I use lots of very small hinges on the clocks and things. Nothing use to get my goat worse than busting the wood out trying the get the screws inserted...

   Now no problem when I counter sink a slanted hole just a hair smaller than the threads of the screws I am needing to install to hold the hinges. No you can't buy a slanted drill bit to exactly fit every screw out there. Hold the screw under the drill bit and grind it down until just the threads show on each side of the bit. The body of the bit doesn't hold the screw in , the threads do!!

   These three sizes of hinges shown are 3/4" x 9/16", 1/2"x 1/2" and 5/16"x 5/16" so the screws are very small. 

  I save my wore out drill bits for this purpose. Chuck up a drill bit and run it against a bench grinder stone and taper the bit so when you hold the screw to be used under the bit all you need to show is the threads on each side of the bit. ......Even though the screws will go in without busting the wood I still use a wet bar of soap on the tip of the screw to make it easier to inserting the screw.. And I would advise using a drill press with a jig so the pre drilled holes are exactly where they need to be.... I used 1/4" BB so inserting a screw in the middle of the 1/4" width is hard to accomplish using a hand drill. After I make sure everything is lined up I take off the hinges to do the finishing then when ready to reinstall the hinges I put a dab of glue on the tip of the screws for insurance.

 No the bits don't exactly drill a hole, maybe burn a hole is more of a better word but the hole gets where it needs to be and no screw ups to worry about later... Its saves time to do things right the first time.

   The center tapered bit looking thing is actually a part of a welding rod. It was all I could find long ago when I needed a certain size hole!!!

   The 5/16" hinges use a small brad shorter than 1/8" long. They were bought for a doll house table hinges. On and I did find some 1/4" screws at Hobby Lobby that are exactly the right size for the 1/2"x1/2" hinges. Only place I could find them with flat tapered phillips heads. 

 I know I have mentioned this before but hey for you guys that forget too soon, here you go again.

  Oh, the screws I got at Hobby Lobby are a hair too big for the hole in the hinges. So take a drill bit and counter sink the holes just a hair larger than they already are. Now that  wasn't too hard was it? 

That's a great tip Jess! Thanks.

On that same thought, your topic here sparked a memory of a post I put up a long time ago, and I found it! A nice little way to close the gaps for the reveal around doors or whatever you're hinging.

Here ya go

 

Great hinge tips! Thanks!!

An UNUSED toilet wax ring in a suitable container is useful to have around. Stick all your project screws in the wax so they're handy and lubed.

Keep a supply of steel screws of your most commonly used sizes. Run them in before the brass ones. Saves having to reorder your cuss words.

A set of gimlet augers like those from Lee Valley are indispensable for small hinge holes. 

 

Edited July 21, 20178 yr by Gene Howe

i like these folks drill bits..

 

http://wlfuller.com/html/taper_point_drills.html