Over 2.6K Plastite® & Taptite® Alternative Screws Now in Stock!

Are you looking for Plastite® or Taptite® Brand Generic Alternative Screws?

If you are in need of Trilobular Plastite® or Taptite® Alternative Screws for your upcoming project, you have arrived at the right destination!

MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB woman owned business, and a trusted supplier of Functional Equivalents to Plastite® and Taptite® Brand screws. We offer a wide selection of over 2,600 inch and metric trilobular thread-rolling / thread-forming screws, in Steel or Stainless Steel materials, that are perfect for a variety of plastic/thermoplastic and soft metal applications. You’ll find in stock Plastite® and Taptite® Alternative Screws with different head styles, drives, thread sizes, and lengths; so you can choose the ones that best suit your needs.

Common Uses for Plastite® Alternative Screws

Plastite® Alternative Screws are used in many industries that rely on fastening solutions for plastic/thermoplastic applications. The main purpose for these screws is to create threads within the plastic material, as they are being driven in, in order to create dependable and secure fastening solutions for holding plastic components together.

Some of the industries that benefit from Plastite® Alternative Screws include the Consumer Goods Industry, where they utilize this fastening solution to secure plastic parts in furniture, plastic containers, toys, and sporting goods; the Appliances Industry, where these screws are used to assemble many plastic parts/components that contribute to the overall durability and functionality of the appliances, such as dishwashers, dryers, washing machines, refrigerators, and many other household appliances; the Electronics and Electrical Industries, where these screws are touted for their resistance to loosening due to vibration, and for their fastening use in circuit boards, cable management systems, electrical components, and other plastic surfaces. In addition to the previous industries, the Industrial Equipment Industry, Automotive Industry, Packaging Industry, and many more, also make great use of these handy fasteners!

Common Uses for Taptite® Alternative Screws

Taptite® Alternative Screws carry similar benefits to the ones Plastite® Alternative Screws offer, but with the added benefit that they can also be used on soft metal applications, such as aluminum, mild steel, brass, copper and magnesium. In this sense, these screws are used in many industries where secure and efficient fastening is a must!

Some of the industries that make use of Taptite® Alternative Screws are: the Aerospace Industry, where they use these screws in components that require resistance to vibration, such as aircraft components, and aerospace structures and equipment; the Electronics Industry, where they use many of these screws to secure electronics, such as smart phones, computers, circuit boards, electronic enclosures, and other consumer electronics; the Metal Fabrication Industry, where these guys do the job of fastening metal assemblies and metal structures securely in place. Other industries that make use of these screws are the Manufacturing and Assembly Industry, the Automotive Industry, and the Machinery and Equipment Industry—where Taptite® Alternative Screws are commonly used in the assembly of construction equipment, industrial and agricultural machinery, and other mechanical systems.

In-Stock Plastite® & Taptite® Alternative Screws at MF Supply

We currently have in stock over 2,600 Plastite® and Taptite® Alternative Screws in inch and metric sizes, and in a variety of head styles, drives, and lengths. The most common material options available are: steel—with a black oxide, black zinc, zinc, zinc green, or zinc yellow finish—A2 Steel, 410 stainless steel, and stainless steel materials.

Below is a list of the Trilobular Thread-Rolling / Thread-Forming Plastite® and Taptite® Alternative Screws currently available on our website!

Our Plastite® and Taptite® Alternative Screws are competitively priced. Don’t wait and visit our website today to place an order, or reach out to us to Request a Quote!

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Can’t find what you are looking for on the list? Reach out to us today, and our MF Supply team of sourcing experts will help find what you need. “Finding the right screw for you” is our tag line after all!


Book a one-on-one consultation with our President, Robin, to discuss how MF Supply can help you solve your Industrial Sourcing, Fastener, and Safety concerns.


MF Supply Work With Us

Six Reasons To Buy From MF Supply

  • Full eCommerce Enabled Website With Technical Manual Available 24/7 – Visit our website and Create a New Account, track online orders, browse our product catalog, check technical specs, subscribe to our blog, or buy online.  We are adding items and improving functionality daily!
  • Same Day Shipping From The USA – Our hardware products are in stock and ship to you directly from our USA based distribution centers. 
  • Functional Equivalents To Expensive Brand Names- We stock and source alternatives to brand name fasteners, reducing long lead times and saving you money.
  • Creatively Solve Problems – We are sourcing experts, offer competitive pricing and specialize in finding hard to find parts and reducing long deliveries.
  • One-Stop Shopping On Certified Hardware – We stock and source a full line of fasteners including Mil-Spec, DFARS compliant and other industrial products.
  • WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business – To meet your diversity & set-aside needs.

MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified supply chain partner to business, industry and government.  We are sourcing experts and stocking distributors of Hardware, Precision & Mil-Spec Fasteners and Safety supplies.  For more than 50 years, we have been supplying manufacturers in the electronics, industrial, commercial, aerospace and military markets with the full range of fastener products and services.  Our Cage Code is 58QG4 and our registered name is RL Supply Inc dba MF Supply. 


Taptite® Alternative Screws!? What the heck are those?

Welcome back to the next installment in our “what the heck is that” series, refreshed for 2023! In this series we discuss some of the unique fasteners and electronic hardware that manufacturers use in the design and assembly of their products. Today, we will introduce you to Taptite® Alternative Screws! Like our friends, the Plastite® Alternative Screws, these fasteners are functional equivalents to a trademark registered branded product. Taptite®, Duo-Taptite®and Taptite Pro® are trademarked by REMINC/CONTI.

What are Taptite® Alternative Screws?

Taptite equivalent fasteners are high performance thread-rolling screws (sometimes called thread-forming or trilobular) that create reusable threads in soft metal materials, such as plastic, aluminum, mild steel, brass, copper and magnesium. Their design include a trilobular rolling or thread-forming tip that grants them thread-forming, thread-rolling action as they are driven into the material. This thread-forming action creates a tight and secure connection, which in turn enhances the holding power of the screws in the plastic and soft metal component.

These fasteners need pre-drilled holes, but they don’t need pre-tapped or pre-threaded holes. This is because, when their threads are driven into the application, they tend to displace the material on the walls, inside the holes, in order to form mating threads. These newly formed internal mating threads tighten the screws securely in place and provide resistance to loosening caused by vibrations. Hence, Taptite® Alternative Screws are designed for applications where stability is crucial, but also to help eliminate some of the assembly costs associated with tapping procedures.

It is also worth mentioning that Taptite Alternative screws come in inch & metric sizes, and in a variety of heads, drives, materials and finishes that are designed for a wide range of plastic and soft metal fastening solutions.

Who uses Taptite® Alternative Screws?

Taptite® Alternative Screws are designed with an optimized thread-forming / thread-rolling action that enables efficient engagement, provides increased holding power, clamp load retention, and resistance to loosening due to vibrations. Any plastic or soft metal application with a pre-drilled bore/hole that needs to reliably secure the mating of components, and that needs to eliminate the need for additional tapping, threading or locking operations is a great candidate for using this type of fasteners!

Taptite® Alternative Screws are widely used across various plastic and soft metal applications in many industries, including: aerospace, electronics, appliances, manufacturing, machinery and equipment, and many more. They are also very common in the automotive industry. For instance, many manufacturers have used these screws to assemble components onto the exterior and interior of aluminum engines.

What materials and sizes are available?

Taptite® Alternative Screws are readily available off the shelf in steel—with a black oxide, black zinc, zinc, zinc green, or zinc yellow finish—410 stainless steel, and stainless steel materials. In addition, inch Taptite® Alternative Screws follow the SAE J81 standard, and their metric counterparts follow the Din 7500 standards.

Standard stock sizes for the head diameter are Inch from 2-56 to 1/2-13, and Metric from M2-0.4 to M8-1.25. Popular thread classes include partial, SEMS, and full threads.

Are there other factors to consider?

YES! It is generally recommended to pre-drill or pre-punch holes, with an increased length of engagement, to hold the entire length of the screws in the plastic or metal material/application. This should be done in order to ensure proper thread formation, fastener fracture—if it is the preferred failure mode—and to minimize the risk of material damage.

Taptite® Alternative Screws at MF Supply

We currently offer:

  • A full range of commercial parts, including parts that are ROHS compliant.
  • Inch and Metric Din 7500 Taptite® Brand Generic Alternative Screws are now available for online purchase at our website!
  • Brand names and generic equivalents.
  • Custom made parts per print.

For more detailed information on Taptite® Alternative Screws or other Trilobular Thread-Rolling / Thread-Forming Screws, visit us at our website or Request a Quote today, and our MF Supply team of sourcing experts can help you find what you need. “Finding the right screw for you” is our tag line after all!


Book a one-on-one consultation with our President, Robin, to discuss how MF Supply can help you solve your Industrial Sourcing, Fastener, and Safety concerns.


