Hammer-in masonry anchoring tool

[kblee27]

I came across this article and my interest is getting this stud driver or hammer-in masonry anchoring tool.

http://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/11/nyregion/home-clinic-using-nails-on-concrete-or-masonry.html

Often referred to as a stud driver or hammer-in masonry anchoring tool, this consists of a rubber or plastic covered steel handle that has a hollow center into which special masonry nails (often referred to as drive pins) or threaded studs can be inserted (the studs are fasteners that look like a nail at one end but are threaded like a bolt at the other end).

Google, searching in Amazon, ebay comes out with nothing.

What does it look like, where can I find it ?

Purpose is to hammer a nail onto a pvc strip into a masonry wall.
But due to my inability, the concrete nail is either bending or flying off with the hammer strike.

Thanks.

 

[rlitman]

I have not seen one of those in many years, and I suspect they're long out of production.
Your article quoted was from 1984 BTW.

It works like a powder actuated nail gun, but it is hand powered.
For a lot of these nails, you might be better off with a powder actuated nail gun. Single shot Ramsets are like $25, and I wouldn't expect a hand powered equivalent to be any cheaper anyway (and the fact that a ramset sets the nail in a single shot will greatly improve the chances of sending it on a straight path).

For just one, you might be better of drilling a hole and using a tapcon or equivalent screw.

 

[kblee27]

Thanks. I was looking for some sort of a guide tool to hold the concrete nail straight while I bash it down with a hammer.

Ramsets is unfortunately out of my budget.

I might have to put down as many as 10 nails, so drilling and anchoring is not quite suitable.

 

[spike99250]

They do still make a punch with a magnetic end for setting masonry nails. Bon tool company has them. I think they also have a hammer with a magnetic face for the same purpose. I don't see the hammer being useful, but the punch comes in handy.

 

[trentonmakes]

Tapcon screws
Easy peasy japanesey

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

They do still make a punch with a magnetic end for setting masonry nails. Bon tool company has them. I think they also have a hammer with a magnetic face for the same purpose. I don't see the hammer being useful, but the punch comes in handy.

I did some searching on their site:
http://www.bontool.com/product1.asp?P=TACKHOLDER
and
http://www.bontool.com/product1.asp?P=TACKHOLDER

The miniature one is selling for $24.35 plus shipping. $25.35 if you want the protective grip full sized one.

Single shot Ramset at Home Depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ramset-Hammer-Shot-0-22-Caliber-Single-Shot-Tool-00022/100091715

$25.98, and NO SHIPPING. Even if you can find that tack holder locally, I'd think the Ramset is worth the extra 63 cents.

Or you could buy the DeWalt version of the same tool at Lowes for $21.96
http://www.lowes.com/pd_472153-355-DDF211000P___?productId=50200049&pl=1&Ntt=powder+actuated
That's cheaper than any of the above options.

Don't want to go to the store? Shop on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LDJGXS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$8 + $11.95 shipping. $19.95 to your door (plus possibly tax). Pretty hard to beat that.

 

[Zeke]

I have not seen one of those in many years, and I suspect they're long out of production.
Your article quoted was from 1984 BTW.

It works like a powder actuated nail gun, but it is hand powered.
For a lot of these nails, you might be better off with a powder actuated nail gun. Single shot Ramsets are like $25, and I wouldn't expect a hand powered equivalent to be any cheaper anyway (and the fact that a ramset sets the nail in a single shot will greatly improve the chances of sending it on a straight path).

For just one, you might be better of drilling a hole and using a tapcon or equivalent screw.

Right. If there is a big enough drill motor available, just drill a hole and use a fastener. Pounding away on a concrete nail is a waste of time and often results in injury. Some injuries may not show up right away.

 

[kblee27]

Thanks for all your replies.

Ramset appears to be overkill for my purpose.
Where I am at Singapore, I might run into licensing problem with the powder explosive.

