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Thread: Pilot hole size for screws
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11th March 2019, 07:57 PM #1GOLD MEMBER
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Pilot hole size for screws
This is a dumb question but I would like to know what pilot hole sizes you guys are using for different drill sizes? Say 6G, 8G and 10G. Does it change between hardwoods/softwoods/particleboard/MDF?
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11th March 2019 07:57 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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11th March 2019, 08:04 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
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I just measure the shank with my dial callipers and drill that size. Same for all woods.
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11th March 2019, 09:10 PM #3Mobyturns
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11th March 2019, 09:19 PM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Thanks guys.
I'm looking at self tapping screws online. What is the difference between 14G-10 and 14G-20?
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11th March 2019, 09:40 PM #5Taking a break
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About 10
Sorry, I'll see myself out...
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11th March 2019, 11:36 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
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For wood screws I use this reference guide: Wood Screw Pilot Hole Size Table - Engineer's Handbook
Brian
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12th March 2019, 08:51 AM #7
Screw Size Identification The description of the size of the screw is usually listed as three figures:
1. The first figure indicates the gauge of the screw (g),
2. The second figure indicates the threads per inch (T.P.I.),
3. The third figure indicates the length of the screw - mm or inches (”).
e.g. 14-10 x 20mm = 14 gauge, 10 threads per inch, 20mm in length.
Often the second figure is not listed, particularly in timber screws, etc., e.g: 10 x 2-1/2” = 10 gauge, 2-1/2 inches in length.
From page 3.004 - https://www.hvaceducationaustralia.c...ew%20Types.pdfMobyturns
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12th March 2019, 10:47 AM #8GOLD MEMBER
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I see.
If they dont list the second figure - is there a standard TPI which we assume it is?
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12th March 2019, 01:22 PM #9rrich Guest
OK. If you are talking about true "Wood" screws, then a tapered bit should be used. The bit would be specified by the drill bit manufacturer according to the diameter of the screw.
If you are talking about sheet rock screws or sheet metal screws (non tapered threads) like we all use, it is a bit more complicated.
There are two diameters of the screw that are important, shank and thread. The easiest way to determine the appropriate screw size is to hold the screw up to a light area with the drill bit behind it. The pilot drill bit should be hidden behind the screw including both sides of the threads. The body drill would not stick out beyond the threads of the screw.
Food for thought department.
You are using a screw to hold two pieces together, the top and the bottom. The threads of the screw should pass through the top piece freely and only engage the bottom piece.
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16th March 2019, 04:28 AM #10GOLD MEMBER
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16th March 2019, 08:12 AM #11GOLD MEMBER
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For me, pilot hole size varies with the timber density. The pilot hole I use in Ironbark is larger than in pine and different again in MDF
If they were the same size hole you would find one screw stripping the hole and the other screw snapping off with different timbers
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16th March 2019, 10:02 AM #12
Hey Qwertyu, going on the basis that a picture is worth a thousand words - I found this video some time ago, and it seemed to cover most aspects of this (that I didn't know)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne69SeQ1b7w
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16th March 2019, 11:36 AM #13GOLD MEMBER
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18th March 2019, 08:48 AM #14
Indeed, so how come it's so damned difficult to find wood screws that are not threaded all the way to the head, these days? And when I do at last locate some 'real' wood screws on the racks at my local Big Green Shed, there are only two or three sizes and none in the gauge or length I'm after.....
Cheers,IW
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18th March 2019, 09:35 AM #15
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