteries.
When choosing a mounting gun, it is better for novice builders to seek the help of specialists and consultants in the store, since this equipment has high prices. If you make the wrong choice, the tool can lie idle for a long time without paying for itself.

Features of choice

If your work involves renovating apartments, offices and houses, it is recommended to purchase an electric or cordless gun. Its price is quite high, but is fully justified by both the technical characteristics of the device and its service life.

If you are limited to housework, a regular hand gun will do the job. The main thing is to make sure that its structure is strong (the skeletal frame should not bend under pressure). The ideal choice would be a model with a semi-open cylindrical groove. Such a pistol is comfortable to hold in your hand and, as a rule, it lasts much longer and does not deform.

As for the professional sphere, you will need an air pistol. It can be used to fill large gaps and assembly joints on floors and bays.

When choosing a pistol, make sure of the following:

The stroke of the rod should be smooth and uniform. Otherwise, you will not be able to monitor material consumption.
There should be no squeaking noise when you press the lever. This is not a fundamental factor, but it will certainly be unpleasant to hear this sound constantly. If you have already purchased a “squeaky” gun, lubricate the moving elements with machine oil.
The spring should easily return the lever to its original position, otherwise you will be tired of constantly pressing it by hand. Just press the lever a few times and check the accuracy of its movement.
The frame must be perfectly level. If possible, ask the seller to fill the tube with sealant. This will help ensure that the packaging lies flat and does not bend.
The weight of the tool must be optimal. If the gun is too heavy, you will quickly get tired when working with it and will not be able to get to hard-to-reach places.

Don't buy a model with a lever stroke that is too long . If you have difficulty pressing fully, this tool will not work. A caulk gun should make the job easier, not more difficult. If you move the lever too far, your hand will get tired very quickly and your fingers will start to hurt.

The range of these useful devices today is very large, so do not rush to purchase the first model you come across. Compare them with each other and make sure that the gun fully meets all the requirements given above.