THIS TOOL FOR USE BY LICENSED OPERATORS ONLY.
READ AND OBEY ALL SAFETY AND OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERATING TOOL.
MD380 TOOL
OPERATOR’S
SAFETY &
OPERATING
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
SINGLE SHOT, LOW VELOCITY
PISTON TYPE FASTENING TOOL
DANGER
DANGER
SAFETY INTRODUCTION
DANGER
SAFETY INTRODUCTION
2
DANGER
THIS TOOL IS TO BE USED ONLY BY PROPERLY TRAINED
AND LICENSED OPERATORS.
YOU MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE ITW RAMSET/RED HEAD’S
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE TOOL AND OBTAIN
A CERTIFIED OPERATOR’S LICENSE BEFORE HANDLING,
LOADING OR OPERATING THIS TOOL.
ATTEMPTING TO HANDLE OR OPERATE THIS TOOL
WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING AND LICENSING CAN RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OPERATOR OR BYSTANDERS.
Operator’s and bystanders
must wear eye and hear-
ing protection.
Read manual before
operating tool.
Never close tool with hand over fastener loading end of the tool.
A serious hand injury from penetration by the piston or a
discharged fastener could result.
DANGER
Just as no one can merely read a book about driving an automobile and then hope
to drive one safely, no one should attempt to use any Ramset tool without adequate,
competent personal instruction. And just as one must be licensed to drive an
automobile, one must also be licensed to use a powder actuated tool.
No automobile instruction book or instructor can forewarn a learner against all possibilities and emergencies, nor can ITW Ramset/Red Head instructors and printed
material detail all possible conditions surrounding the use of ITW Ramset/Red Head
tools and products.
Responsibility for the safe and proper use of this tool rests with the tool
user and the employer.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER
DANGER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
3
Preparation
Acceptable Base Materials
Powder actuated fastening is suitable for use in the following base
materials only:
• Poured Concrete
• Structural Steel
• Masonry Joints ( see page 8)
Never attempt to fasten into any
other type of material. Fastening into
other materials can cause blindness or
other serious injury.
Unacceptable Base Materials
Never attempt to fasten into very
hard or brittle materials such as cast
iron, tile, glass, or rock of any type.
These materials can shatter, causing
the fastener and/or base material
fragments to fly free and cause
serious injury to the tool operator
and others.
Never fasten into soft base
materials, such as drywall or lumber
products. These materials may allow
the fastener to travel completely through
and out the other side, endangering
those in the path of the fastener.
Never fasten into any base material
that does not pass the Center Punch
test. Failure to assure the suitability of
the base material can result in serious
injury to the eyes or other body parts.
NEVER FASTEN INTO VERY
HARD OR BRITTLE MATERIALS
NEVER FASTEN INTO SOFT
MATERIALS SUCH AS DRYWALL
Center Punch Test
ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES
WHEN PERFORMING THIS TEST.
1. Always check the material
being fastened into for hardness before attempting any
fastening operation.
2. Using a fastener as a center
punch, strike the fastener
against the work surface using
an average hammer blow and
check the results.
Center Punch Test Results
1. If the fastener point is flattened,
the material is too hard for a
powder actuated fastening.
2. If the fastener penetrates the
material easily, the material is
too soft.
3. If the material cracks or
shatters, the material is too
brittle.
4. If the fastener makes a small
indentation into the material,
the material is suitable for
fastening.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER
DANGER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
4
Loads & Load Selection Safety
1. Always make a test fastening
after being sure that the base
material is suitable for powder
actuated fastening. Failure to
determine the correct power level
to be used may result in the use
of excessive power, allowing the
fastener to pass completely
through the work material,
causing serious or fatal injuries to
others who may be in the path of
the fastener.
2. Color-blind operators must always select loads by load number
to prevent use of an incorrect
load for the same reasons as in #1
above.
Workplace Safety
1. Operators and bystanders must
always wear approved safety
goggles and approved hearing
protection. Failure to do so may
result in blindness or serious eye
injury from flying debris and loss
of hearing from constant or
repeated unprotected exposure to
fastening noise.
