Power actuated tools are well known on the jobsite as a fast, safe and cost effective way to fasten materials to concrete.
Often referred to as a “Hilti gun or a Ramset gun” these tools have been a go to for direct fastening and the technology works on a controlled explosion created by small propellant cartridge charge, similar to the process that discharges a firearm.
Powder-actuated technology was developed for commercial use during the World War Two, to repair a hull breach in navy ships by attaching metal plates over the holes.
HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 Review
The HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 Fastening Tool was designed with productivity in mind. With no holes to drill and fastening in less than a second allows the user to install 1,000 fastenings per day. Having the speed and versatility to make these connections can be the difference between profit and loss!
HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 – Applications
The HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 is the perfect tool for installing drywall tracks, wire mesh or for attaching wood to concrete. Some but not all of the applications for this tool are listed below:
- Attaching kicker plates to concrete
- Fastening sill plates
- Perimeter walls
- Facade attachments
- Drywall tack fastening
- Attaching drywall to concrete
- Fastening electrical conduit runs, junction boxes, and cable holders to concrete
- Attaching chicken mesh to concrete
- Fastening wood to concrete and steel
- Easy to use and maintain
- Compact, sleek design allows access to narrow spaces
- Powerful, reliable performance
- Ergonomically designed grip and tool nose
- Covers a wide range of applications
- Conduit hangers
- Waterproofing – attaching termination bar to concrete, attaching moisture barrier (thin membrane) to concrete
Outperform and Outlast
- Semi-automatic operation using 10-round cartridge strips
- Simple operation and easy maintenance
- Complete fastener selection for a wide variety of applications ranging from drywall track to 2×4 attachments
- Power range to support any fastening to concrete or steel
- Covered by Hilti Lifetime Service
- All aluminum body for strength and long life
- Hilti matched tolerance system – tool, fastener, cartridge
HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 – Fastener Range
The HILTI Powder-actuated fastening tool DX 2 was built to accommodate pins ranging from 1/2 in. to 2-1/2 in. and also a 2-7/8 in. nail with a pre-mounted washer.
The 0.27 caliber loads in strips of 10 and a Semi-automatic cartridge advances the strip automatically when the tool is cycled.
Sold in a carry case with the tool, stabilizer, cleaning kit, spares pack, lubricant we found the HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 compact, durable, easy-to-use and able to install fasteners safely and rapidly.
At 5.3 pounds, the HILTI DX2 is compact and its durable aluminum body gives you long service life, access to those hard-to-reach corners and improved ergonomics.
Fastener Cartridge
The HILTI cartridges are called Clean-Tec, which means they contain no lead or other heavy metals, meaning they are environmentally-friendly. They come in different strength charges and are color coded:
- level Green
- 3,Yellow
- 4, Red
- 5
Numbered strips help you to use the full cartridge, reducing waste and saving costs.
Outperform and Outlast
- Semi-automatic operation using 10-round cartridge strips
- Simple operation and easy maintenance
- Complete fastener selection for a wide variety of applications ranging from drywall track to 2×4 attachments
- Power range to support any fastening to concrete or steel
- Covered by HILTI Lifetime Service
Technical Data
- Fastener range 1/2″ – 2-1/2″; 2-7/8″ with pre-mounted washer
- Cartridge type .27 caliber short, 6.8/11 M10
- Cartridge color/level Green/3,Yellow/4, Red/5
- Dimensions (L x W x H) 13-5/8″ x 2″ x 6-1/8″ (345mmx50mmx157mm)
- Weight 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)
Accessories
- Fastener guide 2094644
- Baseplate 2094645
- Piston accessory kit (includes 1 DX 2 piston, and 1 shear clip) 2103082
- Stabilizer 2094648
- Pole tool receptacle 2094657
- Spares pack (includes 2 shear clips, 2 ball bearings, and 1 stop) 2094647
- Cleaning kit 2097040
Overall Thoughts
The HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 was easy to use and I found it compact, lightweight and powerful. Most importantly, it’s simple, easy to use and extrememly durable. No major features to learn, just a better designed, tool with better materials than its predecessors.
The size of the HILTI Powder-Actuated DX 2 allows you to insert the tool into tight locations and the applications this tool can be deployed on are endless when you consider all of the accessories, and fastener packs available for it.