Tapcon® concrete screws
are a brand name for a concrete screw. Tapcon® concrete screws are
designed to tap threads into base materials such as concrete, brick or
block. They have been manufactured since the late 1970’s by
ITW/Redhead. Tapcons are American made as well as the original concrete
screw. A hole for this screw must first be drilled into the base
material before it can be inserted into the hole.
Hole Size
The hole size required for a Tapcon® is slightly smaller than the
diameter of screw being used. The size of the hole is critical. The
hole must be drilled using a carbide tipped drill bit that meets ANSI standards and a hammer drill.
Drill Bit Diameter
Each diameter of concrete screw has a specific diameter of
carbide drill bit that must be used to insure proper hole tolerance.
The bit size required for each of the diameters are as follows:
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Diameter of Tapcon Concrete Screw
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Diameter of Carbide Bit
|
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3/16”
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5/32”
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1/4”
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3/16”
|
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3/8”
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5/16”
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1/2”
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3/8”
|
|
5/8”
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1/2”
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3/4”
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5/8”
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Number of Holes per Bit
The number of holes that can be drilled by a carbide tipped drill
bit depends on many factors. The depth of the hole is a significant
factor. For example, a bit used to drill a 3” deep hole will drill 1/3
the number of holes made by a bit used to drill a 1” deep hole. The
abrasiveness of the base material is another large factor; red brick is
more abrasive and will wear a bit faster than concrete. Operator
technique is another variable since how hard the operator pushes on the
bit during the drilling operation can have a significant influence on
the bit's life. The answer to the question of how many holes a bit can
drill is not 100% answerable. When in doubt, have extra bits available
before starting to drill the holes for concrete screws.
Depth of Hole
The hole in the base material that Tapcons will be inserted into
must be a minimum of 1/4” to 1/2” deeper than the concrete screw will
penetrate. This extra space at the bottom of the hole provides an area
where the dust created during the drilling operation can fall. This
helps ensure that it will not be in the way of the installation process.
Embedment Depth
Tapcon® concrete screws require a minimum of 1” embedment into the base material. The maximum embedment is 1-3/4”.
Length of Tapcon® Screw
The minimum length of concrete screw to use in any application is
determined by adding the minimum embedment of 1” to the thickness of
the material being fastened. The maximum length of screw can be
calculated by adding the thickness of the material to the maximum
embedment of 1-3/4”. The length of Tapcon® to use should be no shorter
or no longer than the numbers derived from these formulas.
Tapcon® Head Types
Tapcons are available with two different head choices. The choice
of head style will depend on the application. If the application calls
for the fastener to be countersunk into the material being fastened
then the flat head phillips countersunk screw should be used. If the
application requires the use of a fastener with a wide bearing surface
that does not need to be countersunk then the hex washer headedconcrete
screw can be used.
Purchasing Tapcons
If only a couple of Tapcon® concrete screws are required for a
job, you can purchase Tapcons at the local hardware store or big box
store. These retail outlets sell Tapcons in small quantities and the
price you pay tends to be high . If the job calls for large quantities
of 75 pcs or more, go online to purchase Tapcons. Online pricing will be
less expensive.
Installing Concrete Screws
1. Using a hammer drill and a carbide bit meeting ANSI standards,
drill a hole in the base material. Make sure that the hole depth is a
minimum of 1/4” deeper than the screw will penetrate.
2. With compressed air, wire brush or vacuum, clean out the hole of all dust and debris.
3. Align the hole in the fixture with the hole in the base material.
4. Insert the Tapcon® through the hole in the fixture and into the hole in the base material.
5. A wrench or drill can be used to turn the screw until the head
of the Tapcon® concrete screw is snug against the fixture.
As with any anchoring project, it is important to keep safety in mind and follow instructions carefully. Always remember to wear safety goggles, handle all tools with extra care and follow all technical specifications. This article is meant to serve only as a basic explanation of concrete fasteners. Always refer to manufacturer's instructions or consult a contracting expert during any anchoring project.
Article Written By:
Bob Carlisle, President of Concrete Fasteners
Concrete Fasteners, Inc. has over 40 years of experience selling concrete fasteners. We can ship out one box or a whole pallet of concrete anchors. Our products are of the highest quality... "your satisfaction is guaranteed". We ship all orders the same day the order is received.