Sleeve Anchors

They are metal anchors that fix shelves, brackets, building services and light or medium structures to concrete and masonry. The sleeve expands in the hole when the screw or nut is tightened, locking the anchor in the substrate. They are used by installers, maintenance technicians and window and door fitters when a reliable, removable mechanical fixing is needed.

The hex-head screw version is screwed in directly to fix an element, such as a bracket or a shelf. The hook version, such as the Unifix Anchor with Hook or the TAM Anchor with hook, is used to suspend loads. Choose according to the type of connection to be made and check the permitted load on the data sheet.

The substrate declared on the technical data sheet of each anchor is the figure to follow, because concrete and masonry need anchors with different characteristics. The collection includes the TAM, SLM, FSL and FSA series, as well as DeWalt, Unifix and SPIT anchors. Before choosing, check on the data sheet which substrate the model is declared for.

There are DeWalt sleeve anchors in sizes 12 x 80, 12 x 65, 10 x 100 and 10 x 80, with codes DFM1210570, DFM1210540, DFM1210510 and DFM1210480. The sizes are shown in the title of each item. Compare them with the manufacturer's data sheet before drilling the hole, because the drill bit diameter must match what is specified.

Check the thickness of the material to be fixed and the usable depth of the substrate, because the anchor must grip in the sound part of the concrete or masonry. An insufficient length reduces holding power, while one that is too long may not expand properly. The hole diameter must match what the manufacturer's data sheet specifies.

Drill with the bit diameter given on the data sheet, clean the hole of dust and debris and insert the anchor all the way in. Tighten the screw or nut to the torque specified by the manufacturer, without overdoing it, because over-tightening can damage the substrate. When drilling, wear safety glasses and hearing protection.

They are used to fix shelves, brackets for services, pipe supports, shelving units and light structures in existing buildings. You find them on refurbishment sites, in maintenance work and in electrical and plumbing installations. For heavy loads or important structures, a technician's check is needed, not just the choice of anchor.