Tapcon vs powder actuated?

[NetWareHead]

Need to anchor a shelf into a basement wall and floor. Wall is masonry cinder block construction and floor is poured concrete. I dont have a hammer drill and bits and I dont have a powder actuated tool so I could go either way. Or someone suggest another fastening method I might have ignored?

Shelves will hold potentially up to hundreds of pounds and want to use the best tool for the job that will least negatively affect the wall/floor.

 

[herm0016]

I like to use sleeve anchors in concrete. drill the hole, insert anchor, put thing over bolt and tighten the nut. This will work in the solid or hollow sections of the block and the solid floor. it is better to fasten into the solid sections of the block. drilling into the hollow sections will usually blow out the back and leave you with a very thin spot for the anchor. I don't think using the powder actuated type will be very good in block, could blow the nail clean through the hollow section and you will end up with a good size hole. I find tapcons to be super frustrating to use, some have different results. yes, i blow the dust out and use the correct size bit. Have only used powder to put up basement walls to fasten the bottom plate to the concrete.

 

[Greenman]

Tapcons for block walls. A ramset will blow chunks out of the wall.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Adhesives?

 

[Greenman]

Adhesives?

Depends on the weight. I'd just use tapcons. A hammer drill will punch the holes you need. You can even punch holes in the block, drive in a chunk of wood to fill the hole, and use a wood screw.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I second the sleeve anchors. Tapcons are too unpredictable, sometimes they don't grab at all, sometimes they break etc. My success rate with them is like 10%. Maybe I'm using them wrong, I don't know, I just find half the time they don't work. They are rather picky about the size of the hole too, if you drill it out a little too big then they simply won't grab properly. For a cinder block wall they might be ok though as there is less pull force on them.

Another method I also like to use, at least for solid concrete (not sure if it would work with cinder block) is framing nails. You drill a hole, drop a couple pieces of metal wire (like rebar wire) and then a framing nail and hammer it in. It ain't going to move. If ever you need to take it out you'll be taking out an angle grinder. For big things like server racks I usually use sleeve anchors though, and at least those can be removed if you need to.

for the cinder blocks I'd maybe use tapcons and PL premium or similar adhesive. If you can get at least 3 tapcons to hold tightly the adhesive will cure and do the rest of the work. That stuff is surprisingly strong. With enough force, the wood will tear before the glue lets go.

 

[John Connor]

I've actually had great success with tapcons. I've used them to fasten a flag holder to brick outside. But yeah, you have to master the art of the right size pilot hole. Drill small and work your way up if you have to.

 

[jmagg]

A piece of wire in a too large tapcon hole solves that problem.