VersaTube Help Center

VersaTube Self-Drilling Screw Instructions

04/14/2022 · HT050

Overview:


VersaTube self-drilling screws eliminate the need for predrilling prior to installation in metal substrates. This allows for a quicker, more economical installation process. Self-drilling screws are essentially a drill bit designed to cut through metal. Performance of these screws is determined by rpm (revolutions per minute), feed rate (applied force in Lbs.), thickness of substrate material that is being used, and hardness of the material.

 

Drill Speed, Torque, and Installation Pressure:


When installing the fastener, it is important to use the recommended rpm and pressure, or you will burn up and/or break the points at an unacceptably high rate (see table below). It is recommended that a high torque screw gun and not an impact driver or hammer drill be used.
Installation pressure must be light (see table below) and is all that is needed to install our premium screws. Our self-drillers work best when the fastener is allowed to do the work, instead of forcing the point into the substrate which will dull the point impacting overall drill performance.

 

Optimal Performance for VersaTube Self-Drillers


Fastener Size RPM Applied Force (Lbs.) Substrate Hardness
#12 1400 40 -60 20 HRc max.
1/4 1200 40-60 20 HRc max


Other Performance Factors:


  • Substrate Material - This is usually plain caron steel which tends to be less stable at high temperatures. To reduce the wear on the drill point use a regular drill (electric or cordless) rather than a impact driver or hammer drill.
  • High Temperature Failure - The heat that is generated while installing self- drilling screws affects how quickly the drill point fails. Slow the drill's rpm down if the point starts to discolor and visual heat is seen. The drills rpm; applied force, and material hardness all contribute to premature failure. Reducing the RPM or applied pressure can increase durability, lowering the overall temperature at the drill point allowing the fastener to penetrate more efficiently.
  • Quality Tools - Use a high torque electric or cordless drill with a variable rang of 0 -1800 rpm. Lower torque drills can generate heat; prematurely cause tool failure, and be detrimental to the performance of the fastener. Stay with in maximum recommended ranges both in RPM and applied pressure.
  • Multiple layers with dead spaces - Caution should be used when fastening through multiple layers of metal with dead spaces between them. It may be necessary to predrill the outer layer if drill points are breaking, because once the screw threads are in the first layer the fastener will try to screw in faster than the drill point can drill through the material causing breakage. If this condition happened, then you will need to predrill the first layer.

Technical data provided herein is to be used as a guide for typical fastener performance only.

DISCLAIMER: ALL TEST RESULTS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT ARE BASED ON LABORATORY CONDITIONS. SPECIFIC JOB SITE CONDITIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN SPECIFYING THE PROPER FASTENER. BECAUSE APPLICATION CONDITIONS VARY, WE ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR USE OF THIS INFORMATION.

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