MF Supply Work With Us

Six Reasons To Buy From MF Supply

  • Full eCommerce Enabled Website With Technical Manual Available 24/7 – Visit our website and Create a New Account, track online orders, browse our product catalog, check technical specs, subscribe to our blog, or buy online.  We are adding items and improving functionality daily!
  • Same Day Shipping From The USA – Our hardware products are in stock and ship to you directly from our USA based distribution centers. 
  • Functional Equivalents To Expensive Brand Names- We stock and source alternatives to brand name fasteners, reducing long lead times and saving you money.
  • Creatively Solve Problems – We are sourcing experts, offer competitive pricing and specialize in finding hard to find parts and reducing long deliveries.
  • One-Stop Shopping On Certified Hardware – We stock and source a full line of fasteners including Mil-Spec, DFARS compliant and other industrial products.
  • WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business – To meet your diversity & set-aside needs.

MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified supply chain partner to business, industry and government.  We are sourcing experts and stocking distributors of Hardware, Precision & Mil-Spec Fasteners and Safety supplies.  For more than 50 years, we have been supplying manufacturers in the electronics, industrial, commercial, aerospace and military markets with the full range of fastener products and services.  Our Cage Code is 58QG4 and our registered name is RL Supply Inc dba MF Supply. 


Buyer’s Guide to Set Screws Updated for 2023

8 Things to Know When Buying Set Screws

Our goal is to help simplify the buying process for this sometimes-complex category of fasteners by detailing the most critical things you must know when buying Set Screws.

1. What is a Set Screw?

A Set Screw is a fully threaded headless screw that is traditionally classified within the socket family of products. It is generally used to fasten an object within or against another object by exerting pressure rather than holding parts together with threads. It is normally used without a nut.

2. Who uses Set Screws?

Set Screws are used in many industrial and mechanical devices, particularly in assemblies with rotating items such as pulleys or wheels, where a component is locked onto a shaft. Designed to fasten one object inside another, Set Screws pass right through a threaded hole in the outer object and are tightened against the inner object. Pretty cool, right?

3. What materials and platings are available?

The most common Set Screw material options are alloy steel and stainless steel. Brass is a less popular and less available option.

The most commonly available material is hardened alloy steel with a thermal black oxide finish, as per ASME B18.3 and a Rockwell hardness of C45-53.

Stainless steel grades 18-8/303 and Metric A2 are also commonly available. Other exotic materials such as brass, 316 or A4 stainless steel, 4140 steel, 416, A286 or special finishes including zinc plating may be available for special order with a lead time.

Socket Set Screws come standard with 3A thread fit. Some sizes and materials may be available with nylon patches or pellets.

Set screws with a slotted drive are made with a 2A thread fit.

4. What sizes are available?

In our experience, Set Screws are most commonly available in sizes 2-56 through 1″ diameter in imperial and M2-M24 in metric diameters with a hex socket drive on one end and a cup point on the other.

5. What information should I provide to get an accurate quote?

The easiest way to order is by part number. The most popular manufacturers of Set Screws are Holo-Krome, Blue Devil and Misumi, along with the national catalog houses like McMaster-Carr, Grainger and MSC Industrial.

If you don’t have a part number, you’ll need to provide the diameter and thread, the body length, drive and tip type, material and plating.

6. Other than size, material and plating, what other options are available?

The other main considerations when selecting Set Screws are the drive and the point.  We offer a comprehensive look at your options below.

Drives: The most common and readily available drive style is a hexagonal socket drive (think Allen wrench), however, Set Screws may also be available in slotted, six-lobe (Torx) and spline drives for certain sizes.

Points: This is where it gets interesting. The point of the Set Screw determines its function. Seven (yes, seven!) main points are available, each serving a slightly different purpose.

  • Cup The most common style, which is slightly cupped to meet the surface of the inner object. Used for permanent or semi-permanent installations, the Cup point provides a high level of security and control. (Metric DIN 916)
  • Knurled Cup – A variation of the Cup point, this style has knurls for a stronger grip.
  • Cone A very sharp point wedges into the inner object to hold it permanently in place. With the highest holding power of all Set Screw styles, the Cone point is used for permanent settings. Note: Cone point Set Screws may cause damage to the inner object which might not be desirable in some applications. (DIN 914)
  • Flat Designed for flexibility when frequently resetting or relocating objects on hard steel shafts where minimal damage to the shaft is desired. Affordable and easy to install, Flat point Set Screws can be moved without damaging the inner object. (DIN 913)
  • Oval The Oval point is the inverse of the Cup point. The small rounded contact surface allows slight adjustments without loosening the screw and causes minimal surface damage to the inner object. The Oval point Set Screw is the most practical type for situations where the inner and outer objects require regular adjustments.
  • Half-Dog Sometimes offered as a Full-Dog point, its protruding tip locks within a mating hole or slot in the shaft, for permanent setting. Half-dog/Dog points are sometimes used instead of a dowel pin. (DIN 915)
  • Nylon tip – Resembling a Half-Dog point, the soft nylon tip is used to grip curved or textured surfaces.

