Thunderstuds

rocknice2 wrote:I wonder if you're using 10mm Hilti and 3/8 everything else? I bought some wedge studs once at a gear store liquidation and then realized they were 10mm instead of 3/8. Had a bitch of a time driving them home until I got the proper drill bit.

I was thinking the same thing... Quite awhile back I got some stainless wedges/hangers from FIXE and I'm pretty sure they were 10mm rather than 3/8. Had the same problems described by Sam...

newrivermike wrote: I'm also curious about why you're having trouble driving the Hilti bolt. We've been using these in 3/8 and 1/2 inch and for me, they're the easiest to drive and best wedge we've used. They go in easy and seat quickly and consistently which allows you to gauge how much thread is going to be sticking out of the nut. My opinion...use the Hilti bolt if you're choosing a 3/8 wedge. We've also been going through boxes of the Powers 3/8 wedge. I haven't had any trouble driving these but they do have a smaller surface area on the sleeve and I've found them to be a little inconsistent when seating. Sometimes they seat immediately but on rare occasion, I'll draw almost an inch of thread out of the hole before it seats.

Exactly my experience with both the Powers and the Hilti KBIII's. The Hilti's are by far my favorite stud bolt. Seat quickly and consistantly. Not that I mind the Fixe's or Raumers but I seem to acquire those in 10mm and the cost of a 10mm bit is a bit high. I'll drive them in softer rock with a new 3/8" bit sometimes, though.

I measure my bits for diameter on the tip and follow the ANSI recommendation for minimum size. I'm curious why you're having an issue with them too. You might try measuring the bit at the widest cutting point near the tip (ie, what creates the hole diameter).

I have placed hundreds of 3/8" KB2's, KB3's and KBZ's in hard, hard desert limestone.

I have never had a hard time hammering them in. They go in very easy and tighten up fast and secure. You either have 10mm bolts or a bad bit. (3/8" is 9.5mm....so a 10mm bolt is bad news with a 3/8" bit)

Wedge bolts aren't perfect, but neither are glue-ins or 5-pieces. KB-series stainless are as good (or better) than any other option. Everything is a compromise. Nothing is perfect.

Thunderstuds (like the fixe 10mm wedges) are just generic versions of the KB's. No redeeming qualities. I have 80 or so of the Fixe 10mm's that are just wasting away in my stash. I occasionally throw one in as rap bolt on the top of cliff to develop a line, but I'm not a fan of them for permanent pro. One thing is for sure, if you are having to really pound in a wedge bolt...you are damaging the clip "texture" (the bumps) if not the cone itself. This can seriously degrade its pullout strength.