If the drill bit diameter covers the shank of the screw while showing the threads, you have the correct drill bit to use. To do this, simply hold the screw up to the light, then hold a drill bit up in front of the screw. Table showing pilot hole size for screw sizes (Metric) How To Pick A Pilot Hole Drill Size On The GoĪs you get more experienced, you will find it a lot easier to grab a drill bit on the fly rather than referencing back to this table all the time. Table showing pilot hole size for screw sizes (imperial) Metric Chart Gauge Drill Bit Size Chart Imperial Chart Gauge If you want to see another way to pick the best pilot hole size, check out the paragraph below these tables. I recommend printing these tables out to have in your workshop. These are the recommended hole diameter for each type of screw. Where I have listed a small bradawl simply means the hole is so small it’s not really needed for that particular screw. Which pilot hole size do you consider best for this screw Best Pilot Holes SizesĪfter years of using pilot holes, I thought it would be best to list the pilot hole sizes in the drill bit size tables below. For this, I opted for the next drill size up to complete the job. On my last project, the wood was very hard and even after drilling a regular pilot hole, the threads of the screw struggled to bite into the wood. Hardwoods on the other hand will need a slightly larger pilot hole. Always use a pilot hole when screwing into the end grain. Also, most plywoods rarely need a pilot hole as long as you are screwing into the face of the plywood. Generally speaking, softwoods require a smaller size pilot hole or sometimes no pilot hole although this is not recommended. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: What Size Pilot Hole? () Are You Screwing Into Softwood Or Hardwood?Īnswering this question will be a huge leap forward in discovering the best size pilot for your job at hand. Failure to do this will result in wood splitting, especially in hardwoods or MDF-type products.Ī pilot hole can also help prevent the splitting of the timber as the wood ages over time.Ĭheck out this video explaining the easy way to select the best size pilot hole. The purpose of a pilot hole is to clear the diameter of the shank or body of the screw so that only the threads engage with the wood fibers. The threads are part of the screw that bites into the wood fibers enabling the screw to tighten down into the hole. Let’s first discuss, exactly why you need a pilot hole while screwing into the timber so you better understand the application.Īll screws have a shank or body which is wrapped in threads. Conclusion – What Size Pilot Hole Should I Drill?.How Do I Know If My Pilot Hole Is Too Big?.Does This Mean I Need 2 Holes For Every Screw?.
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