Bosch Power Tools Nail Gun FNS138 23 User Manual

BM 2610021333 01-13_BM 2610021333 01-13.qxp 1/11/13 8:59 AM Page 1  
IMPORTANT:  
Read Before Using  
IMPORTANT :  
Lire avant usage  
IMPORTANTE:  
Leer antes de usar  
Operating/Safety Instructions  
Consignes de fonctionnement/sécurité  
Instrucciones de funcionamiento y seguridad  
FNS138-23  
Pour obtenir des informations et  
les adresses de nos centres de  
service après-vente,  
Call Toll Free for  
Consumer Information  
& Service Locations  
Llame gratis para  
obtener información  
para el consumidor y  
ubicaciones de servicio  
appelez ce numéro gratuit  
1-877-BOSCH99 (1-877-267-2499) www.boschtools.com  
For English Version  
See page 2  
Version française  
Voir page 14  
Versión en español  
Ver la página 26  
 
BM 2610021333 01-13_BM 2610021333 01-13.qxp 1/11/13 8:59 AM Page 3  
of recommended air tool lubricants.  
Disconnect the tool from the air source before making  
adjustments, clearing jams, unloading fasteners,  
leaving the work area, performing tool maintenance or  
storing the tool. Such precautionary safety measures  
reduce the risk or unintentional tool operation.  
Replace missing or damaged warning labels. Refer to  
tool schematic for correct placement and part number.  
Keep the tool clean and lubricated. Clean the tool at least  
daily and lubricate as required. Never operate a dirty or  
malfunctioning tool.  
Never carry the tool by the hose. The tool, air fittings and  
the air hose may become damaged.  
When not in use, store the tool out of reach of children  
and other personnel unfamiliar with tool operation.  
When not in use, the tool should be disconnected and  
stored in a dry place. Keep out of reach of children. Lock  
the storage area. Tools are dangerous in the hands of users  
unfamiliar with the tool.  
Use clamps or another practical way to secure and  
support the work piece to a stable platform. Holding  
work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead  
to loss of control or personal injury.  
The correct pressure is the lowest pressure that will do  
the job. Always follow recommendations for the particular  
tool.  
Air Source  
Maintain tools with care. Properly maintained tools are  
less likely to break and cause injury. Any alteration or  
modification is a misuse and may result in a dangerous  
condition.  
Never use oxygen or other bottled gases as a power  
source. Explosion may occur. Combustible gases and other  
bottled gases are dangerous and may cause the tool to  
explode.  
Use only clean, dry, regulated, compressed air within  
the rated pressure range marked on the tool. Do not  
exceed maximum recommended air pressure marked  
on the tool. Verify prior to using the tool that the air source  
has been adjusted within the rated air-pressure range. Be  
sure the air pressure gauge is operating properly and check  
it at least twice a day. Tools operated in excess of their  
maximum pressure rating may operate abnormally or burst,  
resulting in personal injury.  
Service  
Maintenance performed by unauthorized personnel may  
result in misplacing of the internal components which  
could cause serious hazard. We recommend that all tool  
service be performed by a BOSCH factory service center or  
authorized BOSCH service station.  
Develop a periodic maintenance schedule for your tool.  
When cleaning a tool be careful not to disassemble any  
portion of the tool since internal components may be  
misplaced or safety components may be improperly  
mounted. Certain cleaning agents such as gasoline, carbon  
tetrachloride, ammonia, etc. may damage plastic parts and  
o-rings.  
Never connect the tool to an air source that is capable  
of producing air pressure exceeding 200 PSI. Excessive  
pressure can cause abnormal operation or cause the tool to  
burst, resulting in personal injury.  
Do not abuse the air hose. Protect all hoses from kinks,  
restrictions, solvents or sharp objects. Keep air hose  
away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.  
Replace damaged hoses immediately. Damaged hoses can  
burst or whip around.  
When servicing the tool, use only recommended  
BOSCH replacement parts. Follow instructions in the  
Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized  
parts or failure to follow Maintenance Instructions can cause  
a risk of injury.  
Check all fittings, hoses, pipes, connections and  
compressor before each use of this tool. Repair or  
replace damaged or leaking hoses and connections  
immediately. Damage to a hose or connection can cause a  
Use only the air tool lubricants supplied with the tool or  
specified by BOSCH. Do not use other lubricants as they  
may damage the tool. See the "Lubrication" section for a list  
Safety Rules for Pneumatic Nailer Tools  
Always assume the tool contains nails. Check the  
magazine for nails that may be left in the tool, even if you  
think the tool is empty or disconnected.  
Do not disable or remove the secondary trigger. This  
tool is equipped with a safety mechanism, the secondary  
trigger, to reduce the risk of accidental firing. Disabling this  
component can result in unintentional firing.  
Never point the tool at yourself or others in the work  
area. Always assume the tool contains nails. If nails are  
accidentally fired, it may result in injury. The tool is not a toy  
and should not be used like one.  
Do not use the tool unless the secondary trigger is  
working properly. If the secondary trigger is not  
functioning correctly, the tool can fire unexpectedly.  
Remove finger from the trigger when not driving nails.  
Always carry the tool by the handle only. Removing your  
finger from the trigger when not operating the tool reduces  
the risk of unintentionally firing a nail and injuring yourself or  
someone else.  
Always ensure that tool is depressed against workpiece  
before pulling trigger. This tool is not equipped with a  
work contact element and a nail will be fired each time the  
trigger is actuated. If tool is not depressed against  
workpiece when trigger is depressed a nail may fly freely or  
ricochet and strike you or another in the work area. Read  
and understand section titled “Firing Mode” for details.  
3.  
 
