What is the drill size for Tapcon 1/4?
Content
In this article, I will tell you what drill size should be used for 1/4 Tapcon.
If you drill a larger hole for a Tapcon screw in concrete, there won't be enough material to hold the threads of the screw. On the other hand, a smaller hole won't do you any good. Thus, using the correct size drill for ¼ Tapcon is much more important than one might think.
Generally, the size of the drill depends on the diameter and length of the Tapcon screw. For ¼ Tapcon you will need a 3/16" drill. And the Tapcon 3/16 screw requires a 5/32" drill bit.
What factors affect Tapcon drill size?
Before choosing a Tapcon concrete screw drill, there are two things to consider.
- Tapcon Diameter
- Tapcon length
Once you have found these two sizes correctly, you can use the appropriate chart to determine the correct Tapcon drill size.
What is the drill size for 1/4 Tapcon
As mentioned in the previous section, the size of the drill depends on the length and diameter of the Tapcon. The following table shows the drill sizes according to the diameter and length of the Tapcon screws.
Note: The results below are for straight shank carbide hole saws.
| Tapcon Screw | Drill | ||
| Diameter | Length | Diameter | Length |
| 3 / 16 “ | 1.25 " | 5 / 32 “ | 3.5 " |
| 3 / 16 “ | 1.75 " | 5 / 32 “ | 3.5 " |
| 3 / 16 “ | 2.25 " | 5 / 32 “ | 4.5 " |
| 3 / 16 “ | 2.75 " | 5 / 32 “ | 4.5 " |
| 3 / 16 “ | 3.25 " | 5 / 32 “ | 4.5 " |
| 3 / 16 “ | 3.75 " | 5 / 32 “ | 5.5 " |
| 3 / 16 “ | 4 " | 5 / 32 “ | 5.5 " |
| ¼" | 1.25 " | 3 / 16 “ | 3.5 " |
| ¼" | 1.75 " | 3 / 16 “ | 3.5 " |
| ¼" | 2.25 " | 3 / 16 “ | 4.5 " |
| ¼" | 2.75 " | 3 / 16 “ | 4.5 " |
| ¼" | 3.25 " | 3 / 16 “ | 4.5 " |
| ¼" | 3.75 " | 3 / 16 “ | 5.5 " |
| ¼" | 4 " | 3 / 16 “ | 5.5 " |
| ¼" | 5 " | 3 / 16 “ | 6.5 " |
| ¼" | 6 " | 3 / 16 “ | 7.5 " |
Based on the information above, you will need a 3/16" drill bit for the Tapcon ¼ screw.
However, note the length of the ¼ Tapcon screw. For a 1.25" Tapcon screw you will need a 3.5" bit. And for a 2.25" Tapcon screw, you'll need a 4.5" bit.
So always consider the Tapcon screw length before choosing a drill.
If you are using a Tapcon 3/16 concrete screw, you will need a 5/32" drill bit.
Do not forget: Tapcon ¼ screw, ¼ means 0.25 inch.
Also, here are a few things you should know about Tapcon screws.
- All Tapcon screws must comply with ANSI B212.15-1994.
- Each Tapcon screw must meet the minimum anchorage depth once installed.
What is the minimum planting depth?
Each Tapcon screw has a minimum depth to which it must penetrate the concrete surface. (1)
If the screw does not reach this minimum value, it will not fit properly on the surface. This value is called the minimum anchorage depth and depends on the diameter of the Tapcon screw. You will get a better idea of this from the following table.
| Tapcon Diameter | Minimum Embedment Depth |
| 3 / 16 “ | 1 " |
| ¼" | 1 " |
| 3 / 8 “ | 1.5 " |
| ½" | 2 " |
| 5 / 8 “ | 2.75 " |
| ¾ " | 3.25 " |
As can be seen from the table above, as the diameter increases, the minimum anchoring depth also increases accordingly.
Quick-Tip: The minimum depth of ¼ Tapcon should be 1 inch.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- What is the size of the dowel drill
- What is a step drill used for?
- How to use left hand drills
Recommendations
(1) minimum depth - https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/find-minimum-depth-of-a-binary-tree/
(2) concrete – https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/types-of-concrete-mix-for-any-project/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901c07575fe
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