What does it mean when a wood screw is self tapping?
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What it probably should say is "self-drilling" which means that you shouldn't have to drill a pilot hole before inserting the screw. Although, if you are screwing into a hardwood (like oak) or wood that is very thin, these screws probably won't work. To be safe, test the screw on a piece of scrap first. You may end up having to drill a pilot hole anyway, so paying extra for these screws would be a waste of money. "Self tapping" typically refers to sheet metal screws. Tapping is the term for creating threads in metal.
it cuts its own thread as it,s screwed in---marvelous screw
It means that you dont have to predrill the hole, just push and screw it in.
it means that the screw has a special hardened tip that cuts its own thread as it is screwed in to a material. not usually used with wood though, more commonly used in metal.
wood is generally soft enough to allow a normal wood screw to grip without having threads pre-cut.
Usually used on metal or harder surfaces. I have always found them to be awkward, but then I have botched almost every job I have done in a DIY lifetime.
No drilling required.Just an easy screw.LOL.I'll have to get some more of those.
No pilot hole required .. the end of the screw will justify
i,ve just learned sometjhing new,THANKS:)
as above but a normal screw will tend to split thin wood where a self tapping one shouldn't split the wood when you drive it home
it cuts its own thread usually on ally or tin you drill a small hole and the hard end screw cuts through
Self tapping screws are normally used for metal, usually for fixing thin sheets, a pilot hole is usually drilled first. Wood screws need pilot holes in hard wood or if heavy gauge screws are in use, but the 'new' types of wood screws (e.g. Spax) have 'saw' points which do not split as much as the traditional types. Self tapping, basically means that the screw cuts it own thread as its driven. Some self tappers (for metal) have a drilling point, to drill a pilot hole before the thread engages.
http://www.spax.com/gb/
less likley to split hard wood when screwed into without pre drilling
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