How to avoid breaking the screwhead with Impact Driver

powertools

I am a total newbie on DIY woodcraft. I am trying to drill a screw in the wood using impact driver but the screw head breaks up. Do i need to put a hole on the wood first? What I do is directly use my impact driver to drill the screw with the screw.

Thanks

Best Answer

For speed and precision, I do two things.

I pre-drill the hole. That is especially important on hardwood. I often use special drill bits made for screws which include the countersink.

I drive with a speed wrench and a bit holder. This gives speed, control and superb tactile feedback that tells you immediately when you are having some kind of a drive problem. Once you get the knack, it becomes basically impossible to break a screw.

Also, I don't use drywall screws for anything but drywall. If you want a screw like that, use deck screws and consider star or square drive.