TEK® Self-Drilling

All Points Fasteners carries an extensive selection of TEK® type screws. These screws are self-tapping and self-drilling, which means they feature a drill tip with a small carving piece so that there is no need for pre-drilling. They are commonly used as HVAC ductwork, solar panels, electrical, and also metal roofing screws for metal-to-metal applications. Tek® screws have changed the standards for the value of screws. They look so ordinary, yet they are so handy to have on the job site. 

The term TEK Screw has become a proprietary eponym. That’s when a brand name becomes the generic term for a product. Other proprietary eponyms you’re probably familiar with are Kleenex, Clorox, and Xerox.

TEK® screws are available in a variety of shank lengths and diameters. Diameter is indicated by a numeric size that runs from #6 to #14, with #6 being the thinnest and #14 being the thickest. The #8 and #10 TEK® screws are the most commonly used.

Tip size is designated with a value of 1 through 5, which indicates the thickness of the sheet metal that the screw can penetrate — 1 represents the thinnest metal and 5 the thickest. The most common TEK® screw tip is TEK® 3. TEK® 4 and 5 screws are very popular for any projects using thicker metals.

TEK® 1 screws are designed for roofing applications with metal-to-wood connections. These screws include a very tiny drill bit, which means they make a hole with a diameter that is significantly smaller than that of the external threads on the rest of the screw. With the smaller hole, the threads can bite into the material for a secure hold.

TEK® screws are also distinguished by head type. There are two common types of TEK® screw heads:

• Hex washer head: Features a built-in washer to better distribute weights and loads over a wide area. This style is ideal for roofing projects and other heavy-duty applications.
• Modified truss: Features an oversize dome head and a flange to create a larger area under the head for greater bearing surface.

Other than that, all other styles of heads on self-drilling screws generally have a Phillips drive, which helps in driving the screw in straight. The square drive is becoming more and more desired, as the bit is less likely to slip while driving. Phillips pan-head TEK® screws are ideal for light-duty applications.

Another common type of screw is the flathead screw, which is used when you need a flush surface. Reamer TEK® screws — self-drilling screws with wings — are the ultimate wood to metal screws.

We are often asked for stainless steel self-drilling screws. They are available, but the tips are not the best for drilling into stainless steel. For stainless steel applications, we suggest bi-metal TEK® screws, where the body of the screw is stainless steel, and the tip is made of carbon steel, which allows the screw to drill into the stainless steel with ease.

In the case of hex head TEK® screws, check out our video to help you understand how to determine the size of screws based on the size of the hex head, plus other additional information.

You should also check out our self-drilling TEK® screw spec charts below for more information that will help you determine the best screw for your next project.

The values listed above are averages achieved under laboratory conditions and imply no warranty. Appropriate safety factors should be applied to these values for design purposes.

A minimum of 3 factors of safety should be used. Allow at least three full threads to extend beyond material.

The distance from the center of a screw to the end or edge of a metal member shall not be less than three times the screw diameter.

Steel members shall conform to section 2230, A3 of the code. 25ga, 20ga, 18ga-Astm A 653 Grade 33 S.Q. with a minimum of 33,000 psi yield strength. 16ga, 14ga, 12ga-Astm A 653 Grade 50 S.Q. with a minimum of 50,000 psi yield strength.

If you’re new to using TEK® screws, you likely have some questions.

What Is a TEK® Screw?

TEK® type screws are a popular screw type with drill-bit ends that enable them to self-drill. Their innovative tip design allows users to perform drilling applications without creating a pilot hole before fastening.

What Are TEK® Type Screws Good for?

TEK® screws are useful for drilling a wide range of materials like metal sheets, aluminum, stainless steel, wood and timber. They are widely used across electrical, insulation, roofing, construction, cladding and HVAC applications.

Do You Need a Drill for TEK® Type Screws?

The biggest benefit of TEK® type screws is that you don’t need to drill pilot holes before using them. Many contractors use impact drills for convenience and speed, however, this is NOT recommended by screw manufacturers as the screws were not designed to withhold the force of impact drills.  If you don’t use a drill, be sure to drive them into your materials as slowly as possible for proper alignment.

Tek® screws — also called self-tapping fasteners or self-drilling screws — are screws that have a very small carving at the end of their tip, called a drill bit. The drill bit tip creates a small hole by tapping before driving it in. These screws are very popular since they offer so many benefits, such as:

• Time savings: Tek® self-tapping screws cut back on the number of steps necessary to complete projects.
• Durability: These screws are designed to withstand extreme conditions and all types of use.
• Corrosion resistance: TEK® screws are made from corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel.
• Easy cleanup: There will be no shavings from pre-drilling, leaving you with less to clean up.
• Versatile: With their wide range of types and sizes, these screws can serve well in almost any project.
• No pilot hole drilling: The drill bit provides a starting point for the screw to drill into, eliminating the need to pre-drill or wait for the thread to catch.
• No corrosion: Tek® screws are made from stainless steel and other materials that won’t corrode.
• Consistent performance: You can expect the same high performance every time.

Tek® screws are meant for metal-to-metal applications only, except for the ReamerTek® screw, which is designed exclusively for applications that are wood to metal.

