What is the difference between a screw and a self-tapping screw?
Almost each of us has come across fastening elements such as self-tapping screws, screws, nuts, bolts and various screws. Today, the most widely used are self-tapping screws, which appeared on the market not so long ago, and have literally “survived” their “older comrades” - screws.
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What are screws and self-tapping screws
A screw is a fastener in the form of a rod with an external special thread, a threaded conical end and a head. Visually it can be divided into two parts. The first is the top smooth without thread. The lower one is threaded. Depending on the purpose, the head may be different.
A self-tapping screw is a screw that has a sharp thread and either a sharp tip or a drill tip. This fastener is classified into different types, depending on the material of manufacture, coating and, in fact, design and purpose.
Distinctive features
In fact, there are no critical differences between these two fastening elements. In general, it is believed that a self-tapping screw is a more improved version of a screw. However, there are still some differences, but they are not so significant:
- The threads on the screw are not located along the entire perimeter of the rod, while the self-tapping screw has threads along the entire length.
- The technology for making self-tapping screws is a little more complicated. For their production, only high-quality and durable steel is used, which is subsequently subjected to heat treatment, that is, hardening.
- Self-tapping screws are known to be stronger than screws.For example, extreme caution should be used when working on reinforced concrete or other hard surfaces. If these requirements are not met, the self-tapping screw may simply break, but the screw will only bend, which, however, is also not very good.
- Another important difference and, perhaps, the most important thing is that when working with a self-tapping screw, there is no need to pre-drill a hole for it. It works on the principle of a drill and is capable of independently cutting even into metal surfaces if their thickness is no more than 2 mm. But for the screw you will have to first make a hole, and only then drive the part.
Drawing a conclusion from all of the above, we can say: the main difference between the fasteners under consideration is that the self-tapping screw is simpler and easier to use. In addition, you do not have to make a hole for it first, unlike a screw.
“It is known that self-tapping screws are stronger than screws. For example, extreme caution should be used when working on reinforced concrete or other hard surfaces. If these requirements are not met, the self-tapping screw may simply break, but the screw will only bend, which, however, is also not very good.”
I still don’t understand - the more durable one is the one that can easily break? and the less durable one that will only bend?
The author himself does not seem to understand the essence of the issue.Why then fool others?
Dreams of becoming a great blogger. Only these clowns for some reason are sure that this requires desire and access to the Internet, and not brains and knowledge.
Exactly. Hardened means it is more fragile and will break faster. An unhardened one will simply bend.
Self-tapping screws are a special version of a screw. First there were screws: a sharp tip, a thread, a head for a screwdriver or a key. Due to the emergence of new construction and finishing materials, there is a need for new fastening material. This is how self-tapping screws appeared: a sharp tip (available in the form of a drill); thread (different sizes for materials with different densities); cap for different screwdrivers, keys.
This is the fundamental difference: if the structure is under load, especially a sharp blow, then the self-tapping screw has a high chance of bursting (like any hardened part in mechanical engineering), and the screw is made of softer steel and it stretches until it completely breaks - this must be taken into account , when you are assembling something, if for a long time, then it is better not to be lazy and drill for screws
Where did the author find such self-tapping screws? Always turn clockwise. And you get tired of twisting these ones in the photo; you can only turn them counterclockwise.
Author, a self-tapping screw differs from a screw first of all in its name, secondly in its purpose, thirdly in the method of fastening the parts, and fourthly in the materials of the parts being fastened.
How to screw a self-tapping screw into metal? With a hammer?
How much water can you put in an article and everything is useless) Self-tapping screw - for wooden fastenings, screw - for iron ones. That's it.