What screws for fixing plasterboard to metal C studs?

[jacoscar]

I ‘ve started building a decoupling wall with metal studs; I’ve been using these screws for the first sheet (they are self drilling, so they have a small drill bit on the end

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easydriv...ted-drywall-screws-3-5-x-25mm-1000-pack/25899

The problem is that, when the screw meets the stud and starts drilling (it takes 5 to 10 seconds), it also starts working as a worm drive and extracts a lot of powder that ends up below the screw head the moment the metal is finally perforated; also, it tears the paper 90% of the time

Should I use the ‘pointy’ screws instead?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easydriv...ted-drywall-screws-3-5-x-25mm-1000-pack/48867

 

[opps]

Have you considered drilling a pilot hole first?

I have only ever used those screws when attaching plywood to metal framing or when fixing sheet metal to sheet metal. In both cases I found it easier to pre-drill first, actually in the latter case I drilled a clearance hole and a pilot hole

 

[jacoscar]

Have you considered drilling a pilot hole first?

I have only ever used those screws when attaching plywood to metal framing or when fixing sheet metal to sheet metal. In both cases I found it easier to pre-drill first, actually in the latter case I drilled a clearance hole and a pilot hole

no, I haven’t tried drilling a pilot hole

This guy seems to be using the pointy ones (without the drilling end) and they seem to go in quickly

 

[endecotp]

I’ve used your first kind of screws without problems to fix PB to resilient bars.
I believe you can also use “pointy” ones as long as they are fine thread. The coarse thread ones are for wood.
I don’t know if they will solve your problem though. Do you just need to turn the torque down a bit?

 

[jacoscar]

I’ve bought a box of 1000 of the pointy ones and they’re even worse; it takes forever to drill the hole, I’ll be returning the other 999 screws and keep using the first ones

 

[jacoscar]

So here’s what happens when I screw 15mm SoundBloc plasterboard to metal studs using the self drilling screws mentioned before

Even before the screws sinks, the paper is already ruined

It doesn’t happen if I screw it to wood (even without using wood screws)

 

[jacoscar]

Ok, I’ve found the solution after a lot of trial and error on scrap pieces

I need to sink the screw about the depth of the drilling end bit (2-3mm) with a push on the driver before actually screwing, that way the screws thread grabs the gypsum from the beginning without tearing the paper

 

[endecotp]

I was doing this on a ceiling, so maybe gravity helped.