Tek Screws | Zip Screws - Self Drilling Screws

Self-Tapping vs. Self-Drilling vs. Self-Piercing

Helpful Info

Fastener FAQ

Self-Tapping

The ability of a screw to advance when turned, while creating its own thread versus, say, machine screws which require a pre-threaded nut or other female insert. Self-Tapping screws can cut their own threads as the screw is driven in to the material. They function by having a cutting edge which drills away the material, making a tiny hole for the screw to go into. This has nothing to do with the point of the screw but has everything to do with the threads which are designed to cut through the material.

Self-Drilling Screws

Similar to sheet metal screws, but they have a drill-shaped point to cut through sheet metal or steel which eliminates the need for drilling a pilot hole. These tek screws are designed for use in soft steel or other metals. The points are numbered from 1 through 5, the larger the number, the thicker metal it can go through without a pilot hole. A 5 point can drill a 0.5 in (13 mm) of steel, for example.

Self-Piercing Screws

Externally threaded fasteners with the ability to self-pierce light gauge metal and tap their own mating threads when driven. Self-Piercing zip screws are high strength fasteners with sharp angles of 25 to 30 degrees.

Self Piercing Screws are also commonly called:

• Zip Screws

• Needlepoint Screws

• Self Tapping Screws

• Pencil Point Screws

NOT Self-Tapping

..................Self-Tapping.....................

.....................................Self-Drilling..............................

....................................Self-Piercing.............................

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