Beginner’s Guide To Anchor Setting Tools: Price Of Anchor Setting Tools & Installation


Welcome to SetItFast's anchor setting tools guide for beginners. We're going to cover basic information such as how anchors work, what anchor setting tools do, prices for anchor setting tools, installation & removal procedures. This guide should serve as an introduction for people interested in learning about the way anchors work and securing them using anchor setting tools.

The basics: Anchors are installed in a wall for secure hanging. The anchor starts expanding and then "bites" into the wall when you place a screw into it. This creates the anchor point you can use for hanging securing items on the wall safely. To install the anchor on the wall you're going to need an anchor setting tool. If you don't have an anchor, the nail or screw you install is only going to spin around and eventually break out of the wall. This is why anchors are integral for all hanging purposes.

Drop-in anchors (sometimes called 'flush shells') are a special sub-type of anchors that can only be used on hard concrete. If you install anchors such as drop-in anchors, you won't be able to remove them easily. Drop-in anchors are the most popular anchors for securing a bolted object on any form of concrete and they're used in numerous commercial and residential installations.

Example: These anchors can be used to secure a light fixture or they can be used to secure an HVAC system. It's possible to use them at the ground-level or overhead. The upside is that you can change the bolt when you need to use these anchors because they have a threaded hole. Most anchors are made from stainless steel or zinc.

How To Know Which Anchor/Setting Tool You Need?

The answer: It's determined by size. The anchors themselves are rated by weight and size, so the item you're hanging/securing should determine the size of the anchor (and anchor setting tool) you need. Some products out there include hanging hardware which makes them easier to install, but if you're conducting a DYI installation you'll have to choose the adequate size.

The size can also impact the price (listed below). It's important to choose an anchor that will handle the weight of the item being secured. Fortunately, most anchors come in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4" - making it easy to select which one you need.

Average Price & Size Of Drop-In Anchors & Anchor Setting Tools

Drop-in anchors are the most in-demand anchors because they're the easiest to install and there are anchor setting tools that you can purchase to install them easier. The anchor setting tools are more expensive than the anchors themselves, but this is because they're a one-time investment and can be reused for different purposes. The following prices are what you can generally expect to pay for drop-in anchors and setting tools);

  • 1/4" Drop-In Anchors: $3/piece. If you're buying 20 in bulk, you can get them for $50 (cheapest variant).
  • 3/8" Drop-In Anchors: $4/piece. If you're buying 20 in bulk, you can get them for $60.
  • 1/2" Drop-In Anchors: $6/piece. If you're buying 20 in bulk, you can get them for $100.
  • 5/8" Drop-In Anchors: $7/piece. If you're buying 20 in bulk, you can get them for $130.
  • 3/4" Drop-In Anchors: $9/piece. If you're buying 20 in bulk, you can get them for $150 (most expensive variant).

Average Price Of Anchor Setting Tools

Naturally, anchor setting tools are more expensive than the anchors. Here's the average price you can expect to pay for a state of the art anchor setting tool:

  • 3/8" Anchor Setting Tool: $35-40/piece.
  • 3/8" Mini Anchor Setting Tool: $35/piece.
  • 1/2" Anchor Setting Tool: $35-40/piece.

Note: The price for different sized anchor setting tools is relatively similar.

Wedge Anchor Setting Tools

  • 1/4" Wedge Anchor Setting Tools: $35-40/piece.
  • 3/8" Wedge Anchor Setting Tools: $35-40/piece.
  • 1/2" Wedge Anchor Setting Tools: $40/piece.
  • 5/8" Wedge Anchor Setting Tools: $45-50/piece.
  • 3/4" Wedge Anchor Setting Tools: $50/piece.

How To Install Anchors Using Anchor Setting Tools

If you possess basic tools such as an anchor and an anchor setting tool of equal size, this installation is going to be straight-forward. We recommend practicing on different surfaces before you attempt this in your own home. First, you have to mark the exact hanging point (or multiple hanging points) where you intend to hang and item or install a product. Use a simple pencil to mark down the hanging points and make sure they align.

Take a nail set or a regular nail and hammer a hole into the wall where you intend to install the anchor. This hole is the "pilot hole" - make sure it's not wider than the anchor you're using. Then take the anchor using the anchor setting tool and place it over the hole until it goes all the way in. If you notice that the anchor has not gone all the way in, avoid smashing it in (it's likely you've hit a stud).

How To Remove Anchors From Walls

Removal of anchors is also a straightforward task but it depends on whether the anchors are male or female. Many times you need to remove an anchor in a commercial setting. For instance, warehouses tend to remove anchors often because the pallet racks are shifting locations. To remove anchors from walls, you're only going to need a basic tool like a screwdriver or a vise grip.

If you have a concrete anchor, it may be more difficult to remove the anchor without inflicting damage on the wall. Careful concrete anchor removal involves leaving some part of the anchor embedded in the surface while the above-surface part is cut off or pulled out. There are concrete patching tools you can apply over the remaining anchor to cover the hole and create a flush surface.