Do self-tapping wood screws need pilot holes?

Self-tapping screws are used for all sorts of material including wood, metal, and brick. These screws cannot drill through metal and require a pilot hole to be pre-drilled before installation.

bhamfast.com - Self-Drilling vs. Self-Tapping: What's the Difference?

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Self-Drilling vs. Self-Tapping Screws

Self-tapping and self-drilling screws are two types of screws used in metal building and general construction, as well as many other applications and industries. Contrary to popular belief, the two terms are not interchangeable. Often, our customers ask for self-tapping screws when they actually want self-drilling screws, or vice versa. Let’s go over the similarities, differences, and how to know when to use which type of screw.

Self-Tapping Screws

As the name suggests, self-tapping screws are screws that have the ability to tap threads into the material. Self-tapping screws are used for all sorts of material including wood, metal, and brick. These screws cannot drill through metal and require a pilot hole to be pre-drilled before installation. A pilot hole is created by using a drill bit which is slightly smaller than the screw and the threads of the screw tap the metal or wood while the screw is being installed. This tapping action keeps the material fastened together. There are many different types of points that a self-tapping screw can have that assist in the tapping of threads into various substrates.

Self-Drilling Screws

Self-drilling screws are sometimes known by the brand name, Tek® Screws. These screws can be identified by the drill bit shaped point of the screw and are designed for a variety of applications such as fastening metal to metal and metal to wood. Self-drilling screws do not require a pilot hole, which accelerates installation time and lowers the cost and need of additional drill bits. This extra functionality and cost saving feature makes self-drilling screws the clear choice for metal building construction. The drill points are numbers #1 through #5 and the amount of steel they can drill through increases as the numbered point increases. Typically, self-drilling screws are used in light gauge applications but a #5 drill point can drill through and fasten up 1/2" of steel. During installation, self-drilling screws will also tap threads to a degree.

Bottom Line

In short, and this is where the confusion lies, all self-drilling screws are also self-tapping screws, but all self-tappers are not self-drillers. Self-drilling screws eliminate the need for a pilot hole, but can tap as well. Self-tapping screws tap their own threads, but cannot drill through metal and require a pilot hole. These screws are not interchangeable, and mixing up the two can cause many headaches or possible failures in the field.

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wikihow.com - How to Hang Shelves Without Nails: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

This article was co-authored by Emily Fazio . Emily Fazio is a Home Improvement and DIY Specialist and the author behind Merrypad, a home improvement and DIY lifestyle blog. Emily develops content for Discovery including HGTV.com and DIYNetwork.com, among other influential interior design and homesteading websites. Her partnerships include companies such as Legrand, Sherwin-Williams, Stihl, and Kohler. Emily studied at St. Bonaventure University. This article has been viewed 351,982 times.

Article Summary

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To hang a shelf with mounting strips, press the Velcro-like sides of your strips together to make pairs, remove 1 liner from each pair to expose their sticky side, and fix the strips to your shelf. Then, remove the remaining liners and press your shelf to the wall. After holding the shelf for 30 seconds, separate the pairs so that 1 side is attached to the wall and the other side is attached to the shelf. Press down on the wall strips for 30 seconds, and let them set for 1 hour before reattaching the shelf to the strips on the wall. To learn about alternatives like standing shelves and adhesive fixtures, read on!

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