Size of wood screws, their types and recommendations for use. Phosphated, with countersunk heads and cross slots

As you know, various fasteners are present in many products. And most people face this all the time. This is especially true for construction and repair work. So what should you use to fasten certain materials or structures? How does a screw differ from a self-tapping screw, what is the difference between these fasteners?

It would seem that at first glance these products are no different from each other. For a long time it was believed that a screw is a prototype of a self-tapping screw. But you shouldn’t draw premature conclusions. Before carrying out repair work, it is better to understand in detail how a screw differs from a self-tapping screw. Photos of these fasteners are presented in the article. At first glance they are similar, but in fact there are many differences.

What is a self-tapping screw?

This is with a special thread. It is a rod with a head having an external thread. Self-tapping screws are made from stainless or carbon steel. Made in accordance with GOST 27017-86 “Fastening products. Terms and definitions." To protect against the corrosion process at the production stage, such products are phosphated, galvanized or oxidized.

What are they for?

Self-tapping screws are designed for fastening various designs or their elements to solid foundations. Due to their self-tapping ability, they do not require additional activities such as drilling holes. The thread on the self-tapping screws is applied to the entire cylindrical surface of the rod. Thanks to this, more reliable fixation and fastening occurs.

Types of self-tapping screws

Such fasteners can differ in several parameters:

By purpose: for metal, plastic, wood, drywall, etc.
By type of head: semicircular, cylindrical, countersunk, press washer (used for roofing works), truncated cone, hexagonal (used together with a plastic dowel for fastening heavy objects).
By the type of tip. The tip of the screw can be sharp or shaped like a drill. Such products are used for fastening metal.
By type of slot. Simply put, straight, cross-shaped, hexagonal (furniture).
By Frequent - for metal and plastic, rare - for woodwork. There are also self-tapping screws with a mixed type of thread, most often it becomes thinner closer to the head. Such elements are used to fasten structures to concrete foundations and are made of high alloy steels.

It is worth noting that the self-tapping screws for fastening gypsum fiber sheets are distinguished by a special head; it is countersunk and has a thread directly on the head itself.

What is a screw?

A screw, like a self-tapping screw, is a cylindrical rod with different types of heads and external thread. Designed for attaching various elements to soft bases. It has a head and a cylindrical part, which is partially covered with threads, which makes it different from a self-tapping screw.

When screwing in a screw, it is necessary to drill a hole with a diameter of up to 70% of the thickness of the screw. This is the main difference, showing how a screw differs from a self-tapping screw. When working with this fastener, it is important to select the diameter of the drill in order to properly connect materials. Screws provide a durable and, most often, non-separable connection of parts.

Where is it used?

A special feature of the screw is the fact that it can be used to fasten structures with moving parts. This is possible due to the fact that part of the cylindrical base does not have threads.

Types of screws

These fasteners are classified in the same way as self-tapping screws:

Type of cap: semicircular, secret, hexagonal, square. However, it is worth noting that self-tapping screws have a larger range of heads, so their range of applications is wider.
According to the shape of the tip: blunt (used for screeding furniture or plastics), sharp.
Rod thread: single-start (large, frequent, small), double-start (same or variable height).
Splines. Like self-tapping screws, they can be cruciform, straight, or hexagonal.

After the above description of both products, you can combine the data obtained and conduct a comparative analysis that will show how a screw differs from a self-tapping screw. This will help you decide which element is more suitable in a particular case.

How does a screw differ from a self-tapping screw: differences

Externally, these fasteners may be very similar, but they have many signs of difference:

A screw is not as durable a product as a self-tapping screw, which is made of more resistant alloys and is used for fastening large number materials. These include products made of metal or concrete. Therefore, the range of application of self-tapping screws is wider, in contrast to screws. At the same time, hard alloys are not always convenient when performing some jobs. For example, many craftsmen have noticed that when working with dense materials, sometimes the heads of the screws are simply cut off. This causes some inconvenience during work. While a screw made of soft material, does not break, but simply bends. It is easier to replace it with a new one.

There is also a significant difference in the manufacturing technology of these fastening materials. All screws pass heat treatment and are coated with special compounds.
Another main difference that shows how a screw differs from a self-tapping screw is that it cannot be screwed in without first drilling a hole. This should be taken into account when carrying out installation work.
If you look closely, you can clearly see how a screw differs from a self-tapping screw. This is the thread height and its pitch. In addition, the thread of the self-tapping screw covers its cylindrical part completely.
One more thing external difference at the ends. A self-tapping screw is always sharper. However, in rare cases, screws of this type are also found.

