How to Hide a Screw

We have all been through situations where we needed to screw down two pieces of wood but at the same time we did not want the screw to be visible or to use wood filler.

So here is a very quick tip on how to hide a screw.

Tools And Materials:

• Your work pieces
• A 14 mm chisel
• A hammer or mallet
• Wood glue
• A clamp
• Something to apply pressure to the work piece while the glue dries (like a scrap piece of wood)
• Packing tape
• Drill and drill bit with countersink
• Screwdriver
• Screws

Here is a very short video of the whole process, please check it out:

Step 1: Curling Up a Piece of the Wood

Take a pencil and mark where you want your screw to go and then take your chisel and place it around 1.5 cm away from your mark making sure that your chisels bevel is facing down. Start curling up a thin strip of the wood. Stop when this strip is around 5 cm long.

Step 2: Drilling

Take your drill and drill a pilot hole for your screw. It is a good idea to use a countersink because you want the head of the screw to be flush to the wood.

Step 3: Applying Glue

Apply some glue on the both pieces. Use a bit more glue than usual because you want the glue to fill any little crack on the both pieces so they do not peel off.

Step 4: Clamp!

Use a scrap piece of wood to clamp the both pieces together. Use some packing tape on your scrap piece to prevent it from sticking on your work piece.

Step 5: 60 Minutes Later...

Let the glue dry for about 60 minutes. You can leave the glue dry overnight, but we want the glue to be a bit wet because as we sand the dust and glue will create a sort of wood filler and fill any small gaps.

Step 6: Finished!

Thats it. Take a piece of sand paper and sand down your work piece!!

As all woodworking methods this one has also its minuses. One you finish the process you can not easily go back and also no more planing is allowed!

Have fun!

Comments

[AndrewL224]

Brilliant!

Thank you very much for sharing, it's the first time I see it!

[chand1910]

Simple and neat !!!

[lamlp640]

That is very impressive, I am definately going to have a go at that.
Thank you for sharing that with us.

[kevincarruthers]

That's a good idea. I'm always trying to find a way to hide screws

[deluges]

Neat!

[stevenjacks]

That's a fantastic idea! I can't believe it never occurred to me before. Thanks!

[fs woodworking]

It is actually a very old trick.

[Attmos]

Though very old, much appreciated by the young.

[ClaudioP34]

Indeed, too many "very old tricks" use to be jealously kept secret tricks by experienced woodworkers.

Thank you very much for sharing, it's the first time I see it!

[RonaldR]

and thank you for taking the time to pass this knowledge on to us. I have an old saying "Knowledge is wasted unless you share it"

[nodcah]

Thank you for sharing! This trick is handy for any DIYer's arsenal!

[perec3]

Brilliant and simple! Thanks for sharing with us.

[bonypig]

It may be an "old trick" but I never saw it before. I have used plugs, putty, and the like but i think I like this one the best! It's the one I will use next! Thanks

[PhilS43]

Plug cutters do the same job, but have the disadvantage of being 1) expensive and 2) never completely invisible - but loads better than wood-filler or stopping.

However, they can be a feature like fine dovetails and are often seen in joinery like staircases. The beauty of plug cutters is that you cut the plug from the same piece of timber - you can also buy pre-cut plugs.

My father, a real tradesman and craftsmen, used the "secret" nailing technique, mainy for repairs.

[fs woodworking]

Hi, thank you for your time to stop by and comment. Yes obviously there are many ways to complete a task. Plugs or wood filler, you name it. This instructable was just to show an alternative way to hide a screw. All techniques used according to our needs.

[rkrishnan7]

Simple, Clean and effective! and you deserve extra credit because there are no Arduino, Laser Cutters, 3D printers or CNC machines involved. Just plain good old innovation.

[fs woodworking]

Thank you very much. I learned this from my father. When people used these techniques, arduino and laser cutters were no even an idea in someones mind. Thank you for your comment. Glad you liked it.

[PJ2000]

That is so smart!

[fs woodworking]

I have learnt this from my father 15 years ago! It is actually a very old trick. And I am surprised because not many people know it!

[nigel.trewartha]

I was shown that 50 Years ago when i was 18.