BM 2610021333 01-13_BM 2610021333 01-13.qxp 1/11/13 8:59 AM Page 4  
Never use non relieving couplers and/or female quick  
disconnect couplings on the tool. Non relieving couplings  
and female couplings will trap high pressure air in the tool  
when the air line is disconnected. This will leave the tool  
charged with enough air after it has been disconnected to  
drive a nail. Only MALE pneumatic type air connectors  
should be fitted to the tool, so that high pressure air in the  
tool is vented to atmosphere as soon as the air line is  
disconnected.  
Use sufficient grip to maintain control of the tool while  
allowing tool to recoil away from work surface as nail is  
driven. Do not attempt to prevent the recoil by holding  
the tool with excessive force against the work piece.  
The tool will recoil as the nail is driven. This is normal  
function for the tool. Excessive force may damage the tool.  
Never drive nails near flammable materials. Some types  
of nails can spark out of the nose during driving operation.  
Know what is behind your work piece. Do not fire nails  
into walls or floors without assuring the area on the  
opposite side is clear. A nail could travel through the work  
piece, striking someone.  
Follow all recommendations for sizes of hoses, fittings  
and other compressed air accessories. Improperly sized  
or fitting components may result in the risk of injury or  
property damage.  
Do not drive a nail on top of another nail. This could  
cause the nail to be deflected or the tool to react in an  
unexpected manner.  
Check air supply lines for restrictions before adjusting  
the tool. Air volume is as important as air pressure.  
Restricted air flow will prevent the tool from operating as  
designed, resulting in slow operation, nail misfeeding or  
reduced driving power.  
Do not attempt to drive nails at a steep angle. This could  
cause the nail to be deflected or the tool to react in an  
unexpected manner.  
Always load nails into the tool's magazine before the air  
supply is connected. Connecting the air supply after  
loading nails reduces the risk of unintentionally driving a nail  
and injuring yourself or someone else.  
Use care when nailing thin material or when working  
near the edges and corners of the work piece. Nails may  
drive through or away from the work piece and injure  
yourself or someone else. Be aware that the nail may follow  
the grain of the wood causing it to protrude unexpectedly  
from the side of the work material. Drive the nails  
perpendicular to the grain.  
When loading nails ensure that nails are parallel with  
nose of tool and the nail tips contact the wear rail. If  
nails are not loaded properly the tool will misfire and nails  
can be deflected, cause the tool to react in an unexpected  
manner, and damage the tool.  
Do not drive nails into walls, floors or other work areas  
without knowing what may be damaged by the driven  
nails. Nails driven into live electrical wires, plumbing, gas  
piping, or other types of obstructions can result in  
electrocution, explosion, personal injury and/or property  
damage.  
When loading the tool's magazine, check that the  
magazine is fully closed. If the magazine does not latch in  
the closed position, the tool will misfire and nails can be  
deflected.  
Use only the nails meeting the criteria listed in the  
“Specification” section of this manual. Nails not  
identified for use with this tool can cause the tool to  
malfunction and result in the risk of injury and/or tool  
damage.  
Make sure the pressure of the compressor is adjusted  
so that nails are driven flush into the work piece and  
not pushed completely through. The correct pressure is  
the lowest pressure that will do the job.  
Keep face and body parts away from back of the top  
cap when working in restricted areas. Sudden recoil can  
result in impact to the body especially when nailing into hard  
or dense material.  
Do not connect the air supply when the primary or  
secondary trigger is depressed. Keep the tool pointed  
downward, away from yourself and bystanders when  
connecting the hose to reduce the risk of accidental nail  
firing.  
Handle tool carefully. Because of high air pressure in the  
tool, do not drop the tool or strike the tool against hard  
surfaces; and do not scratch, stamp, nor engrave signs on  
the tool. The tool may burst.  
Keep hands and feet away from the nose of the tool  
during use. Never place your hands or feet closer than 8  
inches (200 mm) to the nose of the tool. Nails can be  
deflected by the work piece or driven away from the point of  
entry.  
Always disconnect tool from air supply and remove  
nails from magazine before leaving the area or passing  
tool to another operator. This avoids the risk of  
unintentional operation.  
Do not use a frozen tool. Allow tool to thaw before using.  
Moisture frozen in the tool may impede internal components  
resulting in the risk of injury and/or tool damage.  
Do not disconnect air hose from the tool with finger on  
trigger or the work contact element depressed. The tool  
can fire when reconnected to air supply.  
Operate the tool only when properly positioned on the  
work piece. If the tool is not held properly on the work  
piece the nail can be deflected or the tool can react in an  
unexpected manner.  
4.  
 
