HI Tim

Tim S wrote:
John coughed up some electrons that declared:


If the screw has cut itself a thread in first piece and you start with a
gap then no amount of tightening will close the gap - it may be more
likely to strip out the thread in the second piece than the first. A
clearance hole (at least as big as the outside diameter of the thread)
will absolutely assure a good clamping effect

OK - so the traditional way then. I'm happy with this. Only asked because
I've seen builders whacking in screws without pilot holes so I though it
was a "feature".

Cheers

Tim

Two ways round this problem...

The one that Dave mentioned earlier in the thread...

alternatively...

In certain 'joints' you can use one of those trigger-operated clamps
(sort of like the love-child of a g-ramp and a mastic gun)
to hold the two pieces of wood in exactly the right place, before
whacking the screw in tight (no pilot holes required).

Hope this helps
Adrian