What grade are wedge anchors?

No. The standard zinc plated anchor is made from grade-2 steel. There is no need for higher grade steel in this kind of anchor because the concrete at 2000 psi to 4000 psi is the weakest link, compared to the approximately 50,000 psi of grade-2 steel.

Are wedge anchors strong?

Wedge Anchors are extremely popular and are one of the strongest anchors for hold strength. Wedge anchors look and function like a sleeve anchor but have a much smaller sleeve near the bottom of the anchor.

How deep do wedge anchors need to be in concrete?

A 5/8” concrete wedge anchor requires a 5/8” hole to be drilled into the concrete. The hole in the concrete needs to be drilled a minimum of 1/2” deeper than the concrete wedge anchor will penetrate into the concrete.

How strong are concrete wedge anchors?

Wedge Anchor Holding Values

The holding power of the wedge anchor, as with any anchor, is always dependent on the quality of the concrete. As a rule of thumb, a safety factor of 4:1 or 25%, is generally accepted as a safe working load.

How do I choose concrete anchors?

The best holding values are achieved when the concrete is hard and the embedment into the concrete is deep. The larger the diameter- the higher holding values the anchor will have. For example, a 3/4" diameter anchor has a minimum embedment of 3-1/4" and a 1/4" anchor has a minimum embedment of 1".

Beginner's Guide To Wedge Anchors: What you need to Know | Fasteners 101

Are Tapcons better than wedge anchors?

Tapcon and wedge anchors are pre-installed mechanical anchors that attach structural objects to concrete structures. However, the wedge anchor suits heavier-duty applications, vs the Tapcon anchor that typically serve lighter deployments. Another difference between them is in their fastening method.

What size wedge anchor should I use?

As a rule of thumb, the space for the nut and washer is equal to the diameter of the wedge anchor being used. For example, if a 2x4 is being fastened to concrete with a 1/2” wedge anchor then the minimum length of wedge anchor would be 1-1/2”(2x4) + 2-1/4”(minimum embedment) + 1/2”(space for nut and washer) = 4-1/4”.

Can wedge anchors crack concrete?

Drop-in anchors and wedge-type anchors, for example, are now "unqualified" for cracked concrete. In addition, most adhesive anchors are not acceptable for use in cracked concrete. To address the changing landscape of requirements, manufacturers have developed products that meet the new requirements.

What anchors are best for cinder block?

Machine Screw Anchor – is best used in the solid section of a cinder block because it requires the bottom of the hole to be used for proper setting and expansion.

Are wedge anchors used for concrete?

The longer length wedge anchors are designed for different thickness of the material being fastened but not necessarily for deeper embedments. Each wedge anchor requires that a hole is drilled into the concrete for the wedge anchor to be inserted.

What size drill bit do I need for a 3/8 wedge anchor?

The correct drill bit size for a 3/8″ wedge anchor is 3/8″. In this case, the bit size is the exact same as the anchoring diameter.

What size hole do you drill for a 3/8 wedge anchor?

The minimum hole in the fixture for the 3/8" x 3" (three inches) Wedge Anchor Zinc Plated is 1/2". Clean the hole with a wire brush, vacuum, compressed air, or a blow-out bulb.

What size hole do you drill for a 1/2 wedge anchor?

Drill the hole a 1/2" deeper than the anchor will penetrate the concrete, making sure the minimum embedment requirements of 2-1/4" is met. The hole can be drilled while the fixture is in place. The minimum hole in the fixture for the 1/2" x 5-1/2" Wedge Anchor Zinc Plated is 5/8".

How much weight can a concrete wedge anchor hold?

Masonry and concrete anchor types are considered light-duty, medium-duty or heavy-duty, based on how much weight they can support. Light-duty anchors are good for wall hangings that weigh up to 50 pounds. Medium-duty anchors are good for wall hangings that weigh up to 200 pounds.

What is the difference between a sleeve anchor and a wedge anchor?

The wedge anchor, drop-in anchor and concrete strike anchor can only be used in solid concrete and have the highest & most consistent holding values in concrete. Concrete sleeve anchors can be used in concrete, brick or block but their holding values are less in terms of shear and pullout values.

What is the best anchor for a block wall?

Machine Screw Anchor – is best used in the solid section of a cinder block because it requires the bottom of the hole to be used for proper setting and expansion.

What is the best screw for concrete?

For that reason, the best concrete screws are either stainless steel, galvanized, or zinc coated. Many are simply coated with a corrosion-resistant layer, which is usually blue. These materials do better in damp conditions and resist the moisture present in concrete surfaces.

How much force can concrete anchors hold?

These concrete anchor bolts, or bolt anchors for wood, are available in several sizes and will hold up to 200 lbs. The sleeves pinch the sides of the predrilled hole and get tighter as you tighten the screw or bolt. Best uses: Concrete, concrete block, mortar and brick.

What size hole do I drill for a 3/4 concrete anchor?

The diameter of the hole that needs to be drilled into the concrete for the 3/4” drop-in anchor is 1”. The diameter of the bit used to drill a hole for the 3/4” drop-in anchor is 1”. The bit must be carbide tipped and meet ANSI standards to ensure proper hole tolerance.