Sleeve Anchors — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a sleeve anchor guaranteed to hold up to the ultimate holding values posted on your technical data sheet?
A: No, these values are provided as a guide, not a guarantee. A safety factor of 4:1 or 25% is generally accepted as a safe working load for sleeve anchors. Reference should be made to applicable codes for specific working ratio.
Q: Is a lok bolt and sleeve anchor the same thing?
A: There are many names for sleeve anchors and these anchors may vary slightly from one manufacturer to another. Some of the common names for sleeve anchors include: sup-r-sleeve, thunderbolt, bolt sleeve anchor, lok bolt, lock bolt, dynabolt, concrete anchor and masonry anchor.
Q: Why is there a cone at the end of the sleeve anchor?
A: The cone shaped stud end on a sleeve anchor is pulled into the expander sleeve as the nut is tightened. This wedges the expander sleeve of the anchor outward and locks the sleeve anchor into the base material.
Q: Can I use sleeve anchors to attach a sign to a wall in my store?
A: There are numerous considerations to take into account before getting started on the different types of anchors available for use in this application. These questions include: will the sign be placed indoors or outdoors? Should stainless steel anchors be used if the application is outdoors? How heavy is the sign? What is the diameter of the hole in the sign for placement of the fastener?
Q: What makes sleeve anchors different than other concrete fasteners?
A: Sleeve anchors are versatile anchors that can be used in concrete, brick or block. Sleeve anchors come in diameters ranging from 1-4" - 3/4" and lengths ranging from 5/8" - 6-1/4". Many diameters are available in zinc plated and stainless steel. A variety of head styles are also available. The hex nut sleeve anchor offers the most choices in terms of length and diameter.
Q: Is it OK to install a sleeve anchor next to a curb?
A: Mechanical type anchors, such as a sleeve anchor, should not be set a minimum of 5 anchor diameters from any unsupported edge.
EXPLANATION: If set too close to an unsupported edge, the outward pressure of the sleeve anchor will decrease the holding value of the anchor or make it non-existent. This is also known as a "blow out" of the base material.
Q: How deep do I drill a hole for a sleeve anchor?
A: When drilling a hole for a sleeve anchor, the hole must be drilled a minimum of 1/2" deeper than the sleeve anchor will penetrate.
EXPLANATION: The extra depth of the hole will ensure that the sleeve anchor does not bottom out and will allow space for any dust that may be created in the drilling process. If the sleeve anchor is being placed at minimum embedment requirements, the extra space will ensure that the minimum amounts are met.
Q: Will a sleeve anchor still work if I can only get the anchor about an inch into the base material?
A: Each sleeve anchor has a minimum embedment that must be reached in order to create the holding values for the anchor. This minimum embedment value depends on the diameter of the anchor. If this depth is not reached, the sleeve anchor may fail and pull out of the base material.
Q: Do I need to use a hammer drill to drill the hole for a sleeve anchor?
A: Yes, a hammer drill should be used. The hammer motion breaks up the base material and the rotation of the hammer drill removes the debris from the hole.
Q: Is a stainless steel sleeve anchor stronger than a zinc plated sleeve anchor?
A: No, the material of a sleeve anchor does not determine the holding values of the anchor. Sleeve anchors are available in carbon steel zinc plated which are suitable for indoor applications or in areas without the presence of moisture. Stainless steel sleeve anchors are also available in different grades of stainless steel and can be used in moist areas or submerged in water.
Q: How does a sleeve anchor stay in a hole?
A: Sleeve anchors utilize a mechanical means to achieve friction. The basic means for achieving friction is to insert the sleeve anchor into a hole in the base material and then after is is in the hole, expand it so that it is larger than the hole. This expansion is achieved by turning the hex nut on the sleeve anchor.
Q: Is there a risk of injury when installing sleeve anchors?
A: Please remember with all fastening jobs to keep safety in mind. Always follow safety instructions on all tools and refer to manafacturer installation instructions when available. Always remember to wear safety goggles.com
Q: Can I use a sleeve anchor to anchor a doorframe to a block wall?
A: Yes. When placing a door in an opening, these doors must be fastened to the base material that is present in that location. Most frequently, the base material will be concrete, brick or block and will require the use of special concrete fasteners. Door frames range from solid wood to hollow steel. Because of this, unique concrete fasteners may be required. These anchors may require features that are not commonly found in concrete fasteners.
Often the thickness of the material to be fastened is larger than normal. Such is the case when using a hollow steel doorframe. This application will require a longer than normal fastener. Door frames may also require the use of a countersunk head anchor since the head of any fastener in a doorframe must not protrude into the opening. The two requirements described- longer than normal length and flat countersunk head- create a limited choice of effective concrete anchors for this application.
Flat head sleeve anchors can be used in this application. Sleeve anchors are manufactured for the hole size and the countersunk head type is designed into the door frame. The length of the anchor to be used will be determined by the thickness of the metal door frame plus the minimum embedment for the sleeve anchor.
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