Tapcon question

[gsmittle]

I'm about to use the blue coated Tapcons to anchor a piece of PT 1x to the top of a cement basement half-wall. Am I correct in assuming the blue coating is corrosion-resistant? Or should I know what happens when we assume???

g.

[crokett]

Yes they are corrosion resistant.

[JimD]

When you are driving them in, don't stop. If you are using a drill, set the torque setting all the way up. If you stop half-way in, you may not be able to move it further. I've had to break them off and drill another hole because the torque setting on my drill was set too low, it tripped, and when I turned it up and attempted to restart, the tapcon would not move.

I like percussion nailers for this but tapcons will work fine.

Jim

[cabinetman]

The blue Tapcons are coated with "Climaseal" which is a corrosion resistant coating. They are available in flat head phillips and hex head washer screw. Use the proper masonry bit 5/32" for 3/16" screws and 3/16" bit for 1/4" screws. Drill a clean straight hole without wobbling.

Drive the screw in and don't over over tighten as the threads can strip the concrete. Make sure you use the correct length.
.

[chopnhack]

Since no one has mentioned this yet, the main reason alot of these fasteners fail to seat properly is because no one blows out the holes to get the loose dust out. Then when you drive to screw in the powder gets compacted around the screw and effectively acts as a wedge. I often use an air hose with extension, but when in a bind you can make do with simply a ball point pen shaft or a straw. Use googles and dont breathe that dust in!

[jabe]

Great product, been using it when it first came out. Used it with PT lumber with no problems. In Hawaii because of the termite problems, its common practice to frame your whole house with PT lumber/plywds.

[gsmittle]

Use googles and dont breathe that dust in!

And here I thought Google was only a search engine…

Thanks for the tips, guys! I have a couple cans of compressed air that should be enough for the 12 or so holes I have to drill.

Pix of the finished project (finished basement wall with built-in bookshelves) in a couple of weeks…

g.

[chopnhack]

LOL @ late nights.. pardon my goggles