Carefully hammer the wedge anchor into the hole to the desired depth. Before inserting the anchor into the hole, clear the hole of all debris. Always be careful when handling any power tools and wear appropriate safety gear such as goggles. The hole should always be drilled using a hammer drill and carbide-tipped drill bit. The diameter of the hole to be drilled in the concrete is the same diameter as the wedge anchor being used. So with this information, to determine the length of wedge anchor required for a 5/8' diameter wedge anchor fastening a 2' thick fixture, one would use the following formula:Ģ' (thickness of material) + 2-3/4' (minimum embedment) + 5/8' (space for nut & washer) = 5-3/8' minimum anchor lengthīased on the lengths available, one would use a 5/8' x 6' wedge anchor.ĭrilling a Hole for a Concrete Wedge Anchor Below is a chart indicating the minimum embedment for each diameter of wedge anchor. For example, the nut and washer for a 5/8' anchor is approximately 5/8' high. The height of the nut and washer is roughly equal to the diameter of the wedge anchor itself. The length of the anchor required is determined by adding the thickness of the material being fastened, the minimum embedment for the diameter of the anchor being used and the height of the nut and washer. The wedge anchor comes in 9 different diameters ranging from 1/4' to 1-1/4'. Stainless steel wedge anchors are used in areas where the anchor will be submerged in water or exposed to other caustic materials.ĭetermining the Right Length of Wedge Anchors The hot-dipped galvanized anchor is primarily used outdoors in mild climates where the anchor will be subjected to water. Zinc plated wedge anchors are for indoor use or applications where the anchor will not be subjected to the elements. Zinc plated carbon steel offers some rust resistance, hot-dipped galvanized anchors are excellent rust resistors while the 303 and 316 stainless steel fasteners provide superior rust resistance.

The choice of plating or type of steel is dependent upon the corrosive resistance required for each specific application. The Concrete Wedge AnchorĬoncrete wedge anchors are made from zinc-plated carbon steel, hot-dipped galvanized carbon steel, 303 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel. These concrete anchors will be the focus of this article. The wedge and strike anchors are both male, or stud, type anchors, and the drop-in anchor is a female type anchor. These are the wedge anchor, drop-in anchor and the strike anchor. There are three types of concrete fasteners that can only be used in solid concrete. Because many of these anchors can be used in brick and block, they are sometimes described as masonry anchors. The term concrete anchor can also refer to an anchor that is to be used in a base material of concrete, brick or block. Throughout this article, the terms will be used interchangeably. The distinction is made here simply to explain the difference between the two. Whether you call them a concrete anchor or concrete fastener is not important. A concrete fastener is used in lighter duty applications and is available in diameters including 3/16', 1/4', 3/8' and 1/2'. The term concrete anchor refers to a heavy duty type of anchor that is usually of a larger diameter. Before starting any project, be certain to choose the one that will finish the job in the most effective and safe manner possible. A concrete anchor will work better in some applications while at other times concrete fasteners should be used to complete the job. The terms 'concrete anchor' and 'concrete fastener' are generally used interchangeably although, by definition, they are not the same.

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