Using a Self Tapping Screw with Sheet Metal
When looking for fasteners from a screw supplier, it’s best to consider your situation. What is the best way to put the involved materials together? For this, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re trying to achieve. Are you fastening pieces of light, medium, or heavy gage sheet metal together? Will you need an adhesive, rivet, or self-tapping screw? If you need the latter, is a self-drilling screw or self-piercing screw the best choice for your needs?
The application may need access after completion, or several layers of materials. If this is the case, a self-tapping screw may be your best option.
What is a Tapping Screw?
These types of screws fulfil different purposes, and their subtypes differ slightly. In a broad sense, tapping screws cut their own holes into the applied materials. This creates a secure fit between the mating threads, creating a very strong bond. A self-tapping screw also allows reassembly of the bonded parts if necessary.
Any hardware or screw supplier should have plentiful stock of these fasteners. Screw Distributors provides high-quality fasteners of all types to our valued customers. You can browse these here.
Types of Tapping Screws
There are three basic types of tapping screws, with a wide variety of subtypes. Each fulfil specific purposes and have differing designs. Include the self-tapping screw, self-drilling screw, and self-piercing screw.
Self-Tapping Screw
The self-tapping screw cuts its own thread when driven into the mating material. This creates a small hole while entering the material, creating a tight frictional fit between the threads. The primary use for these screw types is within 1-2 layer thin gauge sheet metal applications.
This tight fit is useful for preventing the materials from loosening. This may come as a result of vibration, as well as wear and tear over time. The self-tapping screw also allows for the disassembly of the bonded parts if needed.
Self-Drilling Screw
A self-drilling screw bears similarity to self-tapping. The design includes a drill shaped point. This allows it to cut through thick and hard material without the need for a pilot hole.
A self-drilling screw is ideal for applications involving structural steel and wood.
Self-Piercing Screw
A self-piercing screw offers the ability to pierce metal at sharp angles at high speeds. Usually, this angle will be between 25 and 30 degrees.
Functionally, a self-piercing screw is much like a self-tapping. But, their extra-sharp points allow them to more easily pierce sheet metal.
Screw Distributors – Your Preferred Screw Supplier
Screw Distributors is an experienced provider of fasteners. To this end, we aim to allow customers to buy screws that suit their needs easily. We hold ourselves to a high standard in this endeavour through our high quality products and unmatched service.
