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The name Tapcon is synonymous with small concrete screws. You can find them just about anywhere but you will have to look a little harder to find stainless steel Tapcon screws. Below you will find install information for all types of Tapcon including stainless steel as well as some info on a few different brand names that will help in your search. This post is looking at the standard smaller diameter namely 3/16” and ¼”. There are larger concrete screws including some by ITW/Redhead called Large Diameter Tapcon or LDT. We are looking at the more common smaller diameters.
Installing Stainless Tapcon Screws
Installation of stainless steel Tapcon is the same as for standard. Tto the right you will see a very simple chart showing proper installation. The number one issue while installing these fasteners is snapping. The main reason a Tapcon screw will snap is that the fastener is too long. The second reason is the hole is either the wrong diameter or it isn’t deep enough. These handy little fasteners get such a bad rap but most of the time it is improper fastener selection or hole issues. Here is the gist of proper installation. Select the proper length fastener by adding 1”-1-1/4” to the material thickness. Drill the hole with the proper diameter bit, 5/32” for 3/16” Tapcon and 3/16” for ¼” Tapcon. Drill the hole at least ¾” to an 1” beyond embedment. You will need a hammer drill or SDS hammer drill. I still lean towards the ¼” diameter to ensure less chance of snapping and the 3/16” bit is less likely to get broken during drilling. Choose your head style either flat head or hexhead. Drive the Tapcon home with a drill or impact driver. You can find more install info here.
What Type Of Stainless Steel Are Stainless Steel Tapcon Made Out Of?
Stainless steel Tapcon and other smaller concrete screws are made out of 410 stainless steel. You will not find them in a 304 or 316 in the smaller diameters as they would not hold up to the installation process. Three hundred series stainless can’t be hardened enough to cut threads in the concrete. Because they are 410 stainless steel, they will have some magnetism. In addition to being made out of stainless, they will have an exterior coating applied. So if you buy stainless steel Tapcon or another smaller 316 stainless steel concrete screw don’t be shocked if they stick to a magnet.
What Are Common Brand Names Of Stainless Steel Concrete Screws
As mentioned at the outset, Tapcon is the name you think of when you consider concrete screws. Here a few other brand names. DeWalt/Powers has the Tapper, Simpson has Titen 2 and Titen Turbo and Hilti has the Kwik Kon. You will find some generics out there as well but those are mainly standard type concrete screws, not stainless.
