Key Features
Built for Truss Tie-Downs This Simpson Strong-Tie truss screw is made for truss or rafter-to-top-plate and stud-to-plate connections. The fully threaded shank grabs through the length of the fastener so the connection stays tight where uplift and movement matter. Drives Easier The Type-17 point starts faster in wood, and the T30 six-lobe drive gives better bit engagement than a basic recess. That means less cam-out and better control when you are working overhead or inside framing. Cleaner Finish Clearance The cap-style head countersinks into the double top plate to stay out of the way of drywall and finish work. You get the structural connection without creating a proud head that causes problems later.
Overview
Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Drive SDWC TRUSS Screw, .155-in. x 6-in. T30 Clear-Zinc Coat, Orange, 50-Pack (SDWC15600-KT) is a structural wood screw built for fastening trusses and rafters to wall top plates, while also handling stud-to-bottom and stud-to-top plate connections. This is a structural screw designed for high-wind wood framing connections. Model number: SDWC15600-KT.
What makes this screw matter is how it solves a real framing problem. Traditional truss and rafter tie-down methods can mean extra hardware, extra steps, or awkward installation from the outside of the structure. The SDWC lets fastening be done from inside the building, which can cut out exterior upper-story work and make installation safer and more practical on the job.
The .155-inch shank and fully threaded design are there for a reason. Instead of only biting near the tip, the fastener engages along the full length of the screw to help create a secure connection between roof and wall framing members. On engineered lumber, plated trusses, and solid-sawn lumber, that full engagement is a big part of why this fastener is used for structural tie-down work rather than general-purpose fastening.
The 6-inch overall length with a 5-3/4-inch thread length gives this model reach for deeper framing connections, while the Type-17 point helps it start faster and drive easier in wood. If you have ever fought a structural screw that wants to wander or split the start, this style of point helps get the fastener moving with less effort.
The cap head is another smart detail. It is designed to countersink fully into the double top plate so it does not interfere with drywall or finish trades later. That matters on jobs where structural fastening has to happen without creating callbacks for the next crew. You get holding power without leaving a head sticking proud where it should not be.
Installation is also more forgiving than many structural fastening methods. Simpson calls out a wide tolerance on the installation angle, and the included metal installation guide tool helps you keep placement and angle on track. Fastening can also be done before or after exterior sheathing is applied, which gives the framing crew more flexibility in sequencing.
This SDWC screw uses a T30 six-lobe drive for positive engagement and longer bit life. That is the practical difference between fighting stripped recesses and driving fasteners cleanly when you are working overhead, in corners, or one-handed. The included matched-tolerance driver bit is part of that system, and the listed replacement bit is BIT30T-2-R2.
The clear-zinc coated 6-inch version is finished in orange for easy inspection, which is not just cosmetic. On a framing inspection, being able to quickly identify the right fastener helps crews and inspectors confirm what was installed. For contractors working in wind-prone regions or anyone following specified structural fastening schedules, that visibility is useful.
This fastener is best suited to framers, general contractors, and serious remodelers handling structural wood connections where code-driven tie-down details matter. If you need a generic wood screw, this is overkill. If you need a purpose-built structural screw for truss, rafter, or stud-to-plate fastening with cleaner interior-side installation, this is the right kind of product.
Install From Inside the Structure
This is the big advantage of the SDWC system. Instead of working from the exterior on upper stories, you can drive the screw from inside the framed structure, which makes the connection easier to reach and safer to complete.
- Designed for truss or rafter-to-plate and stud-to-plate connections
- Can be installed before or after exterior sheathing is applied
Purpose-Built for Structural Wood Framing
The geometry on this screw is there to do a specific job in framing, not just act like an oversized wood screw. Full-length thread engagement, a structural-size shank, and a fast-start point all work together to make it a better fit for roof-to-wall and stud plate connections.
- .155-inch shank diameter
- 5-3/4-inch thread length on a 6-inch screw
- Type-17 point for faster starts and easier driving
Guided Angle, Cleaner Finish
The included installation guide tool helps take some guesswork out of placement, and the cap-style head finishes flush into the double top plate. That combination helps both the framing crew and the trades that come behind them.
- Wide tolerance on installation angle for easier correct installation
- Cap head countersinks to avoid interference with drywall or finish work
What’s in the Box
- (50) Simpson Strong-Tie SDWC15600 structural truss screws
- (1) Matched-tolerance T30 driver bit
- (1) Metal installation guide tool
Key Specifications
| Fastener Type | Hand-drive structural screw |
|---|---|
| Application | High-wind construction |
| Length (in.) | 6 in. |
| Shank Diameter (in.) | 0.155 in. |
| Head Diameter (in.) | 0.335 in. |
| Drive Type | T30 6-lobe |
| Head Type | Cap head |
| Thread Length (in.) | 5-3/4 in. |
| Point Type | Type-17 point |
| Coating/Material | Clear-zinc coating |
| Color | Orange |
| Pack Quantity | 50 |
Compatibility
Drive Interface Uses a T30 six-lobe drive. Best matched with the included driver bit for secure engagement during structural fastening. Replacement Bit Replacement driver bit part number: BIT30T-2-R2. Primary Materials Designed for multi-ply members such as plated trusses, engineered-lumber products, and solid-sawn lumber.
Built For
Carpentry Construction General Contracting Remodeling Roof-to-wall fastening Truss installation Rafter-to-plate connections Stud-to-plate connections
Pro Tip
Use the included metal guide when you are training a new guy on these. It helps keep the installation angle consistent, and that makes the SDWC system faster to repeat across a whole run of truss or stud connections.
Tool Nut’s Take
Tool Nut’s Take
Why the Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Drive SDWC TRUSS Screw Earns Its Spot
This is a purpose-built structural fastening solution that saves time, makes interior-side installation easier, and avoids the usual headaches that come with hardware-heavy truss tie-down details.
- Who it’s for: Framers, builders, and remodelers doing structural wood connections where truss, rafter, or stud-to-plate fastening needs to be done right.
- Why it stands out: The fully threaded shank, Type-17 point, cap head, and inside-the-structure installation all solve real jobsite problems instead of just adding features for the catalog.
- Worth knowing: This is not a general wood screw. It is a structural screw for a specific connection method, and you should use the correct T30 bit and installation approach to get the benefit.
Common Questions
- What is this screw designed to do? It is designed for truss or rafter-to-top-plate connections and for stud-to-bottom or stud-to-top plate connections in wood framing.
- Can it be installed from inside the building? Yes. One of the main benefits of the SDWC system is that it can be installed from inside the structure, which helps reduce exterior upper-story work.
- What drive type does it use? This model uses a T30 six-lobe drive and includes a matched-tolerance driver bit.
- What coating and color does this model have? SDWC15600-KT has a clear-zinc coating and an orange finish for easy inspection.
- Can it be installed before or after exterior sheathing? Yes. Simpson states fastening can be performed before or after exterior sheathing is applied.
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