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Fence Installation: Selecting the Correct Fastener, A How-To Guide

Three key questions to ask when choosing the correct fastener for the job at hand:

1. How do I select the right fastener for the job?
2. What are the most common categories for mechanical anchors?
      • Wedge anchors
      • Sleeve anchors
      • Caulk in anchors
      • Drop in anchors
      • Tapper anchors
      • Wedge bolt anchors
      • Toggle bolts
      • Wall anchors
      • Expansion shield anchors
    3. How do I use Quik Rok?

    How do I select the right fastener for the job?

    There are many different anchors to choose from, but careful consideration needs to be taken when determining which is right for your situation. What application you are using the anchor for is the first consideration to take. For example, what would be the best anchor to use for mounting to a concrete block or an overheard mount?

    • Substrate Use. Is this a hollow wall or a solid material application?
    • Substrate Material. Is the material drywall, plaster, concrete, or brick?
    • Strength Requirements. Is the task requiring light, medium, or heavy-duty holding power?
    • Material Thickness. Longer anchors or even toggle bolts would be needed if the material is thicker to accommodate the extra depth.
    • Required Cure Time. During cold temperatures, the chemical anchors require a “cure time” to set before use. Keeping in mind that chemical anchors do not cause expansion stress upon installation.
    • Fastener Material. Based on the job, some will require metal anchors, while others will need non-conductive and non-magnetic material.
    • Regulatory Standards. Different applications will require different standards as it relates to load capacity, vibration, and conductivity.

    What are the most common categories for mechanical anchors?

    Anchors such as mechanical anchors, chemical anchors, and internally/externally threaded anchors have many functions. Here are their uses:

    • Wedge Anchors. These anchors are ideal for heavy-duty applications. These would include connecting material to concrete or other masonry surfaces. Once this style of anchor’s inserted into the hole, the collar expands and wedges itself between the material and the bolt’s shank.
    • Sleeve Anchors. Easily adaptable anchors used on a variety of materials and loads. When the sleeve is inserted into the pre-drilled holes, the already tightened nut pulls the stud end to the expander sleeve which expands, thus securing the material in place.
    • Caulk In Anchors. These types of anchors are also called machine screw-in anchors. They consist of a pre-assembled internal machine screw, an expander cone, and a caulking sleeve. Concrete, brick, and stone material are the common areas where they are used.
    • Drop In Anchors. When anchoring overhead or wanting to be flush with the concrete a drop in anchor is the way to go. This will require a setting tool that expands the anchor into a pre-drilled hole.
    • Drive Pin Anchors. When anchoring loads into light masonry materials a drive pin anchor will work best. This is done by using a hammer strike into pre-drilled holes
    • Tapper Anchors. These are concrete screw anchors ideal for light to medium-duty masonry applications. They are used to secure material to concrete or other masonry materials.
    • Wedge Bolt Anchors. These anchors are one-piece, removable, and will resist any vibration. These are ideal for structural applications.
    • Wall Anchors. These types of anchors are also called drywall anchors and should be used in light to medium applications. This application is better than a screw alone by itself on drywall panels or hollow walls.
    • Toggle Bolts. This type of anchor is also known as a butterfly anchor. This anchor has small wings that expand into the hollow wall to form a secure mount.
    • Expansion Shield Anchors. When shear load distribution is a factor in picking an anchor, this is the anchor to go with. This anchor is for light to heavy-duty anchoring applications.

    How do I use Quik Rok?

    This is a chemically engineered cement when mixed with water forms a pourable mix that has self-leveling properties which makes it an ideal grouting material. This product develops lock adhesion which can withstand loads in excess of 10,000psi. This product will set in 15min under normal conditions.

    Compressive Strength

    One hour wet…………………………..4,000psi
    One hour dry……………………………6,000psi
    One day dry……………………………..9,000psi
    Ultimate…………………………………..10,000psi

     

    Water used to mix Quik Rok needs to be as pure as possible. If it is drinkable that is suitable. Soluble salts such as sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate must not be present in large amounts. This could lead to an adverse reaction to the Quik Rok material.

    Mixing one part water to 3 and half parts of Quik Rok powder by volume keeping in mind that mixing with as little water as possible will affect the pourability. These measurements will need to be as accurate as possible to ensure consistency in the subsequent batch. Variations in the ratio will affect absorption, pourability, and strength over time. Quik Rok will set up in about 10 to 12 minutes provided that both the water and the powder are at 70 degrees.