2. Always keep the work area clear
of bystanders and unnecessary
materials that could interfere with
safe tool operation. Operating the
tool in a congested or cluttered
area may affect your ability to
operate the tool safely.
3. Never operate tool if flammable or
explosive materials are nearby.
Powder loads burn and create
sparks when fired and could ignite
these materials or fumes.
4. Always post warning signs within
50’ of the area where fastening is
to be done. Sign must state:
“Caution- Powder Actuated Tool
In Use”. Failure to warn others may
result in serious injury to them. Contact ITW Ramset/ Red Head at
1-800-354-7432 to obtain this
sign.
ALWAYS MAKE A TEST
FASTENING
COLOR-BLIND OPERATORS
MUST ALWAYS SELECT
LOADS BY NUMBER
4
KEEP WORK AREA CLEAR OF
BYSTANDERS AND CLUTTER
NEVER OPERATE THE TOOL
AROUND FLAMMABLE OR
EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
ALWAYS POST WARNING SIGNS
DANGER
DANGER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
5
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Tool Handling Safety
1. Always be sure tool is operating
properly before attempting to
use it. Follow the “Daily
Function Check” shown to the
right and described on page 9.
2. Always load tool using a power
load selected directly from a box
indicating the power load type
and number. Never attempt to use
loose loads that could be
mis-identified.
3. Never carry loose loads in
pockets with pins or other hard
objects.
4. Never load a tool unless you
intend to immediately make a
fastening. Loading a tool and
leaving it unattended in the work
area can result in the tool being
accidentally discharged by others.
5. Never place your hand or any
other body part over the fastener
loading end of the tool. Serious
hand injury could result from being
struck by either a fastener or the tool
piston should the tool be accidentally
fired.
6. Always store the tool unloaded
and keep the tool and the loads
securely locked in a tool box.
Keep keys away from children
and unlicensed persons.
7. Always keep the tool pointed
away from yourself and others.
8. Never carry a loaded tool around
the work area.
9. Never allow anyone not trained to
use the tool.
10.Never engage in horseplay with
the tool.
11.Using the tool in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning tool or handling
loads may result in exposure to
lead or other substances known
to cause birth defects, and other
physical harm. Have adequate
ventilation at all times and wash
thoroughly after exposure.
ALWAYS DO A DAILY
FUNCTION CHECK BEFORE
LOADING TOOL
NEVER LOAD TOOL UNLESS IT
IS TO BE USED IMMEDIATELY
NEVER PLACE HANDS OR
BODY OVER MUZZLE OPENING
KEEP TOOL LOCKED & OUT OF
THE REACH OF CHILDREN
DANGER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
FAILURE TO FOLLOW
INSTRUCTIONS CAN CAUSE
INJURY TO THE TOOL OPERATOR OR TO BYSTANDERS.
Fastener Driving Safety
1. Only use the tool for fastening
into a suitable base material.
2. Never fire the tool without a
fastener. Firing a tool without a
fastener will cause the piston to
strike the work surface, and may
cause serious injury to you and
others in the work area.
3. Always use the spall guard
whenever possible to minimize
flying particles or debris.
4. Always hold the tool perpendicular to and firmly against the
work surface when making a
fastening. Failure to do so could
allow a fastenerto ricochet.
5. Never attempt to drive a fastener
close to an edge or to another
fastener. See page 8 for guidelines.
ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MISFIRE
PROCEDURE
If the tool does not fire after pull-
ing the trigger, continue to hold the
depressed tool against the work
surface for at least 30 seconds. Then
carefully open the tool, remove the load,
and put it in a can of water or other nonflammable liquid. Never carelessly
discard live loads into a trash container.
If the tool becomes stuck or jammed
with a live powder load, keep the tool
pointed in a safe direction, and immediately tag it, “Danger-defective-do not
use”. Lock the tool in a tool box and call
your local Ramset Distributor for assistance.
