Anything better than Tapcons?

[Dave In Florida]

I need to fasten an electrical box to the block walls in my garage. When I built the garage about 15 years ago, I used Tapcons and swore by them, but it seems in the past few years I've had really bad luck with them.

It seems that now when I use them, they don't hold in the block. I've tried multiple bits, and I'm careful not to wallow out the hole as I'm drilling it, but I'm just not satisfied with the results.

So is there any other options besides Tapcons for mounting electrical boxes?

 

[RickP]

You could just use the old fashioned lead inserts or else toggle bolts. But I prefer attaching a 2x4 vertically on the block wall (mine go from the outlet up to the ceiling). Then mount the elec box to the wood. The wire can then be stapled to the wood. You can mount the 2x4 anyway you like -- I just use masonry nails.

 

[Dave In Florida]

Since I haven't used 2x4's anywhere else, I'd prefer not to do so this time (I'm a bit OCD). This outlet box will actually be right next to the breaker panel. I wonder if there's a way I could attach it directly to the panel and skip the wall altogether?

 

[Rookie2]

'one timers' aluminum drive in rivets
http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivets/aluminum-drive-rivets.html

 

[RickP]

This outlet box will actually be right next to the breaker panel. I wonder if there's a way I could attach it directly to the panel and skip the wall altogether?

If you used a very short piece of EMT conduit to attach it directly to the panel, would that be strong enough? If you came out of the bottom of the panel straight down to the outlet, the weight of the box wouldn't torque the conduit.

 

[jerryd68]

If you used a very short piece of EMT conduit to attach it directly to the panel, would that be strong enough? If you came out of the bottom of the panel straight down to the outlet, the weight of the box wouldn't torque the conduit.

Or just use an offset ****** or a chase ****** and a locknut

 

[mds5951]

You could probably get away with red head plastic drop in anchors

 

[No Sweat Photos]

Your concrete block over the years gets harder and more brittle. I would use some lead anchors to mount the panel.

 

[Thumper68]

This is what we use, Drill, insert, hammer, done.

 

[A_Pmech]

Are you using a hammer drill to make the holes? Using a regular drill, the holes will always end up oversize.

Are you making the holes in the block as opposed to the mortar like many try to do? Mortar doesn't hold tapcons very well.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Or just use an offset ****** or a chase ****** and a locknut

This. I used to use chase ******* with 2 locknuts and a bushing, depending on how thick your mating surfaces are. Very strong.

 

[sberry]

A couple of plastic anchor inserts and screws.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I use a hammer drill to make the holes and also to drive the fasteners. Wax or soap on the threads. You can twist the head off of one then if you wanted.

 

[slickgt1]

This is what we use, Drill, insert, hammer, done.

This. Use them all the time.

 

[Mstrfxit12]

These things are great and hold in block well.. They are made by Hilti and are a little pricey but get the job done.http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/page/module/product/prca_rangedetail.jsf?lang=en&nodeId=-355766

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

'one timers' aluminum drive in rivets
http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivets/aluminum-drive-rivets.html

Those will work also,I usually have decent luck with those cheap plastic pound in anchors then just run a srew into them for concrete.

 

[Bronson]

My ex old lady sent Me to the store for a box of them once.

Oh.....nevermind.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Are you using a hammer drill to make the holes? Using a regular drill, the holes will always end up oversize.

Are you making the holes in the block as opposed to the mortar like many try to do? Mortar doesn't hold tapcons very well.

Yes and yes. I used a bunch of them on the garage refurb and the only problem I had was if a bit got dull and had to be replaced.

 

[Bad Hammer]

This is what we use, Drill, insert, hammer, done.

This. Use them all the time.

Yep, I bet we installed tens of thousands of those things over the years.
Nothing better for running EMT and setting boxes on masonry surfaces.

 

[Bad Hammer]

My ex old lady sent Me to the store for a box of them once.

Oh.....nevermind.

.....I hear ya brother....been there myself a time or two......

 

[rslaback]

Are you planning on ever needing to remove them?

Also, drive your tapcons with an impact driver. I have much less issues with stripping out and twisting off when I drive with my impact.

 

[plow]

This is what we use, Drill, insert, hammer, done.

These are da chit mang.

 

[theoldwizard1]

A couple of plastic anchor inserts and screws.

These

Red Head #12 x 1-1/2 in. x 1-7/16 in. Poly-Set Plastic Anchors with Screws (20-Pack)

Tapcons cause the block to crumble.

