Carbide Tipped Countersinks & Plug Cutters: Disguising Wood Screws
When building a project such as a deck or furniture with screws, why not try to disguise the screws whenever possible.
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew1.jpg)
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew1.jpg)
Introducing, from left to right, the non-marring & non-burning adjustable depth stop countersink (#55225), a set of three carbide tipped plug cutters (#55220, #55222, #55224) and finally the carbide tipped plug planer (#PLP-100).
Rather than drilling the countersink so the screw head is flush with the surface, I have adjusted the depth of cut so the countersink will set the screw a 5mm below the surface.
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew2.jpg)
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew2.jpg)
You can see the non-marring countersink provides a very clean hole.
Next, on your drill press, mount the appropriate plug cutter. For safety and to ensure you cut a clean plug, the workpiece must be secured during the operation.
I’ve used all three plug cutters shown above to see how the sizes of the resulting wooden plugs actually look.
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew3.jpg)
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew3.jpg)
The carbide tipped plug cutters made this a very easy job. Using a screwdriver, I carefully removed the plug sideways until it snapped free. The plugs were then cut roughly to length before being glued back in.
Next I tried the carbide tipped plug planer mounted in a handheld drill, you can also use a drillpress.
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew4.jpg)
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew4.jpg)
If you take the time to ensure grain direction is considered, then plane flat and a finish with a very quick sand, the plugs virtually vanish resulting in a disguise any use of screws in your project.
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew5.jpg)
![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-byznwdb8us/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stublogscrew5.jpg)
Very good results! These countersinks by Amana Tool® and provided by ToolsToday make the job really easy.
Originally posted by Stu on April 3rd, 2014.
Read the original post here.