Drilling

Good drilling and the right screws hold projects together. This section covers screw selection and sizing, removing stuck or stripped screws, anchoring, and fixing holes.

Screws & sizing: screwdriver size chart, pilot-hole drill size, cabinet screws, and fence screws.

Stuck & stripped screws: free a stuck screw, drill out a screw, and fix loose hinge screws.

Anchoring & repairs: use wood filler, fix a hole in a door, and install threaded inserts.

Drills: impact vs hammer drill.

For choosing drills and drivers, see our tools & saws guide.

What size drill bit for a wood screw? Match the pilot hole to the screw’s shank (root) diameter — our screw drill-size guide lists the exact bit for each gauge.

How do you remove a stripped screw? Try a rubber band for grip, a screw-extractor bit, or drilling it out as a last resort.