Jeffrey,

Thank you for your order and for sharing your experience with us.

This is actually a common characteristic of stainless steel fasteners. Stainless is naturally a softer metal than coated alternatives, which is what gives it that excellent corrosion resistance and long-term durability. The trade-off is that the heads can be more susceptible to stripping if the drill speed is too high or if the bit is not seated fully and squarely in the drive recess.

For best results, we recommend using a slow, steady speed on your drill and double-checking that your bit fits snugly before driving. A properly fitted bit makes a noticeable difference with stainless hardware.

We do stand behind these screws as a premium, low-maintenance choice for dock builds, and that recommendation holds even with this limitation in mind. If you have questions or need anything further, we are happy to help.

AMD Customer Support Team | 800-223-3444 | americanmuscledocks.com