BM 2610021333 01-13_BM 2610021333 01-13.qxp 1/11/13 8:59 AM Page 5  
Functional Description and Specifications  
Disconnect the tool from the air source before making any adjustments, changing accessories or  
storing the tool. Such precautionary safety measures reduce the risk or unintentional tool operation.  
!
WARNING  
Top Cap  
Secondary  
Trigger  
Air Fitting  
Handle  
FIG. 1  
Housing  
Magazine  
Latch  
Magazine  
Nose  
Trigger  
Nail Indicator  
Specifications  
Dimensions:  
Nail Diameter:  
Nail Length:  
Operating Range:  
Weight:  
7.4” x 8.2” x 1.9” (189x209x49mm)  
23ga  
1/2” - 1-3/8” (13-35mm)  
60 to 100 PSI  
2.3 lbs.  
5.  
 
BM 2610021333 01-13_BM 2610021333 01-13.qxp 1/11/13 8:59 AM Page 6  
Assembly / Installation  
Follow the instructions below to prepare your tool for  
operation.  
Never use non relieving couplers  
and/or female quick disconnect  
!
WARNING  
couplings on the tool. Non relieving couplings and  
female couplings will trap high pressure air in the tool  
when the air line is disconnected. This will leave the tool  
charged with enough air after it has been disconnected to  
drive a nail. Only MALE pneumatic type air connectors  
should be fitted to the tool, so that high pressure air in the  
tool is vented to atmosphere as soon as the air line is  
disconnected.  
1. All tool operators and their immediate supervisors must  
become familiar with the operator safety instructions  
before operating the tool. The instructions begin on  
page 2 of this manual.  
2. Included with each tool are one copy of these  
Operating/Safety Instructions. Keep this publication for  
future reference.  
3. Install a filter, regulator, lubricator unit and moisture trap  
on your air delivery system per the manufacturer's  
instructions for these devices. Additionally, install a  
pressure gauge as close as practical to the tool,  
preferably within ten feet.  
6. Set the regulator at the air delivery system to a PSI that  
falls within the tool's operating range of 60 to 100 PSI.  
The correct pressure is the lowest pressure that will do  
the job.  
7. If the operator is working at a bench or table, it is  
recommended to run the air line underneath the bench. A  
small tray under the bench top can hold the nail supply  
and the tool when not in use.  
4. Select hoses with a minimum inner diameter of 1/4 inches  
and a maximum length of 100 feet.  
To reduce the risk of injury from a hose  
bursting, select hoses that are rated at  
least 200 PSI.  
!
WARNING  
5. Select fittings that are appropriately sized for the selected  
hoses. The tool and air hose must have a hose coupling  
such that all pressure is removed from the tool when the  
coupling joint is disconnected.  
6.  
 
