About Countersink Bits

I thought I knew what I was looking for.  I asked an employee at Home Depot where the countersink bits were.  He showed me a packet of 4 for about $20.  No individual bits and they didn’t look like I thought they would.

I headed to Lowes.  Here I found individual bits and a “bit” more information (how do you like that pun??). Here’s a photo of what I came home with:

The #8 on the package corresponds to the size of the screw head you purchase, which is also marked on the package of screws.  The multi package of countersink bit at Home Depot for $20 had different numbered screw heads.  I only need the #8 for less than $5. The multi-pack would be overkill.

I hear that countersink bits are easy to break, so I bought a package of drill bits that can replace a broken one.  Right under the #8 on the countersink bit package, it says 7/64 in. pilot.  That’s the size you want for replacement bits.

The Allen wrench is to adjust for the length of the screws you are using.  Holding the countersink bit next to the screw, adjust it slightly less than the screw and tighten with the wrench.

The drill bit makes a pilot hole for the screw; the black plastic part bores a hole so that the screw head sinks below the surface of the wood.  This enables you to fill it with wood filler for a seamless look to your finished piece.

If you want to see a video on how to countersink a screw, go here, here, and here for 3 very short YouTube videos demonstrating the process.  The hardest part was finding the bit!

Here’s a photo of what it looks like on a project:

Notice that the screw head is beneath the surface of the wood.

**If you thought this was a helpful post, please  drop me a line in the comments section.  If it was not helpful, I’d love to know what I could/should change–please let me know this in the comments section as well.  Thanks for your input!