How to Drill a Pilot Hole

A drill is a great addition to your tool kit, especially when it comes to creating a pilot hole.  What’s a pilot hole you ask?  Well, this is a hole that’s commonly used to aid in projects where you have to place a screw into an unblemished surface.  More simply put, it provides a channel for your screw and makes the job a whole lot easier (and cleaner).  In this video from our DIY Smarts series, we’ll show you how to drill a pilot hole effectively.

A word on the benefits of drilling a pilot hole:

• Prevents the surface material you’re drilling into from splitting
• Helps create a stronger hold (after all, it’s the material that holds the screw, not the other way around)
• Keeps the screw (or nail as an alternate application) from bending
• Ensures the screw is installed straight

Here’s our step-by-step process for how to drill a pilot hole:

• Apply painters tape over the surface you’re drilling into to protect the surrounding area
• Mark the spot on the painters tape where you intend to drill
• For tile applications, use a center punch tool to mark the drilling spot
• Choose a drill bit that’s slightly thinner than the screw you’re using to allow the screw to grip tightly when drilled in
• Use a bit of painters tape on the drill bit itself to help you determine how deep you need to drill in relation to the length of the screw
• Don’t forget your safety glasses!

When you see the end result, we’re sure you’ll be looking for other projects to use this technique on 🙂