If you are a maintenance technician or installation contractor, you know the value of specialized security fasteners or self drilling screws.  Although these fasteners cost a bit more when you pick them up at the local supplier, specialized security fasteners speed up a job, saving the contractor and the project owner both time and money.

One of the recent applications of self drilling screws is in the area of steel stud construction. In the past, commercial buildings and homes were constructed entirely of wood studs and structural members. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, because of the abundant supply of scrap and recycled metals, steel studs entered the market at competitive prices, and they feature a number of competitive advantages.

Steel studs are lighter than traditional wood framing materials. They don’t have to be drilled for access holes for electrical and plumbing, because the wide side of the stud is already designed with access holes. Installation contractors cut steel studs with a tin snip they carry in their tool belt rather than high power circular saws. Steel studs are fastened together with sell drilling screws, that are both lighter and less expensive than 3 ½ inch long spike nails.

Steel studs are only one application for self drilling screws. Any sheet metal fabrication project is faster and easier with using a self drilling screws, and self drilling screws are used extensively in manufacturing. The screw serves as its own drill bit. Thus the installation contractor can insert the screw in one step, instead of two.

Another important fastener for commercial and industrial contractors are tamper-proof screws and anchors. Often seen in public bathroom stalls or other building projects used by high numbers of the general public, the heads of a tamper proof screws are custom shaped so that both installation and removal requires specifically manufactured tools.

Tamper proof screws originally appeared in the marketplace as a modified slotted screw. The head of the screw was shaped so that it could be turned into place, but it could not be removed by a standard flat head screwdriver. These fasteners could only be used once, because removing them from the wall usually destroyed the fastener’s appearance.

Today, with the wide acceptance of Torx and square drive style fasteners, tamper proof fasteners have been redesigned. These fasteners are called pin-head security fasteners. In the center of the Torx, or Square slot is a small pin. Installation contractors must have a specialty designed tool to install, or remove this fastener.

So when you are looking for a supplier for industrial tools and fasteners, make sure you select a supplier that can ship the right part the first time, and on time. You will want to find a partner that can provide a wide selection of parts, grinding wheels, and the tools which go with them. Another advantage for the installer is finding a partner company that can provide all your specialty fasteners and tools from one location. Maintaining an efficient and profitable shop is much simpler when you can go to one supplier and order all your regular shop supplies. Picking a partner who will ship quickly, reliably can help your shop run smoothly, which creates satisfied customers, and a growing business.