"JimR" wrote in message
ink.net...

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. 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.

Are you sure you're using the right size bit to make the holes? If you've
(a) used the right size drill bit and (b) drilled the hole deep enough,
there shouldn't be any problem, in my experience. I do rub the threads
across a bar of paraffin before installing them, (as I do with almost any
concrete or wood screw) but I usually just put Tapcons in by hand using a
nut driver or by using a socket on my cordless drill.
Try using a rawl pin sometimes called a split ring?
drill a hole and pound it in