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Lag shields – which end goes in first?

cherron | Posted in Construction Techniques on August 12, 2002 02:24am

I’ve gotten several different opinions on this, and I’d like one from an expert who really knows – if there is one.

Do you insert a lag shield into a hole hinged-end-first or split-end-first?

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  1. Gabe | Aug 12, 2002 02:35am | #1

    There must be a full moon out there somewhere?

    Which end of the screw goes first?

    Think about it buddy..........you can't be that naive.

    Gabe

    1. cherron | Aug 12, 2002 02:46am | #2

      I guess I am pretty naive, sorry.

      I'm not talking about a lag screw, though, I'm talking about a lag shield.

      1. Piffin | Aug 12, 2002 03:00am | #3

        Like he said, think about it.

        Maybe we're talking different products here but the lea lag shields in my truck have only got one way you can use them. The other end has no hole for the screw to start in and the end with the hole also has a little collar to stop it from falling in too deep.

        I think Gabe's comment was a sarcastic way of pointing out that it is as obvious as figuring out which end of the screw to use.

        The thing that has me absolutely amazed is that you can get confusing advice about it both ways!Excellence is its own reward!

        1. cherron | Aug 12, 2002 03:07am | #4

          The lag shields I've seen, from 3 different manufacturers, have holes in BOTH ends, and you can insert the screw from either end. If you insert the screw from the hinged end, the shield expands slowly as you turn the screw. If you insert the screw from the split end, the shield expands immediately.

          1. Gabe | Aug 12, 2002 03:12am | #5

            Now why would that be?

            Keep thinking.....

            Gabe

          2. Gabe | Aug 12, 2002 03:20am | #6

            Here's a tip.

            Look at the end product of both experiments and tell us which shape would hold better/deeper?

            Gabe

          3. MisterT | Aug 12, 2002 04:05am | #7

            Further proof of the axiom:

            If you make something Idiot-proof , they will just make better idiots!

            TDo not try this at home!

            I am a trained professional!

          4. User avater
            jonblakemore | Aug 12, 2002 06:02am | #8

            Chris,

            You want to distribute the load over the greatest possible area.  The rapid expansion option would give you a very small point load, the other (theoretically) creates an equal pressure over the length of the shield.  With option one, there would be no need for shields of different length as tey would all just make contact at the front edge of the hole.

            Jon Blakemore

          5. cherron | Aug 12, 2002 08:23am | #9

            Thanks for the message. It squares with what I found at

            http://www.simpsonanchors.com/catalog/mechanical/lses-main.htm

            and it makes sense too.

          6. Gabe | Aug 12, 2002 02:24pm | #10

            Isn't logic a wonderful tool......if you take the time to use it properly?

            Gabe

          7. Edgar76b | Aug 12, 2002 05:25pm | #11

            If you Try to put it in backwards into brick or block. I am afraid, It Might expand too rapidly, to close to the edge of the hole, and breakout the block."I was born in the country, razed in the city, I'm a natural born shaker from my hips to the ground" 

          8. Piffin | Aug 13, 2002 04:30am | #12

            After your reply last night, I had to take another look at all my lead shields today. They don't have a hole in the back side, onlyt a bit of a slot. The hole is in the end where the screw goes. I can't imagine why anyone would even need to ask. Are you sure you aren't pulling our legs?Excellence is its own reward!

          9. cherron | Aug 13, 2002 05:32am | #13

            No, unfortunately, I wasn't kidding. All my lag shields will accept screws from either direction.

            I got one opinion from a guy who's been in the business 40 years - he advised me to put the hinge end in first. He also told me to drill the hole deeper than the length of the shield and to insert the shield as far into the hole as I could get it. Perhaps he's thinking that the expanded shield would act like the barb on a fishhook.

            And all my lag shields are made out of a zinc alloy, not lead. If you're on the east coast, that might explain the differences in what we have.

          10. Piffin | Aug 13, 2002 06:24am | #14

            Sorry if I came off wrong on you, Chris. I really couldn't believe the confusion.

            That old cracker doubled down on his bad idea and came out OK. Since he was using them backasswards, it was nessecary to plant them deeper to get them to work.

            Hang around! I learn something new here every day.Excellence is its own reward!

          11. cherron | Aug 13, 2002 04:26pm | #15

            No problemo - thanks for the info too

          12. MisterT | Aug 14, 2002 12:19am | #16

            Piffin,

            I have a boot full of piss that I need to pour out, but the instructions are written on the Heel.

            Whaddooeyedoonow?

            TDo not try this at home!

            I am a trained professional!

          13. Piffin | Aug 14, 2002 02:28am | #17

            If you were blonde you'd be pregnant!

            ;)Excellence is its own reward!

          14. Joe1225d | Aug 14, 2002 04:33am | #18

            These guys are all pulling your leg. Insert lag bolt into oversized hole, melt lead or zinc in old plumbers ladle, pour molten material around bolt. Caution overhead applications are even worse than vertical.

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