April 21, 2026

How Fast Can Your Self-Drilling Screws Go?

Self-Drilling Speed Test 4 min read

We put our 4.2×13mm and 4.2×16mm self-drilling screws through a 3mm cold-rolled steel plate. No pre-drilling. No lubrication. Just raw speed.

4.2×13mm and 4.2×16mm self-drilling screws vs 3mm cold-rolled steel — no pre-drilling

What we tested

Two of our most popular self-drilling screw sizes, driven into 3mm cold-rolled steel plate. No pilot hole. No lubrication. Standard power drill, no special fixtures.

4.2×13mm

What happened

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4.2×13mm — Straight through in seconds

Drilled clean through 3mm steel with no binding. Thread engagement was solid from the first rotation.

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4.2×16mm — Same result, more grip

The extra 3mm of thread length gave even better pull-out resistance. Ideal when you need maximum holding power.

Why self-drilling screws win on speed

Traditional workflow: mark → drill → clear chips → change bit → drive screw. That's 5 steps. Self-drilling screws: position → drive. Two steps. On a job with 500 fasteners, the time savings are real.

The drill point makes the difference

The drill tip is case-hardened to cut through metal cleanly. As the screw advances, it simultaneously drills the hole, forms the thread, and draws itself in. One tool. One motion. No switching bits, no predrilling.

What this means for your project

Fewer steps = faster installation = lower labor costs. For steel frame contractors, HVAC installers, or anyone doing repetitive sheet metal work, self-drilling screws are the obvious choice.

Need Self-Drilling Screws for Your Job?

We stock 4.2×13mm and 4.2×16mm in bulk. Same-day dispatch from our Ningbo warehouse. Get a quote now.

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