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Smyrna, GA

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It is for my sun room roof repair project. How to fasten metal to concrete with 4X4 posts.

My hubby used Remington hammer power with bullet # 4{yellow} but it did not work! We are trying to figure how to fastens metal bracket to the concrete..... The sunroom/storage roof caved from roof repair guys last year. I did post pixies last year.

The first post in cement tube by the sunroom/deck corner accomplished completely. Then to another corner @ storage/sunrm is not accomplished. We think we might need hammer power bullet #3?

11 Comments

Paul M Fairburn, GA

You can use a powder actuated fastener if you have the right sized load. It takes experience or a little experimentation to figure it out. Another method is to use a small wedge anchor or a drop in anchor with a screw or bolt. Shots are ok but in many applications I don't like them very much. These days there are even screw anchors that can go right into the concrete with no preparation at all.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

Powder actuated fasteners are ok for a shear issue which would keep the post from sliding, The higher the number the stronger the charge for the Remington line of caps.
You should consider using a hammer drill and then using cement screws to fasten this once and for all.
If you were using the long pins shown in the photo they are simply to long to use. One inch ...»
max should be used when going directly into cement slab. Longer ones are used to go through wood materials then into the cement. Perhaps that was the issue, not the charge. Longer is not always better with this type of fastening system.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Woodbridge,
Would you recommend using two cement screws like Tapcons on both sides of the post?

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

Yes Tapcons would work well. There is nothing wrong with using the powder actuated gun also but if the wrong nail is used, which I thing may have been their issue, then using it would then be a bad choice.

on May 18, 2012 · Like 1
Paul M Fairburn, GA

Powder actuated fasteners are very dangerous if not used properly. They have their place but if an alternative is just as good I will always opt for that instead. If you hit a hard spot or get a slight angle on the pin it can fly out of the gun and across the room just like a bullet with equally drastic consequences. If you wan't to use the powder actuated anchors make sure you are doing this properly. Your local HILTI rep can give you some free training if you don't have that under your ...»
belt already. Home Depot has HILTI reps in the stores these days so finding someone that can give you some safety pointers should be very easy to do and well worth the time. I know some guys that got hurt real bad around those things because of unanticipated issues, like re-bar or wire being struck by the pin when it entered the concrete.

on May 18, 2012 · Like 1
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

I would have gone with a hammer drill and a 1/2" expansion bolt and then use a standoff ab-44 post base.

on May 18, 2012 · Like 1
HandyANDY Home Renovation... Marietta, GA

For the average homeowner, Tapcon is the way to go. You can get them at Depot or Lowes (blue screws) and they usually come with a free bit that will get you through a small job. The other problem with a powder actuated gun is that they are dangerous to use and you run the risk of splitting the concrete. We usually only use them on small framing projects in basements.

on May 21, 2012 · Like 1
Vicki Smyrna, GA

Hey, thank you all for helps. We finally solved this plm by using bullet #4 yellow color bullet. YAY! Whew. Now we can move on to work on this project. See pixies included.
on May 21, 2012 · Like 0
Vicki Smyrna, GA

Yes, it is dangerous to use hammer bullet gun. "Do not try @ home" unless u are trained and know how to use it. Always use safety glasses. work gloves.....

on May 21, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

and hearing protection...

on May 22, 2012 · Like 1
Paul M Fairburn, GA

Oh what's a little ringing in the ear? It never bothered me, now what did you say???

on May 22, 2012 · Like 0