S500 Insulated Panel Screw (XGRiP)

s500 panel screws: long tek screws for thick steel

s500 is Hobson's DRiLLX Series 500 point, which Hobson's identification guide calls a deep driller, designed for drilling and fastening into thick steel. These are the long version with a hex head, sealing washer and XGRiP, for fastening insulated roof and wall panels to steel. Hobson's data sheet lists them for insulated roofing panels to steel, crest fixing, and thick steel purlins and hot rolled steel, and says the extended drill point and fine 20 TPI thread let them self-drill metal up to 12mm thick. They are SAE 1022 steel with a Class 4 finish.

The thread is fine by Hobson's definition (over 16 TPI): metal threads for steel, particularly 2mm and thicker. Under the head, the XGRiP thread keeps the panel sheet pressed onto the seal so the joint stays watertight when the roof is walked on.

Fixing into thin battens or timber instead? Use a vmaX or Type 17 XGRiP screw (see below).

Choosing the s500 length

• •Hobson measures hex screws with a seal from under the head.
• •Hobson's Did You Know sheet gives a drilling capacity of 3 to 12mm for every length, and lists a grip length and an effective length for each screw (below). It does not define them on that sheet, so check your panel and steel thickness against them with us or with the panel maker before you order.
• •Into steel, Hobson asks for at least three threads protruding through the steel for maximum pull-out.
• •Hobson's data sheet gives a 70mm thread length, a 16mm drill point, a 14mm head diameter, a 6mm head height and a 7.3mm XGRiP length, with a 3/8 inch hex drive.
• •How many screws go in each panel and purlin comes from the panel maker's fixing guide or the building designer.

s500 pull-out values in steel

Hobson publishes laboratory pull-out values for the s500 #14-20 in the steel plate shown, and they hold only for that material and thickness. Hobson notes safety factors should be considered for design and actual pull-out loads may differ depending on the base material. It gives no edge distance, spacing, panel pull-over or wind uplift figures: the fixing pattern comes from the panel maker or the building designer.

Screw strength (Hobson, all four lengths): torsional 16.9Nm; tensile 23,050N mean and 22,350N characteristic; shear 13,850N mean and 12,800N characteristic.

Two notes on the table: Hobson gives the drilling capacity as 3 to 12mm, so the 2mm G450 row is a pull-out test value, not a thickness the point is rated to drill; and the hot rolled 6 and 8mm values equal the screw's own tensile figures, so thicker steel than that adds nothing to the pull-out.

Painted heads to match COLORBOND panels

All four lengths come with heads painted in 35 colours from Hobson's COLORBOND list (the selector gives each name), and the 150, 200 and 250mm also come unpainted. Hobson's warranty covers the screw, not the paint. COLORBOND is a registered trademark of BlueScope Steel Limited.

Class 4 coating and warranty

s500 panel screws are Class 4 (AS 3566.2): a 38 micron mechanically galvanised coating that Hobson's finish guide gives for severe marine (C4) exposure. For panel roofs and walls the warranty periods are:

• •Coverage is the exposed head and washer only. Hobson asks for screw gun installation to its instructions and fresh water wash-downs every six months in C2 and C3 and every three months in C4 and C5; the remedy is replacement product plus freight, for the original purchaser, with claims in writing.
• •Class 4 is not recommended in very severe marine (C5) sites, where Hobson's warranty covers only 316 bi-metal. Extreme (CX) sites need Hobson's written confirmation; take professional advice on the site category (ISO 9223 and AS 4312), or ask us.

How to fit s500 panel screws

Steps 1 to 3 are the installation guide on Hobson's s500 data sheet (2004061DS). The points after them are general roofing practice, not Hobson instructions.

1. Use a cordless screwdriver set between 2,200 and 3,000 RPM with a 3/8 inch hex drive bit (Hobson recommends its 45, 65 or 150mm impaX magnetic nut setters). Fit the bit over the screw and place it at the fastening position. Hobson does not recommend impact drivers.
2. Apply consistently firm pressure to the screwdriver while the screw is drilling.
3. Take care not to overtighten the screw (Hobson's words).
4. General practice: hold the screw square to the panel, and stop driving once the seal is seated on the sheet.
5. General practice: sweep away the swarf from drilling the purlins before it rusts on the panels.

s500 panel screws in Adelaide

Allmat supplies s500 panel screws, XGRiP tek screws and nut setters to roofers, shed and coolroom builders and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Add them to a quote with the rest of your list and we will price the lot.

Questions