USE THE SPALL GUARD
WHENEVER POSSIBLE
ALWAYS HOLD THE TOOL
PERPENDICULAR TO THE
WORK SURFACE
NEVER DRIVE A FASTENER
CLOSE TO AN EDGE
HOLD THE TOOL FIRMLY AGAINST
THE WORK SURFACE
FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS
6
FASTENERS / LOADS
FASTENERS / LOADS
7
Your Ramset MD380 tool uses only the Ramset fasteners and loads shown
below or listed for the tool in the Product Catalog .
DANGER
3/8” HEAD DIAMETER DRIVE PINS
Never use any other types of fasteners or loads in the MD380 tool.
Use of other types of fasteners or loads may cause unintentional load discharge,
damage the tool, cause poor fastening performance, or create a risk of serious
injury to the operator or bystanders.
FASTENERS
LOADS
POWER CATALOG LOAD CASE
LEVEL NUMBER COLOR COLOR
4 4RL27 Yellow Brass
5 5RL27 Red Brass
6 6RL27 Purple Brass
The power level of the loads is
indicated by the number marked on
each box, the color of the box and
the color on the tip of each load. As
the number increases, the power
level also increases.
Always perform the center punch
test described on page 3 to test the
base material.
Always make a test fastening using
the #4, Yellow, power level first. If
more power is required to set the
fastener, use the next higher power
level until the power level necessary
to drive the fastener is reached.
Ramset .27cal. RL loads are specially made for use in the MD380 Tool.
RAMSET RL LOAD
3/8” - 16 THREADED STUDS
.180 Shank Diameter in Shank
Lengths from 3/4” to 3”
.205 Shank Diameter in Shank
lengths from 5/8” to 1 1/4” and
1” Thread Length
SEE PRODUCT CATALOG FOR SPECIFIC LENGTHS
FASTENING APPLICATIONS
FASTENING APPLICATIONS
8
FASTENING APPLICATIONS
Your Ramset tool can be used for a wide
range of fastening needs in a variety of
base materials. Reading and following
these important fastening guidelines will
help you get the best results from your
tool, fasteners, and powder loads, as
well as help you perform these fastening
operations safely and effectively.
Powder actuated fastenings are permenant fastenings so attempting to
remove a fastener from concrete or
steel may result in a serious injury.
Fastening to Concrete
When fastening into concrete, always
maintain a minimum spacing of 3"
between fastenings and 3" from any
free edge. Concrete thickness should
be at least three times the intended
penetration depth into the concrete. The
primary exception to the 3" edge
distance can occur in a sill plate
application where, by necessity, the
edge distance is reduced.
Driving fasteners too close to an edge
or too close to each other can cause
the concrete edge to fail or fasteners to
fly free.
Fastening to Concrete Block or
to Masonry Walls
While this application is not recommended, when used, it is necessary to
take care to observe a 3” edge distance
to avoid cracking the block and over
penetration of the fastener to avoid a
loss of holding value. Fastenings may be
made into the horizontal joint but not into
the vertical joint.
SPACING
WOOD TO CONCRETE
PENETRATION - THIN GAUGE
METAL TO CONCRETE
➤➤
➤➤
➤
➤➤
➤➤
➤
➤➤
➤➤
➤
➤➤
➤➤
➤
3" MIN.
3" MIN.
➤➤
➤➤
➤
➤➤
➤➤
➤
➤➤
➤➤
➤
3" 3"
MIN. MIN.
SPACING - FURRING
STRIP TO CONCRETE
Fastening to Steel
Your Ramset tool can be used for
fastening on the flat surfaces of
structural steel. When fastening into
steel, always maintain a minimum
spacing of 1-1/2" between fastenings
and 1/2" from any edge.
SPACING
STEEL TO STEEL
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
9
TOOL OPERATION
Daily Function Test
Always check the tool first to make
sure that it does not contain a load
or fastener. Test the tool several times
by depressing the muzzle bushing fully
on a hard surface and pulling the trigger.
You should hear an audible click as the
firing pin releases. Let up on the tool and
check to be sure that the barrel has
opened to the semi-closed position.
