Which anchors should I use for temporary fixing?

Most anchors cannot be removed once installed. However, it may sometimes be desirable to use an anchor in temporary applications which, once their function is over, can be dismantled without the need to cut the anchor or undertake any other laborious or awkward tasks.

We can consider the following anchors to be temporary anchors:

• Concrete screw. Also know as a direct fixing screw.

  This anchor is screwed directly into a pre-drilled hole in the concrete. During installation, the fixing is screwed directly into the pre-drilled hole which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the screw, so that the screw is tapping and anchoring its own thread in the concrete.

  Once the work or the intended temporary use has been completed, the anchor can be easily unscrewed and completely dismantled. At the location where the anchor was installed, only the initial drill hole for the screw thread remains.

  If a new fixing is required after the anchor has been removed, it is advisable to drill a new hole and use a new anchor.

• Female anchor.

  This anchor is inserted into the hole drilled in the concrete at the specified diameter. It is then expanded by means of a tool (EXHBM); when a cone located inside the anchor is hit it causes the anchor to be fixed in the concrete.

  Once installed, a screw is screwed in, which fixes the plate to the base material. In this case, once the temporary application has been completed, the screw is unscrewed, leaving the female anchor installed flush with the concrete.

  If the anchor is to be reused at a later date, it is advisable to protect the thread to avoid damage.

• • Chemical anchor with MO-TR.

  In this case, a chemical anchor with an internally threaded metal sleeve would be used. This fixing is carried out by drilling a hole in the concrete, cleaning the hole, applying mortar and inserting the threaded metal sleeve into the hole during the mortar working time.

  In this type of fixing, the threaded sleeve would remain embedded in the concrete, flush with its surface. The fixing would be done by means of a screw that would join together the plate to be fixed and the base material.

  Once the temporary fixing is no longer required, the screw is unscrewed and the threaded sleeve remains embedded in the concrete.

  If the fixing is to be reused at a later date, it is advisable to protect the thread to avoid damage.

• Mechanical anchor type MT male.

  For male type anchors that are intended to be dismantled, the hole drilled into the concrete during installation can be deeper than indicated in the technical documentation. After use, the nut and washer can be removed and the head of the anchor can be tapped with a hammer until it is fully inserted into the hole, making use of the excess depth.