Hey everyone! I'm currently doing an apprenticeship in joinery and learning how to make kickboards with plywood. I recently had to drill in some metal adjustable feet using 12mm screws with an impact driver. The thing is, there were no pre-drill holes, so I was going straight into solid plywood. I was told to take short bursts with the impact driver; otherwise, the screw might spin out. Most of the time, this works, but about 25% of the time, the screw just spins and won't grip the wood, even when I'm using the same technique. I asked my boss about it, but he couldn't really explain why it's happening. I really want to improve and produce consistent, good-quality work, so I'm hoping some of you can help me understand why this is happening and what I can do to fix it.
3 Answers
Honestly, I recommend using a regular drill instead of an impact driver. It gives you way more control over the process. Sometimes, plywood can have hidden gaps, and if you're screwing into one of those spots, your screw will just spin without gripping. Also, making a pre-drill hole that's slightly smaller than the screw's thread can really help, especially if you use a countersink bit so the screw head sits flush with the surface. Otherwise, it might stop going in and start spinning.
Just to clear things up, are you sure you're using wood screws? Just like others have pointed out, an impact driver isn't the best for woodwork. Also, double-check the screw size. If 12mm is the diameter of the screw, consider drilling a pilot hole that's the size of the shank of the screw, which is the inside of the threads. This can really make a difference!
When you're using screws in soft woods or composite materials, they can strip really easily. The screw threads need something solid to grab onto, and if the wood gets stripped inside the hole, it won’t hold, which is why your screw might be spinning. It's a common issue, so don't feel bad about it!
That makes sense! I guess I need to pay more attention to the material I'm working with.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely measure and try drilling the right-sized hole.