How to Hammer Set Anchoring Wood to a Concrete Basement Floor

Mark the spot on the floor where the wood anchor will be located. Drill holes through the wood with a bit the diameter of the anchor sleeve. Reach through the holes with a marker pen and carefully note the location where the matching concrete holes will go.

Subtract the thickness of the wood from the length of the anchor sleeve. This is how deep the hole you drill in the concrete should be. Mark that length off on the drill bit, and note it with a piece of tape on the bit.

Put on eye protection and a breathing mask before drilling the concrete.

Drill a vertical hole into the concrete at the markings. Hold the drill steady so it does not chatter or move from side to side. If necessary, stop and remove the dust periodically. When you drill down to the tape on the bit, you know you have drilled the appropriate depth.

Line up the holes on the anchor wood with the holes in the concrete. Push the anchor sleeve down through the wood hole into the concrete hole. If necessary, put a piece of scrap wood on top of the anchor sleeve, and gently tap it down into the hole. When you finish, the top of the anchor sleeve should be even with the top of the anchor wood.

Set the anchor bolt into the sleeve, and tap it with the hammer to force it down into the sleeve. Continue to tap it until the bolt is forced all the way through the wood and into the concrete. This spreads the sleeve apart, holding both the concrete and wood together. The top of the bolt should be level with the top of the anchor wood when you are finished.