It seems so simple, but nonetheless there are a few things to say. For example, that you need to be careful about using the right length screw. If you have already driven a screw too far and gone through your nicely painted or prepared front surface, then you are probably already now more cautious.
Accidentally picked up a 40 mm screw that had found its way into the box of 35 mm screws? You’d be better off anyway using a 30 mm screw to join two 18 mm panels together, even if a 35 mm screw does just fit. Think what happens if you countersink just a fraction too far, for example.
Countersinking screw heads
Countersink just so deep that the screw head sits a hair’s width deeper than the surface of the wood.
Tip!
If you use a separate countersink bit: for a nicer result, first countersink and then drill the hole.
Hiding screws
Here are three different methods to make a joint using wood glue and screws, and then afterwards to neatly hide the screw holes.
1. Drill clearance hole in top piece and then pre-drill pilot hole in other piece to be joined (then the joint will always sit in the correct place), apply glue to surfaces, tighten up screws. When the glue is dry, remove the screws and fill the holes with wood filler.
2. Start drilling the clearance hole to the diameter of the screw head, drill 3mm deep, then proceed as above, except do not remove the screw when the glue is dry. With this method the screw remains in place for extra strength.
3. For a more modest filling: drill the clearance hole, don’t countersink it, but put a large washer under the screw so that the head does not leave an indentation, then proceed as 1 above: remove the screws and fill the holes with wood filler. Optionally after glueing again neatly drill out the hole. You can then achieve an interesting effect if you use a contrasting colour of wood filler.
Clever tip!
Here’s a different, clever way to conceal screw heads that I found on the internet:
- 1. Use a sharp chisel to loosen a chip where you want to place the screw.
- 2. Carefully roll back the chip / curl to make room to drill the usual hole. This is easier if you first make the curl damp.
- 3. Drill, countersink, insert the screw and tighten it. vastdraaien
- 4. Apply glue under the curl and glue it back into place, using a clamp (see also ‘glueing’). Sand down when the glue is dry.
- 5. It’s clearly shown and explained inthis video