You can use a drill or an electric screwdriver to driver TEK® screws. For extra assurance that the screw will go in straight, you can create a pilot hole. When you create a pilot hole, make sure that the hole is a little smaller than the TEK® screw. If the hole is the same size or larger, the screw’s grooves will not catch and provide secure fastening.

One of the benefits of self-drilling TEK® screws is that you do not need to drill a pilot hole to use them, so many people choose not to. If you do not use a pilot hole, drive the TEK® screw in slowly to ensure it goes in straight. Once it is in, tighten it firmly but without using excess force. Overtightening can cause head stripping, which makes it difficult to remove the screw in the future.

Regardless of whether you use a pilot hole, you want to make sure that the metal thickness of the piece you are drilling into is thinner than the length of the drill point on your screw. The screw will snap if its threads make contact with the metal’s surface before the tip has bored through, as this will result in the tip and the head of the screw moving at different speeds and generate stress in the middle.

All Points Fasteners’ Best Self-Drilling (Type of TEK® Screw)

Self-drilling TEK® screws can be used for any job that would benefit from the screw’s many capabilities. Contractors use TEK® screws for screwing metal to metal and sometimes wood to metal. They are common in the electrical industry, and they can be used for work with steel studs and other thin metal applications.

Depending on the thickness of the material you are drilling into, you have several drill points available. They range from 1 to 5, the shortest being a TEK® 1 and the longest being a 5, sometimes referred to as a “beam buster.” The longer the screw, the thicker the material that the screw can pierce.

TEK® 2 through 5 are used for metal-to-metal applications, so you can easily use TEK® screws for steel, aluminum, copper, and more. Sheet metal TEK® screws are also ideal for fastening sheet metal without the need to pre-drill.

TEK® screws allow the user to fasten two pieces of material together without pre-drilling. Their self-drilling nature allows work to be completed faster, which makes them well-suited for jobs that require a high volume of fastening tasks.

Self-Drilling screws from All Points Fasteners give you the industry’s top options and stainless steel roofing screw types for your next job. Self-piercing, self-tapping polebarn roof screws are top sellers, though All Points Fasteners also offers screws used for commercial heating and air, carports, barns, and pipe corral applications.

You can choose from a variety of roofing screw sizes and types:

•    Shank sizes for our 1/4” hex drive screws are #6 and #8.
•    The 5/16” sized screw offers shanks in numbers #10 and #12.
•     And 3/8” hex drive screws only come in the #14 screw shank size.

We provide head painting for all of our metal roofing screws. Many options also can come with bonded sealing washers of varying sizes to deliver a weather-tight seal when working with metal roofing, gutters, solar panels or other applications exposed to the outdoors.

The longest drill point available is the TEK® 5, or the “Beam buster” screw that’s designed for exceptional ease when fastening two materials together without predrilling. Beam busters are fully threaded, Zinc plated and some of the strongest roofing screw types around. We stock 1-1/4”, 1-1/2” and 2” models in cases of 2,000.

Because they are ideal for securing thick pieces of metal together, Beam busters are typically best suited to applications such as:

• Barn and carport construction.
• HVAC system installation.
• Metal roof installation and repair.
• Solar panel installation.

Many contractors depend on TEK® screws’ strength for reliable connections. Because TEK® screws drill their own hole, they produce the ideal hole size. This single operation fastening results in better thread engagement, better alignment and a tighter fit.

TEK® screws are also made from high-quality, specially treated steel, and they are cold-forged to ensure uniformity of the screw dimensions and drill point contours. With their durable construction, you can rest assured that TEK® screws will provide the strength you need for your application.

Many of the TEK® screws we carry are also zinc-plated. This type of finish provides exceptional corrosion resistance as well as increased strength to withstand the most challenging fastening demands and environments.

All of the types of screws we offer are designed to meet industry specifications. All Points works directly with OEMs. We also work with global manufacturers for all of our custom, branded copper and stainless roof nails and metal roofing screws.

Metal TEK® roofing screws are crafted from cold-heading quality steel that complies with ASTM A548, Grade 1022. Each roofing screw-type offered meets or exceeds relevant testing standards, including ASTM C954-93, ICBO-AC118, and AISI-CF 92-1, plus are manufactured to SAE J78 for dimensional specifications.

Below you’ll find a large selection of TEK® roofing screw sizes and head options. If you’re looking for something a little different, we stock a full selection of other stainless steel roofing screws that could be of assistance. Many contractors are turning to self-tapping roof screws for new materials, and you can be sure of the quality when you work with us.

Self-tapping screws are able to cut their own threads into materials and, unlike bolts, won’t need a matching female thread counterpart, such as a nut.

If you’re looking for a bit more information for this job or the next, All Points offers one of the best TEK® screw primers around, so you can avoid customer service problems. In just a few minutes you’ll master the art of the self-tapping self-drilling screw. Take a peek at the video guide (below) from Professor Screwart at All Points Fasteners University.

We ship fasteners throughout the United States. Some of the top states we ship products to include: California, Florida, Illinois, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

Contact All Points Fasteners to place your order now that you’ve learned all you’ll need to find the right stainless steel roofing screw. Be sure to ask our live service representative about free samples, free quotes and the best customer service around.