I love self tapping screws, and think that they are a great innovation, and one of the most efficient and economical ways to assemble components, particularly when I want to join two materials that are dissimilar. In addition, if I want to later disassemble the completed piece for repairs or maintenance, the fact that self tapping screws were used in the assembly is certainly an advantage to me, as I can pull it apart again without damage.
These screws, especially self tapping metal screws, are able to cut their way through material and create their own thread as they are turned, and pressure is applied. The screws are manufactured in such a way that they don’t require fully pre-drilled holes, but have a cutting edge on the thread and are able to make their way through the material. The screw continues as it is turned until it is firmly embedded.
I first used self tapping screws when I was putting together a flatpak chicken coop for my little brother’s hens. When I found that I had put one side together the wrong way around, I thought it was pretty cool that I could just reverse the screws out again, and put everything together the correct way around, then screw them together again. That chicken house is still standing, and I also erected three more for my little brother’s poultry club members.
The screws I was using were steel self tapping screws, and I understand that they are also known as sheet-metal screws and that they have an especially hardened thread that makes it possible for the screw to form its own internal thread in sheet metal and soft materials when driven into the material. Apparently they are ideal for disassembly for maintenance or repairs. So I was a bit lucky that I wasn’t putting a glass case together for my Mom.
After the first couple of times, I realized that I had come up with a better design for a chicken house. So I started manufacturing, selling and delivering my own pre-cut design that buyers could assemble themselves. The pak was made up of the sides, the roof, vermine-proof mesh, self tapping metal screws, a screwdriver, and assembly instructions. That was 5 years ago, and I still get orders for my product. I also get requests to assemble, and sometimes customers who are moving house pay me to disassemble the house for them, and reassemble it at their new home location. I put a lot of the success of this part of my business down to having used self tapping screws.
So as well as a handyman, I became a designer. I enjoy being useful. Of course I always have a large supply of self-tapping screws in my caddy, especially steel self tapping screws. I also know how and where to get them when I need them, and the internet is the best way for me to order my supply.
This show should help you laugh you way through any project
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