Conclusion

After comparative analysis It became clear how a screw differs from a self-tapping screw. Now we can conclude that these are fasteners that are created to perform different tasks, although they are essentially the same. When performing any fastening work, you must first figure out which elements are more appropriate to use.

Surely, at least once in your life you have had to repair or screw something on yourself. It’s no secret that this requires special fittings, and the selection of all kinds of nails, nuts, screws, self-tapping screws and other fasteners in modern construction stores is very impressive! You stand, look and your eyes just widen. Any person will probably get confused in such a store, and to prevent this from happening to you, we suggest that you consider in detail this type of fittings, such as a self-tapping screw, and figure out how to choose self-tapping screws, what types they are and what materials they can be used for fastening.

1.What is a self-tapping screw?

Self-tapping screw- this is in the form of a rod with an external triangular sharp thread and a head, which, at the same time as twisting, also cuts a thread in the element being connected. The self-tapping screws succeeded almost completely replace, because the connection with their participation is much more reliable, you can fasten with self-tapping screws, but also many other materials, and besides, you do not risk injury during work.

2.Types of self-tapping screws

Self-tapping material

Self-tapping screw coating

Phosphated(black) self-tapping screws are made of carbon steel with subsequent treatment with phosphates. Used in rooms with high humidity.
Oxidized(black). These self-tapping screws are made of carbon steel with a protective oxide film applied. Suitable for use in rooms with normal humidity.
Galvanized self-tapping screws are also made of carbon steel, followed by zinc coating. Suitable for use both indoors and outdoors.
Galvanized yellow self-tapping screws differ from the previous ones only in color; they are used mainly for door hinges decorative gold color, as they are visually less noticeable against their background.
No cover. Used for interior works at normal humidity.

Self-tapping screw design

Head (1)

This upper part self-tapping screw, with the help of it torque is exerted. Comes in various forms:

Thread (2)

Tip (3)

Spline (4)

This is a specially shaped recess at the end of the head.

