HSS Hire Rapid Fire Cartridge Hammer Troubleshooting guide

Code 52246
Rapid Fire
Cartridge Hammer
A fully automatic Cartridge Hammer with
contact only firing mechanism.
Operating & Safety Guide 385
385/02
©HSS Hire Service Group Plc 2002 No. 385/02
Group Office: 25 Willow Lane, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TS
Web Site: http://www.hss.com
...any comments?
If you have any suggestions to enable us to improve
the information within this guide please fax your
comments or write to the Product Manager at the
address below
Fax: [phone]
CHANGING NAIL SIZE
When the tool fails to fire, the magazine is empty.
Pull the cartridge strip out through the top of the
tool and place all nails and cartridges, in the tool’s
carrying case.
Finally, clean off any dust or dirt before packing the
tool away in its case and returning it to your local HSS
Hire Shop so that we can dispose of unused cartridges
correctly and safely.
TIMBERCONCRETE CONCRETE
Too little power
Too much power
Good fix
STEEL
Example showing nail
fixing timber to concrete
Example showing nail
fixing steel to concrete
The Good Fixing Guide
Timber to Concrete: 22-32mm
Timber to Brickwork: Variable (test first)
Steel to Steel: 10-14mm
Timber to Steel: 17-27mm
Note: Select nail length by adding above
depth to thickness of item to be secured
If you intend using more than one size of nail with
this equipment, it is extremely important that you
fully understand the following instructions.
Failure to follow these instructions carefully may
result in property damage and personal injury.
Make sure that there is a strip of unused cartridges
in the tool.
Remove any remaining strip of nails from the
magazine. Close the magazine and on a suitable
hard base material, e.g. concrete (not wood),
attempt to fire the tool.
When the tool fails to fire, the magazine will be
empty and the different nail size can be loaded into the
magazine.
If you are unsure about this procedure, STOP and
contact your local HSS Hire Shop for advice.
Misfires
If the Cartridge Hammer fails to fire, continue to
hold it against the work for at least 30 seconds
before assuming the cartridge has failed.
You can then try again, advancing a fresh
cartridge into the firing position by pulling the
cartridge strip up one position and trying again.
Always point the tool at the ground while doing
this. Never look down the barrel. If the
Cartridge Hammer fails a second time, wait a
further 30 seconds, remove the cartridge strip,
place in the toolbox and mark it. Strips
containing faulty cartridges must only be
returned to your nearest HSS Hire Shop and the
manager informed. Do not dispose of them in
any other way.
FINISHING OFF
Never push the equipment beyond its design limits. If
it will not do what you want with reasonable ease and
speed, assume you have the wrong Cartridge Hammer for
the job. Contact your local HSS Hire Shop for advice.
Keep the equipment clean - you will find this less of a
chore if you clean it regularly, rather than wait until the
end of the hire period.
Use only nails and cartridges supplied by HSS. Those
from any other sources may be dangerous and could
damage the tool.
When not in use, store the equipment somewhere
clean, dry away from heat/ignition sources and safe
from thieves and unauthorised users.
Remove any remaining strip of nails from the
magazine. Close the magazine and on a suitable
hard base material, e.g. concrete (not wood),
attempt to fire the tool.
EQUIPMENT CARE
FINISHING OFF

For advice on the safety and suitability of this equipment
contact your local HSS Hire Shop.
There is a serious risk of personal injury if you do not
follow all instructions laid down in this guide.
The hirer has a responsibility to ensure that all necessary
risk assessments have been completed prior to the use
of this equipment.
This equipment should only be used by an operator
who has been deemed competent to do so by his/her
employer.
This equipment should be used by an able bodied,
competent adult who has read and understood these
instructions. Anyone with either a temporary or permanent
disability, should seek expert advice before using it.
Keep children, animals and bystanders away from the
work area. Cordon off a NO GO area using either cones,
barriers or tape, available for hire from your local HSS Hire
Shop.
This Cartridge Hammer must only be operated by
adults over 18
who have read and understood these instructions.
Never use this equipment if you are ill,
feeling tired, or under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
Safety goggles MUST be worn by everyone in the
work area.
This equipment generates potentially harmful
noise levels. To comply with health and safety at work
regulations, ear defenders must be worn by everyone in
the vicinity.
Wear practical, protective clothing, gloves and
footwear. Avoid loose garments and jewellery that
could catch in moving parts, tie back long hair.
