How to Avoid Splitting Wood from Nail and Screw - How to Hide Screw in Wood Tips

[@richeerich561]

No bs, no intro, no overly explained process.. just 3m20s of straight easily understandable info. While this was a random yt suggestion for something I already knew, you earned a subscriber. Looking foreward to whatever else ya got

[@tightbootyhole707]

Who doesnt like videos OVERLY explained? Are always better than a video with lack of explanation

[@richeerich561]

@@tightbootyhole707 Can't tell if this is sarcasm or if you really mean it lol. If you mean it, luckily for you YT is dominated with videos like that. Videos like this I feel are better for people who already have a good grasp on whatever the situation is and need minimal info

[@tightbootyhole707]

@@richeerich561 YeH thats the point im just a wifes man who works trading, whenever i need to do a reparation i see videos like this, is fine, still would be ns to see why, thats all.... tell me if you still can see im not using sarcasm

[@richeerich561]

@@tightbootyhole707 I gotcha, I definitely look for videos with a lot of details when I need them too, just nice for short versions when ya dont as well. Happy Friday :)

[@tightbootyhole707]

@@richeerich561 Happy Friday too¡¡

[@JMWexperience]

Cutting or blunting the tip allows the fastener to Shear and Cut the wood fibers. That is how this technique works for the most part. Nice video, thanks!

[@MarkSeifert]

Aha! This is the reply I was looking for. Thank you.

[@wylanvallotton4462]

I was about to ask how that worked. Thank you.

[@Mortimer50145]

It seems counter intuitive that a blunt nail or screw will penetrate the wood more cleanly than one with a sharp tip. It works evidently, but it's definitely something I'd have to be told rather than something that I'd be able to work out for myself.

[@madassbadgers]

30 years ago, when I was doing an apprenticeship with a carpenter, he made me take a box of nails and hits each one on the sharp end with a hammer. I thought he was winding me up, but the blunted tip on each one would punch through the wood instead of splitting it every time.

[@MarkSeifert]

It's a fascinating phenomenon for sure, and I never would have guessed it works this way. I imagine the sharp tip had a tendency to slip between fibers and shove them aside, causing the split... but a blunt tip tends to smash through the fibers.

[@bobcaygeon4533]

Everyone of these tips I learned from my shop teacher in Grade 7. I'm now 59 and still use them. I also did become a licensed carpenter. He was a great man and a great teacher. When they got rid of shops in most schools 20 years ago, it was the worst mistake for young kids. Yes, not everyone will become a tradesman, but also not everyone will excel at computers or business etc. We still need people to build. I'm at risk of sounding like an old guy, but the last 2 generations are totally lost on practical life skills. Sad.

[@NorieGa_Mx]

You're 100% right .

[@fishmanfishman6511]

I learned a lot through woodshop in the 7th grade. Skills I still use around the house and yard. Rest In Peace Mr. Bradley. Thank you for being a great teacher!

[@davidgraham2673]

@@TheRealShawnCrowe , True.

[@suep9445]

@@TheRealShawnCrowe oh please. That requires a level of coordination and fortune telling that would only occur in the movies.

[@wisdomfox857]

@@carrickdubya4765 had mechican class at my school 8 uears ago was really let down we just read and watch videos because the school didnt eant us getting hurt

[@CarlosGonzalez-hp5ox]

Im so glad you didnt put any unwanted music. Thank you! 🙏🏽

[@AW00047]

Imagine this with sigma music

[@teaguejelinek4038]

Imagine not understanding the volume button.

[@diannawalker758]

I have no clue why this showed up on my feed, lol. I watched it anyway. I learned something new.

[@joshw604]

Everyone knows the left side of wood is always weaker than the right

[@i3_13]

There's left and right?

[@10wjlaudio07]

Same with twix. I always toss the right hand one in the trash.

[@evamz9584]

Lolll

[@nathanbohn1078]

oh my god dont say this. 🤣 the world is full of stupid people that will believe this

[@purplenurp5590]

Lol I see what you did there Edit: for people who didn't get the joke liberals are always weaker then Republicans the left, is always weaker then the right

[@khaleefax9553]

*Subscribed, No introductory blabbering and BS. Coming straight to the point and made it super easy to absorb the content,*

[@motogp9253]

And we"re proud of you too!