3. Purpose

Universal The self-tapping screw has a countersunk head with a cross-shaped slot and a sharp tip. Has a galvanized coating. Can be used both outdoors and indoors, suitable for finishing in damp areas. Used for fastening wood, plywood, chipboard, sheet metal(with pre-drilling), and other materials. They have a length from 12 to 200 mm, thread diameter from 3 to 6 mm.
For wood. Wood screws are used to join plywood, wood, and their varieties. Fastening wooden products using self-tapping screws is much more stronger than fastenings made with nails, this is due to the presence of threads. Even after a long time spontaneous twisting never self-tapping screw won't happen, as happens with . At correct installation you will never spoil the material, since screwing the screw occurs more smoothly, and the sharp tip sets the direction, using a nail you can split wooden surface, accidentally falling between the fibers. Wood screws come in different sizes, depending on the thickness of the elements being connected, but all of them will have distinctive features: secret or semicircular head with a cross slot, a rare thread pitch and a sharp tip. Mainly for fastening wooden elements use black or yellow screws. Choose a self-tapping length such that when twisting two elements, the thread fits into the second no less than on ¼ part thickness of the wood, then your fastening will be reliable and can withstand loads.
For drywall. can be attached either to special metal profiles or to wooden frame, depending on the material, the screws required for installation will also differ. For fastening to metal profiles, you should choose a self-tapping screw with a frequent thread pitch and a drill at the end, then you will not have to do preliminary drilling, which will significantly reduce installation time. To attach to wood, choose a self-tapping screw with a narrow thread pitch and a sharp end. Stick in before twisting sharp end into the drywall to a depth of approximately 1 mm. Whatever installation method you choose, drywall screws will have common features: black which speaks of due to oxide or phosphate coating, countersunk head, which should sink 1 mm into the sheet, cross slot, so that you can tighten the screw not only with a screwdriver, but also with a screwdriver.
For metal profiles and sheet metal. Self-tapping screws for metal have spicy or drill tip and head in the form press washers, which increases the contact area and ensures that the sheet elements are pressed more tightly against each other. Advantages of drill tip is that there is no need for pre-drilling, self-tapping screws are already enough easy to screw in V hard surface metal, eliminating the formation of chips or scratches. Self-tapping screws with a drill tip are very durable and can withstand heavy loads, and also have anti-corrosion properties. The thread pitch of such fasteners is rare, which makes it possible to do without the use of special bits or drills. Self-tapping screws with sharp tip They have a frequent thread pitch, which allows materials of different densities to be well fastened. They are used mainly for fastening wood to metal up to 2 mm thick. They also have anti-corrosion properties and high strength. For connection metal products self-tapping screws with a drill tip are also used hexagonal head or self-tapping screws with a truncated cone (“ flea beetles") and a drill bit. “Fleas” are used for metal thickness no more than 2 mm. Hexagon screws are very convenient to tighten using a wrench. To choose the right length self-tapping screw, you need to know the thickness of the part that you want to attach to the base and add to this thickness 10 mm. Since for the reliability and strength of the fastener, the self-tapping screw must enter the base to a depth of at least 10 mm. The diameters of the screw thread for metal are 3.5 – 5.0 mm in increments of 0.5 mm.
For window profile. There is no separate category of self-tapping screws specifically for, as such, but very often it is necessary to attach the same profile for slopes, or the same handle. Manufacturers plastic windows, in addition to various fittings, galvanized self-tapping screws with a countersunk head and a sharp end are installed. But from practice, this type self-tapping screws are not the most convenient - the sharp end slips off, scratching the plastic, or even spins after installation, so experienced installers advise using self-tapping screws with a drill at the end. They do not move when twisted, window frame does not deteriorate and they are much easier to screw in. The size of the screws is determined by the thickness of what you want to screw to the window. For example, if we are talking about a plastic, thin profile for future slopes, then it is better to use small “ flea beetles» with a drill at the end and a head in the form of a press washer; if a handle, then with a hidden head with a cross-shaped slot. For reliable fastening, no more than 2-3 mm of thread entry into the window profile is sufficient.
On concrete. In order to screw something to or, it is necessary to take into account that during installation the self-tapping screw will be subjected to very heavy loads. For concrete work, choose a self-tapping screw made of galvanized steel with a sharp end and cruciform or six-pointed slot. The thread diameter must be at least 7.5 mm, the possible length of self-tapping screws for concrete is 50-200 mm. If the base is loose, then you can do without preliminary drilling; if the base is solid, you need to make a preliminary deep hole.
For corrugated sheets. To fix and select galvanized self-tapping screws, visually similar to screws. The head of such screws has hexagonal shape, covered polymer material different colors, which allows you to choose a self-tapping screw in the same color as the metal tile. Also included with these screws is a neoprene washer with a rubber gasket that fits tightly and prevents moisture from entering the hole. The diameter of such screws is from 4.8 to 6.3 mm, and the length is from 190 to 250 mm.

4. How to choose the “right” self-tapping screw

It is not enough to decide on the type of self-tapping screw that is necessary for a certain type of work; it is also necessary, among many options choose really quality, durable fasteners that will not let you down at the most crucial moment. Just carefully inspect the screw. It must correspond to these simple criteria:

If you see that the screws you have chosen meet the above criteria, then you can be sure that you are holding in your hands really high-quality fasteners that will not break during the installation process.

Self-tapping screws are a type of fastener consisting of a metal rod with sharp threads and a head into which the tool is inserted to make rotational movement. These parts are widely used during construction work, and differ in purpose, shape and other parameters. For various works are used different types self-tapping screws, therefore, for their correct use it is necessary to study their purpose in detail.

It is believed that a self-tapping screw is the same screw, only in modern design. In the old days, all fastenings were made with screws. First, a hole was drilled, and then a screw was screwed into it. Unlike fastening with screws, self-tapping screws do not require such additional preparation associated with drilling the hole. They can be screwed or screwed into any suitable surface.

The external differences between these two fasteners are insignificant. A screw has a smooth part of the shaft without a thread in the upper part under the head, while a self-tapping screw has threads throughout the entire shaft up to the head. An ignorant person will not immediately pay attention to these features and will not find any differences. In stores, small self-tapping screws are sold by weight, however, large samples are sold individually.

Varieties

Construction and hardware stores offer a large assortment of self-tapping screw parts (the official name for self-tapping screws) according to purpose, material, shape and other parameters. To understand their features, it is necessary to consider this issue in more detail. When purchasing such fasteners, each consumer focuses on specific tasks supplied to these products.

