How do self-drilling screws work?

Self-drilling screws, as the name suggests, are screws that are designed to drill their own hole into the material being used without the need for a pilot hole, but how do they do this? The answer is straightforward due to the unique design of the screw tip, let’s take a look.

Self-drilling screws have a tip that utilises a unique design which is specifically designed with a pointed cutting edge shaped like a drill bit. The drill like tip cuts through the material when pressure from the installation is applied.

The image here shows a close up view of the special drill like tips.

When the screw is inserted into the material and the user starts applying force and turns the screw, the specially designed point starts to pierce the material.

As the screw continues to rotate with the action of installation it cuts through the material and removes any access material from the pilot hole it is creating.

Once the self-drilling screw has created a pilot hole, the threads of the screw engage with the material. The combination of the drill like tip and the self-tapping threads ensure a strong connection every time.

The specially designed tip sets the self-drilling screws apart from other conventional screws. A screw that can drill its own pilot hole has the added benefit of saving time and speeding up installation.

This time saving benefit sees the large range of self-drilling screws widely used across many sectors by both professional and DIY enthusiasts alike.

Take a look at our additional article on self-drilling screws for more information.

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