Partition wall, concrete floor...

The project is to finish off a portion of the basement to provide a clean workarea for our tailoring biz. The exterior walls are finished, so now it's down to the partition walls. The floor is poured concrete, uneven, cracked, but I can work around that.

I've read that a good way to install a partition wall is to secure a 2x4 to the floor, frame out the wall minus the height of the base 2x4, then lift the framed wall up onto the base...something about being able to lever the wall upright and still let it be short enough to clear the floor joists above. That's fine, I got that.

My question is about securing the base 2x4 to the floor - or, if not that, the bottom of my wall. I've seen nailers that use a .22 charge to drive a nail into concrete, which sounds like fun. Since I don't have one of those or any real long-term reason to buy one, are there any other ideas?

Thanks!

Reply to
William Morris
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Case hardened nails will drive into the concrete, but I'd go with the powder actuated fasteners. There is a low-end driver for these things that's not nearly the cost of the guns (? Someting like $25 IIRC). It's basically a straight shaft where you load one fastener into one end & wham the other with a big hammer. Way cool; way easy; excellent results. And as you know, if you own a tool, you'll find reasons to use it.

Joe F.

Reply to
rb608

You can get a masonry bit and use it in a drill, or get a rotohammer that will go through the wood and concrete like butter. You can rent rotohammers, or you might decide to buy a combo drill and roto hammer. Since your not looking to do structural installations. You could get by with a 3/8 inch rotodrill, and use 1/2 inch anchors. If you have a lot of holes to drill, one every 24 inches or so. You might consider a corded drill. If not look into the cordless, 18 volt Dewalt. I have one. Bought it in a set for $400. Drill, light, trim skill saw and a sawzall. Works great for my projects. Good luck, make sure that you drill into the floor at least the same depth as the 2x4s. But you do not want to pierce the concrete completely, potential leaks... Level the floor first, or you will have a mess on your hands.

Reply to
SQLit

Rent the tool you need.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

One other idea. I have been successful with a little glue and a tight fit. It would depend on how that wall is going to be used if I would use that trick.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

According to William Morris :

Yeah, they are fun, but they are a trifle dangerous ;-)

If you want cheap and you don't have that much to do, concrete nails are the way to go. Wear eye and hearing protection and use a hand sledgehammer, or even a full size sledgehammer. Reasonably quick and dirt cheap, especially since the concrete floor isn't really "concrete", it's a mortar mix, and much easier to pound nails into than real poured concrete. But the bangs are _loud_ (just as loud as the .22 power drivers, if not more so).

Other approaches (eg: tapcons, drill&lag, Remington power drivers[*], hiltis etc) are really more for larger/more difficult jobs (poured concrete, fast installation, _lots_ of nails, higher strength requirements etc).

If you do go with a power driver, be _bloody_ careful and pay attention at all times. When used properly, they do the job quickly and well. But a moment's inattention or sloppy technique can put a ricochet thru _you_ or someone on another floor or thru a wall. Make sure you match the loads properly to the work you're doing.

[*] the afore-mentioned .22 power driver.
Reply to
Chris Lewis

I had to build a partition wall in my basement over 10 years ago. I acid etched the concrete, rinsed well then used a hig performance urethane construction adhesive. I have not had a single problem. I have a Remington stud gun which I probably didn't choose because this concrete had a tendency to spall.

Reply to
Curtis

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