My husband and I are installing a 5/8" plywood subfloor plus 1" foam over our concrete slab. We are using 3/16 tapcon screws that are 2 3/4" long. We have rented a hammer drill, and are using a 5/32 bit to drill into the concrete. We are drilling down 1/4" longer than the screw, but the screws don't seem to be tapping into the concrete. Maybe our regular drill does not have enough power to get the screws to go down?? Do we need a drill with more torque to get the screws to go in?? Does anyone know why we might be having trouble? What can I do to fix this?
2007-05-20 15:57:52 · 14 answers · asked by jkingston10 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
We have tried using a 3/16 hammer drill bit as well, but this proved too big.
2007-05-20 16:12:38 · update #1
It states on the tapcon box that for a 3/16 screw to use a 5/32 drill bit, which is what came with the box...and is what we have tried and is not working.
2007-05-20 16:13:48 · update #2
Our screws will go in so far, but then the head of the screw gets stripped, despite brand new bits.
2007-05-20 16:27:10 · update #3
We have tried drilling the holes in the concrete far beyond what is necessary and that has not helped either. sigh.
2007-05-20 16:47:49 · update #4
I find, I need a good supply of fresh, new bits, for a job like yours. The hard concrete wears the tips very quickly, creating a smaller, tighter hole. Try to turn the bits as slow as possible, to keep them cool and maximize their lifespan. But even so, you will a few new bits, per box, for your kind of job.
2007-05-20 16:58:50 · answer #1 · answered by locksmith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
I can't get tapcon screws to tap into the concrete slab!?
My husband and I are installing a 5/8" plywood subfloor plus 1" foam over our concrete slab. We are using 3/16 tapcon screws that are 2 3/4" long. We have rented a hammer drill, and are using a 5/32 bit to drill into the concrete. We are drilling down 1/4" longer than the...
2015-08-10 10:56:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. When drilling the holes, make sure you go way beyond the depth the screw will reach. Also ream the holes at least 8 to 10 times really quickly. this will get any dust out of the hole and also seems to make it just a smidge bigger. When screwing in the screws...DO NOT stop till it's at the depth you want. As soon as you stop with the tapcons, you're screwed so to speak. I find the hole reaming works the best. Good luck!!!
2007-05-20 17:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by albertaguy7 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tapcon Screws
2016-10-22 02:10:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are using the right bit..... you do need to make sure you clean out the hole when done drilling. then if you have a impact drill this will make this part of the job alot eaisier to do. I've put tapcom screws in before with a 14 volt cordless drill but you have to push hard--- if you do stop then reverse the screw out a little then drive it in again. An old trick from my dad was to rub the threads of the screw on a bar of soap this will make the screw go in much eaisier and not hurt the holding power of the screw I've done that many times with screw in hard wood that was hard to get in works everytime. I've also used the soap for tapcon screws workd everytime...............gd luck
2007-05-20 18:26:37 · answer #5 · answered by pipedreams 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lots of good advice here. Another little tip would be to have a small container of H2O handy to dip the bite in frequently to quench it. This will prolong the life of the tip, but take care it could also clog the flutes that auger the dust out of the hole.
It really sound to me as though you have some hard concrete or very hard aggragate in the concrete, or you may be hitting some reinforcing wire or bar that is dulling the bit.
2007-05-20 22:18:08 · answer #6 · answered by william v 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually for a 3/16" you use a 5/32" bit. Yes a 3/16" for a 1/4". Hex head screws (with the proper driver) work the best. Drill at least a 1/2" deeper than the screw length.
2016-03-16 03:47:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very likely the concrete floor is uneven enough that the 1 1/4" left of the 2 3/4" screws are not reaching into the concrete far enough to grab. I would buy a few 3" or 3 1/2" screws and see if this fixes your problem.
2007-05-20 16:22:01 · answer #8 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Best way to secure plywood to concrete slab glue. If that is not an option the use a hammer nailer, Fires 22 cal bullets to drive concrete nails into slab
2007-05-20 16:35:44 · answer #9 · answered by Jimmie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should use a drill with adjustable speed turn to the lowest torque it will do the trick. If you use it at the fastest speed it will either strip the hole out or it may not even turn the screw in all the way.GOOD LUCK
2007-05-20 22:52:29 · answer #10 · answered by John T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