7. What other factors should I consider?

We’ve covered the most common variables including head style, diameter and thread, length, material and plating or finish. Does your project specify Inch (Imported or Domestic), Metric, OEM brand or Mil-Spec? Here are a few of the other considerations you might be faced with based on the project and the bill of materials:

We’ve covered the most common variables including head style, diameter and thread, length, material and plating or finish. Here are a few of the other considerations you might be faced with based on the project and the bill of materials:

Do you need domestic parts (i.e. Holo-Krome) or will imported screws work?

Do you require parts that conform to a specific mil-spec number, such as AN565, NAS1081, MS18063, MS18064, MS18065, MS18066, MS18067, MS18068, MS21342, MS51017, MS51021, MS51022, MS51023, MS51025, MS51026, MS51029, MS51031, MS51033,MS51038, MS51040, MS51045, MS51047, MS51053, MS51476, MS51477, MS51963, MS51964, MS51965, MS51966, MS51973,MS51974, MS51976, MS51977, MS51981, MS51982 with their exacting tolerances and traceability, or will standard commercial parts work?

Does your bill of materials call out a specific manufacturer, such as Holo-Krome or Blue Devil?

Make sure you have the correct installation hardware (Allen wrench or hex key) to go along with your Set Screws.

8. What level of certification is required?

Generally, a Certificate of Conformance or a COC is sufficient for your customer. Full certification with material certs, DFARS certification and test reports are often available for USA-made and mil-spec parts for a fee.

Here at MF Supply, we offer:

  • The full range of commercial and Mil-spec parts, including parts that are DFARS and ROHS compliant.
  • Brand names (Holo-Krome, Blue Devil) and generic equivalents.
  • Custom-made parts per print in non-standard and exotic materials and finishes.

For more detailed information about Set Screws, to request a line card, or to send an RFQ, visit our website. And if you don’t see what you need listed, as always, ask us. “Finding the right screw for you” is our tag line after all!


Book a one-on-one consultation with our President, Robin, to discuss how MF Supply can help you solve your Industrial Sourcing, Fastener, and Safety concerns.


MF Supply Work With Us

Six Reasons To Buy From MF Supply

  • Full eCommerce Enabled Website With Technical Manual Available 24/7 – Visit our website and Create a New Account, track online orders, browse our product catalog, check technical specs, subscribe to our blog, or buy online.  We are adding items and improving functionality daily!
  • Same Day Shipping From The USA – Our hardware products are in stock and ship to you directly from our USA based distribution centers. 
  • Functional Equivalents To Expensive Brand Names- We stock and source alternatives to brand name fasteners, reducing long lead times and saving you money.
  • Creatively Solve Problems – We are sourcing experts, offer competitive pricing and specialize in finding hard to find parts and reducing long deliveries.
  • One-Stop Shopping On Certified Hardware – We stock and source a full line of fasteners including Mil-Spec, DFARS compliant and other industrial products.
  • WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business – To meet your diversity & set-aside needs.

MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified supply chain partner to business, industry and government.  We are sourcing experts and stocking distributors of Hardware, Precision & Mil-Spec Fasteners and Safety supplies.  For more than 50 years, we have been supplying manufacturers in the electronics, industrial, commercial, aerospace and military markets with the full range of fastener products and services.  Our Cage Code is 58QG4 and our registered name is RL Supply Inc dba MF Supply. 


Buyer’s Guide to Set Screws

8 Things to Know When Buying Set Screws

Our goal is to help simplify the buying process for this sometimes-complex category of fasteners by detailing the most critical things you must know when buying Set Screws.

1. What is a Set Screw?

A Set Screw is a fully threaded headless screw that is traditionally classified within the socket family of products. It is generally used to fasten an object within or against another object by exerting pressure rather than holding parts together with threads. It is normally used without a nut.

2. Who uses Set Screws?

Set Screws are used in many industrial and mechanical devices, particularly in assemblies with rotating items such as pulleys or wheels, where a component is locked onto a shaft. Designed to fasten one object inside another, Set Screws pass right through a threaded hole in the outer object and are tightened against the inner object. Pretty cool, right?

3. What materials and platings are available?

The most common Set Screw material options are alloy steel and stainless steel. Brass is a less popular and less available option.

The most commonly available material is hardened alloy steel with a thermal black oxide finish, as per ASME B18.3 and a Rockwell hardness of C45-53.

Stainless steel grades 18-8/303 and Metric A2 are also commonly available. Other exotic materials such as brass, 316 or A4 stainless steel, 4140 steel, 416, A286 or special finishes including zinc plating may be available for special order with a lead time.

