Mechanical Concrete Anchors

Wedge Purchase Wedge Anchors

Sleeve Purchase Sleeve Anchors

Dropin Purchase Dropin Anchors

A wide variety of mechanical anchors for use in concrete, brick and block can be found at www.confast.com. Mechanical anchors are fasteners used in solid base material that change their shape once installed in the hole and derive their holding values by way of friction.  There are many types of mechanical anchors that are designed for use in applications ranging from light duty to heavy duty.  Mechanical anchors are widely used in many types of fastening applications because they have reliable consistent holding values and are easy to use.  Many mechanical concrete anchors are available.All the different types of mechanical anchors can be found at:

There are three main types of mechanical anchors that meet most application requirements for fastening into concrete, brick and block base material.

Wedge Anchors
The wedge anchor is designed to be used in solid concrete and cannot be used in brick or block base material.  The wedge anchor is a very versatile anchor as it can be used in applications ranging from light duty to heavy duty with diameters from 1/4” to 1-1/4” and lengths from 1-3/4” to 12”.  Wedge anchors also come manufactured from different materials and coatings to allow for use in a wide array of environments.  Each diameter and length is available in zinc plated carbon steel for indoor, dry applications, hot-dipped galvanized for out door moist environments, 304 stainless steel for wet environments and 316 stainless steel for submerged caustic environments.  Wedge anchors come packaged with the correct number and size of nuts and washers.  Here is how to install a wedge anchor properly:

  1. Drill hole in concrete using a hammer drill in the hammer mode, with a carbide tipped bit the same diameter as the wedge anchor being installed and make sure that the bit meets ANSI standards.
  2. Depth of hole should be drilled 1/2” deeper than the wedge anchor will penetrate the concrete.
  3. Using a wire brush, compressed air, or vacuum clean out the hole of all dust and debris.
  4. Place nut on the threaded end of the wedge anchor, to protect the threads during installation.
  5. Insert wedge anchor into hole, using a hammer strike the nut and wedge anchor until the nut is tight against the surface.
  6. With your fingers tighten the nut till finger tight and then with a wrench turn the nut 3 or 4 turns until the anchor is fully set.  Make sure to look at the specific torque values for wedge anchors.
Sleeve Anchor
The sleeve anchor can be used in most base materials such as solid concrete, brick, block (CMU).  Sleeve anchors are made up of four (4) parts the stud, sleeve, nut and washer and assembled into a single unit.  Sleeve anchors come in six (6) diameters of 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4” with each diameter available in a number of different lengths.  Each diameter of sleeve anchor is available in either zinc plated carbon steel for use in indoor, dry applications and a 304 stainless steel for outdoor wet environments.  Sleeve anchors are unique in that they are available in different head styles to meet specific application requirements.  The 1/4” diameter comes in a acorn, flat or round head, 5/16” comes in a hex nut and flat head, 3/8” diameter comes in a hex nut and a flat head and the 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4” is only available in the hex nut head.  The length of the sleeve anchor chosen is dependent on the thickness of the material being fastened and the minimum embedment of requirements. Each diameter must be installed at a minimum embedment depth into the base material for the anchor to reach its minimum holding values.  To properly install a sleeve anchor follow these steps:

  1. With a hammer drill in the hammer mode, drill a hole into the base material using a carbide tipped bit the same diameter as the sleeve anchor being installed, make sure that the carbide tipped bit meets ANSI standards, this will insure proper hole tolerance.
  2. The depth of the hole should be drilled a minimum of 1/2” deeper into the base material then the sleeve anchor will penetrate.
  3. Clean out the hole using compressed air, vacuum and wire brush.
  4. Insert sleeve anchor through the fixture and into the hole drilled in the base material, tapping with a hammer until the head of the sleeve anchor is tight against the surface of the fixture.
  5. Using your fingers tighten the nut until finger tight.
  6. With a wrench turn the nut 3 or 4 times until the sleeve anchor is fully set.
Drop In Anchor
The drop-in anchor is a female anchor that is designed for use in solid concrete only.  Drop-in anchors come in five (5) diameters of 1/4, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4” with each diameter coming in one length. The diameter is designated as the diameter of the threaded part of the anchor or the inside diameter, not hole size or outside diameter of the anchor.  The diameter of the hole to be drilled into the concrete is larger than the designated diameter of the anchor.   Drop-in anchors are manufactured in zinc plated carbon steel for indoor dry applications, 304 stainless steel for outdoor moist environments and 316 stainless steel for submerged caustic environments.  Drop-in anchors are most commonly used for applications where threaded rod is uses for dropping down pipe runs, ventilation systems or other ceiling type of applications.  A specific setting tool for each diameter of drop-in anchor is required to be used to insure that the anchor is properly set.  To set and install the drop-in anchor follow these steps:

  1. Using a hammer drill in the hammer mode drill a hole in the concrete with the correct diameter ANSI standard carbide tipped bit for the drop-in anchor being installed.
  2. Drill the depth of the hole the length of the anchor being used to insure that the lip of the drop-in anchor will be flush with the surface of the concrete.  Using the depth gauge on the hammer drill or tapping the bit will insure proper hole depth.
  3. Clean out the hole with compressed air, vacuum and wire brush.
  4. Insert drop-in anchor into hole in the concrete with the threaded end up.
  5. Insert proper setting tool into the threaded end of the drop-in anchor and strike setting tool with hammer until the lip of the setting tool meets the lip of the anchor.


 

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