Serious question, has anyone compared self tapping screws vs regular coarse thread for metal studs?

I usually just grab whatever box of screws is closest on the truck, but last week on a job in Eugene I ran out of my usual ones and had to buy whatever the hardware store had. Ended up with regular coarse thread drywall screws instead of my normal self tappers. Man what a difference. The self tappers bite right in and you barely have to change your angle, but those coarse threads kept slipping off the stud and I had to push harder which threw my rhythm off completely. I was getting mad and the driver was getting on my case about taking too long. By the end of the day my wrist was sore and I had maybe 3 popped screws I had to fix. Switched back to self tappers the next day and finished a whole room without one issue. Has anyone else noticed a big difference between these two types on metal studs?

2 comments

2 Comments

angela_carter2d ago

My last job in Salem the coarse threads held better and I had zero slip outs compared to self tappers.

willow_martin2d agoTop Commenter

Same issue here. Switched to coarse threads and never looked back, self tappers strip too easy in soft wood.