I guess we’ve all seen how a small anchor is sufficient to keep a large ship from drifting away.

Size does not matter! Tiny screws help hold large things together.

As the name itself indicates, self-tapping screws drill their own holes when they’re screwed into materials such as wood, plastic and metal.

If you’re all set to do DIY, here’s a ready reckoner to get you started.

Name	Item weight	Package dimension	Material	Package quantity	Head style	Measurement system	Usage
Rustak	9.6 ounce	6.7 x 3.8 x 1.2 inches	Stainless Steel	210	Pan	Imperial	Wood
Letool	3.2 ounce	5.1 x 2.6 x 1 inches	carbon steel	1000	pan	metric	Plastic, Wood, Fiber glass
Bolt dropper	2.4 ounce	6.1 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches	401 stainless steel	100	Hex	inches	Wood, machinery, construction
Hilitchi	1.3 pounds	7.8 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches	Stainless Steel	200	Truss	Metric, Inch	Metal, plastic,wood
Casaon	2.55 pounds	7.9 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches	Stainless Steel	570	Flat,round	metric	wood
Capri	1 pound	8 x 4 x 1 inches	Zinc Plated Steel	200	hex	inch	metal
Nindejin	1.15pounds	6.8 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches	Alloy steel	282	flat	inch	Dry wall, Wood

1. Rustark 210-Pcs [# 6 5/16” to 1-1/2”] 304 Stainless Steel Round Pan Head Phillips Cross Wood Screws Drive Self Tapping Drilling Screws Assortment Kit

This kit comes with 210 pieces of #6 screws having various lengths.

These fully threaded screws are meant for use in home appliances, furniture and other non-metallic or soft material.

The best part is that it has a pan head. This means you can fit it in just by rotating it without using a screwdriver or any other impact machine.

They are made from high quality 304 stainless steel.

They are quite sturdy and designed to have very high temperature and corrosion resistance.

They are also tested for oxidation resistance and are non-toxic.

They are all assembled in a box according to various lengths which makes it easy to carry and store them.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Package includes:

• 40Pcs …………….#6×5/16″（M3.5*8）pan head tapping screws
• 40Pcs……………..#6×3/8″(M3.5*10) pan head tapping screws
• 30Pcs……………..#6x*1/2″(M3.5*12) pan head tapping screws
• 30pcs………………#6×5/8″ (M3.5*16)pan head tapping screws
• 20Pcs……………… #6×3/4″ (M3.5*20)pan head tapping screws
• 20Pcs…………………#6×1″ (M3.5*25)pan head tapping screws
• 10Pcs……………..#6×1-1/4″ (M3.5*32)pan head tapping screws
• 10Pcs………………#6×1-5/8″ (M3.5*35)pan head tapping screws
• 10Pcs………………#6×1-1/2″ （M3.5*40）pan head tapping screws

210-Pcs in total, package in durable plastics box.

The only thing we didn’t like about the product is that all the screws are of the same diameter although they have different sizes.

2. Letool-1000Pcs M1 M1.2 M1.4 M1.7 Mix PA Nickel-Plated Phillips Head Micro Screws Pan Self-Tapping Electronic Small Screws

This is a kit containing 1000 pieces of screws of varying diameters and lengths.

These are micro pan head self tapping screws which can be used to fix battery operated toys, electronic gadgets, calculators etc. made of metal, wood, fiberglass, or plastic.

Want to see how “micro” they are? Just have a look!

In case you need it for homes, then they are going to last for a really long time because each box contains a minimum of 1000 units..

Don’t worry about storing them. They come in a separate plastic box.

These fully threaded screws are made from carbon steel and are silver in color with a nickel finish.

It is corrosion free so it is suitable for outdoor use too.

They are suitable for indoor and outdoor use in homes, offices, workplaces, garages, businesses and industrial applications.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Material: Carbon Steel

Unit:mm

Size:Diameter*length

Package includes:

• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1*3 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1*4 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1*5 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1.2*3 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1.2*4 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1.2*5 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1.4*4 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1.4*5 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1.7*5 100PCS
• Phillips Micro Mini Screws M1.7*6 100PCS

We would have liked it if the product had a little iron content in it. This would have helped the Phillips grip stick to the screwdriver better and prevent it from falling down frequently while fitting it.

