Adding more rawl bolts to my safe

**MackRAA** · 30-03-2009, 12:26

At some time soon, i want to add more rawl bolts to secure my rifle safe more securely, my question is - how does one align all these bolts before securing them with washers and nuts. I will be adding another 3 to the wall and another 3 to the floor. Any tips will be appreciated.
Rob.

**malcolmw** · 30-03-2009, 14:10

Hi

Consider using a sleeve anchor where you drill a hole the same diameter as the anchor you intend to use. Space permitting, this can be done with the safe in position and you drill through the holes in the safe's walls. You then push the anchor into place and tighten it up. This solves the problem in lining up everything.

If you have a branch of Upat SA (Pty) Ltd nearby have a look at the Excalibur Screwbolts as a better/stronger alternative. There is a similar anchor called a ThunderBolt which works just as well. I have mounted all my safes with them. In all cases I placed my safes in position and drilled into the walls though the holes in the safe and screwed the bolts in using a socket wrench. For a smaller safe mark the holes with the safe in position then remove it so you can drill the holes. Then with the safe back in position screw the safe to the wall.

These anchors cut/tap a thread into the brick or concrete as you screw them in. They do not rely on expansion and the resulting friction to hold them in place. They will not slip like Rawl bolts in their holes and work loose. When they fail they tend to pull a cone shaped plug of material out with them. The other advantage is not having a shield, if ever you move the safe you can reuse them and they don't leave a chunk of metal sticking out of the wall - just a hole that is easy to fill with Polly Filler.

Malcolm

**camouflage762** · 30-03-2009, 15:47

Please advise: when drilling masonary do use same size dia masonary drill bit or one size smaller?

**malcolmw** · 30-03-2009, 16:28

Hi

The same size as the shaft or core diameter.

If you try one size smaller in most cases the anchor will be to big to slide into the hole.

Once you start to hammer or force it into the masonry you run the risk of damaging the anchor or knocking out a cone of brick if there are cavities inside the wall. If you try tighten the anchor then find it will just spin and may not be able to expand sufficiently to grip as the hole has been cracked and damaged. Very soft walls are always problematic and you may have to resort to a chemical (epoxy) based anchor.

Some of the cheaper makes of "Rawl" bolts can also come apart if you hammer them into a small hole. With the screwbolt it will spin as the threads cannot grip to pull a "fat" bolt into a small hole.

Ideally the anchor should be a tight sliding fit. Blowing out the hole with a straw can also help as it gets rid of the dust that causes the anchor to slip so you can tighten it up.

With a sleeve anchor you drill a M10 hole for a M10 a M12 for a M12 anchor etc

A M10 Rawl bolt takes a M10 bolt but the Shield part that expands is 16mm so you would drill a M16 hole.

With a screwbolt a M10 will require a M10 hole as the inside diameter is M10. The outside diameter is M12 which includes the threads.

**camouflage762** · 31-03-2009, 08:39

Originally Posted by malcolmw

Hi

The same size as the shaft or core diameter.

If you try one size smaller in most cases the anchor will be to big to slide into the hole.

Once you start to hammer or force it into the masonry you run the risk of damaging the anchor or knocking out a cone of brick if there are cavities inside the wall. If you try tighten the anchor then find it will just spin and may not be able to expand sufficiently to grip as the hole has been cracked and damaged. Very soft walls are always problematic and you may have to resort to a chemical (epoxy) based anchor.

Some of the cheaper makes of "Rawl" bolts can also come apart if you hammer them into a small hole. With the screwbolt it will spin as the threads cannot grip to pull a "fat" bolt into a small hole.

Ideally the anchor should be a tight sliding fit. Blowing out the hole with a straw can also help as it gets rid of the dust that causes the anchor to slip so you can tighten it up.

With a sleeve anchor you drill a M10 hole for a M10 a M12 for a M12 anchor etc

A M10 Rawl bolt takes a M10 bolt but the Shield part that expands is 16mm so you would drill a M16 hole.

With a screwbolt a M10 will require a M10 hole as the inside diameter is M10. The outside diameter is M12 which includes the threads.

Thanks hpy180

**RyanD** · 31-03-2009, 19:00

When you drill hold a vacume cleaner hose at the point where the bitt is engaging the masonry, no dust in your safe! It will also clear the resedue out of the hole prior to sending in the screw bolts.

**Gidsie** · 04-04-2009, 01:49

Chemical Bolts is a serious way to go especially if you have some concrete behind it, otherwise the brick will give way, because the anchor wont!!
Chemicals bond with the Concrete strengtening the hold
Step 1 drill hole, Step 2 vacuum very well, Step 3 insert glass tube with chemicals in it, Step 4 Attach supplied Rod into your drill, insert into testtube and slowly drill until into glass until rod deep into glass tube.

Leave it the required time and then screw the bolt on.

You will not easily find a better anchor anywhere..

Sold at any decent Hardware store or at a specialist store, eg Hilti

I have used these anchors to put up Signs onto buildings in very Windy Cities Eg Port Elizabeth...