[@Jeanclaudevanderfield]

I always just turn a nail upside down and hit the sharp end with the hammer first. Saves cutting with hand all day if you're doing a lot of nailing or using a larger nail, even common 16 sinkers. Well, actually I learned that when I was 17 , over 37 years ago..lol.. from a 67 yr old retired contractor. So much you can learn from people who've been around for decades..wish I listened more back then. Thanks for your fine video!!👍👍

[@Jeanclaudevanderfield]

Also he added a little oil to longer screws, made a huge difference when using them on aged oak or similar hard wood.👍

[@brucehansen7949]

You can learn from the younger crowd too. For example 17 + 37 does not equal 67 but thanks for trying

[@MinotaurvsCyclops]

67-17=50 years ago

[@stephengrimmer35]

What don't you all get? He was 54 in 2022, born in 1968 and learned it in 1985 from a contractor who was born in 1918.

[@petermortensen8022]

It's the head of the nail that can split the timber. I agree , I call it dumping the nail. Doing this puts an indent the size of the head into the timber.

[@hokimocus]

A picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million! Thanks!!!

[@psilimit]

I took shop in high school and plenty of work room related art classes in college and have NEVER seen these techniques (aside from drilling pilot holes). Why did it take this long for me to encounter these? Mind blown!

[@mikefratz2938]

Normally in a hurry I just tap the nail or screw on the head of a nearby nail or something else. Just don't tap too hard or you risk bending the fastener

[@nuntana2]

Yes. Cutting the pointy bit off is inspired.

[@z1mt0n1x2]

Selfdrilling screws must be uncommon outside scandinavia... Besides, just use a thinner screw at an angle further in from the edge and you'll be fine, this way you also lower the risk of cracking the wood you're attaching it to, since you go in at an angle and not along with the grain.

[@mikefratz2938]

@@z1mt0n1x2 we call them self tapping screws and they are common but will crack wood just about as bad as any screw

[@z1mt0n1x2]

@@mikefratz2938 just use a thinner one, and screw it in at en angle further in from the edge, easily solved... Using the exact same thickness of wood, I'd use a 3.0x55mm or a 4.0x 75mm screw.

[@bezalelex31]

Flip nail, hammer tip enough to flatten, flip back into position and sink it! Works every time! 😉👍

[@KAESowicz]

My grandpa told me to hammer / make nail dull with hammer like 20 years ago.

[@nuffsayd]

I like this guys enthusiasm but you’re right flip the nail and hit it. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel!!

[@jonnyrock41]

Yep I'm 50 and my pops showed me this when I was a young boy.. who wants to cut every nail?

[@andrewwood6809]

@@jonnyrock41 I'm 58 and my Dad also showed me how to blunt the point first when I was a little kid!

[@davadoff]

@@jonnyrock41people use screws now. Nails are not desirable. So drill/driver & side cutters are primary tools, more so than a hammer.

[@electech_5495]

You can also just take a hammer, or heavy metal object to hammer/flatten the tip a little bit, that's what I do, usually works just the same and might be quicker.

[@Robmancan1987]

In true electrician fashion I love clipping off tiny sharp bits of metal and letting them land where they may.🤣

[@juanlanda2441]

Took the words right out of my mouth 👍

[@dwighthaas1771]

My dad taught me to tap the tip on something hard to blunt it first.

[@wisdomfox857]

Cut nails work alot better then these wire nsils

[@josephmarrero5373]

Yes sir, I was about to say the same thing.

[@troubledsole9104]

I always use the drill technique, but why don’t they sell blunt nails or screws.

[@StephenMacInnis]

Used to be " cut nails " in the old days, nails weren't round and cut instead of splitting the wood

[@PaintAndDrawTogether]

Absolutely brilliant. I am so glad people like you share these valuable skills and prevent them from being forgotten. Thank you.

[@zackparsons3937]

That was great information in such a smart and concise demonstration. Impressive.

[@locoyo386]

Can you explain why clipping the tip of the nail or screw, without pre-drilling does not split the wood?

[@zacjones2317]

It has to do with how the wood fibers are broken. A smaller point means there are less damaged fibers so you get more compression (and holding power) on the nail. There really isn't a downside to using that trick with a screw.

[@armoredsaint6639]

If this trick only works sometime the only way to avoid this is to pre drill every time

[@locoyo386]

@@zacjones2317 So are you saying that by cutting the tips of, it works more like a drill bit then a wedge fastener?

[@SadBoy-fi1oq]

I'm wondering what ur wondering

[@OnlyDubai]

Once u clipped it . It will push the wood fiber towards down not to sides 🇦🇪❤️ I hope that make sense

[@HisNameIsGreatest]

I did the last thing he showed in video with the table i made. After 2 years when i was trying to dissemble it. I was like. O sh*t! Lol

[@PFab]

Magnets 🧲🧲

[@insertcognomen]

i was thinking...aren't screws meant to be able to come back out?

