The Differences Between Self-Drilling And Self-Tapping Screws

Aluminum hex head cap screws and nylon Phillips screws are some of the most commonly used fasteners types in the world today. However, you would be surprised to find that there are many people who don’t know how to use them properly. One of the consequences of this is that you may end up spending […]

Aluminum hex head cap screws and nylon Phillips screws are some of the most commonly used fasteners types in the world today. However, you would be surprised to find that there are many people who don’t know how to use them properly. One of the consequences of this is that you may end up spending money on screws that will end up not working well for you. This might not be very significant if you are using them for only minor fastening, but if you are using them on a larger scale then it’s something that you should definitely worry about.

One of the common difficulties that people usually face when using them is determining which one to choose. Generally speaking, screws can be divided into two types: self-driving and self-tapping. When you are making a purchase for fasteners, it’s important to know which type will be suitable for your needs so that you don’t end up wasting money.

The self-driving screws

The self-driving screws are some of the most common in the world. They are designed in such a manner that they have a tapering point at the end, from which arises the thread. They are defined as self driving screws because when you use them, they act as both the drill bit and the fastener. Despite this, however, it’s usually necessary to drill a small pilot hole in the material you are driving them into so that it can then guide them.

The self-drilling screws are usually preferred when you are going to drill into a relatively soft material such as wood or drywall. This is because they force their way into the material, thus creating a tight bond between the material and the fastener. This is necessary when you are drilling into a soft material if the joint is to hold up for a long time.

 
The self-tapping screws

In the fastener use industry, the process of drilling a hole through which you will insert a fastener is known as tapping. From this, a self-tapping screw can be easily thought of as one that has been designed to perform this function as well, so that you don’t need to use a drill to create the large pilot hole. The self-tapping screws are designed to have a set of vertical flaps at the point. The role of the flaps is to act as the drill, creating the guide hole before the threads come into contact with the material. The flaps are usually designed to ensure that the hole they drill is slightly smaller than the diameter of the threads, so that the screw can snugly fit.

Using this type of screw is often more reliable compared to using a separate drill bit to create the guide hole. The resulting joints are usually much tighter and more long lasting. This type of screw is mostly used to fasten tough materials such as metal and stone.

In summary, the next time you are thinking of using screws for either domestic or industrial purposes, it would be a good idea for you to differentiate between these two major types. It will help you get the most out of the process.