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Pilot hole
 
 
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A pilot hole is a smaller hole drilled into a material prior to a larger hole being drilled, widening the hole to the desired width. Drilling a pilot hole prevents a larger drill bit from slipping on the material - a potential safety hazard, as well as an increased likelihood of the work being damaged. Normally, a center punch is used before drilling the pilot hole to ensure that the smaller pilot drill bit does not slip.

Pilot holes may also be used when driving a screw
Screw

A screw is a shaft with a helix groove or screw thread formed on its surface and provision at one end to turn the screw. Its main uses are as a threaded fastener used to hold objects together, and as a simple machine used to translate torque into linear force....
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A pilot hole is a smaller hole drilled into a material prior to a larger hole being drilled, widening the hole to the desired width. Drilling a pilot hole prevents a larger drill bit from slipping on the material - a potential safety hazard, as well as an increased likelihood of the work being damaged. Normally, a center punch is used before drilling the pilot hole to ensure that the smaller pilot drill bit does not slip.

Pilot holes may also be used when driving a screw
Screw

A screw is a shaft with a helix groove or screw thread formed on its surface and provision at one end to turn the screw. Its main uses are as a threaded fastener used to hold objects together, and as a simple machine used to translate torque into linear force....
. When a screw is driven into a material, it can act as a wedge, generating outward pressure which can cause many materials (such as wood
Wood

Wood is an organic material; in the strict sense wood is produced as secondary xylem in the stems of woody plants, notably trees but also shrubs, etc....
 or plastic
Plastic

Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic chemistry solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products....
) to split. By drilling a small pilot hole into the material, into which a screw is then driven, less 'wedging' takes place, thereby reducing the likelihood of the material being split.

Pilot holes are used on a variety of materials including wood
Wood

Wood is an organic material; in the strict sense wood is produced as secondary xylem in the stems of woody plants, notably trees but also shrubs, etc....
 and plastic
Plastic

Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic chemistry solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products....
s, though their use is especially essential when drilling into polished or smooth metal, as larger drill bits are very likely to slip on such materials.

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