What Makes a Self-Tapping Screw Different From Self Drilling?

Are you a person who has thought that self-tapping and self-drilling screws, serve the same purpose? If so, you were wrong. Each one of these screws is used for specific applications, and using them in the wrong place can mean disaster.

There are different uses for each of these industrial fasteners, and using them in the wrong way can cause your project to malfunction. These industrial fasteners have similar characteristics, but are for entirely different purposes.

What Exactly is a Self-Tapping Screw?

A self-tapping screw does what it says. The point on the screw has a set of blades, which are used for drilling a pilot hole. In industrial application the term "tapping" is used to mean drilling a pilot hole. This type of screw is used in applications for hard materials so that the material does not crack. In wood application usually a self-drilling screw is used. The exception is with hardwoods that are fragile and can crack.

The self-tapping screw drills the pilot hole before the threads of the screw at a diameter that will allow for the screw to be inserted without cracking the material. It is a common screw in masonry and steel work.

What Exactly is a Self-Drilling Screw

The use of a self-drilling screw is fundamentally different from self-tapping screws. With a self-drilling one the point of the screw is tapered to a fine point. It has threads that go from the base of the head of the screw, all the way down to the point. This allows it to thread into the material, creating a strong structural bond.

When using self-drilling screws, it may be necessary to drill a pilot hole that is smaller than the diameter of the screw. This will help it to thread itself into the material. This is a common type that is used in many different types of applications, including carpentry, and machinery.

Using These Screws in the Wrong Application

These screws each have a purpose, and using them in the wrong place can cause a structure to fail. If a self-tapping screw is used in softwood, there is often no material for it to thread after the point has drilled the pilot hole. This can cause poor structural strength and lead to failure.

With self-drilling screws on a hard material, they can cause the material to crack. This can cause a weak bond, and the fastener to fail. This is why it is important to use the correct ones in their application. It is important for the structural strength of projects to use the correct screws in any application.