Self-Tapping Tek ScrewsMaryLouise Eckman

Self-Tapping Tek Screws

Self-tapping fasteners, such as zip screws or tek screws, drill their own little tunnels by cutting precise threads once they are screwed into timber, plastic or metal. It’s useful to use self-tapping fasteners for items that you need to grow routinely such as air-conditioning models or canopies where you need to disassemble and reassemble the thing along the same threads. It is easy to insert self-tapping screws with either a hand-held or electric screwdriver.

Before you use self-tapping fasteners, it’s helpful, although not compulsory, to drill a pilot hole through the material. This ensures the fastener will go in quickly and will be positioned correctly. Make sure to use a smaller drill bit in contrast to the self-tapping fastener by itself when drilling the pilot hole. Otherwise, if the hole is too large, the screw threads won’t have anything to connect to. Then position the fastener straight and screw it in place with a flat head or Phillips screwdriver (this depends on the fastener head). If the screw goes in crooked, it might cause the head to strip. Following, tighten the fastener right up until it no lengthier turns very easily. Be careful not to over-tighten the fastener simply because it could lead to the threads to strip.

Self-tapping screws include a sharp, piercing tip or a flat, blunt tip. The sharp-tipped fasteners are created for drilling their own gap into softer items similar to wood and plastic material so these folks don’t need a pilot hole. The benefit of the flat-tipped fastener is that it won’t get caught in the content and break off. When you’re drilling into tougher material similar to sheet metal you do drill a pilot hole in advance. For thicker steel, it may call for over one screw to drill in the surface. To save time and labor, you can use self-drilling self-tapping screws to drill into metallic. Although these fasteners are much more expensive, they’re capable of drilling and fastening in one step.

MaryLouise Eckman

Head Screw Lady Since 1986! Specializing in breaking down the language barrier between suppliers and end users. During her 35 years working in the fastener industry, MaryLouise has worked directly with end users, contractor’s, OEM’S and DIY, as well working within the import industry, working with fastener manufacturers and distributors. This has given her the unique perspective of having the technical knowledge needed to perform in the fastener world but also be familiar with the needs of end users who don’t necessarily know the fastener jargon or applications to know exactly what they need for their jobs.