Red Head 3/8 in Hex-Nut Concrete Wedge Anchor Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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- Concrete
- Heavy loads
- Structural
Red Head's 3/8 in wedge anchor is the go-to structural fastener for solid poured concrete: drill, hammer it in, and tighten the nut so the sleeve expands to lock. Code-listed, it gives the highest holding strength here for posts and ledgers. But it's permanent once expanded, works only in solid concrete not brick or block, and needs a hammer drill.
Pros
- Highest holding strength here for solid concrete, code-listed for structural use
- Simple install, drill, hammer in, tighten the nut and the sleeve expands to lock
- Zinc-plated steel stud handles high shear as well as tension loads
Cons
- Permanent, once expanded it cannot be backed out and reused
- Only for solid concrete, it will crack or fail to hold in brick, block, or mortar
- Requires a hammer drill and correct embedment depth and edge spacing to reach rated capacity
Specifications
| Base material | Solid poured concrete only |
|---|---|
| Load rating | Thousands of lb in strong concrete (code-listed, derate per spacing) |
| Anchor type | Expansion wedge anchor |
| Drill bit | 3/8 in |
| Screw | Integral stud with hex nut and washer |
| Best use | Structural supports, posts, machinery, ledger boards in concrete |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a wedge anchor be reused?
- No. Once the sleeve expands it cannot be backed out and reused — the installation is permanent. Position it correctly the first time.
- What base material does a wedge anchor need?
- Solid poured concrete only. In brick, block or mortar it will crack the material or fail to hold, because the expansion force has nothing solid to react against.
- What determines whether it reaches its rated capacity?
- Correct embedment depth and edge spacing, drilled with a hammer drill. Published capacities assume both; anchoring too close to an edge or too shallow drops holding power sharply and the failure is sudden.