Metallics TS61B 14 x 1-1/2 in. Pan Head Combo Sharp Point Tapping Screws - Steel Zinc - Each

The TS61B is a Type A tapping screw, meaning it has a gimlet (sharp) point and a coarse 10 threads per inch thread that cuts its own hole in sheet metal, wood, or resilient plastics without a pre-tapped hole. Electrical trades use this size for fastening boxes, straps, and supports to light-gauge metal and wood framing. Steel with a zinc finish, so it is for dry or protected interior use rather than wet or corrosive locations.

Either one works. The pan head is a combo recess, slotted and Phillips, so a flat blade or a Phillips bit will drive it. For the Phillips side use a #3 driver; the recess measures 0.274 in. diameter with a gaging depth of 0.118 to 0.144 in. The slot runs 0.064 to 0.075 in. wide and 0.06 to 0.085 in. deep, so a standard heavy flat tip seats fine. A #2 Phillips will cam out on a #14 screw.

They do. Head and recess dimensions are built to ASME B18.6.3-2013 and the thread form to ASME B18.6.4, which is what a submittal for sheet metal screws is usually written against. Material is AISI 1016 to 1024 steel. Note that for #9 diameter screws in this family the dimensions fall outside ASME B18.6.4, but that does not apply to this #14.

Both flags are marked compliant on the TS61B, ARRA and Buy American. Country of origin is listed as multiple, so if your contract requires a single named origin on the submittal, that is the detail to pin down before you specify.

The TS61B ships as a 3,000-count box, which is also the order minimum, and the full box weighs 52.9 lbs. Metallics does make this screw in other sizes and quantities by request, so a smaller pack or a different length is worth asking about rather than assuming 3,000 is the only option.

Not where they will stay wet. The TS61B is carbon steel with a plain zinc finish, which handles interior and protected conditions but will rust in standing moisture, exterior exposure, or washdown areas. For those, use a stainless or hot-dip galvanized sheet metal screw instead.

The TS61B has a gimlet point, which pierces and taps thin material but does not drill. It needs a pilot hole in anything heavier than light gauge, and it is the right choice for sheet metal, wood, and plastic. A self-drilling screw carries a drill tip that cuts its own hole through heavier steel with no pilot. If you are fastening into structural or heavier-gauge steel, go self-drilling; for boxes, straps, and sheet work, the sharp point drives faster and strips less.