Drill Bit Sizing Hack You've Been Missing Your Whole Life

If you have taken on a project where you had to drill pilot holes, it's very possible that you've made the mistake of using the wrong size drill bit. Using the wrong size drill bit is a common mistake, but it can be really frustrating. If your pilot hole is too big, your screw won't stay in, but if it is too small, you will have trouble getting your screw in, and you might even strip it. So choosing the right size drill bit for your pilot hole is necessary to ensure your project runs smoothly.

Drill bits are small attachments that you put on your drill to create pilot holes before drilling in your screw or anchor. Home Advisor explained that there are several types of drill bits that vary based on what materials they can be used with. Three examples of drill bit types are wood drill bits, metal drill bits, and masonry drill bits. Each type has different shapes, is coated differently, and works with different materials. But how do you choose the correct size drill bit?

Choosing what size drill bit to use can be overwhelming or confusing, especially when you have dozens of options. Thankfully, you can use a few methods to choose the right size drill bit for your project. Apartment Therapy described an easy method to select the correct size drill bit that doesn't require any additional tools or materials.

With this method, you will be holding various drill bits in front of the screw you are using. It's first necessary to understand the parts of a screw. When you look at your standard screw, there is a central column and spirals around it. Ideally, you are looking to choose a drill bit that matches the size of the central column of the screw. When you hold the drill bit in front of the screw, you want to see the spirals but not the central column. This size drill bit will allow the screw to fit in the hole with enough material around it to cling to. This same method can also be used to determine the size of an anchor.