I don't know what you expect to fit in those little pre-drilled countersunk holes besides a tapcon or similar fastener. If you are worried about it coming loose put a dab of polyurethane glue on it before screwing it in.

 

I'm thinking any expansion type sleeve will have a screw portion that is similar in size to a Tapcon...

 

Set studs in epoxy and bolt your railing down.

 

I installed two aluminum railings on some concrete stairs about a month ago and had much trouble with the wedge anchors.

I vowed that day, the next install would be with threaded rod and epoxy. I used Quikcret's epoxy product and it saved the day.

 

http://www.strongtie.com/products/anchorsystems/mechanical/titen-hd/

 

I've never seen these before. Any reason they are better than Tapcons?

 

You'd have to check the specs. I've only used epoxy in the summer. Wednesday has a high of 2C. That's about as good as it'll get for a while.

 

Drop-ins or Powers Rawl Power Bolt.

http://www.strongtie.com/products/anchorsystems/mechanical/drop-in/

http://www.powers.com/product_6930SD.php

Tom

 

With the titens or any similar type, make sure you have enough edge distance.

 

A friend of mine out in South Dakota did a YT video on this very topic recently.

 

A friend of mine out in South Dakota did a YT video on this very topic recently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55mZwWkRX7c

those are fine. i prefer the grk caliburn

 

Consider stainless fastener up grade, also fine thread whatever are stronger then the same nominal size of course threaded fasteners,
Set anchor bolts prior to installing the socket base, remove nut and then install the post mount...

Also use a torque wrench/driver with recommend setting.

Handrails that "turn" the corner(L shaped in plan view) are much stouter than just two point mounted ones. Add a strap to the outside of each post to increase the moment arm of the base that has its own anchor/expansion bolt a few inches away from the stock anchors.

Alternately mount the railing out board of the steps to the ground/sidewalk/slab and fasten the post additionally as high as possible to the "stringer" of the steps, again the two point of contact will be much stronger than one.

 

If you decided to go the TapCon type screw route use the Spax Multi Material Screws.

Another option is caulk in anchors, they a very strong. Set them with the tool and they stay where you need them for ever.

http://www.mutualscrew.com/Machine-...hine-Screw-Anchors/machine-screw-caulkin-anchors-by-powers-fasteners-22308.html

Make a template to drill the holes.

Tom

 

I've installed hundreds of metal posts that come engineered with those titan bolts they are the cats ass. As someone else mention stay about 3 or 4" clear of an edge minimum. Here's the posts I've used them with.

They are blu Mount I think there called. The exact same ones can be bought from Trex, same company but the trex branded are twice as much.

The point is the titan bolts work great and are very fast. The first time I used them was about 7 years ago. No dreaded phone call. I've installed hundreds since I don't expect them to come loose.

http://www.thedeckstoreonline.com/lmt-blu-mount.html

 

The fasteners in that pic look like Powers Wedge Bolt Plus which is the same style as Hilti HSU or Red Head LDT which is an abbreviation for LARGE DIAMETER TAPCON. The exact fastener the OP said he didn't want to use.

 

Well thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate it. Based on your advice I'm going to go with a large diameter Tapcon type fastener. It's too cold now for epoxy, and I'd rather practice on a larger job. I've never had luck with the wedge anchors, and I'm worried about spalling/breakage.