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Bettesworth Construction
cyanoacrylate glue

Use a Little Glue, Hold a Little Screw: A Tip for Small Wood Screws

For small woodworking screws, Ed Twilbeck’s method uses a pilot hole, a notched steel screw to tap it, and a little CA glue before installing the brass screw.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 1 min read
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For small screws in woodworking projects—such as hinges on a small box—a pilot hole, a notched steel screw and a drop or two of cyanoacrylate (CA) glue can help prepare the wood before the brass screw goes in. Ed Twilbeck describes this as a shop tip, not a tested guarantee for every screw joint.

How to prepare the hole and install the screw

  1. Drill a pilot hole. The original tip does not specify a bit size; choose one appropriate to the particular screw and wood rather than relying on a universal measurement.
  2. Tap the hole with a steel screw. Use a steel screw the same size as the brass screw you plan to install. Twilbeck files a small notch across the steel screw’s threads so it cuts like a self-tapping screw, then turns it into the pilot hole.
  3. Add a small amount of CA glue. Put a drop or two of cyanoacrylate glue in the prepared hole.
  4. Install the brass screw. Insert and tighten it in the glued hole.

The technique and sequence are described in WOOD Magazine’s “Use a Little Glue, Hold a Little Screw,” published July 24, 2017. Its later “Hardware and installation tips” roundup, updated July 7, 2023, includes the same method.

What to expect when removing the screw

Twilbeck says he can still back the screws out, but that removal takes more effort: “I find I can still back out the screws, but it’s definitely more work.” He also reports using the method successfully in the edge of plywood. Both are his workshop observations, not results from controlled testing.

Where this tip is—and is not—established

The tip addresses small woodworking fasteners, including box hinges and a small figure attached to its base. It does not provide a screw gauge, drill-bit size, glue brand, quantified holding strength, or guidance for other materials and applications. Treat it as a specific shop technique, not a universal fix for stripped or split wood. The source does not compare adhesives or establish that the method suits every screw joint.

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Quick Recap

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