Cement anchors

[Leech~~]

A few months ago I had a new back steps poured. I'm going to put on a new handrail but never saw or used this type of cement anchors before that came with the handrail and there was no instruction sheet with it. 
I've only used the type you pound in the drilled hole then take the nut off the top.

If my guess is right drill the hole, pound it in. Screw the bolt down to seat it then unscrew the bolt to mount the rail, and hopefully the anchor seats and you can get it to re-thread when mounting! 

Anyone use this type before?

[deadeye]

I have used a bunch of them.  Usually there is a spacer that you put over the bolt that you remove after you tighten the anchor. 

[Leech~~]

I have used a bunch of them.  Usually there is a spacer that you put over the bolt that you remove after you tighten the anchor.

Looking at the picture above. It seems that the bolt is as long as the spacer and the nut at the bottom. I'm thinking as you tighten it up the bottom threaded nut pulls up in the spacer sleeve causing it to flare out and catch in the hole. Then you loosen the bolt back up and mount your rail. Put the bolt back in and re-tighten, and hopefully it caught-seated in the hole? But not sure?

[deadeye]

I would check how thick the piece is that you plan to mount. Normally only the bolt is out of the concrete.  Before you tighten it, make sure you have enough bolt length to fasten the part.

[birdswacker]

I’ve used those set your rail drill the hole and put in the anchor  in and tighten it. Don’t unscrew the anchor for rail install

[Leech~~]

You guys may be thinking about this type, which I have used before.
Drill a hole, pound it down. Take the nut off and mount something.

The one above that came with this rail system has a bolt that has to come out to go through the hole of what ever your mounting, then back into the lower sleeve and nut still in the hole to tighten. 

[deadeye]

yes that's the ones I was thinking of.  I believe Birdswacker got it right.  You simply assemble this anchor with the washer outside and then through your rail then screw on the nut. Slide the assembly into the drilled hole and tighten.

[Leech~~]

yes that's the ones I was thinking of.  I believe Birdswacker got it right.  You simply assemble this anchor with the washer outside and then through your rail then screw on the nut. Slide the assembly into the drilled hole and tighten.

Yep, Birdswacker is right. I just went out and measured the mounting bracket holes and they are bigger then the anchors.  So drill holes, put up rail, put anchors in holes, pound down and tighten without removing the bolts.

I just couldn't get my mind around how the anchors were going to be tight enough in the holes to tighten with a wench to flare the ends out to hold tight?  We will find out tomorrow . 
Thanks for all your help. 

[birdswacker]

No problem!!

If these are for exterior make sure they’re zinc coated?

[Leech~~]

No problem!!

If these are for exterior make sure they’re zinc coated?

They are.  Have you ever put a little sealer around the hole tops to try and keep the water from going in and cracking them when it freezes?  I heard that talked about on a install video.

[LPS]

yes that's the ones I was thinking of.  I believe Birdswacker got it right.  You simply assemble this anchor with the washer outside and then through your rail then screw on the nut. Slide the assembly into the drilled hole and tighten.

Yep, Birdswacker is right. I just went out and measured the mounting bracket holes and they are bigger then the anchors.  So drill holes, put up rail, put anchors in holes, pound down and tighten without removing the bolts.

I just couldn't get my mind around how the anchors were going to be tight enough in the holes to tighten with a wench to flare the ends out to hold tight?  We will find out tomorrow . 
Thanks for all your help.

It is always more fun when you have a wench with you! 

[birdswacker]

No problem!!

If these are for exterior make sure they’re zinc coated?

They are.  Have you ever put a little sealer around the hole tops to try and keep the water from going in and cracking them when it freezes?  I heard that talked about on a install video.

Yes use 100% silicone around the base after your done with the install and don’t buy the cheap stuff it’s cheap for a reason

[Leech~~]

And it's up!
Thanks for the help on the anchors.   Darn sturdy you could do hand stands on it!

[LPS]

Good job Leech!

[deadeye]

Nice job there Leech''.  Now I can see how your anchors worked.  I did the same thing a couple years ago.
I had all the pipe, posts and anchors so it was just labor.

[Leech~~]

Like your rails there deadeye. Saves room on the steps when you need to carry in stuff. 

[deadeye]

Leech~~ that was part of the reason I attached to the outside.  It took longer to figure out the angles to bore the holes than to actually do it.  That top pipe on the steps is one piece and goes all the way through the bottom post. 

[birdswacker]

They both look good guys!!

[Bobberineyes]

I also wondered about the silicone.  These rails were installed in the 90's, front and back door with a matching fence and gate between the house a garage.  No visible sealant or cracks,  maybe the silicone was filled before the bolt?

[Leech~~]

It might be that if any water is getting into the bolts it's not enough to cause cracking?