PERFORM FUNCTION TEST
WITH EMPTY, UNLOADED TOOL
SLIDE THE BARREL
FORWARD
INSERT FASTENER INTO THE
MUZZLE END OF THE TOOL
WITH THE POINT OUT
OPERATING THE MD380 TOOL
1. After checking to be sure that
the tool is not loaded, point it in a
safe direction and slide the barrel
open. Always hold the front end of
the tool by the heat shield or spall
guard edges. NEVER open or close
the tool with your hand over the end
of the muzzle bushing (fastener
loading end of the tool).
2. With finger off the trigger, and
holding the tool by the heat shield,
place the fastener, point out, into the
muzzle end of the tool until the
point end is inside the muzzle.
NEVER load a fastener with
your finger on the trigger. DO
NOT use excessive force when
inserting a fastener. STOP
immediately if excessive force is
required, inspect the barrel to
find out why the fastener is not
entering the muzzle freely. DO
NOT continue loading unless
the problem is corrected.
3. While still holding the tool by the
heat shield and with the barrel fully
open, use the ramrod to push the
fastener in the barrel until it is up
against the piston and the piston is
fully set. Never ramrod a fastener
into the tool with a live or fired load
in the tool or with the barrel in the
closed position.
RAMROD FASTENER FULLY
INTO THE BARREL
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
TOOL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
10
4. With the barrel fully open, and the
receiver clear, insert a powder load
into the chamber and close the tool
to the semi-closed position. Never
attempt to close the tool by exerting
force on the front end of the barrel.
Never place your hand, fingers
or any other body part over the
fastener loading end of the tool.
5. Hold the tool perpendicular (90°) to
the work surface with both hands
and press firmly to fully depress the
tool. Maintain firm downward
pressure on the tool with both
hands and pull the trigger to drive
the fastener. DO NOT DEPRESS
THE TOOL AGAINST ANYTHING
OTHER THAN THE INTENDED
WORK SURFACE. Holding the tool
firmly in place will produce more
consistent fastening quality and
minimize tool wear or damage.
6. After making the fastening, point the
tool in a safe direction, snap the
barrel forward and twist the handle
to allow the fired load to fall out of
the tool.Should a fired load fail to
eject, open and close the barrel
several times to loosen the load in
the chamber, then remove the load
with your fingers. Never attempt to
pry an unfired load out of the
tool chamber. The load could be
caused to discharge resulting in a
serious injury or death to the tool
operator or to a bystander.
7. Insert another fastener in the
muzzle end of the tool as before
and insert a new powder load into
the chamber. Always insert the
fastener into the tool before
inserting the powder load. Keep
your finger off of the trigger until the
tool is in position to drive the
fastener. Never carelessly discard
or throw unfired powder loads
into a trash container.
CLOSE TOOL TO THE
SEMI-CLOSED POSITION
OPEN AND TWIST TO EJECT
THE FIRED LOAD
HOLD TOOL PERPENDICULAR
INSERT POWDER LOAD INTO
THE CHAMBER
TROUBLESHOOTING
TROUBLESHOOTING
11
REFER TO PARTS SCHEMATIC FOR PROPER ASSEMBLY OF PARTS
- Overdriving of fasteners - Excessive power - Change to next lower
power level load
color and number.
- Soft base material - Check base material
(see page 3)
- Tool fails to fire - Failure to depress - See “ Tool does not
completely completely depress”
- Excessive dirt buildup - After following misfire
on breech face not allow- procedure,Ask Ramset
ing proper penetration of distributor for assistance
firing pin DO NOT pry load out!
- Firing pin and/or breech - Ask Ramset distributor
damaged for assistance
- Tool does not completely - Misassembled or damaged - Ask Ramset distributor
depress parts for assistance
- Reduction or loss of - Piston not being returned - The fastener must be
power or inconsistent to the full rear position ramrodded to properly
fastener penetration position the piston.
- Fastener loose in the barrel - Check for correct fastener and/or flute size.
- Fired load will not eject - Tool not being fully opened - Barrel must be pulled out
firmly to make the
ejector eject the load
case.
