Different Types of Tapping Screws Available Through Your Fastener Distributor

Tapping screws create mating threads as they are driven in, creating a tight fit. Your fastener distributor carries these hardened metal screws in various designs, including: Thread cutting designs Thread forming designs Thread swaging or rolling designs You’ll also find tapping screws in a wide range of heads and drives, with or without locking features. […]

Tapping screws create mating threads as they are driven in, creating a tight fit. Your fastener distributor carries these hardened metal screws in various designs, including:

• Thread cutting designs

• Thread forming designs

• Thread swaging or rolling designs

You’ll also find tapping screws in a wide range of heads and drives, with or without locking features.

Thread Forming Screws

This type of screw is often found in sheet metals, plastics and plywood that contain resins. Available with a gimlet, cone or blunt point, the wave of the thread allows a path to be formed through the material providing a secure fit. Thread forming screws with sharp points are often driven in faster than wood screws and come with threads along the entire length, a desirable design characteristic for many applications.

Thread Cutting Screws

In applications and materials where thread forming screws will not work, thread cutting screws can often do the trick. They usually have machine threads and blunt points. Those designed for use with plastics also have a chip cavity built in to help keep excess materials out of the way. Thread cutting fasteners are put to use in brass components, various types of plastic and some sheet metal and die castings.

Thread Rolling Screws

Designed to handle the problems commonly faced by thread forming screws, thread rolling fasteners are available in fine and coarse thread designs. Your fastener distributor may recommend this type of fastener, mainly due to the distinct configuration and beneficial features. You’ll appreciate that less driving torque is needed to apply thread rolling screws. And since the metal has been cold worked it will provide superior strength.

Thread tapping screws are handy to use for a wide variety of applications. When pre-drilling is not an option or time is of the essence thread cutting, forming and rolling screws will do the trick in an instant.

Most of these particular fasteners will be sold in the pan head design, although you may have need of a hex head or other styles. Your fastener distributor should be able to direct you to the most reliable and efficient line of tapping screws available.