If you fix metal to metal — roofing, cladding, framing, steel sections — pre-drilling every hole is slow and wasteful. Self-drilling screws (often called TEK screws) drill their own hole, tap the thread and fasten in one pass. As a screw factory we build these to order; here are the seven features that actually matter on the job.
A proper metal range covers more than one shape. Ours spans hex and pan heads, full and double threads, cladding-to-metal gauges (#10, #12), stitching points for thin overlaps, heavy-section points for thick steel, and concealed-fix options for trusses and plates. Match the profile to the joint, not the other way around.
The pointed, sharpened tip is what makes "self-drilling" real. Tip shape and angle decide how cleanly it pin-points and bites, and they change by application — thin sheet needs a different point than heavy steel. We run several proprietary tip geometries tuned for specific steel thicknesses.
Threads do the gripping. Rule of thumb: coarse threads for thin material, fine threads for thick, heavy-duty joints. Thread form also drives pull-out strength, so it's worth specifying rather than accepting whatever's on the shelf.
Fluted shanks clear the metal chips (swarf) as the screw drives. Without flutes the hole clogs, heat builds, and the tip burns out — especially in thick steel.
Carbon steel, stainless (A2/A4), and a choice of corrosion-resistant finishes. For outdoor or coastal European sites, pick the coating to the environment; we supply salt-spray-tested options and build to AS3566 and DIN/EN references.
Hex, pan, flat, bugle, countersunk, truss — head choice is about both torque transfer and finish. Hex and bugle dominate metalwork; concealed heads suit visible cladding.
Drilling is only half the story. The spirals shaved off the metal must exit as fast as the tip cuts. Left in the hole, swarf traps heat, clogs the thread, and kills the tip. Good flute design — and the right driving speed — keeps the hole clean.
One screw, one operation, no pilot hole. As a factory we stock the full metal range and accept custom orders by drawing, sample or photo — including tip, thread, coating and head to your spec.
Q1: Which point and thread do I need for thick steel vs. thin sheet? Coarse thread and a fine point for thin sheet; fine thread and a heavy-section point for thick steel. Tell us the steel thickness and we'll spec the right screw.
Q2: Are your self-drilling screws rated for corrosive European sites? Yes — A2/A4 stainless and salt-spray-tested coated options, built to AS3566 and DIN/EN references, with spray-test reports on request.
Q3: Can you make custom self-drilling screws? Yes. Send a drawing, sample or photo; we produce tip geometry, thread, coating, head and quantity to your requirement, including private-label packing.
Q4: What documents ship with the order? An MTC and salt-spray test report on every batch, EU-standard packing, and a documented lead time to your European port.
Contact us now for samples: support1@tianyufasteners.com. Explore our offerings at www.tianyufasteners.com.