"Sean M" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,

I am starting to frame parts of my basement this weekend and I have a
question about the method to attach the sole plate to the concrete.
The advice I have received is to drill a rather large hole (3/8 to ½
inch) in the floor and then hammer a wooden dowel in the hole. The top
plate is then hammered into the wooden dowel using 2.5 inch spiral
nails. Everything has to be meticulously measured to ensure you hit
the dowel with the nail. This method seems a bit tricky to me compared
to just drilling a 3/16 inch hole trough the sole plate into the
concrete and driving in a Tapcon.

Can anyone comment on these 2 methods? Is there a danger of weakening
the concrete floor by drilling several 1/2 inch holes into it?

-Sean

Firstly, I wouldn't go this route due to the fact that you'd be putting wood
in direct contact with the concrete (ie. the dowels) unless you can find
pressure treated dowels? I also wouldn't go this route because quite
frankly, that's a lot of work and there are easier ways. I would find
yourself a Hilti style gun (maybe something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-490-Po...c mdZViewItem
) or go the Tapcon route.
Cheers,
cc