How to Use Self-Tapping Screws

Unlike standard screws, self-tapping ones are more than just a little easier to handle. They also make work on construction jobs a lot less messy.

These fasteners are designed to tap their own holes into softer materials like wood and soft plastics, and thinner sheet metals. They do this by either displacing or removing the material with their drill-bit-like tips.

What is a Self-Tapping Screw?

A self-tapping screw is a fastener that drills and taps its own thread into materials such as wood, plastic, or metal. Unlike traditional screws that require a pre-drilled pilot hole, self-tapping screws use their pointed tip to both create and tap the thread as they are driven in.

While they can be driven into materials without drilling a pilot hole first, it is a good idea to do so where necessary to ensure that the screw is correctly positioned in place and will enter the material smoothly z without restrictions. When drilling the pilot hole, it is important to select a size slightly smaller than the screw itself.

These screws are often used in municipal works such as constructing wooden structures and roofing solutions, as well as framing metal sheet work. They are also the preferred type of screw for drywall applications due to their drill-like tip which allows them to penetrate through the gypsum core into the wood or metal sheet underneath.

How to Use a Self-Tapping Screw

Using a self-tapping screw can make your job much easier. First, select the type of self-tapping screw that is best suited to your material. Then, mark where you will drill the hole - this will help with an accurate installation. It is also a good idea to use a pilot hole that is slightly smaller in diameter than the screw size.

These screws can come with either a blunt or a sharp tip, which helps them tap their own holes as they are driven into the materials. They don't require a pre-drilled pilot hole, but when working with softer woods or plastics it is always recommended.

When fastening to metal, a pilot hole is required as the screw may penetrate the soft materials and damage the metal substrate. When using a screw of this type, be sure to drive it slowly and steadily. Doing so will help prevent the screw from becoming stuck or stripped.

What Type of Self-Tapping Screw is Best for My Application?

Self tapping screws are available in many sizes and head types, with the most common being hex heads. Other styles include pan heads with an indented top surface and six flat sides built to handle rough installation, and countersunk or pancake styles that lay flush with the substrate. There are also specialist types of self tapping screw for use in plastics such as Polyfix screws with a more pronounced thread profile that increases resistance to pull out and stripping within low-density plastics.

With any type of self tapping screw, it is important to use a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the screw size. This ensures that the tip of the screw will be able to enter the drilled material and start cutting the required thread. This is important because if the threads aren’t properly cut, the fastener will either strip during installation or break under strain. Many methods exist for ensuring perpendicular holes, from improvised jigs to high-precision guidance tooling.