[@josephpostma1787]

I would rather cover the screw with a dowel/plug.

[@Stephanie-p9k]

One other method to eliminate splitting is to put a clamp across the wood before driving the nail or screw. For example, in this video place the clamp horizontally as you drive vertically. The clamp will prevent the wood from being able to spread, thereby reinforcing the interior grain structure as the fastener goes through.

[@scorpiohurley6786]

this is AWESOME ... knew about the nail and screw not spliting .. but the hiding it was just AMAZING !!! THANK YOU

[@beckycarson3299]

As an amateur with woodworker, i typically feel overpowered with the entire arrangement kzbin.infoUgkxrYREG3-7f1Aqk9ams3ZESRNzGnfdUtyQ . Be that as it may, this arrangements drove me through with much clarity and effortlessness woodplans. Works i now work like a genius. That is great!

[@HB-hb5rx]

Wow, this is by far the best video I’ve watched on tips and tricks for working with wood pieces. Well done and greatly appreciated! Thank you for making this :)

[@jamietaylor7748]

I mean this sincerely. That was up there with top 250 videos I’ve watched on KZbin… I’ve watched five hours a day minimum since 2006. I genuinely deserve a fucking salary and gold medal from KZbin for being such a loyal viewer.

[@a.a.p3254]

LOVE IT! Never to old to learn something New! Cheers 🇨🇦

[@nonjay73]

Very helpful, and strangly satisfying to watch! Nice 👊

[@johnlucas6683]

Very helpful! Even the comments. Thanks for the new knowledge and skill!

[@jonathanmarois9009]

_Your clamping skills tho'..._ 2:42 Do you always recommend to clamp down _into_ a nail or screw? I always thought a stable flat surface was best, but that's me...

[@fashionskiller]

Yepp, that's you.

[@Bearbait01]

Aliens from space in 200 years. "A table with no fasteners? Witchcraft"

[@matoko123]

LOL Nice one :)

[@Shadobanned4life]

This is a fantastic video ! Seeing is believing. Great work,Thank You for showing us🌞.

[@babymantuck3256]

Very good video, easy to see and straight to the point.

[@fitulus]

No need to cut the tip of the nail. Just tap it with a hammer a little bit, and you'll end up having a squared tip which will give you same results.

[@Wheres-Wolfie]

Great trick on the last piece of wood! I'm going to remember that one sir! Cheers 🍻 I learned something new today thanks

[@seniors-vg2kd]

nice trick...until you forget about thst and decide to saw that plank😃

[@kaccugachog]

0:40 I blew on the screen 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@teacherscarboroughmrs1733]

😂😂😂

[@dps6198]

I drill a pilot hole first then I use wood scews or nails. Especially if diameter of the nail or screw is very large. When I mounted a flat screen to the wall I drilled a 1/4 in pilot hole so screw would not split the studs. The screws they provide for the mounting brackets are very stout. The last thing you want is the stud on a load bearing wall to split or be damaged.

[@Drew4078]

Unbelievable! So simple yet so effective.

[@heavyherti8892]

Flatten the top of the nail with a hammer instead of cutting it off? Best trick is the last one, so cool.✌

[@sfperalta]

I Love it! What a simple and effective demonstration!!

[@user-kf7vr1kd8f]

Gotcha. Always use the right side of the wood board to prevent the nail or screw from cracking the wood.

[@davidgraham2673]

Hilarious, ...... and obviously so true. I was disappointed that he used a clamp to hold down the wood flap that hid the screw; If he was going to showoff, he should have used a nail, or a screw: That's what an anal retentive carpenter would do, like on Saturday Night Live back when Phil Hartman used to play the character.

[@josephpostma1787]

I prefer the left side, it hasn't failed me.

[@thaknobodi]

Smart man. Ill stick with pilot holes but this may come in handy when theres no drill.

[@fetsluck5620]

Love a great talker.

[@Adventurewithnhia]

Thanks! Just what I needed. Excellent work and simple.

[@Johnny_Ocha]

Excellent video mate! 💪🙂👍

[@user-manager]

Best video on the topic. Bravo.

[@josephtermeer4595]

I am in awe. Unbelievable.

[@OidHunter]

Great idea in the end for hiding the screw 👍

[@HomelessShoe]

A pointy nail could behave like a splitting axe. By removing the tip, you get rid of that cleaving mechanism. It's very clever!

[@davidsawyer1599]

Built a pair of I-Beam sawhores. Drilled pilot hole for every single screw. The beauty of screws is as the legs rot they can be easily replaced. PT or not they rot.

