What is the difference between a self-tapping screw and a screw? In garages, a familiar furniture maker told the difference between them

  • Dec 16, 2020
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Recently I looked into the garage, to a familiar furniture maker. He assembled the cabinet to order. After talking with him about one of everyday topics, I drew attention to different types of screws lying on his workbench.

Self-tapping screw and screw.
Self-tapping screw and screw.

Curiosity took me and asked why he had such different screws. To which he replied, there are not only self-tapping screws but also screws, as well as a type of screw-confirmation. Then he conducted a detailed educational program about the difference in these products. And within the framework of the article I will share information with you. It will be interesting.

Understanding

Out of curiosity, I bought two types of fasteners at a hardware store. Self-tapping screws and screws, 10 pieces each. Same length and diameter. But different colors, yellow and galvanized.

Remember in the article Yellow is a self-tapping screw. And the silver one is the screw.

The first difference in these two types of fasteners, the pitch between the turns. It is difficult to see it with an unaided eye. If you look at the bottom photo, from left to right, you can see that the screw has a larger step. This allows the screw to be more securely attached to the material, less disturbing its structure.

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Second difference, the height of the turns is greater for the screw. Than a self-tapping screw. Due to this, there is a larger area of ​​support for the material.

The third difference is the strength of the metal and the degree of hardening. It is low for screws. In this regard, they do not break as long as possible, but only bend. Remember the Soviet screws whose caps came off. This is its huge disadvantage, but on the other hand, it is a fat plus, where fracture reliability is required.

And on the contrary, self-tapping screws have a high degree of strength. That sometimes plays a cruel joke and they break off, the hats are torn off in the wrong place. The photo below shows that the screw broke off, and the screw was bent. And if they used a black self-tapping screw, it would break off instantly.

The fourth difference is the preparation for screwing in. For screws, it is necessary to prepare a hole / drill in advance and then screw it in. A self-tapping screw does not require this.

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