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The subtleties of driving a screw

Strong, budget-friendly, and reversible, screws are useful in a number of furniture making applications.

Author Headshot By Mike Korsak #288-Mar/Apr 2021 Issue
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Synopsis: Strong, budget-friendly, and reversible, screws are useful in a number of furniture making applications. Mike Korsak uses them in a variety of different ways, and here he offers his expertise on how to make the most of them: choosing the right screw, sizing drill bits for the job, correctly sizing the clearance hole and countersink, and putting together a fast and efficient routine when using them to build furniture.


Anatomy of a wood screw
Anatomy of a wood screw

I frequently use screws in my furniture, in places where they won’t be seen like the backs, bottoms, or insides of pieces. First and foremost, screws allow me to fine-tune the fit of a joint or assembly before committing to permanently joining parts. I can assemble parts, disassemble to make adjustments, and then reassemble. Second, screws add strength. When installed properly, they are extremely strong in terms of clamping force, shear strength, and resistance to…

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Comments

  1. John_C2 | Mar 04, 2021 04:23pm | #1

    I'm curious about the countersink shown in the article. Can someone tell us what brand it is?

    1. DaveRichards | Mar 04, 2021 04:31pm | #2

      It looks very much like a HCS 82° Single-Flute Countersink that Lee Valley sells.

      1. John_C2 | Mar 04, 2021 07:25pm | #3

        It does. Thank you. There are more crappy countersinks out there than any other kind of tool.

        1. DaveRichards | Mar 05, 2021 09:51am | #4

          Agreed!

      2. Mike_Korsak | Mar 06, 2021 10:48am | #5

        Yes, that's it. Lee Valley item 06J5008.

        1. John_C2 | Mar 11, 2021 07:45am | #6

          Thank you.

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