What Makes a Good Structural Screw Bit? Long Torx structural screws put more stress on a driver bit than ordinary wood screws. A 6-inch or 8-inch screw may require several seconds of driving, substantial torque,…
Concrete garden walls are a tougher job than brick veneer, timber, or plaster. For a few holes to mount a hose reel, trellis, or light, a cordless hammer drill is usually the practical choice. The…
Choose the anchor for the bracket The right masonry anchor depends on the bracket’s load, the concrete, and whether you might remove the bracket later. For a light utility bracket holding a broom, small hose…
Hardwood trim is easy to split and unforgiving of misplaced holes. For most installation and repair work, the best drill is a compact 12V or 18V cordless drill with a variable-speed trigger, a clutch and…
Attaching a ledger bracket to concrete block is not the same as fastening it to solid concrete. Block may be hollow, the face shell can be thin, and mortar joints are weaker and less predictable…
Choose the right bit for the pier Brick piers can be harder to drill than a standard brick wall. They may be built from dense, hard-fired brick, and the mortar joints can be softer or…
Thin plywood is easy to drill through, but it is also easy to splinter. The bit can tear the top veneer as it exits the back, wander across the surface, or grab and pull the…
What the bracket needs from an anchor A small shelf bracket may look light, but the anchors have to resist both the shelf’s weight and the leverage created when that weight sits out from the…
Cedar siding is soft enough that an impact driver can bury a screw before you notice. The right tool gives you better control without giving up the torque needed for long siding screws. For most…
Clean holes in wood depend more on bit geometry, sharpness and drilling technique than on buying the biggest set. For most household jobs, a quality set of brad-point bits covers accurate holes in both hardwood…