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If you are looking for more information about drilling or you need help finding the correct drill bit for your tapcon, you can use this article to find all the information you need. ¼” tapcons also come in different diameters and lengths, so this can affect the drill depth and other factors you need to know about when you are getting ready to use the tapcon.
Contents
What Size Drill Bit for ¼” Tapcon?
A ¼” tapcon requires a 3/16” diameter drill bit for drilling.
| Tapcon Size | Drill Bit Size |
| ¼” | 3/16” |
The length you use for your tapcon is very important because it has to be long enough to ensure that the hole drilled is ½” deeper than the Tapcon screw you will be used to in the base material. If you do not use the right size, the base material can be ruined, and you might not be able to complete the project you are working on.
Keep in mind that the ¼” Tapcon comes in 4 different sizes, so there are different drilling depths for each of them. Below is a summary of the different lengths and what their drill depth should be:
| Tapcon | Diameter X Length | Drill Depth |
| ¼” | 3/16” x 3.5” | 2” |
| ¼” | 3/16” x 4-1/2” | 3” |
| ¼” | 3/16” x 5-1/2” | 4” |
| ¼” | 3/16” x 6-1/2” | 5” |
How to Use ¼” Tapcon?
These are the different lengths you will use to meet the minimum hold depth requirements. You also need to remember to use the correct diameter as well that was listed above. Remembering all the tips above can seem difficult, but making sure you have the right drill and minimum depth is required to make sure you can make the project or home you are building correctly.
The flat end of your tapcon drill bit should also be located so you know where to insert the screws. The flat end is on the opposite end of the carbide tip and will be the side you insert into your installation tool kit. The flat end should also be aligned with the flat side out so that when it’s inserted into the toolkit, a set screw can be tightened against it.
Make sure you are getting a carbide tip that meets the ANSI Standard B212-15-1994 since these are the only official ones that can be used for masonry. Carbide tips are also required to be used for all the hole drilling into base materials if you are using a Tapcon screw.
The ANSI standard carbide tips are brazed on one end, and they ensure a much longer life and will make sure all your hole diameters are consistent. If you buy carbide tips that are older or cheaper in quality, you will find that the material has a lower melting point and that the brazing method will not last as long.
When to Use ¼” Tapcon?
All tapcon drill bits have to be used with hammer drills and you need to make sure the hammer drill is set into hammer and rotation mode, or it will not work properly. The hammer drill is used because it can better cut through the material and make sure the hammer rotation movement removes the debris inside the material.
Other Considerations for ¼” Tapcon?
If you don’t want to use a hammer drill, there are a few other options, but they still need to meet the ANSI Standard B212-15-1994. They also need to still be the correct diameter and length to ensure the correct drilling.
One of the options you have is a straight shank which is a carbide-tipped drill bit that is designed for use in the Jacobs style chunk. These require the chuck key which you may have used in the past. These bits usually have a rounder shank or flat sides that can fit into the chuck. They come in many different diameters and lengths.
You can also use an SDS which is a spline drive system and is designed to be used in the hammer drills that have a quick disconnect chuck. Unlike other drills, the shank of the SDS is only the size of a small finger and has two groves and two slots.
The slots allow for the proper rotation of the drill and the grooves allow for the chuck to move for faster drilling and harder hammering. For these reasons, you need to make sure that the grooves and slots never become damaged.
The diameter of the ¼ inch is available in the hex washer head or a Phillips countersunk head. The reason you are using a 3/16” drill bit is that the hole is put into the surface is always a bit smaller than the diameter of the Tapcon that is actually being installed.
With a one-inch minimum embedment, you will be able to have a 620 shear pound holding, so it should be able to hold the weight you need and even more.
Before Using a ¼” Tapcon
Before you start to use the tapcon and before you start drilling into the walls or the base surface you are using, make sure you clean the hole of all concrete dust. Some people do this with a brush wire to make sure they are getting all the dust out.
Keep in mind that tapcon screws are often used in concrete surfaces, so you need to make sure you are using the right screws and cleaning all surfaces before you start fastening things. Blowing the dust out of the hole will make sure everything can be securely fastened together and that whatever you are making is sturdy.
The surface you are using can also make the job harder or easier. Well cured concrete is harder to drill into and so is concrete with embedded aggregate.
Final Thoughts
The drill bit size always matters when you are using a Tapcon screw because it can make or break the project you are working on. You also need to make sure you are using the right embedment length and cleaning the holes.