- Damaged or dirty ejector - Clean or replace ejector
- Dirt buildup in the chamber - Clean chamber
- Stuck powder load - Remove barrel assembly
from tool, remove the
ejector and push out the
load. DANGER: If the
load has not been fired,
see” unfired load will not
eject” below
- Piston stuck in down position - Piston overdriven and stuck in - Hold the barrel fully open
buffer and drive the piston
back into the barrel with
a brass or lead hammer.
Remove the muzzle
bushing and replace the
buffer. Be sure tool is
not loaded and wear
safety goggles.
- Unfired load will not eject - Load stuck in chamber - Ask your Ramset Dist-
ributor for assistance
- Barrel slides open in - Retaining ball missing or - Install new ball and/or
the down position the spring is damaged replace the spring.
- Barrel tight- won’t - Excessive carbon buildup - Disassemble and clean
open easily tool
- Pawl damaged - Replace pawl
- Debris jammed between - Disassemble and clean
barrel and receiver tool
- Tip of piston damaged - Tool not being held square - Repair piston (see page
to the work surface 15 for details to repair)
PARTS SCHEMATIC
PARTS SCHEMATIC
12
PARTS LISTING / MAINTENANCE
MD380 TOOL PARTS LIST
KEY PART NO. DESCRIPTION
1 315370 SPALL GUARD
2 315310 THREAD PROTECTOR
3 315350 HEAT RESISTANT SHIELD
4 315180 RETAINING RING
5 312650 O-RING
6 315240 MUZZLE BUSHING SHROUD & 0-RING
7 315190 MUZZLE BUSHING
8 312650 O-RING
9 315120 BUFFER
10 315160 PISTON
11 315000 RECEIVER ASSEMBLY*
12 315110 PAWL
13 315360 RETENTION BALL
14 315100 EJECTOR
15 315090 BARREL
16 304680 EJECTOR CLIP
17 315150 PAWL RETAINING CLIP
18 315140 RETURN SPRING SCREW
19 315200 TRIGGER RETURN SPRING
20 311740 TRIGGER ASSEMBLY WITH ROLL PIN
21 315070 FIRING PIN NUT
22 315060 BREECH PLUG
23 312650 O-RING
24 315220 FIRING PIN SPRING
25 315230 BREECH BLOCK SPRING
26 315040 FIRING PIN
27 33671 SEAR ROLL PIN
28 33659 SEAR SPRING
29 81649 SEAR
30 315030 BREECH BLOCK
31 315080 RUBBER HANDLE
32 315250 HANDLE SCREW
* FACTORY REPLACEMENT ONLY
PARTS LISTING / MAINTENANCE
13
MAINTENANCE
IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED TOOL CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES
TO TOOL OPERATORS AND BYSTANDERS
CLEAN TOOL DAILY
NORMAL CLEANING
All front end parts shown in the disassembly section are to be cleaned daily or more
often if necessary to maintain best tool function. Remove all dirt and carbon buildup
with detergent oil and a wire brush and wipe parts dry with a clean rag. Check all
parts for wear or damage before reassembly and replace or repair any worn or
damaged parts.
COMPLETE CLEANING / GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Heavy use or constant exposure to dirt may require that the tool be cleaned more extensively and more
often to restore the tool to normal operation. This maintenance should be peformed every six months or
more often if tool is subjected to heavy use.
ALWAYS FUNCTION TEST THE TOOL AFTER PERFORMING ANY SERVICE.
SEE PAGE 9 FOR FINCTION TEST DETAILS.
DISASSEMBLY
DISASSEMBLY
14
TOOL DISASSEMBLY
1. After being sure that the tool is
not loaded and having removed
the spall guard, unscrew the thread
protector and plastic heat shield. It
will be necessary to hold the
muzzle bushing shroud to keep it
from turning while removing the
heat shield.
2. Slide the heat shield off of the
muzzle bushing shroud and then
unscrew the muzzle bushing
assembly from the barrel assembly.
