wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone have experience with small tapcon concrete screws? 1/4" head,
about 2" length. I can't get them in. I tried a socket, all my weight
on it, I'm lucky to get 2 turns before it strips.

I have the reverse problem often.

I do EVERYTHING right (even used the $22 "kit" sold to drill and install the
screws. My problem is that about 1/3rd of them "spin out". Even the
screws the "work" sometimes strip when I tighten them.

I still use them but depending upon the application I used the hardened
"concrete nails" or just put in a plastic insert rather than the Tapcon
system.

The problem, as I see it is that especially when drilling old concrete, the
"hard bits" in the concrete cause the drill bit to "wander" and effectively
the hole is oversized. You can salvage the oversize hole by using the next
size fastener (you should also ream out the hole with the next size larger
bit) or by injecting epoxy and effectly convert to another system.

If you are twisting off the heads as compared to spinning out from female
thread failure you effectively have an undersized hole. Clean out the hole
with air or even just a pipe cleaner (thin wire with "fuzz") before you use
the screw. Use a new drill bit as an old bit may lose diameter from side
wear.

If you MUST use those screws (you need the strength over plastic inserts,
you need "pullout" resistance, or you don't want the vibration from
hammering in concrete nails) then buy their installation kit. It grips the
hex heads well and stops driving when the head is driven below the surface
of the wood.



Why they put such a
low profile hex head on something that needs this much force is beyond
me. Whatever this blue coating is doesn't help I'm sure. Then I move
on to a flat head screwdriver, takes all my strength and weight to
turn it, 5 minutes later it's 1/2" in and then the slot is chewed
open. So then I grab the vice grips, clamp it and start turning, the
head snaps off within a few turns, it's not even an inch in. I drill
the holes an extra inch deeper and blow it out with compressed air,
makes no difference. I'm using the bit that came with the screws.

WTF? Am I missing something? This is run of the mill garage floor
concrete, the direction say drill a damn hole and use a screwdriver to
sink it in? Should I try oil lubrication? My floor has several holes
with snapped off anchors now.

In a garage floor I believe your first choice should be concrete nails.
They fail also but not in ways that end up with partly inserted fasteners
you can't get out.