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Hammer Drive Anchor

Published by Robert Carlisle on Sep 23rd 2011

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Hammer Drive Anchor

 

The hammer drive anchor has a variety of names and refers to a masonry fastener that has a body made of a non-rusting material called zamac which is expanded by hammering the pre-attached nail into the anchor body.  Using promo code “article” when purchasing hammer drive anchors on-line @ www.concretefasteners.com will provide a 5% discount on purchased hammer drives.

 

Other Names

The hammer drive anchor is also referred to as metal hit anchor, zamacs, pin bolt, hammer set, thundernail, zamac hammer drive screw, nail anchor, strike anchor and zamac anchors.

 

Base Materials

Hammer drive anchors can be used in concrete, brick or block (CMU) and are designed for light-duty fastening applications.

 

Applications

Ideal for light-duty fastening applications, but should not be used overhead.

 

Diameters

Hammer drive anchors are available in two diameters of 3/16” and 1/4”.

 

Lengths

The 3/16” diameter hammer drive anchor comes in one length, and the 1/4” hammer drive comes in seven lengths.  The length of the hammer drive anchor is measured from underneath the head.

 

Diameter of Hammer Drive

Length of Hammer Drive

3/16”

7/8”

1/4”

3/4”

1/4”

1”

1/4”

1-1/4”

1/4”

1-1/2”

1/4”

2”

1/4”

2-1/2”

1/4”

3”

 

Hole Diameter

The hole in the base material is equal to the diameter of the hammer drive anchor being installed.  A 3/16” hammer drive anchor requires a 3/16” hole and the 1/4” diameter hammer drive anchor requires a 1/4” hole.  The hole must be drilled using a carbide tipped bit, and the carbide bit must meet ANSI standards in order to ensure hole tolerance for the hammer drive anchor.

 

 

Drilling the Hole

The hole in the base material must be drilled with a hammer drill set in the hammer and rotation mode.

 

Fixture Hole Size

The size of the hole in the fixture being fastened must be slightly larger than the designated diameter of the hammer drive anchor.  The 3/16” hammer drive anchor needs a hole in the fixture to be at least 1/4” and the 1/4” hammer drive anchor needs a hole in the fixture that measures at least 5/16”.

 

Minimum Embedment

Each hammer drive anchor must be embedded into the base material a minimum distance.  The minimum embedment depth ensures that the hammer drive anchor will have the best opportunity to meet minimum holding values.

 

Diameter x Length

Minimum Embedment

3/16” x 7/8”

5/8”

1/4” x 3/4”

1/2”

1/4” x 1”

3/4”

1/4” x 1-1/4”

7/8”

1/4” x 1-1/2”

1”

1/4” x 2”

1”

1/4” x 2-1/2”

1-1/4”

1/4” x 3”

1-1/4

 

 

Required Size

The required size of hammer drive anchor to use on any specific application is determined by subtracting the thickness of the material being fastened from the length of the hammer drive anchors available.  This number must be more than the minimum embedment for that length of the anchor.    For example, if a 2 x 4 is being attached to concrete then subtract the thickness of the 2 x 4 of 1-1/2” from the 2-1/2” length hammer drive anchor to determine that 1” is less than the minimum embedment requirement for the 2-1/2” hammer drive anchor and therefore should not be used.  Using a 3” hammer drive and subtracting the thickness of the 2 x 4 of 1-1/2” gives 1-1/2”, which is larger than the minimum embedment requirements for this length of hammer drive anchor and is the correct length to use for fastening a 2 x 4 to concrete.

 

Spacing

Hammer drive anchors are expansion anchors they exert pressure against the material that they are installed.   If the hammer drive anchors are installed too close together or too close to an unsupported edge then these expansion force will overlap and the holding values will be reduced.  The rule of thumb for spacing hammer drive anchors is a minimum 10 anchor diameters from each other for a 3/16” hammer drive that is a minimum of 1-9/10”, and with the 1/4” hammer drive anchor it is a minimum of 2-1/2”.  The 3/16” hammer drive anchors should be a minimum of .95” from an unsupported edge and the 1/4” should be keeping a minimum of 1-1/4”.

 

Installation

 

  • Using a hammer drill set in the hammer and rotation mode, drill a hole in the base material with the correct diameter ANSI standard carbide tipped bit.

  • Clean the hole in the base material using a wire brush, compressed air or vacuum.

  • Insert the hammer drive anchor through the fixture and into the hole drilled in the base material.

  • Strike the nail with a hammer until the head of the nail is flush with the head of the anchor body.

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