Socket Set Screws come standard with 3A thread fit. Some sizes and materials may be available with nylon patches or pellets.

Set screws with a slotted drive are made with a 2A thread fit.

4. What sizes are available?

In our experience, Set Screws are most commonly available in sizes 2-56 through 1″ diameter in imperial and M2-M24 in metric diameters with a hex socket drive on one end and a cup point on the other.

5. What information should I provide to get an accurate quote?

The easiest way to order is by part number. The most popular manufacturers of Set Screws are Holo-Krome, Blue Devil and Misumi, along with the national catalog houses like McMaster-Carr, Grainger and MSC Industrial.

If you don’t have a part number, you’ll need to provide the diameter and thread, the body length, drive and tip type, material and plating.

6. Other than size, material and plating, what other options are available?

The other main considerations when selecting Set Screws are the drive and the point.  We offer a comprehensive look at your options below.

Drives: The most common and readily available drive style is a hexagonal socket drive (think Allen wrench), however, Set Screws may also be available in slotted, six-lobe (Torx) and spline drives for certain sizes.

Points: This is where it gets interesting. The point of the Set Screw determines its function. Seven (yes, seven!) main points are available, each serving a slightly different purpose.

  • Cup The most common style, which is slightly cupped to meet the surface of the inner object. Used for permanent or semi-permanent installations, the Cup point provides a high level of security and control. (Metric DIN 916)
  • Knurled Cup – A variation of the Cup point, this style has knurls for a stronger grip.
  • Cone A very sharp point wedges into the inner object to hold it permanently in place. With the highest holding power of all Set Screw styles, the Cone point is used for permanent settings. Note: Cone point Set Screws may cause damage to the inner object which might not be desirable in some applications. (DIN 914)
  • Flat Designed for flexibility when frequently resetting or relocating objects on hard steel shafts where minimal damage to the shaft is desired. Affordable and easy to install, Flat point Set Screws can be moved without damaging the inner object. (DIN 913)
  • Oval The Oval point is the inverse of the Cup point. The small rounded contact surface allows slight adjustments without loosening the screw and causes minimal surface damage to the inner object. The Oval point Set Screw is the most practical type for situations where the inner and outer objects require regular adjustments.
  • Half-Dog Sometimes offered as a Full-Dog point, its protruding tip locks within a mating hole or slot in the shaft, for permanent setting. Half-dog/Dog points are sometimes used instead of a dowel pin. (DIN 915)
  • Nylon tip – Resembling a Half-Dog point, the soft nylon tip is used to grip curved or textured surfaces.

7. What other factors should I consider?

We’ve covered the most common variables including head style, diameter and thread, length, material and plating or finish. Does your project specify Inch (Imported or Domestic), Metric, OEM brand or Mil-Spec? Here are a few of the other considerations you might be faced with based on the project and the bill of materials:

We’ve covered the most common variables including head style, diameter and thread, length, material and plating or finish. Here are a few of the other considerations you might be faced with based on the project and the bill of materials:

Do you need domestic parts (i.e. Holo-Krome) or will imported screws work?

Do you require parts that conform to a specific mil-spec number, such as AN565, NAS1081, MS18063, MS18064, MS18065, MS18066, MS18067, MS18068, MS21342, MS51017, MS51021, MS51022, MS51023, MS51025, MS51026, MS51029, MS51031, MS51033,MS51038, MS51040, MS51045, MS51047, MS51053, MS51476, MS51477, MS51963, MS51964, MS51965, MS51966, MS51973,MS51974, MS51976, MS51977, MS51981, MS51982 with their exacting tolerances and traceability, or will standard commercial parts work?

Does your bill of materials call out a specific manufacturer, such as Holo-Krome or Blue Devil?

Make sure you have the correct installation hardware (Allen wrench or hex key) to go along with your Set Screws.

8. What level of certification is required?

Generally, a Certificate of Conformance or a COC is sufficient for your customer. Full certification with material certs, DFARS certification and test reports are often available for USA-made and mil-spec parts for a fee.

Here at MF Supply, we offer:

  • The full range of commercial and Mil-spec parts, including parts that are DFARS and ROHS compliant.
  • Brand names (Holo-Krome, Blue Devil) and generic equivalents.
  • Custom-made parts per print in non-standard and exotic materials and finishes.

For more detailed information about Set Screws, to request a line card, or to send an RFQ, visit our website. And if you don’t see what you need listed, as always, ask us. “Finding the right screw for you” is our tag line after all!

Contact me at robin@mfsupply.com with your questions, comments or helpful hints!