Needle Point Screw

What needle point screws are for

A needle point screw is a self-drilling screw with a sharp needle tip instead of a drill point. Hobson describes the needle point as a general purpose point, and tests these screws drilling 0.55mm G550 sheet steel. They are the screws for thin metal: sheet metal stitching, fixing lightweight steel, flashings, trims and fittings, and, for two of them, fibre cement sheet to timber or light gauge steel.

For steel sections such as purlins and top hats, use a tek screw with a metal drill point, which is made for drilling them.

Which needle point screw?

• •Flange hex, Class 4 (8-15 x 12 and 10-12 x 20): metal stitching screws for sheet metal stitching and general fixing of lightweight steel and thin gauge sheet, with painted heads.
• •Flange hex with seal, Class 4: the same screws with a seal under the flange.
• •Hex slot, Class 3 (8-15 x 15): a serrated flange for grip, driven with a 1/4 inch nut setter or a slotted bit. For ducting vents and housings, thin metal to light gauge frames, gutter guards, electrical mounting blocks and conduits, roof and wall sheet side laps, and flashings, trims and cappings.
• •Hex slot with seal, 410 stainless (8-15 x 15).
• •Flat head, Phillips (10-15): a low head, 1.0mm high and 8.5mm across, for sheet metal stitching and general fixing of lightweight steel. Class 3 or zinc yellow.
• •Pan head, Phillips (7-16 x 20): zinc yellow.
• •Self-embedding countersunk, Phillips (8-15 x 20 and 30): eight ribs under the head help it countersink into the material. For fibre cement sheeting to timber or thin light gauge steel, and plasterboard and chipboard.
• •Countersunk with 4 ribs, 304 stainless, square drive (8-10 x 20 to 50 and 10-8 x 65 to 100): four ribs under the head help it countersink. Hobson lists the 10-8 for fibre cement sheeting to timber or thin light gauge steel, plasterboard and chipboard, high pollution areas and corrosive conditions.
• •Button head, 304 stainless, square drive (8-15 x 15 to 25): general fixing to light gauge metal, and fixing shade cloth, foil insulation, wire mesh and clips, in high pollution areas and corrosive conditions.

Fibre cement and cement sheet screws

Hobson lists two needle point screws for fixing fibre cement sheeting to timber or thin light gauge steel: the 304 stainless 10-8 countersunk screw (65, 75 and 100mm, square #2 drive) and the zinc yellow 8-15 self-embedding head screw (20 and 30mm, Phillips #2). Both have ribs under the head that help it countersink into the sheet.

Choose the stainless screw for corrosive conditions. Zinc yellow is a thin coating for low corrosion conditions.

Villaboard and other fibre cement sheets come with the sheet maker's own fixing guide, which sets the fastener, spacing and edge distances. Follow it for the sheet you are fixing.

Needle point screw sizes

Every needle point screw we carry. The size is gauge and threads per inch: an 8-15 is an 8 gauge screw with 15 threads per inch. Select a row to open it in the selector.

Class 3, Class 4, zinc yellow or stainless?

• •Zinc yellow: a 5 micron zinc coating with a yellow passivate, for low corrosion conditions or temporary fixing.
• •Class 3 (AS 3566.2): a 21 micron mechanically galvanised coating for mild to moderate conditions, corrosivity categories C2 and C3.
• •Class 4 (AS 3566.2): a 38 micron mechanically galvanised coating for severe marine conditions, category C4.
• •304 stainless: Hobson lists its stainless countersunk and button head needle point screws for high pollution areas and corrosive conditions.
• •Painted heads: the Class 4 flange hex screws come in 33 colours and the Class 3 hex slot screws in 21, as listed by Hobson, including COLORBOND colour names such as Surfmist, Monument, Basalt and Woodland Grey. COLORBOND is a registered trademark of BlueScope Steel Limited.

How to drive needle point screws

1. Use a cordless screwdriver set at a maximum of 2,500 RPM, with the right bit or nut setter: Phillips #2, square #2, or a 1/4 inch (8-15) or 5/16 inch (10-12) hex. Hobson does not recommend impact drivers for these screws.
2. Fit the bit over the screw, hold it square at the fixing point and apply consistently firm pressure while it drills.
3. In steel, let at least three threads come through the far side for full pull out strength.
4. Take care not to overtighten.

Needle point and fibre cement screws in Adelaide

Allmat supplies needle point screws, tek screws, roofing screws and the bits to drive them to builders, roofers, plumbers and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Add the screws to a quote with your sheet and flashings, and we will price the lot.

Questions