Fixing screws through one piece of timber into another can be troublesome, sometimes the screws force the piece you are trying to fix away from the piece you want to fix to. To avoid this happening, try the following:
Drill a small pilot hole through the piece you are trying to fix (dont use a drill as large as the actual screw, just a little smaller is best). In doing so you allow the screw to pass through and the screw head will then do the fixing for you. This is especially helpful if you are trying to fix Oak or similar hardwood timbers.
Alternatively, get an old bar of soap and rub the threads of the screw against the soap; this acts like a lubricant and allows the thread to ease it's way through the piece that you want to secure. This technique can be much quicker than the 1st idea but it really depends on what timber you are trying to fix securely.
Fixing timber to timber with traditional nails; when trying to fix one pice of timber to another it is best to use "Oval" headed nails - normally known as "Oval Brads". These nails are really useful when the nail head needs to be concealed.
The issues you may encounter are (a) getting the nail started, (b) the nail bends, (c) you make hammer marks on the timber, and/or (d) the timber splits.
"a + b"... Starting the nail;
To get the nail started and to try and stop the nail bending, place the timber being fixed on a flat surface and "start" the nails that way before offering the timber up to the area that wish to fit to.
"c"... Hammer marks or nails bend;
When using a hammer to drive the nails home you should stop short of knocking the nail all the way in as you will risk marking the timber. Now use a nail punch to finish driving the nails all the way home and just below the surface.
"d"... Timber splits;
Last - but in actual fact the 1st thing you should do - is to take each nail, and using some form of solid object such as an old brick or similar take each nail and place the head of the nail on the brick with the nails pointed end facing vertical. Now take the hammer and gently tap the end of the nail to blunt the pointed end. I know this sounds like an April Fool joke but it is an old trade trick and it will prevent the timber from splitting, it really does work.
Any questions, email info@directdoors.com
Info supplied by www.directdoors.com