Anchors/3/8" Drop-In Anchor

Drop-In Anchor

3/8" Drop-In Anchor

Quick Answer

A 3/8" Drop-In Anchor needs a 1/2" pilot hole, drilled to 1-1/4" minimum, with 1-9/16" minimum embedment, torqued to Set with setting tool; 10 ft-lbs max on the bolt.

Pilot Hole

1/2"

Embedment

1-9/16" minimum (sits flush with surface)

Torque

Set with setting tool; 10 ft-lbs max on the bolt

Safe Load

390 lbs

Where to Buy

Top pick

BCP1000 Premium Knurled Drop-In Anchors, 3/8" (Multiple Packs)

3/8" · 2 to 14-pack · knurled carbon steel

★ 4.7 (596)

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Budget pick

Wensilon Knurled Drop-In Anchor Assortment (Multiple Sizes)

Multiple sizes · 20 or 100-pack · zinc knurled

★ 4.2 (240)

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Required tool

Drop-In Anchor Setting Tool (Multiple Thread Sizes)

1/4"-20 to 5/8"-11 · zinc-plated carbon steel

★ 4.7 (64)

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, BuildToolHQ earns from qualifying purchases. Specifications are for guidance only — always verify against the anchor manufacturer's ICC-ES ESR report and local building codes.

Full Specification

Type

Drop-In Anchor

Diameter

3/8"

Available Lengths

1" shell

Pilot Hole Diameter

1/2"

Pilot Hole Depth

1-1/4" minimum

Embedment Depth

1-9/16" minimum (sits flush with surface)

Recommended Torque

Set with setting tool; 10 ft-lbs max on the bolt

Compatible Substrates

Solid concrete only

Load Rating

390 lbs tension safe working load — Ultimate: 1,560 lbs tension — Ultimate values in 2000 PSI concrete (Confast). Allowable calculated at the industry-standard 4:1 safety factor. — Confast publishes no shear value for drop-in anchors.

Material

Zinc-plated steel, Stainless steel

Removable

No — permanent installation

Best For

✓Suspended ceilings
✓Overhead mechanical
✓All-thread rod installations
✓Pre-set anchor positions

Not For

✗Hollow block
✗Brick
✗Overhead without engineer review
✗Field conditions (requires shop setting)

How a Drop-In Anchor Grips

A drop-in anchor is an internally threaded steel body that expands when a setting tool drives its internal plug outward against the hole wall. It cannot grip without being set: dropping it in the hole and threading a bolt in is not an installation, which is why the setting tool is a requirement, not an accessory.

Installation Tips

1.Requires a special setting tool — the anchor is useless without it

2.Drill a 1/2" hole for a 3/8" drop-in anchor (oversized hole is intentional)

3.Set the anchor flush with the surface before any fixture is installed

4.Commonly used with threaded rod for suspended systems

5.Never use overhead without a qualified engineer specifying the installation

Frequently Asked Questions

What size drill bit does a 3/8" Drop-In Anchor need?

Use a 1/2" carbide masonry bit, drilled to 1-1/4" minimum.

How much weight can a 3/8" Drop-In Anchor hold?

390 lbs tension safe working load. Actual capacity depends on base material strength and embedment — verify against the manufacturer's ICC-ES ESR data for structural work.