 

[MOwens]

Most electricians in my area use the pin anchors that Thumper68 posted a picture of. Should be available in any competent hardware store.

 

[Mr_fixit]

You could probably get away with red head plastic drop in anchors

I'll second that.

 

[Ron Lombardo]

Google ...... Double Expansion Shield its the proper anchor for block ... if you really want something to stay on the wall.

Ron

 

[Ign]

I agree on the Tapcons, never understood how anyone would think a coarse thread fastener would hold well in a brittle, crumbly surface, and I've never had luck w them even when using THEIR bit with a hammer drill and driving w an impact driver. Glad this thread came up, good to see alternatives.

 

[er3456df]

Why would driving with an impact be better? I've always switched to a plain drill, thinking the impact would ruin the "threads" in the concrete?

 

[mobiledynamics]

Toggler Alligators...

 

[OccupantRJ]

Why would driving with an impact be better? I've always switched to a plain drill, thinking the impact would ruin the "threads" in the concrete?

Not exactly sure, but since I have been using my DeWalt battery impacting drill to both drill and drive them in, I have had better success especially with countersunk head types. I just now got through mounting conduit on some brick, and zipped hex head Tapcons right in to the brick face, not the mortar joint. I drill at high speed, clearing the bit regularly, then run them in on low. My drill has a three speed transmission, and drives fasteners much better than my standard drill.

 

[er3456df]

Not exactly sure, but since I have been using my DeWalt battery impacting drill

My drill has a three speed transmission, and drives fasteners much better than my standard drill.

Sounds like you're using a hammer drill, rather than an impact. Are you driving them in hammer mode? That seems like a terrible idea, but then again so does an impact driver.

I realize how much better a hammer drill can for drilling, but I usually get by with just a LOT of downward pressure on my regular 19.2v craftsman. I've only done maybe 50 of them in my life, though, and always am a little nervous that they're going to fail- but so far, only a couple have stripped out on me.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Sounds like you're using a hammer drill, rather than an impact. Are you driving them in hammer mode? That seems like a terrible idea, but then again so does an impact driver.

I realize how much better a hammer drill can for drilling, but I usually get by with just a LOT of downward pressure on my regular 19.2v craftsman. I've only done maybe 50 of them in my life, though, and always am a little nervous that they're going to fail- but so far, only a couple have stripped out on me.

Impacting drill= hammer drill. Impact driver, different animal. I usually use the hammer drill so I can do the job with one tool, unless I have a lot to do.

I started out years ago trying to screw Tapcons in with a small ratchet, and had issues with stripping out. Then I went to a standard battery drill for running them in, but the countersunk head ones were a ***** to drive because of the driver bit skipping. I started using my hammer drill and problems went away. The differwnce can be felt. The biggest thing is to back off pressure near head contact to keep from wringing the head off. This also tells me that the screws have a good bite in the brick to take the head off instead of stripping. I ran several hundred on a job where I work, and brought my battery hammer drill so I would not have to suffer using the company standard drill. I was driving 2-1/2" countersunk heads into block. I get to use all the company equipment when I want, so that was fine with me.

 

[1320stang]

Toggler Alligators...

This^^^

 

[brickG-man]

This is what we use, Drill, insert, hammer, done.

As a 39 year Bricklayer/Stonemason with my own block garage with many boxes mounted to the wall, I agree these work great.

 

[slickgt1]

Yep, I bet we installed tens of thousands of those things over the years.
Nothing better for running EMT and setting boxes on masonry surfaces.

We even use them to hold the metal studs and track to block walls and concrete floors. If you screw up, removing them is not the most fun, but that's why you measure twice. So fast, so easy, and so strong. I make sure I don't run out of these.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Why would driving with an impact be better? I've always switched to a plain drill, thinking the impact would ruin the "threads" in the concrete?

Theres a reason they make the ConDrive tool...You'll never catch me doing tapcons without it in my SDS drill.

 

[Eightuhp]

Caliburn Concrete screws. These things make tapcons look like staples!

Caliburn

 

[cderalow]

hilti pin shots/anchors like you use to anchor studs to the floor (or in my case track normally)

 

[fireguy]

.....I hear ya brother....been there myself a time or two......

I took my 13 year old daughter to the store once. I was instructed to give her money and then to take a long time decide what beer to buy



http://biggeekdad.com/2011/07/the-frantics/

http://biggeekdad.com/2011/04/the-talk/

 

[Paticus]

I have the same issue, even when I do a super clean hole with a hammer drill. sometimes they just spin, and other times they bite. But mostly, they just spin.