Expert: Dan Griffin - 8/9/2009

Question
what do i use to tighten wood to blocks

Answer
Bryan, are you asking how to fasten wood to cement block?

The most simple answer is to use Tapcon screws, though they can be expensive if you are doing much of this.  You will need a hammer drill, a special drill bit, and a power driver for the screws.  An impact type battery drill or an impact grade electric screw gun make this sooooo much easier, but are very expensive if you don't have other uses for the equipment.

YOu can use masonry nails driven with a hammer or palm nailer, but this will only work in the webs and end webs of the block.  Look at any masonry block and you will understand, the nail has nothing to fasten to where the big holes are in the block.  YOu can drill an undersized hole in the wood and block and then drive the nail in to make this easier.

You can drill an oversized hole in the wood and block, insert a piece of solder or a strip of electricians wire with the insulation still on it and use deck or drywall screws with a screw gun.  This is probably the best combination of cost and effectiveness.

If you have something heavy and valuable the best thing possible would be epoxy sleeve anchors and threaded studs.  You can also use toggles in the block cells.  Something light will work well with plastic anchors and screws.  A good middle ground in this category is to use what Powers calls a Nail-In, these come in Zamac and plastic.

I assume this solves your problem.