Grainger® was founded in Chicago in 1927 by William W. Grainger. It now serves millions globally and is a Fortune 500 company. From Chicago, Grainger® has expanded to roughly 600 branches worldwide.

HTF has trusted Grainger® for decades to supply reliable fasteners and components to its customers. We’re so proud to spotlight this leading concrete anchor manufacturer and provide you with a better understanding of what concrete anchors are and how to select the best anchor for your needs.

What Are Concrete Anchors?

Concrete cannot be fastened with a screw, as wood or metal materials might be. To connect concrete an anchor and fastener are necessary. 

The anchor is inserted into a hole drilled in the concrete, then a fastener is secured into the anchor. When the fastener enters the anchor, it causes it to expand and hold to the sides of the hole. Let’s explore the different types of concrete anchors.

Expansion Anchors

Expansion anchors are made of durable metal and are driven into a drilled hole. The anchor then expands to grip the side of the hole. Another name for expansion anchors is lag shields. These anchors are ideal for use in concrete with high load capacities, and for uses where vibration might be an issue.

To install an expansion anchor, you must first drill a hole into the concrete, clean it out, then tap in the anchor with a hammer until it is flush. Then, you can attach the component and drive in a lag screw. 

Drop-In Anchors

The drop-in anchor is a “female” anchor which is dropped into a pre-drilled hole. Once the anchor is inserted, a setting tool is struck with a hammer until the top of the anchor is flush with the tool’s end. Finally, a rod or threaded bolt is placed in the anchor.

These anchors are often used with threaded rods to hang things from the ceiling. They are handy for anchoring shelves, hanging pipes, and mounting machinery into concrete base materials. There are setting tools to match your specifications.

Drive Pin Anchors

A drive pin does not have an anchor piece that is first inserted into the hole. Instead, it is a pin with a head that is tapped into a pre-drilled hole. The fixture is aligned over the hole then the pin is inserted through and tapped in.

This is considered a pre-expanded anchor, which means it does not expand upon impact or insertion. The wider base of the pin puts pressure against the sides of the hole to hold the fixture in place. The drive pins are offered in a variety of styles, including mushroom, dome, hex nut, round, duplex, and flat. 

Sleeve Anchors

The sleeve anchor requires more steps to install and comes with different head options. The head choices are typically hex nut head, flathead, Phillips, and threshold flathead styles. The anchor consists of a threaded bolt inside a metal sleeve with a nut and washer on the end opposite the head. 

To install this anchor, drill a hole and clean it out, then tighten the nut to the anchor until they are flush. Next, insert the anchor through the fixture and the hole in the concrete, and then use a wrench to tighten the nut completely. These anchors come in stainless steel or carbon steel.

Seismic Wedge Anchors

Wedge anchors come in a variety of diameters and lengths for different applications. They are one of the strongest options for concrete anchors. The anchors come in varieties from stainless steel to yellow dichromate steel and are very versatile and strong.

HTF and Grainger®

HTF carries a wide variety of concrete anchors from Grainger® in stock and ready to be shipped. If you are not sure of the proper anchor for your application, reach out to the experts at HTF to determine what will best work for your materials and load capacity.

HTF will go above and beyond to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. With a range of premier services to enhance your customer experience, including same-day shipping on all orders placed by 3 p.m. Eastern. Request a quote today for Grainger® concrete anchors, and ask about volume discounts! 

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