The pointed ends of the screws are designed in a way that they can be drilled easily. But, to avoid degradation of the wood you are using, it is recommended to go for the ideal size drill bits for your screws.
Using the correct size drill bit might be a challenge and seem daunting, but with this article, things will be a lot easier. Let us go through each step and learn about the details of the drill bits for complete understanding.
What Size Drill Bit For #10 Screws?
The correct drill bit for your #10 screws must comply with the wood piece is softwood or hardwood. For the softwood, you should settle for 3/32 inches or #42 gauge drill bit, while for the hardwood, you should go for 7/64 inches or #36 gauge drill bit.
You need to remember that you do not confuse this with 10mm taps or other taps. If threads are involved, you must be talking about 10-24 tap with a size of 5/32 inches in place of the #10 screw. Again, you need to be aware that other kinds of #10 screws might require other drill bit sizes. They are:
- Type 25 thread-cutting Screws
- Self-tapping Type B Screws
- Self-tapping AB Screws
Steps to Drill a Hole for #10 Screw
If you are looking to nail pieces of wood together or screw into any material, the #10 screws will be helpful by minimising effort and task time. Following the steps discussed below, you can get over with the task easily and keep the wood safe.
1.Mark the Location
You first need to mark the piece of wood with a pencil and create a dent in the process. The softwood pieces should be easier to dent than the hardwood. The dent will ensure the drill bit is secured safely in the perfect place before you start making a hole.
2. You Need to Select the Correct Drill Bit Size
Firstly, you have to make sure that you choose a size closest to the width of the screw which you are using. Always, go for the more undersized diameter for the drill bit when compared to the screw.
Now, we have already mentioned that it is better to go for 3/32 inches drill bits and 7/64 inches drill bits for softwood and hardwood, respectively.
3. Push the Drill Bit in
After you decide on the size of the drill bit for your #10 screw, it is advised to secure the drill bit in a power saw to complete the task at hand.
4. Secure the Materials in Place
Now, you need to look at the manual of the drill for the buttons meant for the particular functions. However, before you start drilling, it is better to ensure that the wood is in the perfect place before drilling and pushing the screw in.
5. Start Drilling
You need to now maintain the power drill in place and perpendicular to the wood. Now, you can start to drill by increasing the speed gradually. However, if speed is not your concern and the hole needs depth, it is better to keep the speed slow so that higher depths can be reached. When the action is completed, you must take the drill out in the anti-clockwise direction.
6. Screw the Drill in
In the end, you need to push the screw into the hole. For this to happen, the hole must be the right size. Using a handheld screwdriver, it lets you fit the screw in with minimal effort.
Final Word
Practice and intuition are the keys to choosing the perfect drill bit. But, you do not need to be intimidated by the whole process as we have listed everything you need to consider through the article. We hope this guide helps you choose the right size drill bit for your #10 screw.
