Most tradespeople and DIYers would agree that pilot holes are an essential step before driving a screw into the material, especially when working close to the edge. Pilot holes are generally required for lower quality screws but let’s face it, they’re a real drag. Most of the problems related to driving screws have nothing to do with the screw itself, but everything to do with the pilot hole. So, learning how to properly drill them is essential to prevent the risk of a project disaster.
What are pilot holes?
When you drive screws into wood without drilling pilot holes, you’re essentially pushing wood out of the way to make room for the screw. This puts more pressure on the wood surrounding the screw, which can result to splitting the wood. To prevent this you create a pilot hole. This is a small hole that’s drilled into the material before insertion the screw. The pilot hole also allows for easier installation in dense hardwoods. This ensures that the screw will be installed straight as it will follow the path of the pilot hole.
Although pilot holes are essential for most woodscrews, Optimaxx have designed a range of woodscrews that completely eliminates the hassle of drilling pilot holes. That’s right, these range of woodscrews are designed to remove the need for a pilot hole without damaging the screw.
Why are pilot holes not necessary with Optimaxx woodscrews?
Optimaxx is a high-performance woodscrew that incorporates two key features that are significant to removing the need for a pilot hole. One of which is the consistent self-drill slash point. This is a razor-sharp point with an angled slash cut into the end of the screw. This provides an immediate start, even on the hardest and smoothest of materials and extracts the materials up to the woodscrew.
Working close the edge is one of the main reasons why pilot holes are required. However, the angled slash point is precisely cut across the point to remove the wood fibres upon insertion. This massively reduces the pressure build up on insertion by dispensing wood fibres. Therefore, greatly reducing the risk of splitting the wood, even when working close to the edge.
The consistency of the slash point is key to the Optimaxx woodscrew design as this ensures every single woodscrew has the same powerful insertion. This consistency is also rare in the woodscrew market, with Optimaxx being the only brand on the market providing a consistent slash point.
Above the self-drill slash point is a sharp tooth formation which is cut out of the bottom threads. This provides a fast insertion by biting into the wood which reduces torque and resistance. Therefore, enabling a fast penetration without a pilot hole.
Optimaxx is available in a wide range of merchants across the country, including Travis Perkins, Toolfix and ITS. Check out our store locator to find your local stockist today.
