Description

AM Steel Truss Head Self Drilling Screws combine an extra-wide, low-profile truss (also called mushroom or oven) head with an integral drill-point tip that bores its own hole and taps its own thread in one continuous action – fastening sheet and light structural steel without the separate drill-and-tap step and without a pre-drilled pilot hole. Manufactured under the AM Steel brand, these fasteners (widely known as truss head Tek screws or self-drillers) are the go-to fixing wherever fast, one-step metal fastening must also spread load over a wide bearing area or span an oversized or slotted hole.

Because the drill point cuts through steel before the thread engages and the truss head then spans a wide area, AM Steel truss head self drilling screws are well suited to thin sheet metal, mesh and perforated panels, soft or thin materials over steel, and any joint where a larger head prevents pull-through or must cover an elongated or enlarged hole. The truss head is significantly wider and lower than a standard pan head, giving greater bearing surface and a neat, low-profile finish, while the cross-recess or star drive gives fast, cam-out-resistant engagement for high-speed power driving. Self-drilling screws are specified by drill-point capacity (point sizes such as No. 2 or 3), each rated for a maximum total metal thickness it can drill through, so the point must be matched to the combined gauge of the steel being fastened. AM Steel truss head self drilling screws are available in case-hardened carbon steel (zinc-plated) for general steel fixing, and in bi-metal or stainless steel (A2/304 and A4/316, the latter considered marine-grade) for outdoor, humid, and coastal environments where corrosion resistance is critical.

Whether you’re fixing thin sheet metal, fastening mesh or perforated panels over steel, covering slotted or oversized holes, or handling any metal-to-metal connection that demands fast one-step drilling with maximum head bearing, AM Steel truss head self drilling screws deliver the drill-and-fasten speed, wide-bearing pull-through resistance, and consistent quality needed for sheet and light structural steel connections. As with all AM Steel products, this self drilling screw is available in a range of sizes (typically No. 6 to No. 14 / approx. 3.5mm to 6.3mm diameter, lengths from 13mm to 50mm), in multiple drill-point capacities, drives, materials, and finishes to suit both industrial-grade and everyday fastening needs.

Key features:

• Integral drill-point tip that drills its own hole and forms its own thread in one action — no pilot hole needed
• Extra-wide, low-profile truss (mushroom) head for maximum bearing surface and pull-through resistance
• Spans oversized, elongated, or slotted holes cleanly with a neat low-profile finish
• Phillips (cross-recess) or star (Torx) drive for fast, cam-out-resistant power driving
• Drill-point capacities (e.g. No. 2, 3) matched to total metal thickness for reliable drilling
• Available in zinc-plated carbon steel, bi-metal, and stainless steel (A2/304, A4/316)
• Backed by the quality assurance of AM Steel

Ideal For

AM Steel Truss Head Self Drilling Screws are ideal for:

• Sheet-metal fabricators fixing thin-gauge steel where a wide head prevents pull-through and no pilot hole is wanted
• Panel and mesh installers fastening perforated, mesh, or soft panels over steel needing a broad bearing surface
• Assembly over oversized or slotted holes where the wide head must span and cover the opening in one drilling action
• Trim, soft-material, and light-gauge fixing to steel requiring maximum head coverage without tearing through
• Maintenance and general trades needing quick, wide-bearing metal fastening with a power driver

Choosing the Right Truss Head Self Drilling Screw

Selecting the correct truss head self drilling screw from the AM Steel range depends on several factors:

• Material – Stainless steel (A2/304 or A4/316) or bi-metal for outdoor, humid, and coastal applications; zinc-plated carbon steel for general indoor and dry metal fixing.
• Head Bearing Need – Choose truss when the material is thin, soft, perforated, or slotted and a standard pan head would pull through; the wider head spreads load and spans openings.
• Drill-Point Capacity – Match the point number (e.g. No. 2, 3) to the total combined thickness of steel being fastened; too small a point won’t drill through, too large wastes drilling travel.
• Size & Length – Choose a diameter and length that fully penetrates and grips the base steel while leaving adequate thread engagement beyond the fastened material.
• Drive Type – Phillips (cross-recess) for familiar, fast driving; star (Torx) for maximum cam-out resistance during high-torque power driving.
• Corrosion Environment – For humid, wet, or coastal exposure, prioritize stainless or bi-metal to resist rust and galvanic issues.

