Essentials of the Screw Joint
Tips and techniques for using this vital fastener
Synopsis: Woodworking teacher Mario Rodriguez tells you everything you need to know to create a solid mechanical connection using screws, from the three-step drilling process of making a pilot hole, clearance hole, and countersink, to the best ways to hide screws using plugs. He also shares how to get screws to grip better in end grain, plywood, or MDF, and how to cut a clearance slot to allow for wood movement.
Our craft offers dozens of clever and often complex ways to join two pieces of wood. some joints take months or years to master, and each has its advantages—strength, beauty, longevity. But none supplants the humble screw. screws eliminate the need for time-consuming joinery, create a solid mechanical connection, and make it easy to quickly assemble and disassemble your projects.
I use screws often, even in formal pieces of furniture that include hand-cut joinery. when building a large…
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