BCP Fasteners #8 x 3/4", 100 Qty Phillips Small Black Modified Truss Head Screws, Deep Thread Sharp Point, Carbon Steel Black Phosphate Coated Self-Tapping Screws for Wood & Metal

A low-profile fastener that punches above its weight

My small-parts bin has a permanent slot for #8 x 3/4-in screws, and lately, the BCP Fasteners black modified truss head version has been the one I reach for most. In cabinet installs, light metal work, and general shop jig-making, they hit a sweet spot: quick to start, wide bearing surface, and a head that sits low enough to avoid snagging. They’re not glamorous, but they do a lot of everyday jobs extremely well.

Design and build quality

These are carbon steel, self-tapping #8 screws with a sharp point and deep threads, topped by a modified truss head. The black phosphate coating is even and consistent across the batch I used; there were no clogged threads or flaking on arrival. The #2 Phillips recesses are cut cleanly and hold a bit well if you use proper pressure. The head is slightly wider than a pan head, giving a built-in washer effect without the bulk of a separate washer. It’s perfect when you want to trap thin materials or hardware without pulling through.

Driving experience

With a drill/driver set to a moderate clutch, these bite fast and true. In SPF studs and plywood, I could start them one-handed without a pilot hole. The thread form is aggressive enough to pull the work tight but not so coarse that they strip out easily in softer woods. I also drove a handful into 20–22 gauge galvanized and painted steel with no pre-drilling; they pierced cleanly and cut their own threads with a smooth, predictable ramp-up in resistance. On aluminum sheet, they’re downright effortless.

I did most of my driving with a compact impact driver. That works fine, but I found I got cleaner heads and fewer scuffs with a standard drill/driver and a clutch set low, then a half-turn finish by hand.

In wood and composites

At 3/4 inch long, these shine in situations where you’re fastening thin stock, brackets, clips, back panels, and hardware that doesn’t need a countersink. They excel at securing:

• Cabinet backs to cleats or frames
• Hardware cloth and perforated metal to wooden frames
• Straps and clips in shop jigs and fixtures
• Thin trim and light-duty brackets onto plywood or MDF

In softwoods, I rarely needed a pilot. In hardwoods (oak, maple), a 1/16-inch pilot near an edge prevented splitting and made for a cleaner drive. In particleboard and melamine, the wide head helps avoid pull-through, but you still need restraint: overdriving will crush the surface and mushroom the face. Back off the clutch and let the head kiss the surface.

In sheet metal and plastics

The “self-tapping” claim holds true in light-gauge metals. Through 22 and 20 gauge steel, the sharp point and thread form cut reliably. In 18 gauge, they drive, but you have to be diligent with pressure and speed; a small pilot (1/16–5/64 inch) makes the job cleaner and extends bit life. These are not self-drilling Tek screws—if you’re regularly into thicker steel or multiple stacked layers, pick the right fastener.

In plastics like ABS, PVC, and acrylic, I had good results with a 1/16-inch pilot and slow speed. The broad head distributes load so you’re less likely to crack thin panels, which is a big win over standard pan heads.

Head profile and holding power

The modified truss head delivers most of the value here. It’s low-profile enough to avoid snagging on cords and clothing, yet wide enough to spread load over a bigger footprint. If you’re bridging a slot or oversized hole, these are far more forgiving than standard pan heads. They’re not a substitute for a countersunk flat head where you need truly flush; think low, not invisible. On painted and finished surfaces, the black head disappears nicely against dark hardware and fixtures.

Corrosion and finish

Black phosphate is primarily an assembly coating; it provides mild corrosion resistance and excellent drive feel, but it’s not a weatherproof finish. Indoors or in dry, sheltered spots, the screws stay clean and dark. Outdoors, in damp or coastal conditions, expect the coating to chalk and the steel to show rust over time. I’d choose stainless or a polymer-coated exterior screw for decks, fences, and pressure-treated lumber. Also note: the coating can leave a faint black residue on fingers and bit tips early on—nothing dramatic, but worth knowing if you’re working on light fabrics or finishes.

Tolerances and consistency

Across the 100-count box I used, threads were consistent, points were centered, and head diameters were uniform enough that hardware aligned predictably. I didn’t encounter bent shanks or malformed drive recesses. Tolerances are good enough to matter when you’re aligning multiple screws across slots or a perforated pattern—holes lined up and stayed put without “walking” under load.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Not for structural loads. These are light-duty fasteners intended for thin stock and hardware attachment.
• Phillips recesses will cam-out if you push your luck with torque. Use a fresh #2 bit and let the clutch do its job.
• The 3/4-inch length caps how much bite you get in thicker assemblies; if you need more engagement, move up in length or diameter.
• On very hard woods or near edges, a pilot hole is still the smarter move.
• Black phosphate is not an exterior coating. Use the right screw if wet or corrosive exposure is part of the plan.

Practical tips for best results

• Use a #2 Phillips bit in good condition; worn tips chew faces and increase cam-out.
• Set a low clutch and finish by hand for clean heads and less surface marring.
• For hardwoods or edge work, drill a 1/16-inch pilot.
• In 18 gauge steel, add a small pilot to reduce burrs and effort.
• Skip countersinks—the head is designed to sit on top and spread the load.

Value and packaging

A 100-piece pack is the right quantity for most shops: enough to stock a bin and get through a handful of projects without committing to a bulk carton. My box arrived neatly sorted with no oily residue and minimal coating dust. For the performance and consistency, the price point is fair, and the convenience of a ready-to-go, uniform batch beats the grab-bag quality you sometimes find at the hardware store.

Recommendation

I recommend these BCP #8 x 3/4-inch modified truss head screws for anyone who regularly fastens thin materials to wood or light-gauge metal and wants a low-profile, wide-bearing head with quick, no-fuss starting. They’re ideal for cabinet installs, shop fixtures, light HVAC or electrical accessory mounting, and general household tasks where a flat head would be the wrong geometry and a pan head feels too small. The driving experience is predictable, the quality is consistent, and the head design solves a lot of pull-through problems before they start.

If you need a screw for exterior exposure, heavy structural loads, or repeated high-torque driving, look elsewhere—stainless, polymer-coated exterior screws, or Torx/hex-drive Tek screws are better matches. But as a go-to interior fastener for wood and 18–22 gauge metal, these earn a permanent spot in my kit.