3. Bolt Dropper – #10 x 1″ Stainless Hex Washer Head Self Drilling Screws, (100pc), 410 Stainless Steel Self Tapping Choose Size and Qty

Ever wondered which screws are the best in terms of security ? It’s the Hex head screws.

They are considered to be the safest because they cannot be removed with a normal screw driver.

They require a wrench or an Allen Key to remove.

Hex screws come in different sizes and unlike a screwdriver all wrenches cannot fit all screws. This makes them safe for outdoor use or even in places where there is a chance of sabotage.

That’s the reason they are used in machinery or in construction.

These screws do not have a head which will sink into the material.

So while considering the length of the screw, count it from the tip to the bottom of the head.

Hex head screws although flat on the top and the bottom, are measured from the bottom of the head.

This is because their top-the head- is clearly visible and does not sink in the material.

The self tapping and drilling screws are made from 410 stainless steel.

410 steel is one of the best corrosion resistant steel. This makes it ideal for indoors and outdoor use.

This product comes with a lifetime guarantee. In case you are not satisfied with the product, you can return it.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Package includes:

• Size: #10 x 1″
• Material: 410 Stainless Steel
• Quantity: 100 Pieces
• Head: Hex Washer
• Point Type: Self Drilling and tapping

4. Hilitchi 200-Pcs 304 Stainless Steel Phillips Truss Head Self Tapping Sheet Metal Screws Assortment Kit Set, Thread Size #6#8#10#12, Length 3/4” to 1-1/2”

This screw has Phillips Truss head which has an extra-wide, low-profile domed shape for applications with minimal clearance.

The nice part is that they have threads over the entire body/shank and a sharp point which makes it easy to fasten even into thin material.

The sharp point penetrates deep down in the material which makes it suitable for fastening plastic, wood, and metal.

The kit has 200 pieces of screws and has screws of all diameters #6, #8, #10, #12 with varying lengths.

It is made from 304 stainless steel, is corrosion free and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Package includes:

• -#6 x 3/4” (M3 x 20mm) – 30pcs
• – #6 x 1” (M3 x 25mm) – 30pcs
• – #6 x 1-1/2” (M3 x 40mm) – 30pcs
• – #8 x 3/4” (M4 x 20mm) – 20pcs
• – #8 x 1” (M4 x 25mm) – 20pcs
• – #8 x 1-1/2” (M4 x 40mm) – 20pcs
• – #10 x 1” (M5 x 25mm) – 15pcs
• – #10 x 1-1/2” (M5 x 40mm) – 15pcs
• – #12 x 1” (M6 x 25mm) – 10pcs
• – #12 x 1-1/2” (M6 x 40mm) – 10pcs

Package Quantity: 200pcs

5. CASAON-Self Tapping Screws Assortment Set, M3/M4/M5/M6 304 Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Screws Kit, Casaon Phillips Drive Wood Screw Assortment 570pcs (285pcs Round Head and 285pcs Flat Head)

If someone asks you what’s the size of screws you want for a particular task, you probably won’t have an answer.

This is because screws come in different shapes and sizes with different diameters and different heads.

This kit contains 570 pieces of self tapping screws which are built using CNC technology.

It includes 285pcs flat head and 285pcs round head screws, both of which contain M3/M4/M5/M6 specifications and different lengths.

You may use a flat head screw or a round head screw depending on your need.

All screws come nicely packed in a kit so you don’t have to worry about storing them.

They are suitable for use in wood, dry wall, aluminium and PVC doors.

All screws are made using 304 stainless steel which makes it perfect for both indoors and outdoors.

Also, the screw thread is very sharp and sturdy, and won’t easily strip with the screw gun.

It is corrosion free.

There is a guarantee of full refund or replacement if you are not satisfied with the product.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Package includes:

Wide Variety of Sizes and Organized in separate Storage Bin:

• It comes in a convenient,sturdy case and everything is labeled for easy identification.

