Do you know how to screw into a wood? Well, what could be difficult in it? Even people with the least knowledge can do it, right?
Well, as easy as it may sound, you can surely mess up the easiest of tasks. How to screw into the wood with a screwdriver? How can things ruin? Imagine screwing a nut into the wood and suddenly you realize you’ve screwed it wrong. It should be straight but it isn’t!
What will you do? Of course, use all your energy to remove it and redo the task! It does sound exhausting, right? This is why, to ensure every beginner or a DIY expert who loves screwing bolts at home, we have the best tips to help you screw right.
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How to Screw into Wood with a Screwdriver?
You’ve usually placed a bolt with a hammer or an electric drill, right? But what if both of these aren’t available?
Will you go on to buy a new set of tools to get the work done? Or maybe call in professionals with all the equipment to help screw a single screw into the wood? Well, of course, you won’t! It sounds absolutely crazy!
Wait! What if we told you that you can now screw into the wood with a screwdriver? How? Is it even possible? Yes, it is because we have been doing it for a long now.
Okay so let’s not complicate things further and get straight to ways of how to screw into the wood with a screwdriver:
1. Dig a Pilot Hole
Working with an electric drill is always more convenient but not everyone has that tool with them. For people who have a screwdriver in their tool kit, it is time to put it to the test.
To assist with the screwing process, we’d suggest you create a pilot hole first. Use a screw and hammer to make a hole where you will then place your screw. If you have multiple screws to fix, make multiple holes using the same technique.
One thing to remember here is that when you’re making a pilot hole, it should be the size of your screw. The longer the screw is, the deeper your pilot hole should be.
Moreover, when removing the screw from your pilot hole, be careful to use the right pliers or claws of the hammer and not damage the wood plank.
Once your done creating holes, place your screws straight into it and use a screwdriver to tighten them. This technique works great for harder wood planks that are thicker in diameter too.
2. Choose the Right-Sized Screwdriver
Having the right set of tools can surely make your work much easier! To avoid unnecessary struggle and wastage of time, we suggest you get your hands on the right-sized screwdriver.
What do we mean by it exactly?
When you’ve already bought a bunch of screws for fixing in place, choose a screwdriver whose tip fits perfectly over their heads. Moreover, if you’re working with heavier wood and bigger screws, find a screwdriver bigger in size so that it gives you a better grip, making the work easier and convenient.
3. Screwing it Tight
To ensure your screws are screwed firmly in place, you need to keep the wood plank straight on a flat base.
In case you’re unable to hold the huge wood block in place, use clamps to get them down and start later. Next, put your screws into the pilot holes one by one, and with a help of a screwdriver, tighten them.
You’ll need to use a little force to rotate the driver multiple times unless the screw has been perfectly fitted in place. Moreover, make sure before you start the job, the screws are rightly placed inside the holes to when fixing them, they are straight and aligned.
Lastly, make sure the screws are tightly fixed in place but do not exert much pressure or it cracks the wood plank you’re working on. Be gentle and careful every time!
When to Use a Screwdriver to Screw into Wood?
With the availability of power tools in today’s time, working manually with a screwdriver may seem an insane idea to many. Rather than frowning at what we’ve successfully discussed, have you wonder at what times this harmless tool might come in handy?
Here are a few instances when you’ll be more than happy to find a screwdriver in your tool kit:
- Screwdriver makes a great alternative when power tools are unavailable
- It comes in handy when you have to work on wet surfaces and using power tools can be harmful
- When working with a non-standard sized screw, a screwdriver surely proves to be a great help
- Use a screwdriver when you do not have the complete safety kit to use with a power tool
- Working with power tools at times can be risky, especially when you are a beginner at work and thus, a screwdriver is the next best option to avail
- A tool as simple as a screwdriver becomes of great help when you’re working with more delicate pieces apart from wood like glass or plastic
- It is cheaper to buy than any other power tool
Types of Screwdrivers in Your Tool Kit
Do you know there are different types of screwdrivers serving different purposes? We doubted that you knew! Thus here we are to discuss the types and what are they used for:
1. Flathead/ Slot-Head/ Regular Screwdriver
Known as the regular screwdriver, this is one of the most common screwdrivers to be used to date!
It consists of a flat, single blade that fits screws with single slots. The shape may be old and simple but this one has been tightening screws for decades now!
2. Philips-head screwdriver
Have you ever had a chance to pick up a screwdriver with a plus sign at the tip? The one with a star-shaped tip is the Philips-head screwdriver and applies more torque than a flat-head screwdriver.
It best fits screws with a star-shaped head and is easy to use too!
Things to Remember When Using a Screwdriver
Well certainly using a screwdriver to screw into wood is a viable option, but of course, not every time it might prove to be a great alternative to your power tools.
Although minimum, using a screwdriver does have its set of disadvantages, and thus, here are those:
- Piloting holes requires great effort and time
- Using a screwdriver for screwing screws into bigger pieces of wood can be more time consuming
- Aligning boards can be difficult when working with a screwdriver
- Not suitable for larger projects
- Using screwdrivers for longer can be exhausting
The Final Thought
Living in an era where people have a shortage of time on their hands, working manually on projects may seem time-consuming and exhausting.
Although we do have a great variety of power tools available, there are times when these may not work as intended and the best way to get your work done is by using the traditional tools.
Screwdrivers as compared to power tools are handier and easy to use. Yes, these may take more time to get the work done but in end, are always worth it! Oh and yes, using a screwdriver to screw into wood is surely a great exercise for your forearms too. Thus, imagine working out on your muscles while getting the work done, what more can you ask for?
