6 Tips for Drilling Wood Screws

Wood screws are specially designed and treated to be used with wood. They create a stronger fit that will last much longer than generic screws or nails. Using wood screws takes some practice in order to know how to go about properly using them. The following article will share with you several tips on drilling wood screws.

Pilot Holes

Some builders do not use pilot holes when using wood screws. This can be a mistake if you wish the wood screws to go into the wood straight. A pilot hole is drilled using a bit much smaller than the diameter of the screw. It creates a channel in the wood that the wood screw will follow. Creating pilot holes depends on the type of wood you are using. If you are using hard wood then you would create pilot holes equal to the size of the screw's thread. In soft wood it is 1/2 the size of the screw's thread.

Wood Screws and Length

When you are attempting to join two pieces of wood together it is important to use wood screws that are the correct length and up to code. If you fail to do so then you risk the job not being done correctly and coming undone. Measure the thickness of the boards being screwed together. The length of the wood screws should 1/8-inch less than the total thickness of the wood being joined.

Size Equates Strength

When you use wood screws to attach two pieces of wood you expect them to hold together. Many people feel that the larger the screw means the stronger the bond and this is both true and false. A long screw with a smaller diameter will hold wood together better than a short screw with a wider diameter.

Wood Screws and Hardwood

Hardwood is great to have in the home and to use as decorative pieces but screwing into hard wood is hard to do because of the density. A simple solution is to coat the wood screws with beeswxv or soap. This lubrication will help the screw go into the hard wood faster and smoother. It also helps to prevent wood screws from breaking. This does not work with grease or oil and you should remember to clean off the wax before you stain or paint the wood.

Loose Screws

After you use something a number of times the screws will tend to work themselves loose. Friction from movement can cause screws to back out of the wood. This can be stopped by placing the wood screws on a flat piece of metal and use a hammer to slightly bend the threads down. The screw will now enter the wood but be unable to work itself free.

Removing Rusty Wood Screws

Rusty screws look horrible and they've lost their strength. If you are having trouble removing the screws then touch a hot soldering iron to the head. The heat causes the metal to expand and then it will cool causing the screw to contract. This makes it much easier to remove the screw.