 

• 285pcs Flat head self tapping screws:

 

• 55Pcs M3x20mm
• 50Pcs M4x12mm
• 40Pcs M4x20mm
• 40Pcs M4x25mm
• 30Pcs M4x40mm
• 30Pcs M5x20mm
• 20Pcs M5x25mm
• 20Pcs M5x40mm
• 285pcs Round head self tapping screws:
• 65Pcs M3x20mm
• 50Pcs M3x25mm
• 40Pcs M4x20mm
• 40Pcs M4x25mm
• 30Pcs M4x40mm
• 30Pcs M5x25mm
• 20Pcs M5x40mm
• 10Pcs M6x50mm

Total 570 pieces

6. Capri Tools 10024 Hex Self Tapping Screw Assortment, 200-Piece

These are hex self tapping screws meant for thicker gauge metal-to-metal applications.

You can use it in air conditioners, ventilation and heating equipment.

As it has a hex head, you will need a wrench or an Allen key to fix or remove it.

They are sturdy and made from zinc plated steel. Although they have a zinc oxide finish, they are silver in colour.

They are corrosion free and sturdy. They are not meant for use in plastics or wood.

It comes in the diameter of 8 and 10.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Set includes 8 most-used sizes:
• 30 pieces #8 x 1/2-Inch,
• 30 pieces #8 x 5/8-Inch,
• 30 pieces #8 x 3/4-Inch,
• 30 pieces #8 x 1-Inch,
• 20 pieces #10 x 1/2-Inch,
• 20 pieces #10 x 5/8-Inch,
• 20 pieces #10 x 3/4-Inch,
• 20 pieces #10 x 1-Inch.

Set organized by size/type in a transparent organizer case with snap-close cover for easy storage.

7. NINDEJIN Flat Head Self Tapping Screw Phillips Wood Screws Assortment Kit Set with Cross-Head Batch (282Pcs Alloy Steel)

It is very common to use screws in dry walls and wood. These screws are specially designed for this purpose.

These screws have a very sharp point which penetrates easily in wood, metal and plastic.

It is advisable to make a small pilot hole in advance to prevent splits.

A unique feature of this screw is that it has a coarse thread structure which helps it to get a firm grip in wood.

It is made up of alloy steel and is corrosion free. It can be used outdoors too.

They come with a cross head batch which can be used with an impact tool to fit the screw.

These screws can be used for attaching drywall to wood studs, wood to wood, wood to metal, etc.

They are ideal for home, office, or workplace,etc.

They are packed in a kit for easy storage.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• M3.5*16————–30pcs
• M3.5*20————–60pcs
• M3.5*25————–50pcs
• M3.5*30————–40pcs
• M3.5*35————–30pcs
• M3.5*40————–40pcs
• M3.5*55————–30pcs

BUYING GUIDE FOR SELF-TAPPING SCREWS

So before we learn how to zero in on the right kind of self tapping screws, wouldn’t it be great to know how they are different from self-drilling screws?

Well, the basic difference is in the need of a pilot hole to be made beforehand.

Self-drilling screws do not require a pilot hole, but can be tapped in as it is.

Self-tapping screws, on the other hand, tap their own threads, except while drilling through metal when a pilot hole is required. They need to be fitted with the help of a screw driver.

Sometimes for a firmer grip, you may need to push in some extra material in the pilot hole.

TYPES OF SELF TAPPING SCREWS ON THE BASIS OF THREAD FORMATION.

All self -tapping screws have threads- a groove like structure over the body. But they differ in certain aspects.

Thread forming screws:

Some of the screws might not have a pointed tip. In that case they need a small pilot hole to be made beforehand. They are also called thread forming screws.

Thread tapping screws:

Some of the screws have a pointed tip and do not require a pilot hole to be drilled beforehand. They are referred to as thread tapping screws.

Which screw to use : thread forming or thread tapping?

Thread-forming screws are meant for plastic, or any other material where deforming of the material takes place as the screw enters the material.

Thread-cutting screws are typically used for wood and metal. They literally remove some of the material and create a threaded path for the screw.

When should you use self tapping screws?

It’s helpful to use self-tapping screws for products that need to be assembled and reassembled regularly like air-conditioning units, canopies, cupboards, beds etc .

They should be used in places where adhesives won’t work or may take a long time.

If you need to take the parts apart again, then glue cannot be used to fit them.

Screws can be a good choice when expansion and contraction of wood is involved.

They are used in place of nails so that same threads can be used to fit the item again without creating additional holes.

They are used to fit stones such as granite where drilling the screw is the only option. If you try to nail granite, it can break.

Anatomy of a self tapping screw

Before we discuss which type of screw is suitable for which material, it is important to know the anatomy of a screw.

