Yeah it's those cheap ones that really need the washers all the nice ones have built in washers I would still use the proper holes just so the screws have more surface area in contact with the board but your just using it as a safety net so you're all good I don't ever use thermal tapeYeah I had some el cheapo strips back a few years ago. From e bay. That I used the holes and when I tightened them down they cracked. So when I started using the Sammy's. When I got them. I noticed the side slots. And I thought those will work instead of the little tiny holes. And theres no circuitry material on the sides. So I used them. Then did the same on this light as well.