Hold-Down Bolts Prepped Right
Epoxy connections require clean attachments; here's how to ensure every hole is perfectly prepped.
I recently added earthquake tie-downs in an occupied basement. For the epoxy connections to work, every hole must be perfectly clean. Blowing the dust from the holes is a messy process, so I made a dust-capture device.
I took a 2-in. PVC tee and added a ¾-in. reducer bushing on one end. The tee attaches to my shop-vac hose and is placed over the hole. Into the ¾-in. fitting I inserted a ½-in.-dia. piece of PEX tubing attached to my cordless Makita blower. I used a handheld blower instead of a compressor so there would be no chance of oil being forced into the hole. With the shop-vac running, I blew the hole out and captured the dust with the shop-vac.
I did the same with the scrubber, alternating between scrubbing and blowing until the hole was squeaky clean. For about $3, this system works great.
— Scott Gillespie, Richmond, Calif.
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #273
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View Comments
Kudos for the fine drawings.
The price is right too when compared to Hilti bits that attach to shop vacs.
Slick!
Agreed, nice solution. And nice to see someone dedicated to doing the job right.
FWIW, Bosch has a "Speed-Clean" bit that sucks the dust through its center and out the side through a vac sized rubbery attachment.
https://www.fastoolnow.com/hcd2084.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=hcd2084&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv8nqBRDGARIsAHfR9wDcEYh27kk1EfG1I-LI8XyEcm3H9lQanmJ0Zj3EqRn2lcyKx8U_OLoaAkKwEALw_wcB
You HAVE to use a vac, but it's clear Bosch rethought bit design, rather than coming up with a MickeyMouse attachment because OSHA said they had to. The Speed-Clean is spendy- $60 for a 1/2x13, but it is slick.
Very Nice.