That will give us a better idea of its usage.

Some screws may have full threads and no shank.

Earlier, the screws used to have a thick shank and cut threads. With modernisation the threads are getting wider than a shank, which helps provide a firm grip to the material binded with the screw.

Screws and threads come in different sizes. The diameter of the screw is indicated by a number.

The most commonly used numbers are 6, 8 and 10.

The larger number indicates a screw of thick diameter.

In the USA, threads are sometimes indicated by threads per inch. The most commonly used screws are 24 and 32.

Knowing the size is very important if you want bolts to fit into the screws.

The screws with fine thread are used for hardwoods, and coarse threads are used for soft woods or plywood.

Using the wrong screw type can damage the texture of the material.

Having said that, we should now turn our attention to the fact that the screw’s head has two components

1. Its shape
2. Its drive type

Drive types and where they should be used

1. Slotted drive:

These type of screws are hard to fit using a drilling machine and need to be fitted by a screwdriver.

The biggest pitfall of this type of drive is that the drives slip while fitting the screw.

They are also referred to as flat head screws.

Used for flat and flush finish.

2. Phillips drive:

They are most commonly used and are good compared to the above but still sometimes the driver slips in the final stages of installation.

3. Square drive screws:

They are mostly used in Canada. The square shape eliminates driver slipping.

In the USA, you can find them as pocket screws.

4. Star drive screws:

These are most commonly used in the US and are the best to fit in. The impact driver rarely slips.

In case you purchase a full box, you can also get a driver tip that you can use to fit them.

Types of head shapes

Generally there are two types of head shapes viz,

• The one that sinks in the material- flat head
• The bulging head: They can have shallow or deep domes.

Flat heads are generally used for woods where you need them to flush into the surface.

The bulging head or the round head screws are generally used when you want to fix wood with some other material.

Let us now talk about popular self tapping screws.

Popular types of self-tapping screws

1. Allen or socket head self-tapping screws

Very sturdy and the head of the screw does not easily break.

2. Bugle head self-tapping screws

They are widely used to attach plaster board to wood to metal studs.

3. Button head, dome head and pan self-tapping screws

These type of screws are used in carpentry where their head needs to be clearly visible. This allows it to be fitted or taken out whenever required.

4. Flange head self-tapping screws

The flanged head allows more clamping torque to be applied than other head types and ensures that the drill won’t slip while fitting the screw.

5. Hex head / Socket self-tapping screws

They are usually used in construction where visibility of the head is not required.

6. Wafer head self-tapping screws

It is used in wood or other soft materials.

7. Truss head self-tapping screws

Truss head screws ( tamper proof head) are suitable for sheet metal and other material with large diameter holes.

Different factors to consider while using screws.

1. Thickness of material

You need to study the thickness of the material, in which the self tapping screw is to be inserted.

If the material is thin, then a huge screw might crack it.

If the material is sturdy, then you will need a heavy screw to fix it.

2. Size of the screw

You need to select the proper size of the screw. If it is too big then the head of the screw will be visible, and if it is small, it will penetrate deep inside making it difficult to remove.

3. Intended use

You must be very clear about where you are going to use the screws. If you are going to use it outdoors then you must consider factors like rain, snow etc to prevent rusting.

4. Costing

The cost will vary depending on the material used for making the screws.. Your decision will depend on striking a balance between your need and your budget.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I tighten or loosen the screw?

To tighten the screw – move it clockwise, and to loosen it move it anti-clockwise.

2. What should I do if the screw is loosely fitted?

Try changing the screw size. If it is loosely fitted, it usually means that the screw is of the wrong size. If that doesn’t work, try to push in some material as a grip first and try to screw it again.

3. How tight should a screw be?

It should be very tight but care should be taken not to force it so much that the screw heads break.

4. Is a screwdriver needed for self tapping screws?

Yes. You will either need a screwdriver or any other tool to push the screw inside.

5. Are all screws capable of being used everywhere?

No. If you are using them outdoors then they should be made of the right metal to prevent rusting.

6. How can you decide the screw size?

It is basically a trial and error method but as a rule of thumb consider the thickness of the material in which you wish to insert it. You may measure it roughly with your fingers or scale and buy screws accordingly.

7. What do screw boxes ordered on Amazon contain?

They contain screws and sometimes a utility tool to fix those screws.