Use a pilot hole to reduce splitting
Drill a small guide hole before driving a screw near an edge or into harder timber.
Screws, Nails & Anchors
Practical tricks
Short, safety-aware ideas for light-duty DIY jobs and temporary problem solving.
Use 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.