Sheet metal screw question

G

gmach10

Hot Rolled

Joined

Dec 27, 2008

Location

N.E. Illinois

• Sep 28, 2018

• #1

I've got to change out my garage door this weekend. The #14 hex head screws that were in the original door have a coarse thread and real bite when tightened but anything I get at Menard's or Home Depot have a finer pitch thread and strip very easy. Measured the root diameter for appropriate drill ever undersized it and still couldn't get them to tighten like the originals. Went so far as to not even drilling a pilot hole same results. Not a big fan of self drilling or "Tech" screws. Are wood lag bolts the same as sheet metal bolts?
Thanks, Glenn.

 

Gordon Heaton

Titanium

Joined

Feb 19, 2007

Location

St. George, Utah

• Sep 28, 2018

• #2

In my experience, hardware-store lag screws are generally very soft, grade 2 or lower. Have you tried your local garage door dealer?

 

G

gmach10

Hot Rolled

Joined

Dec 27, 2008

Location

N.E. Illinois

• Sep 28, 2018

• #3

Yes I have, all they have are self tapping of a fine pitch.

 

P

petersen

Cast Iron

Joined

Dec 13, 2008

Location

minnesota

• Sep 28, 2018

• #4

I agree with Gordon.

I found screws for that purpose on pg. 3055 McMaster-Carr

listed as 1/4-14 (93880a310)

 

C

Cmachine84

Plastic

Joined

May 10, 2018

• Sep 28, 2018

• #5

Pop rivets and 3m 5200.

 

Forestgnome

Stainless

Joined

Aug 2, 2008

Location

Californeeeah

• Sep 28, 2018

• #6

The screws you're "not a fan of" are probably your best choice. They do a great job of holding roof and siding panels.

 

D

DDoug

Diamond

Joined

Oct 18, 2005

Location

NW Pa

• Sep 28, 2018

• #7

Forestgnome said:

The screws you're "not a fan of" are probably your best choice. They do a great job of holding roof and siding panels.

Click to expand...

Yup. self drillers make a hole only as large as needed.

For even more holding, look for self drilling roofing screws called "Stitcher screws"
Made to hold tin-to-tin. More coarse thread, and smaller center dia.

 

E

Ethinksthat

Plastic

Joined

Dec 9, 2021

• Dec 21, 2021

• #8

gmach10 said:

I've got to change out my garage door this weekend. The #14 hex head screws that were in the original door have a coarse thread and real bite when tightened but anything I get at Menard's or Home Depot have a finer pitch thread and strip very easy. Measured the root diameter for appropriate drill ever undersized it and still couldn't get them to tighten like the originals. Went so far as to not even drilling a pilot hole same results. Not a big fan of self drilling or "Tech" screws. Are wood lag bolts the same as sheet metal bolts?
Thanks, Glenn.

Click to expand...

Lag screws are mainly used on wood to hold heavy objects.
Check out the Self Drilling screws - Sheet Metal Screws Self Tapping - Screws: Fastenere.com

 

B

boslab

Titanium

Joined

Jan 6, 2007

Location

wales.uk

• Dec 21, 2021

• #9

Are the sheet screws the tri lobed ones, they are thread forming not tapping from memory, they virtually make a boss in the sheet as opposed to shaving it out
Mark

 

D

deltap

Cast Iron

Joined

Sep 3, 2004

Location

Wisconsin, USA

• Dec 23, 2021

• #10

Impact drivers set a screw better when set properly. They set the screw without stripping it.

 

rons

Diamond

Joined

Mar 5, 2009

Location

California, USA

• Dec 23, 2021

• #11

In my garage door there are sheet metal screws around rectangular frames holding glass. I have been tempted to remove the frames to clean out the little
bugs that crawled inside. But the aluminum is so thin, don't want to strip the hole. The metal brackets holding the door and track are thick enough for a
a longer thread. I like it that way.

I hate sheet metal screws and will change them out for something better. If the opportunity is there and there is no risk of damage.
Usually a tap to a larger machine screw size. Otherwise live with it.

If I wanted something strong I would get some of those deck screws with star drive heads. The green is a square drive head.
Then maybe a circular button of a hefty size. The one pictured is not solid but a pressed plate. Just put there for the idea.
I also think the threads here are just for wood. But the button idea is not bad for either metal or wood.

 

Last edited: Dec 23, 2021

EPAIII

Diamond

Joined

Nov 23, 2003

Location

Beaumont, TX, USA

• Dec 23, 2021

• #12

Quite true, but most people who I have observed just crank the clutch all the way up and they will not even listen to a suggestion that it should be set lower.

deltap said:

Impact drivers set a screw better when set properly. They set the screw without stripping it.

Click to expand...

 

Gordon Heaton

Titanium

Joined

Feb 19, 2007

Location

St. George, Utah

• Dec 23, 2021

• #13

I think this was probably resolved 3 years ago. Its a necro-post brought back to life by a new member.