TEK Sheet Metal Screws

8/24/23, 9:03 AM TEK Sheet Metal Screws (SMS) - About - Sizes - Gauges - Engineering Express®
TEK SHEET METAL SCREWS (SMS) – ABOUT – SIZES

– GAUGES
About TEK Screws

The following information is complied compliments of All Points Fasteners, Totally Nuts
And Bolts, and Fastenermart
Tek® screws, which is a brand name describing self-tapping fasteners, have a very small carving
at the end of its tip called a drill bit. This particular product is very popular since it is basically a self
drilling product cutting back on the number of steps necessary to complete projects by eliminating
the need to pre-drill. These screws are meant for metal to metal applications only with the exception
of the reamer Tek® screw which is designed exclusively for a WOOD to METAL application.
Standard self-drilling tek® screws were never designed to go from metal to wood as the diameter of
the hole that the drill bit will create will be close to the same diameter as the outside threads of the
threaded portion of the fastener and will not allow the threads to tap into the wood to be secure. The
exception to this are some self-drilling screws that are manufactured for roofing applications. The drill
bit on those screws is very tiny, a #1 drill bit, and the diameter of the hole that the drill bit makes is
substantially smaller than the diameter of the outside threads of the rest of the screw. This allows the
threads to really bite into the material and allow the screws to self-tap into the metal or wood for a
secure hold.Contractors use Tek® screws for screwing metal to metal and sometimes wood to
metal. Depending on the thickness of the material you are drilling into, you have several drill points
available, the longest being a Tek® 5, sometimes referred to as a ‘beambuster‘. These particular
screws allow the user to fasten two pieces of material together without pre-drilling.
TEK Screw Sizes

These screws come in a wide range of different sizes, #6 screw diameter, #8 screw diameter, #10
screw diameter, #12 screw diameter, and others. In the case of hex head Tek® screws, check our
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lengths as well as head styles. Depending upon the type of work you
are using them will dictate which type you need to complete your project.
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Two of the most common types of head styles on Tek® screws that you will find on the market are
the hex washer
Accept head and modified truss. Flathead screws are used when you need a flush surface.
The hex drive is the preferred drive of most contractors doing heavy duty metal installations. Other
https://www.engineeringexpress.com/wiki/tekscrews/ 1/12
than that, all other styles of heads on self-drilling screws generally have a Phillips drive although
square drive is becoming more and more desired. Reamer tek® screws, self-drilling screws with
wings, are the ultimate wood to metal screws.
Stainless steel self-drilling screws: They are available but the tips are not really the best for
drilling into stainless steel. For this application, bi-metal Tek® screws are suggested, where the body
of the screw is stainless but the tip is made of carbon steel which allows the screw to drill into the
stainless.
Standard Fasteners
Application Use Dia. Point Length

Material Inches |
Thickness Decimal
Light Teks / 2
Gauge
Metals
No. 4 .035 To .080 9/16 .140
No. 6 .035 To .090 9/64 .140

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No. 8 .035 To .100 5/32 .156
No. 10 .035 To .110 13/64 .203
Accept
No. 12 .035 To .140 15/64 .234
1/4″ .035 To .175 19/64 .296
Medium Teks / 3
Gauge
Metals
No. 8 .100 To .140 13/64 .203
No. 10 .110 To .175 1/4 .250
No. 12 .110 To .210 9/32 .281
1/4″ .110 To .250 5/16 .312
Heavier Teks / 4
Gauge
Metals
No. 12 .175 To .210 9/32 .281
1/4″ .175 To .250 5/16 .312

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1/4″ .250 To .375 15/32 .468
Heavier Teks
Gauge
Metals
Special Purpose Fasteners
Application Use Diameter Recommended

Material
Thickness
Cold Rolled
Steel
Sheet Stitch Teks 1/4″ To 2

To 5/16″ Sheets
Sheet of 24 Ga.

Plywood Or
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Plywood Or Plymetal Teks No. 10 .089 Min.

Composite with Wings To
(Over 1/2″) .175 Max.
To Metal
Drywall Drywall Teks No. 6 Up To

To Metal 26 Ga.
Or Wood No.8
Gypsum To Gypsum Teks No. 6 .035

Metal To
Studding .090
2×4 Or No. 12 .089 Min.

