Installing Hex Head Tapcons

Tapcon Purchase Tapcon Anchors

Hex head tapcons are designed to be installed in a variety of base materials, such as solid concrete, brick, block or mortar joints. The holding value of a hex head tapcon depends on a number of factors such as the depth of embedment, the diameter of tapcon, the quality of the base material, and, in the mortar joints, the quantity of material.  Several factors need to be considered in order to determine which hex head tapcon is right for a particular application.

Hex Head Tapcon
The complete name of a hex head tapcon is “hex slotted washer head tapcon”.  The hex head tapcon has a slot so that a straight screwdriver can be used and also so that it can be installed or removed using a nut driver.  The attached washer gives the head a much larger bearing surface that increases the pullover strength of the hex head tapcon.  

Diameter of Hex Head Tapcon
The two diameters that are available in the hex head tapcon are a 3/16” diameter and a 1/4” diameter.

Length of Hex Head Tapcon
The hex head tapcon length is measured from underneath the head.  Hex head tapcon comes in seven lengths in the 3/16” diameter: 1-1/4”, 1-3/4”, 2-1/4”, 2-3/4”, 3-1/4”, 3-3/4” and 4”. It is available in nine lengths in the 1/4” diameter: 1-1/4”, 1-3/4”, 2-1/4”, 2-3/4”, 3-1/4”, 3-3/4” and 4”, 5”, 6”.

Embedment Depth
Minimum embedment depth of a hex head tapcon is 1”.
Maximum embedment depth of a hex head tapcon is 1-3/4”.

Hole Diameter
The hole diameter that needs to be drilled into the base material is critical because the tolerance between the hex head tapcon diameter and hole size is critical.  The hole must be drilled with a hammer type drill and using a carbide tipped drill bit that meets ANSI standards.  The 3/16” diameter hex head tapcon requires a 5/32” hole and the 1/4” diameter hex head tapcon requires a 3/16” hole.

Hole Depth
The depth of the hole in the base material needs to be a minimum of 1/4” deeper than the hex head tapcon will penetrate.  This will insure space for the dust that is created during the tapping process to fall out of the way, insuring that the hex head tapcon will not bottom out in the hole.

Driver Size
The hex head tapcon requires a 1/4” hex driver for the 3/16” diameter hex tapcon and a 5/16” driver for the 1/4” diameter hex tapcon.

Hold Values Hex Head Tapcon

Diameter

Minimum Embedment

2000 PSI Concrete

2000 PSI Concrete

3/16”

1”

600 lbs (tension)

720 lbs (shear)

1/4”

1”

1380 lbs

1200 lbs


Hex Tapcon Product Information
Each hex head tapcon comes packaged with one correct diameter and length bit per box.

Description

Part Number

Bit Size

Quantity Per Box

3/16” x 1-1/4

TCH316114

5/32” x 3-1/2”

100

3/16” x 1-3/4”

TCH316134

5/32” x 3-1/2”

100

3/16” x 2-1/4”

TCH316214

5/32” x 4-1/2”

100

3/16” x 2-3/4”

TCH316234

5/32” x 4-1/2”

100

3/16” x 3-1/4”

TCH316314

5/32” x 4-1/2”

100

3/16” x 3-3/4”

TCH316334

5/32” x 5-1/2”

100

3/16” x 4”

TCH3164

5/32” x 5-1/2”

100

1/4” x 1-1/4”

TCH14114

3/16” x 3-1/2”

100

1/4” x 1-3/4”

TCH14134

3/16” x 3-1/2”

100

1/4” x 2-1/4”

TCH14214

3/16” x 4-1/2”

100

1/4” x 2-3/4”

TCH14234

3/16” x 4-1/2”

100

1/4” x 3-1/4”

TCH14314

3/16” x 4-1/2”

100

1/4” x 3-3/4”

TCH14334

3/16” x 5-1/2”

100

1/4” x 4”

TCH144

3/16” x 5-1/2”

100

1/4” x 5”

TCH145

3/16” x 6-1/2”

100

1/4” x 6”

TCH146

3/16” x 7-1/2”

100

Installing Hex Head Tapcon
  • Drill a hole in the base material using a hammer drill and correct diameter bit for the hex head tapcon being installed.
  • Depth of hole should be drilled a minimum of 1/4” deeper than hex head tapcon would penetrate the base material.
  • Clean out the hole of all dust by using a wire brush, vacuum or compressed air.
  • Insert hex head tapcon into the predrilled hole in the base material and turn clock- wise until head of tapcon is snug against fixture.


 

Please remember with all fastening jobs to keep safety in mind. Always follow safety instructions on all tools, and refer to manufacturer's installation instructions when available and always remember to wear safety goggles!

Article written by: Michael Pistorino, Concrete Fastener Specialist