How To Drive Masonary Nails Into Concrete

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The toughness and immovability of concrete makes information technology a popular building fabric for walls. Concrete walls can as well add a mod, industrial aesthetic to a room. However, their strength and immovability tin can make it difficult to drive nails into them. Fortunately, there are specialized tools and materials y'all tin can use to make the task easier. To minimize the gamble of nifty the concrete, you lot'll desire to use a hammer-set anchor smash. You could also drive masonry nails into the wall for an easy and user-friendly option.

1
Choose hammer-set anchor nails for concrete walls. Hammer-set anchor nails are what's known equally mechanical drive anchors. They consist of a wider section at the bottom that'south designed to expand and a thinner top department that looks like a standard smash. They're tough enough to be hammered into concrete, but you first need to drill a guide pigsty into the wall. Expect for hammer-set anchor nails at your local hardware or home comeback store.^[1]
- You can too order hammer-set anchor nails online.
ii
Put on a pair of safety spectacles and a face mask. Drilling into concrete creates dust that can irritate your eyes if information technology gets into them and your sinuses if y'all breathe it in. Earlier y'all begin working, put on a pair of well-fitting prophylactic glasses and cover you nose and mouth with a facemask.^[ii]
- You could as well tie a scarf or bandana around your oral cavity and nose to avoid breathing in the physical grit.
- You can notice safety glasses and face masks at hardware stores, department stores, and by ordering them online.
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three
Fit a carbide-tipped masonry bit into a hammer drill. A hammer drill, also known as a percussion or impact drill, is a specialized ability tool that's used to drill into hard surfaces, such as concrete. Insert a carbide-tipped masonry chip into the stop of your drill and tighten information technology and so information technology'due south held securely in the jaws.^[3]
- Look for hammer drills and carbide-tipped masonry bits at your local home improvement or hardware store. You can also order them online.
- Carbide-tipped masonry bits are strong enough to drill into concrete without great.
Tip: If you don't accept a hammer drill, you tin can employ a standard power drill, but you must utilise a carbide-tipped masonry bit and it will take much longer to drill into the physical wall.
4

Hold the drill confronting the wall with both easily. Take a wide stance and plant your feet firmly on the ground and so you lot're strong and stable. Press the drill bit against the wall where yous want to put your nail, hold the drill with both hands, and utilise pressure using your body weight so the drill won't slip or motility out of place when you use information technology.^[4]
five
Drill a hole into the wall deep enough to fit your hammer-prepare ballast. With your drill pressed against the wall, kickoff drilling slowly and bring information technology upwardly to full speed to create a airplane pilot hole in the wall. Make the pigsty as deep as the wider bottom section of your hammer-set anchor.^[5]
- If concrete dust builds upward in the hole as you're drilling, remove the drill and blow out the dust before you lot continue.
6

Drive the anchor nail into the hole you drilled with a hammer. Hold the wider bottom section of the hammer-set ballast nail against the hole you lot drilled and beginning borer it into place with a standard hammer. As y'all drive the anchor into the concrete, the bottom section will expand and hold the boom in identify. Continue hammering until the wide section is completely in the wall.^[half-dozen]

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1

Mark the wall where you want to put a nail with a pencil. Pinpoint the exact spot where you desire to put your nail by using a pencil or marker to make a small point on the wall. If you lot plan to install multiple nails into your wall to hang or install something, bank check to make sure they're measured evenly with a ruler or tape measure.^[7]
2
Hold a masonry nail against the concrete wall with your fingers. A masonry nail, too known equally a concrete smash, is fabricated of tough steel and designed with fluted shafts that help them drive into physical without breaking. Identify the tip of the masonry nail against the marking y'all made and hold it steady with your fingers.^[8]
- Expect for masonry nails at hardware stores, home improvement stores, department stores, or by ordering them online.
3
Tap the smash with a 2 lb (0.91 kg) mash hammer to hold information technology in place. A mash hammer, as well known as a masonry hammer, as a double-sided hammer that'due south much heavier than standard hammers, making it the best selection to drive nails into concrete. With your blast held in place against the wall, tap the stop of it with your hammer to drive the smash just enough and then it'due south held in identify in the wall and you don't need to concur it with your fingers.^[9]
- A standard hammer won't be heavy or solid enough to drive the blast into the concrete wall.
- Look for mash hammers at hardware stores and home improvement stores, or past ordering one online.
4
Drive the masonry nail into the concrete wall with the hammer. Use carefully aimed hammer strikes to drive the blast into the concrete wall then you don't miss and curve the boom or strike the wall and damage it. Proceed striking the hammer until the blast is driven in to where you desire it.^[10]
- If you're fastening something to the concrete wall, bulldoze the smash all the manner in.
Tip: Leave about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) of the nail sticking out if you program to hang something from information technology.

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How does a Hilti nail gun work?

James Mansfield is a Construction and Pattern Specialist and the CEO of WestVillage General Contracting, a high-cease and luxury pattern/build house in New York City. James specializes in flat, bathroom, and kitchen remodeling as well equally fine cabinetry, lighting, paint, and wallpaper. James has adult a proprietary system of construction called the Luxury Build Method that hinges on a skilled team, respected partnerships, and clear, transparent communication. WestVillage GC has completed more 500 commercial and residential projects in New York with designers such every bit David Scott Interiors and Fox Nahem, Kelly Behun. WestVillage GC is also a preferred contractor for Related buildings including Hudson Yards.

Construction & Design Specialist

Proficient Answer

A Hilti gun comes with 22-quotient charges that look similar 2 bullets—they're color-coded based on their power. Yous tin can then shoot those charges straight into the concrete.