Not Just Zip Screws and Tek Screws!

Having been in the fastener industry for contractors for over 25 years selling zip screws and tek screws, you would think there would be nothing new to learn.  Wrong!  Although we specialize in screws mainly used by the Heating and Air Conditioning and Gutter industries , more and more I am hearing from OEM'S or engineers who are desperately looking for screws that don't exist.  They needs head diameter's that are smaller so that they will fit in between narrow grooves, points that will penetrate hard plastic, then go through 30 gauge steel and then tap into stucco then into wood. And they are being used outdoors in the snow but should be rust proof but not as expensive as stainless steel.  And all in the same screw! It's a wonder I have a hair left on my head!

In years past, designer screws were a source of frustration for me because one of my contractors would pick up a screw that he really liked on a job site and then want me to locate a source for them.  After many hours, maybe days, of diligent searching, I would finally find out that someone like a major hotel chain had the screws made especially for them to install the cabinets in their hotels and getting the same screws with the same dimensions was never going to happen.

Well the good news is that some manufacturers have changed their willingness to do smaller orders so that the chance of having these 'designer screws' manufactured is much higher now than it was in the past.  Within recent months, we have been successful in procuring parts that in the past would have been impossible to supply.  Of course, there are still minimums to be met but
instead of having to order containers of screws in order to get the manufacturers interested, we can get away with a pallet or two.  Good news for some but still not low enough for others.

Still, there are many more options available to choose from than there were 20 years ago, starting with coatings to keep screws from rusting as quickly.  Take a look at our ceramic coated zip screws at http://www.allpointsfasteners.com/HWHCERAMICCOATEDZIPS available which with painted heads as well.  These parts work great in areas where weather conditions are moist.  We will soon be supplying needlepoint screws which are stainless steel as well as ceramic coated which will bring increased rust resistance.

The bottom line is that in this day and age there are many more options available than just your standard zip screws and tek screws.