Use a pilot hole to reduce splitting
Drill a small guide hole before driving a screw near an edge or into harder timber.
Fix, Fasten & Secure
Screws, Nails & Anchors
Beginner-friendly fixing tips for pilot holes, wall plugs, screw bits and basic anchors.
Practical tricks
View all tricksUse a wall plug for light-duty wall fixing
Use a suitable wall plug to help a screw grip in masonry or some wall materials.
Use soap or wax to ease a screw into wood
Rub a little wax or dry soap on a screw thread to reduce driving effort in timber.
Use tape to mark drilling depth
Wrap tape around a drill bit to make a simple visual depth marker.
Use the right screwdriver bit to avoid cam-out
Match the bit to the screw head so it drives cleanly without chewing the recess.
Guides
View all guidesAvoiding common screw and nail mistakes
Common fixing errors that cause splitting, stripped heads or weak holds.
Choosing screws for basic DIY jobs
How to think about length, head type, material and the surface being fixed.
Wall plugs and anchors: basic beginner guide
A cautious beginner guide to matching light-duty wall fixings to wall type.
Glossary
View glossary
Cam-out
When a driver bit slips out of a screw recess under torque—and why matching Phillips (PH) or Pozidriv (PZ) matters.
Countersink
A shaped recess that lets a screw head sit flush or below the surface.
Pilot hole
A small drilled hole that guides a screw and reduces splitting.
Screw gauge
A size number that describes screw thickness in some screw systems.
Wall plug
An insert that helps a screw grip in a drilled wall hole.