Best Plywood to Metal Screws for Trailers and Wood-to-Steel Projects
The best plywood-to-metal screws are self-drilling fasteners designed to bore through metal and secure wood without a separate pilot hole when the metal thickness is within the screw’s stated capacity. For short, general-purpose fastening, consider the 1-1/4-inch Jake Sales or Yaocom screws; for bulk projects, compare Yaocom’s larger pack with the 300-piece Teks set. For thicker wood assemblies, the longer Jake Sales and #12-24 options offer different lengths and drilling details to check before buying.
| Product | Best For | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Sales 1-1/4-inch | Exterior wood-to-metal fastening | Bronze-coated wafer head, star drive |
| Jake Sales Reamer Tek | Trailer and flatbed projects | Maximum stated metal thickness: about 3/16 inch |
| Teks 1-7/16-inch | Bulk decking and framing work | 300 screws; listed for 1/8-inch to 16-gauge metal |
| Yaocom 1-1/4-inch | High-volume projects | About 630 screws per pack |
| #12-24 Reamer Tek 2-inch | Longer fastening applications | Listed for wood-to-steel or aluminum |
Jake Sales 1-1/4-Inch Star-Drive Screws
These 10-16 screws are designed to fasten wood to steel or aluminum. The listing describes a self-drilling point, a bronze-coated wafer head, and a Torx/star drive. It identifies the coating as compatible with ACQ lumber and says the drive is intended to reduce bit slippage compared with Phillips or square drives. The one-pound package contains 139 screws.
Best for: Buyers needing a relatively short fastener for exterior wood-to-metal work who value the stated ACQ compatibility. The star drive and wafer head distinguish it from basic Phillips-drive options. Limitation: The supplied features do not state a maximum metal thickness, so confirm the screw’s drilling capacity for your material before use.
Jake Sales Reamer Tek Torx Screws
This option is marketed for flatbeds and trailers. Its features specify a maximum wood depth of about 13/16 inch and a maximum metal thickness of about 3/16 inch. The screw uses a T-30 Torx/star bit, which is not included. The listing describes a head width of 0.42 inch and a shank diameter of 0.21 inch.
Best for: Trailer or flatbed builders who need the listed drilling limits and a longer reamer-style screw. Check before ordering: The product name says 1-5/8 inches, while the supplied feature details give a total length of 2 inches. Verify the actual length with the seller. Avoid choosing it until that discrepancy and your wood thickness are resolved.
Teks 1-7/16-Inch Self-Drilling Screws
This 300-piece set is intended for fastening wood to metal from 1/8 inch to 16 gauge, according to its listing. Suggested applications include roof or subfloor decking, trailer beds to frames, and wood headers to steel frames. The screws have a T-25 star drive and a Climaseal coating described as rust resistant for exterior applications. The drive bit is sold separately.
Best for: Buyers completing a larger decking or framing job who want a stated metal range and a 300-count pack. Its 1-7/16-inch length sits between the shorter 1-1/4-inch choices and the longer options below. Limitation: The T-25 bit is not included, so plan for the correct drive bit separately.
Yaocom 1-1/4-Inch Bulk Screws
Yaocom’s 10-16 screws come in a five-pound package described as containing about 630 pieces. The listing gives a total length of about 1-1/4 inches, a thread length of about 7/8 inch, and a head diameter of about 7/16 inch. It specifies 22A carbon steel, heat treatment, a golden coating, and 1,000 hours of salt-spray testing. Installation uses a star screwdriver.
Best for: High-volume projects where having a large quantity of the same short screw is useful. The listed dimensions can help buyers compare usable thread length with the thickness of their plywood or lumber. Limitation: The supplied features do not give a maximum metal thickness; do not assume it will drill through every steel frame.
#12-24 Reamer Tek 2-Inch Screws
This 100-piece option is described for truck beds, docks, horse trailers, utility trailers, and ATV trailers. The #12-24 screws are self-drilling and intended for fastening wood to steel or aluminum. The listing says they can be used with softwood or hardwood and describes deep, wide threads, quenched surfaces, compatibility with ACQ pressure-treated wood, and corrosion resistance.
Best for: Buyers seeking a 2-inch screw for a longer wood-to-metal fastening application. The listing’s material and application details make it a candidate for trailer or dock projects. Limitation: The provided features do not state a maximum metal thickness or a specific drive-bit size, so confirm both for the intended assembly.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Plywood-to-Metal Screws
What length should you choose?
Match screw length to the wood thickness and the metal you need to penetrate. The useful length is not always the same as the overall length, because the drill point and thread arrangement affect how much material the screw can grip. Compare the listing’s thread length and maximum wood depth when available. For the Jake Sales Reamer Tek listing, verify the conflicting length details before purchase.
Can the screw drill through your metal?
Check the stated drilling capacity against the actual steel or aluminum thickness. The Teks listing specifies metal from 1/8 inch to 16 gauge, while the Jake Sales Reamer Tek details give a maximum of about 3/16 inch. Other listed products do not provide an explicit maximum. A self-drilling label alone does not establish that a screw can bore through any metal thickness.
Which drive and coating matter?
Torx or star drives require a matching bit; check whether that bit is included. The Teks bit is sold separately, and the Jake Sales Reamer Tek listing also says its T-30 bit is not included. For exposed projects, compare the stated coating and material claims. Listings mention bronze, Climaseal, golden rust-proof coating, or corrosion resistance, but those descriptions do not replace checking suitability for your environment.
How many screws should you buy?
Estimate the number of fastening points first, then compare package quantity. The options range from 68 or 100 screws to 300 or about 630. A large pack can suit repetitive work, while a smaller count may be preferable when testing fit or completing a limited repair. Follow the project design or applicable building requirements for spacing and fastening patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ordinary wood screws fasten plywood to metal?
These products are specifically described as self-drilling wood-to-metal screws. Ordinary wood screws are not identified in the supplied product details as suitable for drilling into metal.
Do self-drilling screws require a pilot hole?
The listed screws are described as self-drilling, and the Teks listing says its screws can fasten to the stated metal range without pre-drilling. Confirm capacity for your metal thickness.
Are star-drive bits included?
Not always. The Jake Sales Reamer Tek and Teks listings state that their required Torx/star bits are sold separately.
Which option has the largest package?
The Yaocom set is listed as five pounds, or about 630 screws. The Teks set contains 300 screws.
Are these screws suitable for pressure-treated wood?
The Jake Sales 1-1/4-inch listing states ACQ lumber compatibility, and the #12-24 listing also says it is compatible with ACQ pressure-treated wood. Check the specific product details for other options.