Firring To
To Steel No.14 .210 Max
Self-drilling screws are available in the following material:
Zinc-Plated Steel – The most common and provides very good rust resistance.
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It can be mildly magnetic. 410 is stronger than 18-8 and is magnetic. It should be used in a
chemical environment.
Accept
In addition, a special hybrid consisting of a hard steel driver fused at mid-body with an 18-8 head
provides superior drilling and excellent corrosion resistance.
STYLES
Hex Washer Head – The built-in washer provides an excellent bearing surface. They can be
slotted or unslotted, although unslotted is most common. The length is measured from under
the head.
Pan Head – This low profile head can be a phillips or a square drive. The length is measured
from under the head.
Flat Head – This countersunk head sinks into wood for a flush finish. The length is measured
from the top of the head.
Oval Head – A countersunk base (like a flat head) but with an oval on top for a finished look.
The length is measured from the top of the head.
Flat Head Reamer – A flat top and phillips drive ream wood and then cut steel in one
operation. Wings ream clearance hole in thick layers of low density materials to prevent
thread engaugement. When the point penetrates the metal underneath, the wings break off
and the threads engauge normally. The length is measured from the top of the head.
Round Washer Head – These are similar to HWH but have a round head with a phillips drive.
They are also known as Metal Lath or K-Lath or Modified
Truss Screws – The length is measured from under the head.
Wafer Head – Also know as plymetal because they can be used to attach plywood to metal.
The large wafer head sinks into the plywood and has a large bearing surface. The length is
measured from the top of the head.
Drywall Bugle Head – These will fasten drywall to metal studs (0.105″). The length is measured
from the top of the head.
Pan Framing – A phillips drive stud-framing screw for attaching stud to track. The length is
measured from under the head.
Pancake
consent toHead – A very
the use low profile head with a large bearing surface. The length is measured
of cookies.
Square Trim — A square drive and reduced head for tight spaces. The length is measured
Accept
Tapping screws, especially Type A, are referred to as “sheet metal screws” because one
of their first applications was in ventilation ducts made of sheet metal. Over time, though,
different types evolved. We’ll cover the common groups: thread forming, thread cutting,
thread rolling and self drilling. The combination of point and thread style determines to
which group the screw belongs.
In general, if the letter “B” is in a screw’s designation, such as Type AB or B, it has spaced
threads. If the “B” is absent, as in Type F, the screw has machine screw threads. There are
two exceptions: Although considered obsolete but still available today, Type A has
spaced threads. And metallic drive screws, denoted Type U, have spaced spiral threads.
Hole size is important for all tapping screws except those capable of self drilling, which
includes sharp point types. If the hole is too large, the screw will be loose, the hole could
strip during assembly (you can’t properly tighten the screw), or the screw could pull out
under tension. If the hole is too small, higher driving force will be required possibly
causing the screw to break, or the material may crack or split. Consequently, it’s
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Thread forming screws have coarse threads and are designed to be used in thin gauge
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installed, the
hole is enlarged by merely pushing the material outward. Consequently, burrs are
common. Types A and AB, which have a standard point, and blunt point Type B, are
common Accept
sheet metal screws; Types A and AB are usually considered interchangeable.
Sizes typically range from #2 to 3/8.
If the metal is thicker—and harder—thread cutting screws are used. Cutting flutes at the
tip of these screws act like a tap to create mating threads in the material as they are
installed. Like taps, the correct size hole is required. And, also like taps, chips are created.
If installed in a blind hole (the hole doesn’t go through the material), the chips will collect
in the bottom of the hole so make sure there is sufficient depth. If the screw is inserted
into a through-hole, the chips will be deposited on the exit side. Be careful that metal
chips do not create electrical shorts, contaminate lubricants, or somehow inhibit
mechanical operation. Type F is a very popular thread cutting screw. Because these
screws are essentially machine screws, their threads are more closely spaced than sheet
metal screws. After a hole has been tapped by a thread cutting screw, it can be replaced
by a machine screw of the same size (diameter and number of threads per inch). Sizes of
4-40 to 3/8-16 are common.
Self drilling screws, also called Teks®, have a tip that resembles a drill, and often have
spaced threads, like sheet metal screws. In a single time-saving operation, these screws
drill, tap and fasten. Do not use self drilling screws in blind holes (holes that do not pass
through the material). Also, the drill point must drill completely through the material
before the first thread begins to thread into the material. That ensures proper fastening
because the material will be fully engaged by threads. Drill chips are created that affect
electrical and mechanical equipment. Four different point styles—#2, #3, #4 and #5—are
available. Generally speaking, a #2 point is used with light gauge materials, #3 for
medium gauge, and #4 and #5 points with heavy gauge materials.
Type U metallic drive screws have spaced spiral threads and a blunt point. These screws
are forced under pressure into the material. Drive screws are considered permanent
whereas other tapping screws can be easily removed.
If you are working with low-density materials like plastic, particle board, Masonite® and
wood, consider using fasteners with High-Low threads. The “high” thread is quite sharp,
while the “low” thread is more conventional and about 1/2 the height of the “high” thread.
These screws are easier to install (less driving torque is needed), thread stripping is
reduced, pull-out strength is increased, and there is less chance of splitting or cracking
the material.
One final design that is very common is the drywall screw. Available in sharp point and
self drilling styles, the sharp point is used with wood and light gauge steel studs, and the
self drilling style is designed for heavy gauge steel studs. The unique bugle head is self
countersinking, resists tearing the drywall paper surface and is said not to damage the
gypsum core.
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8/24/23, 9:03 AM TEK Sheet Metal Screws (SMS) - About - Sizes - Gauges - Engineering Express®

TEK SHEET METAL SCREWS (SMS) – ABOUT – SIZES

About TEK Screws

TEK Screw Sizes

Application Use Dia. Point Length

No. 6 .035 To .090 9/64 .140

No. 12 .035 To .140 15/64 .234

1/4″ .035 To .175 19/64 .296

No. 10 .110 To .175 1/4 .250

No. 12 .110 To .210 9/32 .281

1/4″ .110 To .250 5/16 .312

1/4″ .175 To .250 5/16 .312

Engineering Express uses cookies to improve your experience, deliver

Special Purpose Fasteners

Application Use Diameter Recommended

Sheet Stitch Teks 1/4″ To 2

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Plywood Or Plymetal Teks No. 10 .089 Min.

Drywall Drywall Teks No. 6 Up To

Gypsum To Gypsum Teks No. 6 .035

2×4 Or No. 12 .089 Min.

Self-drilling screws are available in the following material:

Truss Screws – The length is measured from under the head.

 November 6, 2017  Engineering

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Previous Post Next Post

Engineering Design of a Patio-Pergola Metal Panels and other Roof Types?

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 Why Are Spacing, Edge Distance, And

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 Mean Roof Height (ASCE 7)

 About Lag Bolts-Screws In Wood – Size

 ASCE 7 Wall Zones Explained

 What Is A Canopy Awning & Which Wind

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