Self-tapping screw for metal with a sharp end

Externally, such fasteners resemble ordinary classic screws of the times Soviet Union. They are made from durable steel and have fine threads, unlike wood screws.

Typically, the diameter of such fasteners ranges from 3 to 5 mm, depending on the length of the rod. Manufacturers produce such fasteners with the following characteristics:

With a length of 10-50 mm, the thread pitch is 5 mm.
If the length is 60-100 mm, then the pitch is 10 mm.
Self-tapping screws 110-120 mm long have a thread pitch of 15 mm (rare).
With a length of 125-220 mm, the thread pitch is 20 mm.

This information is indicative, and each manufacturer of fasteners independently determines their parameters.

To fasten sheet metal up to 2 mm thick, no preliminary drilling of a hole is required; the sharp end of the self-tapping screw can independently make a hole. If the metal thickness is greater, it is necessary to drill a hole that is reduced by 2-3 mm compared to the diameter of the fastener itself. This allows for good joint strength.

Metal screws are made of high-strength steel and are coated on the outside with a special protective coating, having a golden or black color and a shiny metallic appearance.

Self-tapping screws with drill tip

A distinctive feature of such parts from other types is:

The presence of a tip in the form of a drill.
The head is in the form of a press washer or cone.

There is no need to drill holes to use these parts. A drill bit is capable of making a passage for a threaded rod, similar to a drill bit. The shape of the head allows you to tightly close the attachment point and securely fasten it.

Self-tapping screws for wood

They have their own peculiarity in the form of a large thread pitch. Wood is a loose, pliable material, which is why the thread pitch on the rod is larger. The diameters of self-tapping screws for wood are the same as for metal. The length can reach 200 mm. In everyday life, such small parts with a black coating are called “seeds”, due to their external resemblance to sunflower seeds.

When screwing self-tapping screws into wood, no drilling is required. But if their thickness is 5 mm and their length is about 20 cm, then it is recommended to prepare the hole in advance.

The color of the coating can be varied and is made using various colored enamels, so it is not difficult to choose for each case desired color. These screws can be used to fix parts made of plastic and other similar materials. There are also universal self-tapping screws that can be used to fasten parts made of any available materials.

Furniture confirmation

The name of the parts indicates that they are used to assemble furniture. They have standard length 50 mm, and are twisted into a pre-prepared channel, since the end of the part is not sharp.

The furniture self-tapping screw has a head with an internal recess for a special key. The diameter of the screw is the same along its entire length, but has a slight thickening in front of the head.

Modern models furniture cabinets made from chipboard, MDF and other similar materials. The assembly of such furniture is carried out with furniture confirmat, which has a high thread profile and a thin head, which as a result ensures high reliability of fixation. Also, the grooves intended for the key are closed with decorative plugs to disguise the screw head on beautiful surface furniture.

Self-tapping screws with a press washer on the head

This design was partially discussed in the section on fasteners with a drill tip. However, this type is worth highlighting separately due to its peculiarity - the increased contact area of the head. The press washer promotes a tight fit and reliable fastening of wooden parts or metal sheets not exceeding a thickness of 1.1 mm. The color of such self-tapping screws with a press washer is most often silver.

Hex self-tapping screw

By appearance it resembles a regular bolt, but has its own distinctive features:

Rare threaded thread.
The end of the screw is not too sharp.

The main use of such a product is to fasten large elements and massive furniture parts. It can be screwed into a wooden surface, and with the use of a dowel, even into concrete. In this case, the diameter of the dowel is chosen to be twice as large as the self-tapping screw.

Use wrenches to tighten hex screws. different sizes, corresponding to the size of the wrench head.

Roofing screws

These self-tapping products have their own characteristics:

There is a rubber washer installed under the cap.
The head is made of a hexagonal shape.
The end of the threaded rod has a drill bit.

The dimensions of the hexagonal head are usually made in two versions according to spanner at 8 and 10 mm.

Purpose of the rubber washer

Used as an insulating gasket to ensure the hole is sealed against moisture penetration under the head.
Auxiliary elastic seal.

Roofing self-tapping screws are manufactured in a wide range color scheme, corresponding to the colors of the roofing material, 19-100 mm long.

Anti-vandal threaded products

These screws are similar in appearance to other versions. But if you look at them carefully, there are some differences.