[@Devilcity6275]

You can flatten to tip as well, it works the very same.❤

[@shelbymad]

What is the bit you use at 1:24 before you put the screw in please? I’m just screw drilling wooden trellis onto a wood fence would I need to use that kind of bit or just use the screws and drill? Thanks 🤔

[@markyakubovsky3380]

That's a countersink drill bit so the head of the screw will recess into the wood..

[@codys846]

Great video for knowledge, thank you getting better everyday

[@NewFoundLove]

Wow just learned something new today. I love being a finish carpenter.

[@zarcero21]

Brilliant! And no wasteful talk.

[@Ebdkc9dh2cl]

When I use screws, I screw in half way and back it off, then all the way in. It works good

[@iansullivan9738]

Found the romantic!

[@vicentepallamare2608]

@@iansullivan9738 he better buy dinner first if he wants to put a ring on it

[@wavehaven1]

Good stuff Hardwood is definitely drill and screw.... its almost like working with steel.

[@zacharyosvald251]

@LAD Teknologies dont even get me atarted on oak wood... when I was a beginner I burned my finger touching the deill bit right after I drilled through 1.5" oak

[@jamesb120]

Wait till you work with Ipé. You ain't driving a a nail in that.

[@whitequeen96]

Oh man, I always wanted to take shop class, but have never managed it. God bless you for your videos! You're a genius!

[@mauriceesguerraThePatriot]

How to NOT destroy wood in a nutshell !!! Thank you so much , God bless ! ❤✝🔨🗜🔩 👍🤩

[@straightpride451]

Great job lil guy. I'm so proud of you!

[@ziggiedobe.]

Simply USEFUL. Precious!

[@dogsbyfire]

Great tips well explained. Thank you!

[@david3551]

What makes the wood split is the speed at which the screw or nail is driven. Course thread screws split would because it penetrates wood very fast. A fine thread screw is less likely to split wood. The same applies for the nail. The first nail demo required only 10 taps to go through wood, the speed split the wood. The blunted nail going slower required 21 taps to go through.

[@mrlondon963]

Can you please show us a clear shot of the nail/screw being cut and what they look like afterwards. Thank you.

[@zlcoolboy]

I always thought I was just using screws or nails that were too big.

[@bejocimahi]

No talk, no bs, just do it. 👍👍

[@clongchewy1214]

Thanks 👍 luv keeping up my knowledge with tricks and tips, its things like these that make people pros

[@slenadobro.antoninaseverod5316]

Thanks SUPER 👍🏾 God bless you.🙏 RUSSIA.🎶💖🎶

[@arguekayes]

Majority of those older wooden buildings built 100+ years ago use blunt wedge shaped, flat or square nails. That’s part of the reason why a lot of those buildings lasted so long. We don’t use them much today cos each nail had to be forged by hand.

[@mengsidong8771]

WOW! outstanding video content!

[@Rainism969]

Wow… what can I say, he nailed it!

[@madassbadgers]

Also. Run your screw in reverse with pressure on it, will drill itself into the wood and make it's own pilot hole.

[@jennifersam4636]

Wow going to try that thank

[@LiamEserda]

Really? Must try next time. Thanks.

[@brucehansen7949]

Lol funny whoever believes this has definitely never tried it or had their drill on backwards, the only way that would even have a chance to work would be on some super soft pine wood and so far hasn't worked for me, the screws have fighting designed to only go one way, but sure try your hardest to prove me wrong

[@paulchandler427]

If U would have asked me prior to this vid, if blunting the tip would help > Ida said probably gonna make it worse. Hats off to u Sir. BTW, clean tight vid w/ no crazy music

[@laszloposzmik5829]

It is very cool! Can someone explain me why the removed tips can help to reduce the wood splitting? It is so counterintuitive. Anyway, my favourite method was always the pre-drill and countersunk combo. I even pre-drill for those special screws where the manufacturer says, it is not necessary.

[@francfurian8215]

Thanks that was very helpful Cheers😊

[@sergalvisc]

That was so good. Really clever.

[@electech_5495]

That last thing he did is beast mode though!

[@thomasschafer7268]

Joking? Screw or don't screw. This is nonsens

[@davidgraham2673]

Funny thing is; I half expected him to hammer a nail in to hold the flap down, and split the wood that he hid the screw with. I would have gotten a good laugh out of that, just like on Sayurday Night Live when Phil Hartman use to play ""The Anal Retentive Carpenter". He was hilarious in those skits.

[@ModeSOLOgaming]

I knew about pre drilling holes but never seen anybody cut the tip off the end of the nail/screw. Looks like I gotta try that out next time I'm in the garage.

