DeWALT Hangermate Fastener Tools Make Installing Threaded Rod Easy

A guide to DeWALT anchors and tools for threaded rod

Trades like fire protection, plumbing, electrical, telecommunication, and HVAC rely on all-thread rods to hang pipe, cable trays, conduit, ducting, and more. Whatever the application, the weight of the load is transferred to the building structure. In practical terms, that means the hanger assembly must be anchored to concrete slabs or wooden or steel beams.

There are many options when it comes to hanging mechanical, electrical, or plumbing equipment. You can choose from beam clamps, flanges, or rod anchors. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Beam clamps certainly have their pluses; they attach to beams mechanically—no need to drill or weld. But there are two downsides. First, beam clamps only work on metal beams—they’re no good for wood or concrete. Second, they
sacrifice convenience for strength, requiring you to use more hardware.

Flange-style anchors can be strong, and they’re versatile, working on wood, concrete, or metal members. However, they can require extra drilling and screwing.

That’s why it’s hard to beat fasteners (also known as thread rod anchors) like DeWALT HangerMate+ anchors for the right mix of strength, ease of installation, and versatility. DeWALT’s HangerMate+ fastener tools:

Handle tough loads—more than 1,000 lbs. of tension
Are easy to install—they just screw the anchor into the member
Can be driven into wood, metal, or concrete, depending on the anchor
Are installed with a drill and socket driver
Come with horizontal or vertical installation options

This article explores the different types of installations available for HangerMate+ anchors, lists the tools you need to install them, and explains how they are installed. We’ll also outline the strength of each type of anchor.

Browse our selection of threaded anchors from DeWALT as well as Sammy. QRFS also stocks, packages, and ships thousands of other sprinkler system and fire protection products. Explore our extensive inventory of pipe installation items, including our selection of pipe hanger swivel rings, fastener tools, and riser clamps for your next project.

All thread rod and anchors — As needed, DeWALT HangerMate+ rod anchors let you hang pipes or other equipment vertically or horizontally from members. Image source: DeWALT

Horizontal or vertical installation of DeWALT HangerMate+ anchors

Sometimes, you need to hang pipe directly below a structural member—the way you might with a flange. And in other instances, you might need to hang off to the side of a member—as you would with a beam clamp.

DeWALT HangerMate+ anchors give you the option of doing both.

DeWALT manufactures anchors tapped to accept rods vertically (parallel to the shaft of the anchor bolt), horizontally (perpendicular to the shaft of the anchor bolt), or both.

DeWALT suspender fastener — This DeWALT Suspender concrete fastener has holes on both the end and through the middle of the base, allowing it to anchor vertically and horizontally.

All anchors designed for a particular material—concrete, wood, or metal—can be installed with one piece of equipment. You can put in a horizontal concrete anchor and a vertical concrete anchor with the same socket driver tool.

Sometimes, you need to hang a pipe from angled beams, slabs, or wood joists. For these situations, DeWALT also manufactures pivot anchors. Placed at whatever angle is needed, the heads of these anchors swivel so the rod hangs
downwards. These pivot anchors require separate socket tools. Contact us to custom-order pivot anchors and tools.

How to install DeWALT HangerMate+ anchors

DeWALT threaded rod anchors help hang pipe (or anything else) to concrete, wood, or steel members. As the situation requires, you can install rods vertically or horizontally.

Here’s how to install each anchor material type, including:

The tools needed
Whether or not you should pre-drill
The steps to follow for installation
The ultimate loads held by these anchors

For this section, we’ll focus on anchors for 3/8” threaded rod.

Installing DeWALT HangerMate+ anchors in wood

To install HangerMate+ anchors in wood, you need the following tools:

Impact driver or drill
Drill bit for pre-drilling
DeWALT HangerMate+ Socket for Wood Fasteners
DeWALT HangerMate+ Wood Suspender Hanger for 3/8″ Rod (vertical or horizontal)
DeWALT HangerMate+ Wood Horizontal Hanger for 3/8″ Rod
DeWALT HangerMate+ Wood Vertical Hanger for 3/8″ Rod

You may or may not need to pre-drill when installing rod anchors in wood. According to DeWALT, it depends on the type of wood. If the material used for the joist is prone to splitting, a pilot hole is required. But when in doubt,
pre-drilling usually can’t hurt. Once you’ve drilled a pilot hole, installing rod anchors in wood is easy—simply use the socket to drive in the anchor.

How strong are these anchors in wood? That depends on the type of wood joist used. In Douglas fir, pine, or spruce, DeWALT anchors for 3/8” rod have ultimate loads (not the same as allowable loads) of 2,670 lbs. for vertical hangers or 1,450 lbs. for horizontal hangers. Always consult official documentation when performing load calculations and apply safety factors as required.

Installing DeWALT HangerMate+ anchors in concrete

To install HangerMate+ anchors in concrete, you need the following tools:

Impact driver
1/4″ ANSI carbide drill bit (for 5/16” diameter anchors)
DeWALT HangerMate+ Socket for Concrete Fasteners
DeWALT HangerMate+ Concrete Suspender Hanger for 3/8″ Rod (vertical or horizontal)

The impact driver with a clutch and a 1/4” ANSI carbide drill bit are crucial. That’s because installing rod anchors in concrete absolutely requires pre-drilling. So first, pre-drill a hole with the carbide bit, then drive the anchor
into the hole using the socket.

As with wood, the strength of an anchor in concrete depends on the specific concrete. In normal-weight concrete with a compressive strength of 2,000 PSI, the ultimate tensile load is 1,760 lbs. Again, always consult official documentation when performing load calculations and apply safety factors as required.

Installing DeWALT HangerMate+ anchors in steel

To install HangerMate+ anchors in concrete, you need the following tools:

Anchors installed in steel beams don’t require pre-drilling—simply drive the appropriate metal anchor directly into the steel beam. However, steel anchors are different from wood and concrete versions because they drill into steel
I-beams, which are often thinner than wood or concrete members. For this reason, you’ll need to install a retaining nut (provided with the steel anchors) after screwing into the beam.

As with wood and concrete, the allowable load on one anchor installed in a metal beam depends on the beam. For example, in a 12-gauge steel beam, a DeWALT anchor has an ultimate load of 4,280 lbs. vertically and 2,570 lbs. from the side. Always consult official documentation when performing load calculations and apply safety factors as required.

Threaded rod anchors simplify pipe-hanging

For hanging pipes, HVAC ducting, electrical equipment, and more, threaded rod hangers are a go-to solution. Flanges and beam clamps can also be used well, but it’s hard to beat the convenience of threaded rod anchors like DeWALT’s HangerMate+ line.

Wherever you need to anchor a threaded rod, simply drive a HangerMate+ anchor directly into the beam (after pre-drilling, as necessary) with a drill and the appropriate driver tool. Then, screw the threaded rod into place and attach a hanger, like a swivel ring. HangerMate+ anchors are available for horizontal installation, vertical installation, or both. And remember, there are even special anchors for use at custom angles.

Also be sure to check out QRFS’s full selection of pipe hanging equipment, including riser clamps, top beam clamps, hangers, and threaded rod anchors and tools—or review some of our anchors and tools below: