What size wedge anchor do I need?

To determine the length of wedge anchor required, add the thickness of the material to be fastened, plus minimum embedment, plus the thickness of the nut and washer. The sum of these three items equals the minimum wedge anchor length.

How deep does a wedge anchor need to be?

When installing a wedge anchor, it's important to have a minimum of 2-1/2 inches embedded into the concrete. There should also be at least an inch exposed, enough for the attaching material to grab onto.

What size concrete 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”.

What size anchor bolt do I need?

While sizing requirements vary according to local code, 1/2 inch diameter, embedded at least 7 inches, is usually the minimum. If your local regulations call for bolts to embed at least 7 inches below the foundation's top surface, you'll need an 8- to 12-inch-long bolt to allow for protrusion above the foundation.

How do you measure a wedge anchor?

Wedge Anchor diameter is measured from the outside of the threads. Wedge Anchor length is measured as the entire length of the bolt. Drill a hole in the concrete at least 1/2" deeper than the desired embedment depth. Thoroughly clean the hole of all debris.

How to Determine the Length of Wedge Anchor to Use.

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".

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".

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.

How deep should anchor bolts be in concrete?

The hole needs to be drilled 1/4" deeper than the anchor will penetrate. The hole can't be drilled while the fixture is in place due to the fact that the hole is larger than the diameter of the bolt being inserted into it.

Which is better wedge anchor or sleeve anchor?

Sleeve anchors are fairly simple to use and are primarily used in brick or block. They can be used in concrete but are not considered as strong as a wedge anchor. So, for light to medium holding applications, a sleeve anchor is a good choice.

How far should an anchor be from the edge of concrete?

Rule: Mechanical type anchors should not be set a minimum of 5 anchor diameters from an unsupported edge. Explanation: If set too close to an unsupported edge, the outward pressure of the concrete anchor will decrease the holding value of the anchor or make it non-existent.

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.

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.

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.

How deep do you drill for wedge anchors?

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.

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.

What are the strongest concrete anchors?

Wedge anchors are typically the strongest anchors, but not every application requires a heavy-duty anchor. Some will do just fine with a plastic wall anchor or a nail-in version.

How much weight can plastic anchors hold in concrete?

Overall, plastic expansion anchors are the least strong of all the anchors discussed here, with actual pull-out strength of around 30 pounds in concrete but as little as 10 lbs in drywall (depending on the anchor and screw size). Unfortunately, many people use plastic anchors in drywall when they shouldn't.

How much weight can a concrete anchor bolts 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.