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help with Tapcon Anchors
Posted on 1/26/21 at 7:23 am
Posted on 1/26/21 at 7:23 am
I am building a pergola on my back patio and need to anchor the 4x4 post to the concrete. I bought some premade brackets that will do the job. I bought 5/16 x 3" tapcon screw this weekend and a 1/4" masonry bit as recommend by the tapcon container. I did not buy the tapcon bit because they were out. As you can see my attempt for the first bracket was a failure. I broke two bolts and bent the other two. Should i attempt to by the tapcon bit and try again with some shorter anchors because 3" is too long? I did blow out the holes before i started i will vacuum them out as well next time? Thoughts?
8
Posted on 1/26/21 at 7:53 am to bayou choupique
I would def try to go shorter and don’t go as deep with the pre drill. You just want enough to start the hole and then for the tapcon to grab into the concrete.
What kind of drill are you using? Was the mortar bit carbide tip?
What kind of drill are you using? Was the mortar bit carbide tip?
Posted on 1/26/21 at 7:57 am to bayou choupique
Wedge anchor....hammer in after you drill the hole. I’ve put more squat racks in the ground than I care to think about. That’s all I used. And if you’re renting, get a rotary hammer, not a hammer drill. They usually provide a bit or 2. Drill hole about 3/4” shallower than the length of the anchor
This post was edited on 1/26/21 at 8:01 am
Posted on 1/26/21 at 8:25 am to STLhog
quote:
I would def try to go shorter and don’t go as deep with the pre drill. You just want enough to start the hole and then for the tapcon to grab into the concrete.
The hole needs to be longer than the tapcon (longer than the portion going into the concrete), shorter and you will break it off.
Posted on 1/26/21 at 9:03 am to Chris4x4gill2
quote:
The hole needs to be longer than the tapcon (longer than the portion going into the concrete), shorter and you will break it off.
What it going to bite into? Might work going one size down on the bit but in my experience it needs something to bite into.
Posted on 1/26/21 at 9:44 am to STLhog
It bites into the wall of the hole you drilled.
Posted on 1/26/21 at 10:02 am to bayou choupique
never have liked tap cons this has happened to often
Drill hammer in anchor or epoxy into the concrete
Drill hammer in anchor or epoxy into the concrete
Posted on 1/26/21 at 10:53 am to STLhog
quote:
What it going to bite into? Might work going one size down on the bit but in my experience it needs something to bite into.
Concrete's not like wood. You typically drill deeper than the bolt length. "biting" into the concrete deteriorates it and weakens the integrity of the anchor point.
OP make sure you have the proper drill & bit. It makes all the difference. Tapcon may even have an epoxy to use with the anchor as well.
Posted on 1/26/21 at 11:14 am to bayou choupique
epoxy
Posted on 1/26/21 at 11:26 am to bayou choupique
I usually put a piece of tape on the drill bit to mark where it is slightly longer than the tapcon and drill to that depth before putting screw in the hole.
Posted on 1/26/21 at 11:50 am to Schmelly
We prefer the wedge anchors too. Tapcons have been a giant pain in the arse.
This post was edited on 1/26/21 at 11:52 am
Posted on 1/26/21 at 12:06 pm to ChenierauTigre
i drilled the holes with a hammer drill i borrowed from a neighbor. I did use a concrete/masonry bit for the drilling. The holes are 3" deep for sure, i went all the way down I could. I may look into the wedge anchors instead this week.
Posted on 1/26/21 at 1:06 pm to bayou choupique
Just use shorter tapcons. I've never had an issue with them breaking off 
Posted on 1/26/21 at 1:41 pm to bayou choupique
I had the same experience with a non-Tapcon bit. Found one of their and it worked. I wonder if they have theirs made just a little off-sized.
Posted on 1/26/21 at 7:19 pm to bayou choupique
Screw tapcons in by hand after drilling recommended hole size deep than the screw. Feeding it into the concrete too fast via drill will either wallow out hole some or over torque when you shoulder up on bracket and snap!
Posted on 1/27/21 at 9:09 am to bayou choupique
Buy a couple of the matching size tapcon bits and make sure you have a hammer drill.
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