#24 screws are one of the largest screws you can use. They’re great for the majority of heavy-duty woodworking projects. If you don’t know what size drill bit for a #24 screw is, you definitely should know if you’re into very small woodcrafts.
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What Size Drill Bit for a #24 Screw?
A #24 screw needs a drill bit that is sized properly for the pilot hole on the wood. For softwood, you need a 1/4″ drill bit. For hardwood, you need a 17/64″ drill bit.
Don’t confuse this with taps such as a 12-24 tap. It’s also a lot larger compared to the standard-sized #9 screw which is around the medium-size category.
Tips for Using Medium Drill Bits
Know Your Drill Speed
For medium drill bits, it’s important to know the speed of the drill. Drill bits get hotter the faster it spins. When drilling metal or bricks, most people would set their drills to low speed and pressure. This is to avoid overheating and damage to the drill.
The drill’s speed should be adequate for the size of the drill bits, which is medium. The bigger your drill bits are, the slower the speed should be. For medium drill bits, moderate speed is generally what you want. It helps you drill through metal and bricks faster and with better precision.
Maintaining the right speed helps prevent the drill from overheating. If you see smoke coming from your drill, it’s a sign that you should stop what you’re doing and let your drill cool down.
Consider Using Stud Finder
A stud finder ensures you are not drilling into a water pipe or electric cables. Drilling through electric cables can create a huge accident, like electrocuting yourself. So, it’s best to use a stud finder as a safety precaution.
It’s also useful to avoid hitting water pipes which can cause leakage and flooding in your home. You should use a stud finder when drilling with hazardous materials near the drilling spot.
If you’re drilling into an unfamiliar surface, it’s best to use a stud finder to ensure you are drilling precisely and accurately. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Measure Your Drilling Depth
When you are drilling, you often need to measure the exact depth as you don’t want to drill through or leave it shallow. Sometimes, you need to make a partial hole in a workpiece so measuring the exact depth is essential.
You can measure the depth you want to drill into by placing the drill bit next to the material. Mark the exact depth you want the drill bit to go and wrap a piece of tape around it as a guide.
The tape acts as a gauge as to when you should stop drilling. This makes the drilling easier since you can accurately gauge when to stop drilling for the right depth.
Conclusion
#24 screws are used for most heavy-duty woodworking stuff. They are often used for structural framing and general constructions. Check that you are using the proper drill bit size to ensure the stability of your woodworking.