Strategies to Choose the Right Product

• Choose truss to stop pull-through – When fixing thin, soft, mesh, or perforated material to steel, the wide truss head spreads load far better than a standard pan head and resists pulling through.
• Use it to span oversized or slotted holes – The broad head cleanly covers elongated or enlarged openings where a smaller head would sink in or slip through.
• Match the drill point to the steel thickness – The point number defines the maximum metal thickness the screw can drill; matching it correctly is the single most important factor for reliable self-drilling.
• Pick the drive for the tool – Star (Torx) resists cam-out best for high-torque power driving; Phillips suits familiar, fast general assembly.
• Match material to environment – Use stainless steel (A2/304 or A4/316) or bi-metal for outdoor, humid, or coastal work; zinc-plated carbon steel for general dry, indoor fixing.
• Consider bulk vs. individual packs – Bulk packs suit production fabrication and repeat assembly; smaller packs suit repairs, servicing, or single jobs.

Mechanical Properties

AM Steel Truss Head Self Drilling Screws are manufactured to meet recognized mechanical and dimensional standards, ensuring reliability across thin-sheet, soft-material, and wide-bearing metal-fixing applications:

These mechanical ratings confirm that AM Steel truss head self drilling screws deliver fast, one-step drilling with wide-bearing, pull-through-resistant holding power suited to thin-sheet, soft-material, and panel applications – match the drill-point capacity to the total metal thickness for reliable drilling and a secure fix.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a truss head self drilling screw used for?
It’s used for fast metal-to-metal fixing where a wide head is needed – thin sheet, mesh, perforated or soft panels over steel, and oversized or slotted holes – drilling its own hole and forming its own thread in one action with no pilot hole and no separate nut.

2. What is a truss head?
A truss head (also called a mushroom or oven head) is an extra-wide, low-profile, slightly domed head that provides a much larger bearing surface than a standard pan head, spreading load over a wider area.

3. Why choose a truss head over a pan head self drilling screw?
A truss head is wider and lower than a pan head, giving greater bearing surface to resist pull-through in thin or soft materials and to cleanly span oversized, elongated, or slotted holes.

4. What does “self drilling” mean?
Self drilling means the screw has an integral drill-point tip that bores its own hole through metal and then taps its own thread in a single continuous driving action, so no separate pilot hole is required.

5. What’s the difference between a self drilling and a self tapping screw?
A self drilling (Tek) screw has a drill-point tip that bores its own hole and taps the thread in one step with no pilot hole, while a self tapping screw needs a pre-made pilot or punched hole and forms the thread only.

6. Are AM Steel truss head self drilling screws different from generic ones?
AM Steel self drilling screws are manufactured and quality-tested under the AM Steel brand, ensuring consistent drill-point performance, thread quality, head dimensions, and finish across every batch.

7. What does the drill-point number (No. 2, 3) mean?
The point number indicates the screw’s drilling capacity – the maximum total thickness of steel it can drill through; a higher number generally drills through thicker combined metal, so match the point to the steel being fastened.

8. What sizes do truss head self drilling screws come in?
AM Steel truss head self drilling screws are available in a range of sizes, typically No. 6 to No. 14 (approx. 3.5mm to 6.3mm in diameter), with lengths from 13mm to 50mm.

9. What drive types are truss head self drilling screws available in?
AM Steel truss head self drilling screws are commonly available in Phillips (cross-recess) for fast general driving and star (Torx) for maximum cam-out resistance during high-torque power driving.

10. Are truss head self drilling screws corrosion-resistant?
Yes, especially AM Steel stainless steel (A2/304 or A4/316) and bi-metal versions, which resist rust in outdoor, humid, or coastal environments; zinc-plated carbon steel offers basic protection for indoor and dry conditions.

11. What is a bi-metal self drilling screw?
A bi-metal screw combines a hardened carbon-steel drill point (for reliable drilling into steel) with a stainless-steel body (for corrosion resistance), giving both drilling ability and rust protection in outdoor use.

12. Can truss head self drilling screws be reused?
They can often be reinstalled into the same formed thread if it isn’t stripped, though repeated removal weakens the hold; for a loose hole, a slightly larger-diameter screw restores grip.

13. What’s the difference between A2 and A4 stainless steel self drilling screws?
A2 (304) stainless offers good general corrosion resistance for most indoor and outdoor use, while A4 (316), considered marine-grade, provides superior resistance to chlorides and coastal or chemical environments.