I'll probably look at the Bon magnetic tack holder or equivalent.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Purpose is to hammer a nail onto a pvc strip into a masonry wall.
But due to my inability, the concrete nail is either bending or flying off with the hammer strike.

i have used "concrete nails" (hardened, "cut" steel with square edges) in the past with limited success.

One cheap trick is to pre-drill a hole through the board and into the concrete, slightly large that the common nail you are using. Drive 2 nails simultaneously into the pre-drilled hole. Use you biggest hammer and hit 'em hard !

Crimp anchors, which look like a nail with a bump sticking out of the shank, sometimes in a plastic sleeve, work well, but also require pre-drilling.

Personally, I have had very good luck with Red Head Poly-Set plastic anchors. They are very similar to a plastic hollow wall anchor (you can use a #10-#12 hollow wall anchor if the load is light). If it is going to be exposed to the weather, use a stainless steel screw. These work especially well in block.


A standard drill motor, even with a masonry bit, does not work well on concrete. You need a hammer drill. If you don't want to buy a hammer drill for a small project, buy a hand star drill. Hit it with a big hammer and then turn 1/4 turn. Repeat.

 

[maddawg1952]

spike and wire method, drill a 3/16" hole into the concrete with a carbide bit, cut a 5" piece of tie wire ,insert tie wire. bend the top over so it stays in place and a 16d common nail into the hole and drive the nail home . We use this commonly when anchoring concrete forms to existing concrete holds really well and is somewhat removable,

 

[rlitman]

Thanks for all your replies.

Ramset appears to be overkill for my purpose.
Where I am at Singapore, I might run into licensing problem with the powder explosive.

I'll probably look at the Bon magnetic tack holder or equivalent.

There is a reason that people put their general location in their profile...
Ramsets are used heavily in the construction industry globally. Have you checked at a hardware store before making that assertion?

I'm telling you, without an anchor or something soft (both of which require a drilled hole), don't expect a masonry nail to hold well if you cannot get it in, in one or two hits. The more blows you deliver to the nail, the looser the hole around it gets.

Ramsets will put a nail into concrete (and even steel) in one shot without causing cracks, and the nail will be in there good. There are pneumatic nailers made for the same task too.

Hammering a masonry nail with a punch is asking for trouble. The dozens of blows, each in slightly differing directions (because nobody's arm is perfect), will cause the hole to enlarge around the nail. Only the very tip of the nail will hold... It's not like hammering a nail into wood. Wood can move a little around the nail, AND then move back, all the while having a tight grip on a nail. Concrete doesn't work that way. Repeatedly hitting the nail will drill a hole around the nail. As dust comes out of the hole, your nail gets looser and looser.

i have used "concrete nails" (hardened, "cut" steel with square edges) in the past with limited success.

One cheap trick is to pre-drill a hole through the board and into the concrete, slightly large that the common nail you are using. Drive 2 nails simultaneously into the pre-drilled hole. Use you biggest hammer and hit 'em hard !.

Instead of two nails, use one masonry nail, and a piece of solid copper wire (or several pieces; whatever it takes to make it tight).
In softer materials, use a nail, and a piece of string trimmer string.

Put the wire/string in the hole, cut flush, then hammer the nail in.

 

[danski0224]

I came across this article and my interest is getting this stud driver or hammer-in masonry anchoring tool.

http://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/11/nyregion/home-clinic-using-nails-on-concrete-or-masonry.html


Google, searching in Amazon, ebay comes out with nothing.

What does it look like, where can I find it ?

Purpose is to hammer a nail onto a pvc strip into a masonry wall.
But due to my inability, the concrete nail is either bending or flying off with the hammer strike.

Thanks.

Thanks. I was looking for some sort of a guide tool to hold the concrete nail straight while I bash it down with a hammer.

Ramsets is unfortunately out of my budget.

I might have to put down as many as 10 nails, so drilling and anchoring is not quite suitable.

The article describes a single-shot, hammer activated powder actuated tool. They still make those.

What is this PVC strip?

