I want to put up wood shelving (2 x 4) in my basement, which consists
of cinder block foundation walls.

Can I use standard masonry screws or lag bolts to attach 2" x 4"
lengths to the cinder block walls? Do I need additional fastener
hardware? (eg. butterflies, special washers or inserts, etc.) Do I
risk cracking or splitting the cinder blocks themselves with my
hammer/drill?

Thanks.

F.Z. Newton MA

On 02 Jul 2003, Fred Zimmerman wrote:

I want to put up wood shelving (2 x 4) in my basement, which consists
of cinder block foundation walls.

Can I use standard masonry screws or lag bolts to attach 2" x 4"
lengths to the cinder block walls? Do I need additional fastener
hardware? (eg. butterflies, special washers or inserts, etc.) Do I
risk cracking or splitting the cinder blocks themselves with my
hammer/drill?

How I would do it: Use a hammer drill to drill 1/2 holes in the
block and use lead anchors that will hold lag bolts. Stagger them
going up the 2x4, and make one vertical row fall right on a mortar
seam. The holes/bolts that are going into the body of a block are
prone to falling in sometimes (remember it's hollow behind that
hole in many spots) and you need to work gingerly until the anchor
really grabs the hole.

][
][ ----- every other course of block will hit this mortar
----- ][ seam, make sure either of your anchors are hitting
| o | ][ in that area (x)
| |
| x |
| | ][ (compressed vertically for conserving space)
| o | ][
| |
| x |
| | ][
| o | ][
| |
etc
-----

If the shelves are less than 5' wide I would use one riser about
8-12" in from each end (adjusted for finding those mortar seams!)
and if they're 5'+ I would heavily consider using one somewhere
near the middle.

If you use a hammer action drill and masonary bits* you should
have little/no chance of damaging a block. *you might want to
start with a smaller pilot hole and then drill the bigger one,
just like you might do with some larger holes in wood.


TP
-- _________________________________________
If u are gonna say that I said something,
please say what I REALLY said. ($1 Earl)

Fred Zimmerman wrote:
I want to put up wood shelving (2 x 4) in my basement, which consists
of cinder block foundation walls.

Can I use standard masonry screws or lag bolts to attach 2" x 4"
lengths to the cinder block walls? Do I need additional fastener
hardware? (eg. butterflies, special washers or inserts, etc.) Do I
risk cracking or splitting the cinder blocks themselves with my
hammer/drill?

There are several options. You should use a liner of some sort. This can
be platic for light wieght or the larger lead shields for heavier duty.
Take care with the lead shields if your sizing is off they can crack the
face when they separate as you torque them. Another product to look at
is TAPCON these are softer material screws that collapse their threads
and create their own anchor when driven in. Nice product and almost no
chance of splitting. You do have to use thier bit though because the
size of the hole is absolutely critical and the sizing of the cheaper
masonary bits varies enough that they may not bite.

In terms of drilling Cinder block is not hard at all they will tend to
try to split when torque is applied but they are fine with heat and
compression. So drill straight with your hammer drill and let the tool
do the work. This isn't to save the block but rather your bit. A little
water to lubricate and cool the are will not hurt either.


--
JSin
Lost Generation Custom Tattoo
To reply Kill the idiot

Thund3rstruck wrote:


Fred,

There are anchors specifically made for cinderblock walls.
Basically, you would drill into them, then insert these pieces that
flip out (With the bolt attached. The 'flip out' part then holds the
whole bolt in place, because it's now wider than the hole.

Of course, being brain dead today, I forget their name...Since I'm
going to Lowes soon, I'll look them up and let you know what they are.

NOI
They are made by redhead I spaced those as well but they are a slick
little product Home Depot also stocks them. You are still going to be
pre drilling for those.

--
JSin
Lost Generation Custom Tattoo
To reply Kill the idiot

(Fred Zimmerman) wrote in message . com...
I want to put up wood shelving (2 x 4) in my basement, which consists
of cinder block foundation walls.

Can I use standard masonry screws or lag bolts to attach 2" x 4"
lengths to the cinder block walls? Do I need additional fastener
hardware? (eg. butterflies, special washers or inserts, etc.) Do I
risk cracking or splitting the cinder blocks themselves with my
hammer/drill?

Thanks.

F.Z. Newton MA

Are you sure they are cinderblock not concrete block? If they were
concrete block you could use a nail gun (like I did). If cinderblock,
see the previous post. Another option would be to run 2X4 standards
from floor to ceiling, attaching them to the sill plate or joists at
the top and maybe applying some construction adhesive on the backside
to prevent any shifting around. Basically the weight of the shelves
will just press the standards against the wall, provided they are
attached securely at the top. That might be easier than all the
drilling and anchors and such.

On 03 Jul 2003, Heathcliff Bambino wrote:

Are you sure they are cinderblock not concrete block?

Gulp. I always thought those were just two differnet names for the
same thing? 'round these parts we call them "concrete blocks", and
I figured the "cinder" thing was just a regional variation. Uhhh,
if you got a second, what's the difference?

TP
-- _________________________________________
If u are gonna say that I said something,
please say what I REALLY said. ($1 Earl)

Also consider, if you have one or can borrow one, the cartridge powered
fastening systems. I just bought a Remington brand trigger-actuated .22 cal
powered nailer, and it's the nuts. The directions (quite exstensive) that
came with the tool describe using this type of fastening system for 2X4
lumber to brick or block walls. The only caveat seems to be to make sure
that you power-nail into horizontal mortar joints and never vertical ones.
I used mine with the 2 1/2" washered nails to attach 2X4 plates to a poured
concrete basement floor, and it worked great.

"Tom Pendergast" wrote in message
...
On 03 Jul 2003, Heathcliff Bambino wrote:

Are you sure they are cinderblock not concrete block?

Gulp. I always thought those were just two differnet names for the
same thing? 'round these parts we call them "concrete blocks", and
I figured the "cinder" thing was just a regional variation. Uhhh,
if you got a second, what's the difference?

TP

HACK!!!

If you don't know, keep your mouth shut!!!

HACK!!!