Screws that screw into steel ?

[Blister]

I am looking for screws that self tap into vehicle steel panels and offer good strong grip
Is anything like this available ?

 

[Dee J]

https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/self-drilling-screws/cat840204TEK screws self drill and tap into steel.
Or till pilot holes and use standard self-tappers.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Self drilling screws.
ScrewFix do a good range.
Smaller sizes are best found in City Electrical factures.

 

[Spectric]

I am looking for screws that self tap into vehicle steel panels and offer good strong grip
Is anything like this available ?

You have not stated what you are trying to fix but these are used on a lot , my old defender has quiet a few

https://www.greasemonkeydirect.com/collections/speed-fasteners
and you have more choice on the actual screw, ie hex head, pozi etc

 

[Jameshow]

Roofing screws do that no probs.

 

[Blister]

I am fitting out a camper van and want to fix some storage lockers overhead and a kitchen run , I can fix the kitchen legs to the floor but would prefer some fixings into the re enforcing ribs , same with the overhead storage obviously these don't have legs.

 

[Stigmorgan]

You have not stated what you are trying to fix but these are used on a lot , my old defender has quiet a few

https://www.greasemonkeydirect.com/collections/speed-fasteners
and you have more choice on teh actual screw, ie hex head, pozi etc

You can get hex head tek screws, I have a few boxes a contractor left behind after completing some works.

 

[Blister]

Not able to use the clip and screw type as the strenghtning ribs have no flat area , They are rounded and welded in to stop panel vibration and increase strength.

 

[Jameshow]

You want rivet nuts really.

 

[TFrench]

As Jameshow says, you need rivnuts. Screws will pull out in short order if you load the cupboards up. Rivnuts create a flange on the back side of the panel to keep from pulling out.

 

[Blister]

You want rivet nuts really.

Bingo , They look ideal , Many thanks

 

[ChaiLatte]

...the strengthening ribs have no flat area , They are rounded...

If the ribs do not have a flat profile, check very well the suitability of the rivnuts before spending your money.

Draw a cross section of a properly-closed rivnut in a flat panel and then draw a cross section of your rib and of the rivnut. If the rib is curved, either the closing of the rivnut has to distort the rib or there will not be full circumferential contact between rivnut and panel possibly leading to the rivnut spinning when you tighten the fastener.

Do a proper test on the first one you install and make sure it is OK rather than install 20 and find they are all a problem.

For a curved shape, maybe rubber rivet nuts might overcome the difficulty.

 

[Jameshow]

A quick strike with a hammer head would give you a flat surface for the rivet nut?

 

[f114306]

Check out Matt Estlea channel on YTube particularly the installing windows and a bed episode of his van fit out. He uses Rivnuts to fix the bed supports, plus he has an issue with one of the nuts and you see the solution he comes up with.

CG