Articles 

Self-Drilling Screws Aren’t All Created Equal (Nor Are Pointing Dies)

2011-02-23

Self-Drilling, Self-Tapping Screws have existed for centuries, but there is still potential for drill time performance improvements. The first self-drilling screws were patented in the late 1800’s, had spoon pointed drill tips, and were for use with unhardened common wood screws. This innovation produced wood screws that were capable of easily penetrating the harder woods then becoming popular. Today, the common Self-Drilling, Self-Tapping Screw is a case hardened tapping screw with forged or pinch pointed drill tip. Although, now a commodity in the sheet metal industry, wide variations in drilling performance still continue to exist.