deskdrillmetalscrews
I ordered this desk here but one of the sides' holes in one of the legs won't allow any of the screws to screw in.
What are my options? It's definitely the screw the directions are saying to use but I guess the hole itself isn't threaded or something?
Or could these holes be a different size? And I just need to go to Lowe's to look for smaller screws? I'm really lost here and returning the desk isn't an option sadly.
There is usually some structure around the perimeter of hollow panels. You could either:
Do yours look like this?
The straight portion of the shaft doesn't have to be as small as the pre-drilled pilot holes in the poles. Notice the angled point and the lip ("flute") along the edge: that's a built-in drill bit on the tip of the screw. It will open up the hole to the diameter it needs. The pre-drilled holes in the poles are there to start it out straight, in the right place; the screw will do the rest.
The hex head doesn't have a screwdriver slot because it is designed for a socket wrench.
It's very common for the heads on these screws to fit a US 1/4-inch socket.
Get a socket wrench, or a socket driver adapter for your drill, and go for it. It'll work.
Best Answer
Just bring that original screw to a hardware store (I would say for you NOT to go to a "big-box" store because it might be helpful for you to speak to a human for assistance) and ask for a *sheet metal screw" that is approximately the same diameter. A sheet metal screw will be a threaded screw not unlike your original, but will be pointed and is designed to carve its own thread into the metal as you drive it in. Sheet metal screws will not "tap" new threads which would allow you to use a machine screw like your original, but it should drive in and hold just fine.