Ensure the work area is well lit and ventilated, if in
doubt, ask about lighting and ventilation equipment at your
local HSS Hire Shop.
Do not work near flammable gases or liquids, petrol or
paint thinner fumes for example. Keep combustible
materials at a safe distance - at least 5m.
Make sure that everyone is warned of what you are
doing.
Never load the Cartridge Hammer until you are ready
to use it to make a fixing and, once loaded, never point
it at anyone – including yourself.
Never use the Cartridge Hammer if anyone is close
enough to be at risk from flying debris or misfires.
Never use the Cartridge Hammer in fume/gas-laden
atmospheres where there is a risk of explosion or fire – for
example, in paint stores and sewers.
Make sure of your footing before operating the
Cartridge Hammer. Never work from an unstable
platform such as ladders, steps or anywhere else where
there is a risk of slipping or falling – the recoil could throw you
off balance.
Never make fixings in anything containing hidden
pipes or electrical wiring. If in doubt, use a metal detector
or Cable Avoiding Tool to locate such hazards.
Before cleaning or making any adjustments to the
Cartridge Hammer, unload it by pulling the cartridge strip
out through the top.
Never leave the Cartridge Hammer loaded and
unattended – even for a moment.
Store the Cartridge Hammer (together with spare
cartridges and fixings) in its case, somewhere it cannot be
reached by children or unauthorised users.
Check the condition of the equipment before use. If it
shows signs of damage or excessive wear, return it to your
local HSS Hire Shop.
COSHH information sheets are available from your local HSS
Hire Shop.
It is essential to familiarise yourself with all the
controls before starting.
Ensure the method of fixing is appropriate to the
object being fixed. The base material should be at least
4mm thick for steel, 100mm for concrete and resistant to
impact damage.
Ensure the method of fixing is suitable for the
surface you are fixing to, for example concrete,
brick and steel. In particular, the tool must not be used
to make fixings in partition walls, ceilings, soffits.
Select the appropriate cartridge for the job. In most
cases, standard red cartridges are more than adequate.
However, there may be times (when fixing into steel) when
the more powerful black cartridges are needed. If in
doubt, contact your local HSS Hire Shop for advice.
Adjust the Cartridge Hammer’s power regulator to
give the required penetration.
Start at the number 1
setting, make a test fixing
(see Basic Techniques) then
reset the regulator dial if
required and re-test until
you have an acceptable
fixing.
To adjust the setting,
depress the dial lock,
turn dial anticlockwise
to increase and clockwise
to decrease then release
the dial lock.
To load the Cartridge Hammer, open the magazine.
Push in the release button and slide the cover down.
Carefully insert the strip of nails into the guide with
points facing forward. Firstly, insert and raise the strip, then
slide the cover up until it clicks in place.
There is an indicator fitted to the magazine, which shows
a red marker when down to the last two nails.
Feed the cartridge strip into the bottom of the tool’s
grip as far as it will go. You are now ready to fire.
To make the fixing, hold the Cartridge Hammer with
both hands and press the fastener guide against the
work until the nosepiece is fully compressed – you may
hear a click as the fastener guide slides back and arms the
firing mechanism.
Now, having braced yourself against the recoil, squeeze
the trigger and the tool should fire.
Release the trigger and
move the tool away from
the surface. Note that the
mechanism will automatically
load the next cartridge and
fixing ready for firing.
Do not drive nails near the
edges or corners. In steel,
edges should be at least
15mm away; 80mm in
concrete. Do not try to make
a fixing twice in the same
place.
GENERAL SAFETY
GETTING STARTED
BASIC TECHNIQUES
Power Regulator
Power Regulator
Dial
Dial Lock
Loading the Magazine
Loading
Cartridges
Guide
Magazine
Cover
Strip of
Nails
Magazine
Red Indicator
Cover
Release
Button
Cartridge
Trigger Power
Dial
1
–
+
Rapid Fire Cartridge Hammer
Fastening
Guide
Magazine
Release
Button Trigger
Dial Lock
Power
Regulator
Dial
Cover
Indicator
Over-driving
Over-driving normally results from using fixings that
are too short, but it can happen accidentally – if the
material you are driving into is flawed. Whatever the
cause, it may damage the stop ring – so, if you find
that the automatic loading cycle fails, return the tool to
your local HSS Hire Shop for exchange.