Pin with tapered root diameter

A pin is disclosed that includes an elongated shaft having a constant diameter, and an elongated threaded portion having first and second axially separated ends, the first axial end being axially closer to the elongated shaft than the second axial end. The threaded portion has a root diameter that tapers linearly from a maximum value at the first axial end to a minimum value at the second axial end. The root diameter at the first axial end is substantially equal to the diameter of the elongated shaft itself. The pin also includes a drill end extending axially from the second axial end of the threaded portion such that the drill end is connected to the elongated shaft by the threaded portion. Also disclosed is a preferred method of forming the threaded portion on the pin including the steps of: rotating the pin about its longitudinal axis; moving a cutting surface at a predetermined speed across an axial portion of the rotating pin to thereby cut threads in the axial portion; and linearly increasing the distance between the cutting surface and the longitudinal axis of the pin as the cutting surface is moved across the axial portion of the pin.