FASTENER SUPERSTORE
FASTENER GUIDE
Tapping vs. Drilling
Self Drilling vs. Self Tapping vs. Sheet Metal Screws:
A Guide to Terminology
One of the most difficult aspects of being a seller of screws is knowing what your customer is looking for when they ask for self-tapping screws. The term "self-tapping screws" (or "tapping screws", or "self tappers") generally refers to a type of screw that is self starting when driven into material, whether it be wood, metal or plastic. It taps it's own hole. Any screw with a point at the tip can technically be referred to as "Self-Tapping".
However
When someone requests a self tapping screw, they are generally looking for one of three types of screws:
Self-Drilling Screws
![Self-Drilling Screws](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/fastenersuperstore.com.files/images/web/self-drilling-screws.png)
You can find screws of this type in our Self-Drilling category page.
Drill bit tip allows for self starting in most materials. No pre-drilling required. AKA self-drillers, drill screws, tek screws.
Type A Screws
![Type A Screws](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/fastenersuperstore.com.files/images/web/type-a-screws.png)
Commonly called Sheet Metal Screws, you can find screws of this type on our Self-Tapping category page.
Type A Self-Tapping Screws are exact matches to standard wood screws, except that they are always fully threaded, while wood screws are not.
Type AB Screws
![Type AB Screws](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/fastenersuperstore.com.files/images/web/type-ab-screws.png)
Also commonly called Sheet Metal Screws, you can find screws of this type on our Self-Tapping category page.
Type AB Self-Tapping Screws have finer thread spacing than Type A Screws, and are often preferred, especially when going into thin or brittle material.
Many other types of screws often fall under the "self-tapping" label, but they will most commonly be referred to by a more specific name:
Even some screws without points are technically considered "self-tapping", because they either cut or form the material they're installed in to hold onto their threads: