pp

28/08/2003 8:13 AM

screw pre-drill size

I've got to put some screws into expensive oak cabinets.

When holes are pre-drilled for screws, should the hole be the size of
the shaft or perhaps slightly smaller?


This topic has 7 replies

sS

[email protected] (Sir Edgar)

in reply to [email protected] (p-j) on 28/08/2003 8:13 AM

28/08/2003 9:59 AM

p-j wrote:
Group: rec.woodworking Date: Thu, Aug 28, 2003, 8:13am (EDT-1) From:
[email protected] (p-j)
I've got to put some screws into expensive oak cabinets.
When holes are pre-drilled for screws, should the hole be the size of
the shaft or perhaps slightly smaller?
******************************************************
I would suggest that you buy a set of tapered drills, complete with
collar stops and countersink bushings, in #6, #8 and #10 sizes.
The ones I have are made by Fuller and include
a wooden block to store them. I believe that I bought them from Rockler
and they were inexpensive. Lacking these, select a drill for the srew
thread that is slightly less than the root diameter (use a number drill,
not a fractional sze). You also will also need a drill the diameter of
the unthreaded shank. If you are using flat head screws you will need a
countersink. Do not try to use screws in oak without a lubricant. Use
beeswax, not soap which will cause the screw to rust and stain the wood.
I regularly us #2 brass screws in oak jewelry boxes and haven't broken
one yet ( I say with fingers crossed)!
Peace ~ Sir Edgar
=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=
=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8

JD

Jane & David

in reply to [email protected] (p-j) on 28/08/2003 8:13 AM

28/08/2003 7:59 AM

David F. Eisan wrote:
>
> Can you please explain how to pre-drill, I only know how to drill...
>


Have you tried starting earlier?

(another) David

PB

Pat Barber

in reply to [email protected] (p-j) on 28/08/2003 8:13 AM

28/08/2003 9:00 PM

It's like "foreplay" or "way before play" .....

"David F. Eisan" wrote:
>
>
> Can you please explain how to pre-drill, I only know how to drill...
>

DF

"David F. Eisan"

in reply to [email protected] (p-j) on 28/08/2003 8:13 AM

28/08/2003 1:58 PM

Hello there,

> When holes are pre-drilled for screws, should the hole be the size of
> the shaft or perhaps slightly smaller?

Can you please explain how to pre-drill, I only know how to drill...

Thanks,

David.

Every neighbourhood has one, in mine, I'm him.

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Mi

"Mike in Mystic"

in reply to [email protected] (p-j) on 28/08/2003 8:13 AM

28/08/2003 1:27 PM

slightly smaller than the shaft, as you said.

--

There are no stupid questions.
There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.


"p-j" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1g0e6ks.1t0xire1cskv1cN%[email protected]...
> I've got to put some screws into expensive oak cabinets.
>
> When holes are pre-drilled for screws, should the hole be the size of
> the shaft or perhaps slightly smaller?

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to [email protected] (p-j) on 28/08/2003 8:13 AM

28/08/2003 2:15 PM


"David F. Eisan" <[email protected]> wrote in message > >

> Can you please explain how to pre-drill, I only know how to drill...
>
> Thanks,
>
> David.


You would think you would know these things by now David..

When you drill a board and pull the bit out a bit to clear the chips out,
that is predrilling. When you slide the bit back in the hole and continue
to the desired depth, that is drilling.

KE

"K.-Benoit Evans"

in reply to [email protected] (p-j) on 28/08/2003 8:13 AM

28/08/2003 9:41 AM


There's a table of pilot hole sizes for screws on the following page:

<http://www.americanfastener.com/technical/drill_bit_size.asp>

For example, the pilot hole for a #8 screw in oak would be 3/32".

--
Regards,

Benoit Evans


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