On Dec 16, 9:05*am, DD_BobK wrote:
On Dec 16, 5:24*am, notbob -did-not-set--mail-host-

address--so-tickle-me wrote:
A couple decades ago, I ran across a handfull of self-tapping screws.
They were like sheet metal screws, but with skirted hex heads. *These
were about 1/2" long and 1/4" dia. *I'd seen them used with a special
head on a drill motor, it having a hex chuck that would ratchet when the
screw bottomed out. *What amazed me about these was the fact they where
not only self-starting AND self-tapping, but they where pretty damn
hard. *In experimenting, I discovered they tapped and screwed into an
old BSA motorcycle frame like it was soft pine.

I now find myself in need of something like this and was wondering just
what, exactly, do I ask for when I go down to the hardware store.

nb

As everyone else has replied.... *called Tek Screws (like Cleanex).

I have found that the screws available at HD *(Western States Mfg?)
have slightly shorter heads (~1/32 or so) than the ones I've gotten
through McMaster.

These slightly shorter heads do not engage in the my hex drivers as
well as the McMaster ones.

These self tapping screws work best if you really "lean into them",
the HD ones have a tendency to "tip over" when really leaned into.

Just a heads up *YMMV

cheers
Bob


oops! I meant to type "self-drilling"... the hex heads with the drill
point tip