Current polyurethane adhesives are fantastic. Some PL Premium and tape to hold the PVC strip in place until the glue dries, and it will be way stronger than if you nailed it in place.

Does masonry = cinder block or brick?

Hammering will blow out the back of the masonry, so will a hammer drill or rotary hammer.

A carbide tipped drill bit designed to be used in a regular drill motor will make a clean hole and not blow out the back side. Then you use an anchor in the hole.

Drilling 10 holes into cinder block is child's play. Brick would be comparatively much more difficult.

Also check out a Malco TNP2S trim nail setting tool.

 

[iScream]

I've got a corded Makita hammer drill I use when I need to anchor something into the brick or mortar outside the house. Makes a hole really fast to insert a good anchor that expands when you tighten down the screw.

And the hammer function can be switched off easy so it works as a nice powerful regular drill. I used to get it out a lot more often before I bought my nice 18V Lithium drill/driver set.

 

[iScream]

Hammering will blow out the back of the masonry, so will a hammer drill or rotary hammer.

A carbide tipped drill bit designed to be used in a regular drill motor will make a clean hole and not blow out the back side. Then you use an anchor in the hole.

I don't drill holes professionally or anything but I haven't found blowout to be bad enough to cause a problem when I use my hammer drill on brick. I'm sure there is some but I shined a flashlight into the first couple I ever did and didn't notice any blowout.

When I have the option, I drill through the mortar rather than the brick though. I think the last time I didn't have a choice was hanging a flag pole mount.

 

[danski0224]

I have found the mortar line to be the worst place to use.

If it is site mixed from bags of cement and sand, the quality is inconsistent.

The application thickness/depth is inconsistent.

I would much rather go into the brick.

I just got into the habit of using a carbide tipped rotary drill to make holes in masonry. The blowout is unpredictable and when it happens, you are usually screwed.

 

[kblee27]

The article describes a single-shot, hammer activated powder actuated tool. They still make those.

What is this PVC strip?

Current polyurethane adhesives are fantastic. Some PL Premium and tape to hold the PVC strip in place until the glue dries, and it will be way stronger than if you nailed it in place.

Does masonry = cinder block or brick?

Hammering will blow out the back of the masonry, so will a hammer drill or rotary hammer.

A carbide tipped drill bit designed to be used in a regular drill motor will make a clean hole and not blow out the back side. Then you use an anchor in the hole.

Drilling 10 holes into cinder block is child's play. Brick would be comparatively much more difficult.

Also check out a Malco TNP2S trim nail setting tool.

Sorry, I may not have explain it clearly. It's some sort of long plastic casing one would normally nail to the wall. Casing is used to carry electrical wiring.
Wall is either concrete or hollow blocks.

Electrical contractors here would just use hammer and concrete nails.

But when I tried it, I get bad results of nails flying off.

I've a rotary hammer which would put holes into the wall easily, but I try to avoid that if I can just find an easier way to put in the nails.

 

[Zippercat]

I've had good luck driving concrete nails into cement block using a palm nailer:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RU94B2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Slowgsr]

How about some PL adhesive and masking tape to hold it in place till the glue sets up?

 

[Hawk]

kblee27 I may have missed it but are you sure that you are using masonry nail. To mount the wire chases that you have in the pics, you should not have to use a long nail. I think the last time I mounted a chase like those I used either 1/2 or 3/4 length.

 

[kblee27]

kblee27 I may have missed it but are you sure that you are using masonry nail. To mount the wire chases that you have in the pics, you should not have to use a long nail. I think the last time I mounted a chase like those I used either 1/2 or 3/4 length.

Yes, I use 1/2" concrete nails (as they call it).
You'd tack it into the plastic, holding it up with one hand (wishing you had more hands), make sure it stay in place and then whack it into the concrete wall.
The whacking is the part that usually either the nail bends or fly off, very irritating for the unskilled.

 

[Hawk]

Then your best bet would probably be to use a small masonry bit to drill a series of pilot holes before driving the nails in. Go slow with the drill and it should reduce blow out.