Self-tapping screws offer a particular advantage where occasional disassembly may be necessary for maintenance or repair. A self-tapping screw fastener includes a shank having first and second ends and a head disposed at the second end of the shank. The shank of the self-tapping has a tapered portion of a predetermined axial length adjacent the first end, and the tapered portion terminates at the first end in a substantially circular end surface having a first diameter.