The shape of the grooves on the heads can be different and is not suitable for a simple standard tool. These can be various stars, polyhedra, etc.

How to open a lock with a self-tapping screw

For some types padlocks Don't get your hopes up as they are easy to hack.

To check how you can break such a lock, you need to hang it on convenient place, and lock it with a key. We take the most ordinary self-tapping screw and simply screw it into the lock cylinder with a screwdriver.

Now we take a regular nail puller and pull out the self-tapping screw from the lock along with the insides of the lock.

The cylinder was torn out of the lock with a simple nail puller.

Therefore, you should not rely on this type of locks, as they are unreliable.

Example for cost calculation

The price of self-tapping fasteners at different retail outlets can be determined either by piece or per kilogram, depending on the size of the product and the selling organization. Packages can consist of 100-3000 pieces of self-tapping screws. Their price depends on color and size. Simple shiny products are cheaper, unlike colored ones. One kg can contain up to 330 products, depending on the size.

The self-tapping screw is a universal fastener used to cover roofs from various materials. Before purchasing them, you should calculate their quantity. In this case, you need to take into account the load on the roof from the wind, so you need to make a small reserve in quantity. The roofing of the roof is made from corrugated sheets by fastening them in the depressions with self-tapping screws of the required size.

In any type of construction work, various screws or self-tapping screws are used. At the same time, there is very large number various modifications, some of which are intended exclusively for wooden structures, and the other helps to connect various metal units, furniture elements or glass products.

Possession of accurate information about what types of screws there are, their sizes, as well as knowledge and understanding the differences materials for their manufacture will allow you to correctly complete the task set for yourself.

After all, no one wants to buy unnecessary thing , spoil the part, and then go and buy everything new. Of course, negative experiences are also very useful, but they can be avoided by studying necessary materials before purchasing.

To clarify this issue, you need to study necessary information and instructions.

Basics

First you should clearly find out for yourself that any screw element will be intended for a specific purpose and have your marking. Experts pay attention special attention the fact that when working with metal you need to use only a metal oxidized self-tapping screw, and with roofing - a roofing screw. Such distinctions are the basis for the basic qualification of this instrument. Mounting screws can vary in size, type and shape of heads, and each has its own price.

If we talk about GOSTs, then for wood screws GOST is 1145−80.

Metal screws

Despite the fact that the topic of the article is to describe wood screws, first you need to pay a little attention to their counterparts, which are intended for fastening metal. This is necessary so that a person who comes to a hardware store does not rush to buy first one available self-tapping screw, but knew the differences between one and the other.

It will be very difficult to confuse a metal screw with other types of screws if you know what they look like. They are made from high quality metal, and the turns on the column are located very close. The small interridge space allows for better adhesion of the screw to the hard surface. metal surface. Screws are usually made coal black or oxidized.

The price will be slightly higher than that of a screw for fastening wooden material. The diameter of the rod can be from 3.5 to 5 mm. The longer the barrel, the correspondingly thicker the product. To understand the sizes of screws for metal, you can study the following table.

All data in the table is indicative. Some manufacturers do not pay attention to GOST and independently designate the parameters of their products. That is why when purchasing you need to focus on specific tasks. To connect parts that are made of thin sheet metal, it is not necessary to purchase a drill to make some kind of hole. If the workpiece thickness much more, then you first need to drill a hole the diameter of which will fit the screw.

The screw with press washer is made of galvanized steel and is used to fasten metal that has a thickness of approximately 0.9 mm or less. There are also white wood screws. It's the same fastening element, which has a wide functional purpose. The washer, which is located on top of the hardware, will ensure good pressing of several elements. Both short and long self-tapping screws are available for sale.

Screws consisting of a lower drill, an upper washer and a barrel must be used to fasten metal, which has a thickness of 2 mm, before fastening the drill is done required hole. It is very convenient to use such screws. You can save a lot of time and still complete quality connection.

This information will help you avoid confusing metal screws with their wood counterparts, which will be discussed in detail below.

Self-tapping screws for wood

All screws that are intended for fastening wood are made with a rare thread pitch. The distance between the ribs will be much greater than with metal screws. This is explained by the fact that the tree is much more dense material than iron.

Self-tapping screws are available in different colors.

They may be:

gold;
galvanized;
black.

