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Setting tapcons, SDS or impact?

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platinumLLC

· improving homes
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've been using tapcons for probably 15 years now and they work great. I started out using just a hammer drill for the hole and at that time my cordless drill to drive the screw. Over the years I've switched to using my SDS for the hole and my impact for driving the screw. I needed a new SDS tapcon bit and saw a bosch kit that comes with both size bits and also a sleeve to slide over the bit and some phillips and nut driver tips to drive the tapcons. I tried using the sleeve the other day with my SDS after drilling the hole and didn't really care for it at all. I went back to using my impact.

Anyone use the sleeve type adapters on their SDS to drive the tapcons? The SDS is big and then add a 8" or so sleeve and it just makes it too long. Then it didn't seem to drive them right. Maybe I was doing something wrong. I didn't give it much of a chance before switching back to impact but I don't think the sleeve driver on an SDS worked good at all. Just seeing if maybe I'm missing something and need to give it another chance before I chuck it.

Here is the kit I bought, http://www.cpotools.com/bosch-hc230...Nq9BRCw8OD6s4eI5HASJABsfCIaNZ9JHlNRmks8HNZAvajcuXmGb8CGpaMrzfwb0-u1OhoCz0nw_wcB
 
#5 ·
I use those. Wouldn't do it any other way. If the hole is cleaned out, or drilled out a bit deeper you shouldn't have any trouble.

Just make sure you switch to drill only and run it in slowly. I don't think I have ever snapped one. I rarely use the smallest ones though.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
#12 ·
I have used Tapcons for many years,since they first came out. Putting them in is sorta like trying to remove rusty bolts. If you take your time,run them in a tad,back them out etc.,they seldom break. Reason why,they cut threads going in,dust is cleared out when backed off. It may sound tedious,but much better than dealing with a snapped one,especially if it is in a absolutely crucial do or die location.
 
#14 ·
I drilled in some tapcons today with just a right angle drill and an impact driver.

I only had to set a half dozen and had no issues. used the drill bit that came in the box of screws, drilled through the 2x I was setting into the concrete to mark the spot. moved the board out of the way, drilled deeper, put the 2x back in place and sent the tapcon on in. when it's tight...stop.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
I have no problems with tapcons. Like I said I use my SDS to drill and my impact to drive and it works great. Once in a great while one won't set right but that is expected and is rare. My question was about the driver kit sleeve using SDS to drive the tapcon screw. This was my first time using that sleeve adapter and I didn't have luck. But after reading the replies I see one that says to make sure You're in drill only and not hammer which I had left it in hammer/drill so maybe that was part of my problem. But if I have to switch back and forth between hammer/drill and drill only I might as well just keep using my impact driver. Thought the kit would be something special but guess not.
 
#17 ·
Wrong size hole will snap them everytime. Old crete or new is a different size bit. You need to have a few different sizes on hand. If it snaps, go to the next size up. Standard battery drill is more than enough to sink them.
 
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