What's a Pilot Hole?

A pilot hole is a small hole drilled into a piece of construction material. Its purpose may be: to guide a larger drill to the appropriate location and ease the job of the larger drill allow for the ...

Do I need to drill a pilot hole?

Pilot holes are necessary if you're drilling into hardwood, laminate, or need a precisely located fastener. They're also recommended if the wood is likely to crack, or if appearance is important. You can skip the pilot holes when doing a rough build with softwood where appearance isn't important.

What is the purpose of the pilot hole when drilling?

Drilling a pilot hole before using a screw or nail to join parts together makes the process easier and prevents the wood from splitting.