Color will matter to technical characteristics. Yellow and galvanized screws are coated special composition, which protects them from rust. Black self-tapping screws for wood rust much faster. Color also provides the opportunity to choose a screw for a particular design solution. For example, to nail furniture hinges yellow wood, it is better to choose a self-tapping screw of the same shade.

When you go to the store to buy something, pay special attention to the length. It must be commensurate with the connection density. For example, if you need to fasten two wooden parts, which have a width of 50 mm, then you need to choose a self-tapping screw with a length of 75 mm.

Hardware is made with different diameters. If you have found screws with a diameter of 3.5 to 4.2, then you do not need to use a drill to pre-drill the surface. And other screws will be connected in a completely different way.

Wood is not metal, where the hole for the screw is first made slightly wider than the diameter of the screw. Working with wood will change completely in the expected direction. Thus, if you bought a screw with a diameter of 4.5 mm, then the hole needs to be drilled with a diameter of 3.5 mm, and not as in the case of metal. If the self-tapping screw has a diameter of 5 mm, then the hole is made 4 mm. Only in this case can you avoid various troubles in the form of cracks, for example.

If you violate the above proportions, you can create insufficient adhesion density, and this will ensure the fragility of the entire assembled structure. As a result, everything that has been assembled will become very loose and simply fall apart after a short period of time. And then you have to start all over again. It is useful to learn from your own mistakes, but this can be easily avoided if you first master the theoretical knowledge base.

Differences in thread

The screw thread is very important, since it determines the scope of application of the self-tapping screws. There are several varieties.

Large thread that has a wide pitch. Such a tool can be used to connect elements that are made of wood, fiberboard sheets Chipboard, MDF or plasterboard. Cost - from 62 rubles per package. Some stores sell one piece at a time, but usually they produce different packs with a certain weight (1 kg, for example).
Fine thread with a low pitch. Used to connect parts that are made of hard rocks wood The cost is approximately 140 rubles per package.
Double-start thread, which consists of alternating low and high turns. Used to connect materials that have different densities, for example, drywall. The cost is 100 rubles per package.

Classification by other components

There are some other nuances that you need to pay attention to:

Material of manufacture. Screws can be stainless steel, carbon steel or brass.
External covering. There are oxidized and phosphated, black in color and quickly rust, as well as galvanized or completely uncoated.
The end of the barrel, which can be sharp and drilled.
Weight of self-tapping screws. A table or diagram can help with this issue, but weight has little significance when choosing wood screws. Dimensions and tables exist, but few people even pay attention to this parameter.

There are also a very large number of different types and types of heads that are installed on self-tapping screws.

Types of heads

Secret, which is used to ensure that there are no various protrusions at the attachment point. This self-tapping screw has a round head and is shaped like a funnel, which is completely recessed into the material.
Hemispherical. Purchased for fastening sheet materials. They have a wide contact area and a reduced column length.
Secret reduced. Provides a smooth transition from head to post. Installation requires great effort.
Spherical, which has a large press washer. It has a very large bearing surface with a small head height. Typically used to join soft and sheet materials.
The hexagonal one is designed to work with a regular screwdriver. This is the most common type of self-tapping screw that can be easily screwed in without electrical equipment.
Concealed with a hex key. It is best used if you need to mask the attachment points very well.

When working with screws, not only screwdrivers are often used, but also power tools such as drills and screwdrivers, and such tools should be handled very carefully.

Under no circumstances should you work without safety glasses. Hardware may break and fly off into an unprotected area. If this happens, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
Fasten your sleeves when working with power tools, as fabric can get pulled into the device.
Remove children from the area where work is being done. All hardware is very sharp, and a child can be attracted to these small objects. As a result, he will get hurt or swallow them.
When working with a screwdriver, always select the correct attachment. If this is not done, the head of the hardware will deteriorate, and all the notches for engagement will simply be erased. In this case, the screw will have to be thrown out, but at first this will be complicated by the fact that it will be difficult to remove it from the attached surface. And also apply sufficient force when tightening, because if you put little pressure on the screwdriver, the same incident described above will happen.
Pay special attention to marking work. No one will be pleased if inaccurate markings become noticeable only after the bulk of the work has been done.

Follow all the above rules and advice, and then the repair or any type of construction event will take place without complications.

If you carefully study all the above characteristics, you can easily find exactly the version of the self-tapping screw that is suitable for a particular situation. With the help of self-tapping screws you can provide very good fastening, but if it is used only for a specific purpose.

