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you need to fasten metal to metal, wood to metal or metal to wood? Why
not use a self-drilling tek screw? This screw is made from high-speed
steel and designed with a drill bit shaped point for drilling holes
through metal, wood and asbestos without the need for pre-drilling or
pilot holes. |
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Advancements made in technology mean that a screw is
no longer just a screw, especially in the case of the new self-drilling
tek screw. This screw provides an easy and convenient alternative to
using normal roof screws, topspeed roof screws and selftapping screws
when you are fastening metal sheets to metal or wooden fixtures or
structures, IBR or corrugated roof sheeting to roof trusses or beams and
square tubing to metal or wood fixtures.
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| Typical examples of
self-drilling tek screws and bonded washers. Self-drilling tek
screws are ideal for working in awkward positions – you only
need one hand to operate the drill, which means that
you can use your other hand to balance yourself. |
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The traditional way of fastening IBR sheeting or
corrugated iron to metal tubing or wooden beams is to use roof nails,
top-speed roofing screws or self-tapping screws. This task usually takes
place on a difficult to reach or uncomfortable working area, like on a
roof or high on a ladder.
Picture yourself working high up on the roof during a scorching hot
day to fasten IBR sheeting to the roof. You have all the right equipment
for the job, including a drill, high-speed drill bit for the pilot
holes, bonded washers for waterproofing and a nut setter to drive away
the top-speed roofing screws. As you finish positioning the sheeting to
be fastened you reach for the drill, insert the bit and close the chuck.
You drill two or three pilot holes, reach for the nut setter and repeat
the procedure of changing bits. In your balancing act on the roof, you
accidentally drop the bit and move the sheeting. You now have to
re-drill the pilot holes because you can’t realign the drilled holes.
After seven frustrating minutes, you have only managed to seal the
previously drilled holes and drive in two of the screws.
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You can prevent this frustration and save time by
using a cordless drill or an electric power drill with torque and speed
settings and a few self-drilling tek screws. Simply follow these
instructions:
| Fixing corrugated iron or
IBR sheeting to the roof is easy with self-drilling tek screws.
This is because you don’t have to do any pre-drilling or pilot
holes, just fasten one screw after the other. |
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- Position the sheeting correctly.
- Insert and secure the magnetic 8mm nutsetter (hex) bit into the
drill collet.
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Insert a screw into the bit and slip a waterproofing bonded washer
onto the screw.
- Select the correct torque setting on the drill to prevent the
screw from stripping or damaging the material and then drive in the
screw and washer.
- The good news as you can see, is that you don’t need to drill
any pilot holes - you can simply fasten one screw after the other
without having to change bits. This unique feature means that you
will be able to secure the first piece of sheeting without hassle
and half the time and be keen to finish the rest.
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Tips: If you are fastening thick pieces of metal to
an object, drill a hole through the top piece of metal that is the same
diameter as the screw. This will prevent the screw from tightening in
this top piece of metal. Alternatively, you can use a smooth shank
self-drilling tek screw.
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