Drilling Pilot Holes for Lag Screws in Wood Soft Hard

Lag Screw Pilot Hole Sizes Wood Chart Drilling Guide


Drilling Lag Screw Pilot Holes

Part wood spiral & role bolt—lag screws are a beast of their own. Similar to wood screw pilot holes, a lag screw pilot hole should have a smaller diameter than the actual spiral. This creates a snug fit, which allows the teeth of the lag spiral to dig into the walls of the pilot pigsty. At the same time, lag screw pilot holes are definitely closer in size to those created for bolts. Thus, yous'll likely need to use either a spade bit or a big twist fleck to create them.In terms of the drill bit'south coating or material, it doesn't really matter. Since the screw holes are then big, the drill bits won't exist prone to breaking. Thus, HSS drill bits and other affordable options are perfectly acceptable for drilling lag screw airplane pilot holes. With that being said, larger $.25 as well require more fourth dimension to misemploy heat. To speed this up, clear the saw dust out of the drill flake's flute between each stoke. This will ensure that the rut isn't trapped against the metal.

Pilot Hole Size for Softwood Lag Spiral Diameter Pilot Hole Size for Hardwood
iii/32″ ane/four″ 3/sixteen″
9/64″ five/16″ 7/32″
xi/64″ three/8″ 1/4″
ane/iv″ i/2″ 11/32″
5/16″ 5/8″ 1/2″
3/eight″ iii/4″ 9/xvi″

Lag Screws in Softwoods

When drilling into softwoods, it'due south always worth trying a smaller sized bit. The lower density wood fibers allow for greater compression when receiving the spiral. This results in an overall tighter fit and more than secure fastener. At that place are a few exceptions to this like aromatic cedar and other hard softwoods. If you aren't sure how if you should test a smaller drill bit, we accept a chart with all the hardness ratings for North American softwoods. Though there's no need to countersink your lag screw, we recommend smoothing the surface.

Lag Screws in Hardwoods

The virtually challenging part with hardwoods is driving in the actual lag spiral. If you have a pack of nut setter bits, y'all're in good shape…at least for the smaller sizes. For the other users out there that will be using a socket on a 1/4″ hex shank, it'south a different story. As the lag spiral enters deeper into the airplane pilot hole, the socket will likely ground out before the spiral is fully inside. When you come across this, stuff some pocket-size washers into the dorsum of the socket. This will finer brand the socket shallower when it wraps around the lag spiral's head. Do be mindful that it is of course safer and quicker to use nut setter bits.

Shallow Socket Wrench Hack for Driving Lag Screw Hex Bolt

If your socket wrench bottoms out, insert some smaller washers between the meridian of the lag screw & the bottom of the socket. This will upshot in an effectively shallower socket.

Recommended Tools for Drilling Lag Screw Airplane pilot Holes:

DeWalt Drill Bits for Pilot Holes

DEWALT Titanium Pilot Point Drill Scrap Ready

Why we like information technology:

  • Drill bits characteristic tapered tips for greater strength
  • Titanium blanket provides greater longevity
  • Complete coverage for all wood screw sizes
  • Works for wood, plastic, & metallic
  • Shanks have flattened side to foreclose slipping

View it on Amazon

DeWalt Power Drill for Pilot Holes

DEWALT Cordless Power Drill

Why we like it:

  • Handles well with no latency in power
  • Meaty size fits into tight spaces
  • Impressive battery life with backup included
  • LED light illuminates dark areas when drilling
  • When it comes to power drills, stick to quality brands

View it on Amazon

More than Pilot Hole & Lag Screw Articles:

Home » DIY Tutorials & Work Shop Resources » Woodworking » Lag Screw Airplane pilot Hole Sizes for Wood