BM 2610021333 01-13_BM 2610021333 01-13.qxp 1/11/13 8:59 AM Page 7  
Operation  
Lubrication  
If the tool is not used with an in-line lubrication system on  
the air supply it is necessary to periodically lubricate the tool  
with air tool lubricant.  
2-3 Drops  
of Air Tool  
Lubricant  
FIG. 2  
Under low use, lubricate once a day. Under heavy use,  
lubricate twice a day. To lubricate, insert 2-3 drops of  
lubricant into the air supply fitting attached to the tool  
handle, see figure 2. Using to much oil will cause it to collect  
in the tool and be noticeable in the exhaust.  
Use only the air tool lubricants supplied  
with the tool or specified by BOSCH. Do  
!
WARNING  
not use other lubricants as they may damage the tool.  
Do not use detergent oil, WD-40, transmission fluid, motor  
oil, or other lubricants not specifically designated as air tool  
lubricants. These lubricants will cause accelerated wear to  
the seals, o-rings, and bumpers in the tool, resulting in poor  
tool performance and frequent maintenance.  
BOSCH recommended lubricants: 10W Pneumatic Tool Oil,  
Fuchs Air Lube 10W/NR.  
FIG. 3  
Nail Loading  
Always load nails into the tool's magazine  
before the air supply is connected.  
Connecting the air supply after loading nails reduces the risk  
of unintentionally driving a nail and injuring yourself or  
someone else.  
!
WARNING  
When loading the tools magazine, check  
!
WARNING  
that the nail tips contact the wear rail and  
slide smoothly against the surface of the magazine. If  
the nails are not loaded properly, the tool will misfire and  
nails can be deflected, causing the tool to react in an  
unexpected manner, and damage the tool.  
1. Disconnect air supply.  
2. Push magazine latch and pull magazine to open position,  
figure 3.  
3. See tool specifications to determine appropriate nail  
sizes. Insert appropriate nail strips, with the nail tips  
contacting the wear rail, figure 4.  
FIG. 4  
4. Push the nail strip against the nose.  
5. Push magazine fully closed. Magazine latch will maintain  
fully closed position.  
Use only the nails meeting the criteria  
!
WARNING  
listed in the “Specification” section of this  
manual. Nails not identified for use with this tool can cause  
the tool to malfunction and result in the risk of injury and/or  
tool damage.  
Watch for pinch points when closing  
!
WARNING  
magazine. Never place any part of your  
body in a pinch point area. When loading nails consider  
where your hand is located. If it is within a pinch point,  
strongly consider an alternative position. Injuries occur when  
hands or fingers are between moving and stationary parts  
during the pinching movement.  
Push  
Against  
nose  
Nail tips contact  
wear rail  
7.  
 
BM 2610021333 01-13_BM 2610021333 01-13.qxp 1/11/13 8:59 AM Page 8  
Operation  
Connecting Air Supply  
Never use oxygen or other bottled gases  
as a power source. Explosion may occur.  
FIG. 5  
!
WARNING  
Combustible gases and other bottled gases are dangerous  
and may cause the tool to explode.  
Never connect the tool to an air source  
!
WARNING  
that is capable of producing air pressure  
exceeding 200 PSI. Excessive pressure can cause  
abnormal operation or cause the tool to burst, resulting in  
personal injury.  
Use only clean, dry, regulated compressed air within the  
pressure range as marked on the tool. The correct pressure  
is the lowest pressure that will do the job.  
Before connecting the tool to the air supply, check the air  
compressor regulator gauge to be sure it is functioning  
properly, and that the air pressure is within the operational  
range of the tool, 60-100 psi.  
Do not exceed maximum recommended  
!
WARNING  
air pressure marked on the tool. Verify  
prior to using the tool that the air source has been adjusted  
within the rated air-pressure range. Be sure the air pressure  
gauge is operating properly and check it at least twice a day.  
Tools operated in excess of their maximum pressure rating  
may operate abnormally or burst resulting in personal injury  
To connect the tool to the compressor only use pneumatic air  
hoses that meet the following criteria:  
• Minimum hose pressure rating, 200 psi  
• Minimum hose inner diameter, 1/4 in.  
• Maximum hose length, 100 ft.  
To connect the air supply:  
1. Snap the air hose onto the quick connector, see figure 5.  
2. Check for air leakage. If leakage is noted, cease using the  
tool immediately and contact your BOSCH service center.  
3. Be sure the air pressure gauge is operating properly and  
check it at least twice a day.  
Cold Weather Operation  
When using the tool in cold conditions the tool will cycle  
slower than usual while driving the first nails. The cycle rate  
will increase as the tool warms up. Keep tool warm to avoid  
reduced cycle rate.  
Do not use a frozen tool. Allow tool to thaw  
!
WARNING  
before using. Moisture frozen in the tool may  
impede internal components resulting in the risk of injury  
and/or tool damage.  
8.