As we have already found out above, a screw for metal can be very easily distinguished from one for wood. Self-tapping screws for wood have a much larger pitch than for metal. This is explained by the fact that the density of wood is less, it is softer, and the structure of the fibers is porous. Screws for wood products are usually made with sharp and narrow tips, and therefore the holes that are made with them have smooth walls. It is also worth noting that hardware for wood has a much lower price than those elements that are made for fastening metal products.

Thanks to the information about wood screws, sizes, and a table with thread pitch, you can consider yourself fully prepared for the purchase the right tools for successful construction.

The main types of screws were presented. On the Internet they are called more colloquially, and therefore you can find the names “grouse grouse”, “seed” and the like. It's best to use official "names" in stores to avoid confusion.

Everyone has done renovations at some point or are planning one in the near future. And usually you can’t do without self-tapping screws, since they are considered an excellent fastening material for use on various surfaces. This could be wood, drywall, or one of the metal versions.

The first two materials are easy and convenient to work with, but the last one is not as easy as it seems at first glance. It has a more rigid structure and not all self-tapping screws are able to overcome it.

So that you do not make a mistake with your purchase, you need to figure out which metal screws are best suited for your purpose. They are sold on a weight basis or one at a time and are not expensive, but usually a lot of screws are needed so a useless purchase will blow your budget.

Based on various sales points, they are called self-tapping screw elements - this explanation is necessary so that you do not make a mistake and understand what we are talking about. Although sellers should understand you from the first words of an explanation of why it is necessary fastener.

By the way, it is worth consulting with them, since this the right way purchasing what you need for your purpose. If you choose on your own without the necessary knowledge, then you will have to face a lot various options self-tapping screws, differing in size, material, shape.

You can look at photos of self-tapping screws for metal, and you will be convinced that their diversity is difficult for an unprepared buyer to understand. Because of this, we will fill the gap in your knowledge so that you understand why you are buying this fastener. Let's consider various types self-tapping screws, and we will especially focus on those created for working with metal.

Self-tapping screws for working with metal

They come in two types, and differ in some nuances. Let's look into them:

Self-tapping screws based on a pointed end are very similar to the classic type of screws popular in Soviet times. They are created using high-quality metal, and are equipped with successive turns of thread with a small inter-ridge space between them.

This is necessary to increase the quality of adhesion to very hard surfaces - various metals. This type has the following characteristics:

The diameter is offered in the region of 3.5 - 5.0 mm, and its level increases closer to the screw head;
The length is usually about 10 - 50 mm based on threaded application in 5.0 mm increments;
If the length reaches 60.0 - 100.0 mm, then the thread pitch will be around 10.0 mm;
Based on 110.0 - 120.0 mm it will be about 15.0 mm;
And with a length of 125.0 - 220.0 mm, threaded threads are usually offered in increments of 20.0 mm.

Important: Now there are many manufacturers, and sometimes they produce self-tapping screws of this type with other parameters based on their own vision of their dimensions. Because of this, you can find any version of such a fastener on sale.

If you need to fasten something to metal with a thickness of 2 mm, then you do not need to create a preliminary socket, since a specialized self-tapping screw will cope with this task.

And, if the thickness turns out to be greater, then create a passage using a drill with a diameter smaller than that of the fastener by about 2.5 mm. Due to this, it will be possible to achieve a tight connection between the part and the metal.

Make no mistake and choose the right self-tapping screw for working with metal. To make this type, very durable metal with a galvanized or oxidized coating. They are found on a metallic, gold or black base.

Metal screws with a drill are no less useful, since they are used for a slightly different fastening purpose. But in general they are almost the same as with a pointed end. But there are a number of differences:

Has a drill tip
The cap is offered in the form of a cone or a press washer.

There is no need to create a pre-socket for this type, as it fits easily into any metal and makes an excellent connection. This is facilitated by the unique shape of the fastener head.

Why is the option with a press washer interesting?

If you remember, we have already mentioned self-tapping screws with a press washer, but, nevertheless, we will create a separate description for them, since they are different large size cap contact area. And due to this, they stand out noticeably among other types of self-tapping screws.

With the help of a special design, this fastening element perfectly fastens various shapes wooden slats and metal sheets with a thickness of 1.1 mm. But in appearance it is almost no different from its analogues, since it is not supplied with a unique color, and usually has a silver color.