Operating The Tool - DeWalt PA3500 Operating Instructions Manual

powder actuated tool. Other personal safety protection as required should also be used.
3. Never modify or fabricate parts for use in your DEWALT tool. Use only DEWALT, loads, and tool parts.
4. Hands or other body parts must never be placed in front of muzzle/barrel. Accidental discharge can
cause piston and/or fastener to pass through the operator's hand.
5. Never compress the tool against any part of the body. Serious injury or death may result in the event of
an accidental discharge.
6. Always point tool in a safe direction at all times.
7. Use the tool for its intended purpose only.
PREPARATION FOR LOADING THE TOOL
1. Tools must be checked prior to operating to make sure they are not fully or partially loaded with a
powder load or fastener.
2. To insure safe operation, perform the daily function test described in this manual. Be sure the tool is not
loaded prior to performing this test.
3. Do not operate this tool unless all its parts are in place and operating appropriately. Never attempt to use
a malfunctioning tool. Call 1-800-524-3244 for assistance.
4. Never guess about the suitability of a base material. If you are uncertain about the suitability of a base
material, perform a center punch test.
5. Do not operate the tool until you learn and understand the color code / numbering system used to
identify the power level of powder loads.

OPERATING THE TOOL

1. Only use fasteners and powder loads designed for this tool as supplied by DEWALT.
2. Do not use powder actuated tools in a flammable or an explosive atmosphere.
3. Do not fire a tool without a fastener. The piston will impact the work surface possibly causing serious
injury to the operator or bystanders along with damage to the tool.
4. Do not load the tool until you are ready to make a fastening. Check the power load level before inserting
it into the tool chamber.
5. Fastener must be loaded prior to loading the powder load, to prevent injury to operator or bystander in
the event of an accidental discharge.
6. Do not close tool against work surface. The tool should be manually closed, with hand away from
muzzle/barrel to prevent accidental discharge.
7. Hold the tool perpendicular to the work surface at all times. Use a spall guard wherever possible. This
will limit the possibility of fastener ricochet which could cause serious injury or death to the operator or
bystanders.
8. Always perform a test fastening with the lightest load level designed for use in the tool. If the lightest
load fails to set the fastener, try the next highest load until the proper level is attained. Failure to follow
this procedure may cause the fastener to be overpowered. If this occurs, the fastener may fully penetrate
the base material causing serious injury or death to someone. Overpowering the fastener can also
damage the tool, creating a safety hazard to both the operator or bystanders.
9. Do not fasten into cast iron, tile, glass, or other types of brittle materials. These materials can shatter
and create sharp fragments which may cause injury.
10. Do not fire tool within 3" (three inches) (76mm) of the edge of a concrete base material or within 1/2"
(one-half inch) (13mm) of the edge of a steel base material.
11. Do not attempt to install a fastener closer than 3" (three inches) (76mm) to another previously inserted
fastener in concrete or 1-1/2" (one and one-half inch) (38mm) in steel.
12. Do not fasten into a concrete base material less than 3 times as thick as the fastener penetration or into
a steel base material thinner than 1/8" (3mm).
13. Never attempt to install a fastener in a cracked or spalled area in concrete. Place fastener at least 3"
(three inches) (76mm) away from a spalled area to prevent the possibility of the fastener bending and
striking an operator or bystander.
14. Do not attempt to install fasteners in areas that have been welded or cut with a torch as these
procedures may have caused local hardening of the steel.
15. Do not fasten through a predrilled hole unless proper guidance is provided.
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