It may be necessary to use a
wrench to loosen the muzzle
bushing from the barrel.
3. Slide the piston out of the barrel. If
it is too tight, you may use a long
fastener or brass rod to push the
piston out by inserting the fastener
or pin into the barrel through the
chamber.
4. With the tip of a fastener or a flat
blade screwdriver, lift the lip of the
barrel retaining spring and rotate it
away from the pawl. Do not rotate it
past the barrel retaining ball unless
the ball is to be replaced. Turn the
tool over and catch the pawl as it
falls out of the receiver assembly.
Note the alignment of the pawl slot
in the barrel with the rectangular
opening for the pawl.
5. Slide the barrel assembly out of the
receiver, again noting the position of
the pawl slot in the upper portion of
the barrel and the open slot in the
lower portion of the barrel.
REMOVE THREAD PROTECTOR
AND HEAT SHIELD
UNSCREW AND REMOVE MUZZLE
BUSHING ASSEMBLY
SLIDE BARREL RETAINING
SPRING AWAY FROM PAWL
REMOVE PAWL AND BARREL
FROM RECEIVER
SLIDE PISTON OUT OF BARREL
DISASSEMBLY
DISASSEMBLY
15
REMOVE EJECTOR SPRING CLIP
AND EJECTOR
6. Push the ejector spring clip out of the
clip groove far enough to grasp it
with your fingers. Note the alignment
of the flats in the barrel with the slots
in the ejector. Pull the ejector clip off
the ejector and slide the ejector off
the end of the barrel.
7. Pull the buffer out of the muzzle
bushing, using pliers if necessary but
being sure not to damage the muzzle
bushing body during buffer removal.
8. Inspect all parts for wear or damage
and clean or replace as required.
Use detergent oil and cleaning brush.
Wipe parts dry before reassembly.
WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES WHEN
CLEANING TOOL PARTS.
9. Check the piston tip for mushroom-
ing or other deformities, and grind
flat. The tip of the piston must be 90°
to the shank and grinding should only
be done by qualified personnel. The
overall minimum length of the piston
must not be less than 5 3/4”. When
less than this length, the piston must
be replaced to avoid tool damage.
Reassemble the tool in the reverse
order of disassembly.
Several tips for reassembly: Align
the barrel slot with the pawl opening in the receiver and slide the
barrel assembly back into the
receiver.
Use anti-seize compound on the
muzzle bushing threads to reduce
powder residue buildup and permit
easier removal.
ALWAYS PERFORM THE DAILY
FUNCTION TEST BEFORE
USING THE TOOL AFTER
CLEANING OR SERVICING.
PULL BUFFER OUT
OF MUZZLE BUSHING
GRIND THE PISTON TIP FLAT
AND BEVEL EDGE AT 18°
ALIGN BARREL SLOT WITH
PAWL AND SLIDE BARREL INTO
THE RECEIVER
WARRANTY
ALL WARRANTIES OF THE PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES, ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED, EXCEPT FOR THE
FOLLOWING: Ramset will repair or replace, at its sole option, any
tool, part, or fastener which, within 90 days after sale by Ramset,
is found by Ramset to be defective in material or workmanship,
normal wear and tear excluded. THIS IS THE SOLE WARRANTY OF
RAMSET AND THE SOLE REMEDY AVAILABLE TO THE BUYER
AND IN NO EVENT WILL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES,
BE AVAILABLE.
Copyright 2000 ITW Ramset/Red Head
THE MD380 TOOL COMPLIES WITH OSHA REQUIREMENTS
AND WITH ANSI A10.3 SPECIFICATIONS
FOR TOOL REPAIR SERVICE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL
AUTHORIZED ITW RAMSET/RED HEAD DISTRIBUTOR OR CALL
THE ITW RAMSET/RED HEAD TOOL REPAIR DEPARTMENT AT
1-800-354-7432
Wood Dale, IL 60191
(630) 350-0370
Buy With Confidence ....
Buy From Your Authorized Diistributor
© ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS 2000
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
REVISED 1/00
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