[@waldevv]

What you can also do is flip the nail upside down and hammer the tip to flatten it, accomplishes more or less the same thing as cutting it off

[@OidHunter]

Pilot drill holes even if you use self tapping screws. Not only does this prevent cracks, but also prevents the screw from getting stuck halfway which can happen in large sections of hardwood. I had this problem while building my workbench using 4x4 inch legs. I didn't want to force the screws into the legs otherwise the legs may have slowly split apart over time

[@vvork_info]

In summary… Nail/screw on the right side of the wood, not the left. Got it.

[@igorturchinyuk151]

Every carpenter and floorer must to know this technology.

[@lothean2099]

Glad I watched this. This video was straight to the point and informative

[@Tronas1111]

How does that keep it from splitting?

[@TheVoltage2]

I'm curious about this too. Why is a sharp end more likely to split the wood than a dull end? It's odd.

[@boneybone8123]

Sharp nail has a “V” shaped tip which ‘splits’ the wood like an axe. Blunt nail has a “U” dhaped tip which ‘crushes’ the wood like a ball peen hammer. This works because nail has a small diameter. If it’s too thick, you have to drill a pilot before going in. Also wetting the hole before you-i forgot what was the question..

[@KikoVideoProduction]

Best of the best of the Best Video! - Men in Black.

[@JonasJudah]

Newby here. Is the drill bit slightly smaller in thickness than the fastener or the same thickness?

[@bluedragontoybash2463]

Thinner. Honest carpenter did a video on that

[@zdoba]

Спасибо за ваше видео. Очень полезно!

[@STANDTALL111]

Hello, I have a tiny issue I was putting my door knob and the long screw for stuck half way it keeps turning and when I try to pull it out with pliers it doesn’t move a cm. I don’t want to break the doorknob. Is their any way of doing so? I surely could use some help.

[@austing9060]

I always predrill holes before/during assembly so I don't have pieces split but I will give credit to your last trick there, nice call.

[@elainenilsson5472]

I love that you got to the point. No pun intended, but man, would I ever like to understand the physics behind cutting the tip off.

[@NalinAirheart]

Interesting how the clipping technique resembles a cut nail's blunt tip. It makes sense that getting closer to that shape would be better than the usual wire nail in terms of splitting.

[@redlobster4841]

You don't have to cut the tip off the nail you can just turn it upside down and hit the tip of the nail with the hammer a couple times

[@mrjoeyeo8993]

Why don't they make all wood screws this way?

[@transcendkira]

Because blunt nails and screws won't go through hardwoods. You're probably better off drilling pilot holes most of the time anyway.

[@mrjoeyeo8993]

@@transcendkira I knew there had to be a reason

[@nickb5689]

Thx, l should know this, but forget sometimes. Useful info!

[@mariuszgrzegorzek3651]

You are better than my (always absent) dad.

[@bramble3693]

I'm 78 and only now I know about blunting / cutting the tips. So, another 20 yrs of not splitting wood, happiness.

[@alicerp2008]

Tried it... It works perfectly; though I used a hammer to dull the nail tip

[@rutasylugaresdechile7567]

Pequeños detalles que resultan de que un trabajo te salga bien o mal . Gracias por compartir amigo .

[@bluedragontoybash2463]

Awesome tips !!.. I prefer predrilling (since I just bought an electric drill). But in case my electric drill got busted I do the other method

[@tackleberryc6472]

You don't have to clip the sharp point of the nail off. Just turn the nail around and tap the sharp end a couple of times with a hammer...exactly same results !

[@ronmoore3290]

Saves ruining your diagonal cutters as well.

[@tackleberryc6472]

@@ronmoore3290 Exactly Ron. 👍

[@MarlonKingShow]

Well I just used impact driver on boards in garage loft that were about same size as this. Couldn't see what was going on below so hope the loft doesn't cave in 😀

[@abdullahkhan_arcs]

Truly amazing ❤ Thank you so much

[@livenotonevil8279]

The last tip is the best!

[@IICubeII]

Never seen that trick to cut off the tip... Makes me wonder why they bother putting one on in the first place if it works better without.

[@Jefflove79]

That’s exactly what I was thinking lol. Only thing I can think of is that having a flat end and a pointy end just makes it dummy proof? 🤣

[@IICubeII]

@@Jefflove79 In all seriousness it's there for people that don't drill pilot holes. To aid in stopping it from wondering away from the intended spot. But so long as you have some experience with your drill, not having that tip seems like a decent bonus! Definitely going to test it out, could save heaps of time.

[@2kMario]

Great help , thank you