One of the biggest DIY and site bugbears is splitting timber. You carefully align everything, drive the screw home, and suddenly you hear a CRACK at the end of your board. The great news about split ends is that they can usually be avoided with some simple practices.
Wood is composed of fibres, which are parallel to the grain. Such as when you screw a screw in, it pushes those fibres aside. Splitting is more likely when:
You are about to reach the far end of a board
The timber is dry or brittle
The screw is too big or too long
You drive too quickly or without a pilot hole.
1) Make a pilot hole (especially near ends)
The pilot hole takes out material to alleviate the fibres and let them slip as the screw is being tightened.
A pilot hole is almost always worth it if you are fixing near the end of a board.
2) Countersink the head
Surface splitting – The screw head will split the surface if its driving into timber.
Release adjustable countersunk heads for use in decking, cladding and joinery to ensure the head sits neatly around.
3) Choose the right screw
If you suspect the wood may split, use a smaller diameter screw.
They have to be a sharp, good quality screw – cheap screws will tear fibres rather than cut cleanly.
For outdoor applications, screws must be exterior-rated (galvanised or stainless) so that no rust stains appear and the fasteners do not rot. For a Timber Merchants Bournemouth, contact https://www.timbco.co.uk covering Bournemouth
4) Mind your edge distances
A general guideline is to keep components out of the very end of a board.
If possible, the screws should be placed at least a few centimetres from the end.
Lastly, if you cannot avoid screwing near the end, make a pilot hole and maybe use 2 smaller screws instead of one large fixing.
5) Reduce driving force
Lots of torque can just split the wood. Instead of using full power, use a drill/driver clutch setting.
Start your screws slowly but not at top speed.
6) A little trick for hard-to-cut materials
If you are working with really dry timber, a bit of wax (or even soap) rubbed on the screw threads will cut down friction and help it to drive in without any problems.
The takeaway
Almost any splitting issues result from going too fast or the wrong kind of screws, and not using pilot holes.