Learn From Our Self-Drilling Primer

Self-Drilling (Tek Screw) Primer – It’s All About Education

Sharing our knowledge of commercial fasteners such as self-drilling screws, also known as Tek screws, with contractors is important to us.

Based on years of experience having to match screw requirements with nothing more than descriptive word phrases, we knew the primer teaching contractors how distributors call out fastener specs would be beneficial and probably save not only time but money when ordering screws.

And we know that the more information we arm contractors with on the screws they could be using to improve their business, the more we will be contributing to their success.

Self-Drilling Tech Data

What Are Self-Drilling Screws?

Self-drilling screws – also known as Tek^® screws, self-tapping screws, pro points, drill screws and more – are manufactured with a drill bit tip instead of a point so that they can drill into heavier gauge metals without pre-drilling. In turn,  self-drilling screws save contractors money on the time they need to complete projects.  These screws are also self-tapping, which means that they tap their own threads as they enter a material. This unique feature makes them ideal for  HVAC, metal roofing, carports, barns and more.

Tek^® Self-Drilling Screw Measurements

Each self-drilling screw has a designated wire diameter, otherwise known as a shank. Shank sizes increase in width as they ascend, but if you can’t tell the shank size of a screw, try narrowing it down based on the size of the hex head. To determine the shank size of a hex-headed screw, measure along the flat of the hex head:

• 1/4″ hex drive (#6 or #8 screw shank)
• 5/16″ hex drive (#10 or #12 screw shank)
• 3/8″ hex drive (#14 screw shank)

Self-Drilling Tek^® Screw Sizes

The most common Tek^® screw (self-drilling screws) diameters are #6 to #14, with the highest number being the largest diameter. You can use self-drilling Tek^® screws for numerous applications, including fastening metal to metal and metal to wood.

Self-drilling Tek screws also have drill point classifications of one to five. The longer the drill bit, the thicker the material it can handle, with the number five drill bit as the longest. A #5 drill bit is a 1/2″ thick and can drill through up to 1/2″ steel.  Drill bit sizes two through five work well for metal applications.

Self-drilling Tek^® screws are powerful enough to fasten sheet metal without pre-drilling. These four drill points work with metals, including but not limited to aluminum, stainless and steel. Overall, self-drilling Tek screws give businesses an advantage over the competition by eliminating time spent on pre-drilling.