Sleeve Anchors

Considered by many in the construction trade and other industries to be one of the most versatile masonry expansion anchors available, sleeve anchors can be used in a variety of base materials, including block, brick, and concrete. Sleeve anchors come in a wide variety of diameters, lengths and head styles, which makes them an excellent fastener solution for light or heavy-duty fastening jobs. They are also pre-assembled and ready for immediate installation.

The anchor sleeve is constructed of high-quality steel components. Each part has zinc plating and comes pre-assembled in a ready-to-use anchor. The anchor consists of a threaded stud that has an outwardly flared, cone-shaped end. The tubular expander sleeve is assembled over the stud and pushed against the tiny diameter of the cone. The washer and hex nut assembled on the stud complete the anchor, which functions based on a true expansion principle: By tightening the nut, it pulls the cone-shaped stud end into the expander sleeve. This process wedges the anchor and locks it into the base material.

Sleeve anchors are available in stainless steel for outdoor and wet environments. The fastener has four different head styles: Acorn, hex, round or flat countersunk. They’re also available in the following dimensions:
​• 1/4”
• 3/8”
• 1/2”
• 5/8”
• 3/4”
• 7/8”

Not all diameters are available in each head style.

You will need a hammer drill to install a sleeve anchor. The hammer motion of the drill breaks up the base material, and the rotation of the tool pulls the material out of the hole to create an opening that meets the tolerance required for the anchor. If a standard straight-rotation drill is used, the hole created by the tool will not be appropriate to ensure to proper installation of the anchor.

Make sure you set the hammer drill in the hammer and rotation mold and, using a carbide tip bit that meets ANSI Standards, create a hole with the appropriate tolerance. The hole must have the same dimensions as the sleeve anchor you install. For example, a 1” anchor requires you to drill a 1” hole.

Make the depth of the hole in the base material at least ½ inch deeper than the anchor will penetrate. In addition, each diameter of anchor requires a minimum embedment depth to ensure minimum holding values. The hole must also be cleaned of any debris left over from the drilling process. Use a wire brush, compressed air or a vacuum to remove this debris.

Insert the sleeve anchor into the fixture and into the hole in the base material. Make sure the washer is flush with the material being fastened. Use your hammer to deliver several light taps to seat the anchor in the hole properly.

Then, use a wrench to turn the nut or head 2-3 turns, which pulls the working end of the sleeve anchor up through the sleeve, expanding the anchor and securing it in the base material.