How To Hide Screws In Plywood: 8 Effective Ways

Many woodworking people build their dream true only to forget; that they have screw heads all over. Afterward, they try to fix these screws and instead ask how to hide screws in plywood. Let’s find it out.

Your structure will look seamless once you master the trick of hiding your screw head out of plywood. 

The surface would be smooth, and no one would ever wonder about the screws beneath the wood surface. But how to do it efficiently? We will learn all of them in the following article. 

Why Do People Hide Screws?

Screws are used for joining or attaching furniture and give security to every part. Usually, screws are strong and practical for joining furniture, but they can be uncertain for good looks. After finishing work, the head of the screws is always left behind. 

Well, that can be because of an unprofessional look. The visibility of the screw head can ruin your project or not be aesthetically pleasing. Hiding it on every furniture corner can give it a smooth and finished vibe. In other words, hiding it can lead to its perfection.

8 Effective Ways How To Hide Screws In Plywood

There are so many remarkable ways to hide screws. But there are many easy ways which all can adapt. Let’s learn about hiding techniques.

1. Placing It On Hidden Corners

The perfect way to hide is to place it in a corner where they can’t or aren’t likely to be seen. Usually, hidden corners are not used by people. So it’s naturally hidden. It’s the easiest technique to hide. It doesn’t need any extra equipment or extra money. This method is so neutral that any worker can do it. Just find such distracting edges. No doubt, it’s an old method of hiding.

2. Hide Them with a Counterbore

Mainly counterbore is used to enlarge the existing hole and hold and hold the fasteners. It creates a funnel shape that matches the screw heads’ conical bottom. It creates a flat surface of the wood. It creates a hole with extra space so that the whole screw can go under the hole. So the screw gets invisible. It needs a drilling machine.

First, drill a counterbore into the surface of the hiding point using a broad-point bit. The depth will depend on the length of the screw. But it should not be too deep. You should drill the depth into half of its wide inch.

3. Using Wood Plugs

The classiest way to cover screws is a wooden plug. It is almost like a piece of dowels. These are inexpensive, so any maker can use them this way. Wood plugs are available in every market. You can get it ready-made or make it on your own.

4. Using Peeled Wood

It’s also an inexpensive method of hiding screws. In this process, the wood peeled a little bit and inserted screws under the section. Then use glue to stick that peel wood again. 

First, peel up a section using a sharp chisel and the wool mallet. Then drive the screw under the section with a drilling machine. For better results, a countersink would be a great idea. Then apply wood glue to stick the peeled section to make it disappear. But after the glue dries, it will look promising for excess adhesive. Sanded away its glue to look better. 

5. Using Wood Filler

Wood filler is one kind of cream-form product. The filler gets applied to the screw head. After some time, it dries out on its own. Then its color mixes with the wood surface. Wood fillers are available in the market. It comes with a pot.

First, make the surface to make it eligible for using wood filler. For that, remove any extra wood, paint, or debris. To make it more smooth, do the sanding. Sandpaper would be great for sanding. After that, scoop some filler. Use a little amount that fills the excess area of holes. Use a putty knife to carry filler. Fill every whole and then dry out. Then again, sand the surface to make it smooth.

6. Applying Wood Glue

Wood glue can be a great option. It’s almost like using wood filler. But the process is quite different. It is a combination of other hiding techniques. It is arguably one of the inexpensive ways to hide screws. The glue is also called carpenter glue.

First, make a hole for the screw. You can use a chisel to curl away the maximum inch of the whole. If it is important, mark the spot where you want to hole. Then drill that pilot hole for your screw. Then drive the screw. Then apply carpenter glue to the hole. Then let it dry for at least 30 minutes.

7. By Creating Pocket Holes

A pocket-hole screw system is very important because it gives a strong joint, and the process of creating it is very simple. You don’t need any expensive equipment or materials.

In that process, square cuts can ensure square assembly. Use a driller. Move the driller at a 90-degree angle to get a square cut. Then drill the wood. Insert a screw in the hole. Then to hide the hole, you can use a pocket wood plug. Otherwise, putties are also used for hiding. There are lots of ways to make putties. You can make putties using glue and sawdust or buy ready-made from the market. Then dry it out.

8. Try a New Type of Wood Join

When the above methods don’t work out, try a new type of wood join. Applying a creative idea would let you hide your screw with a built-in wood join. These kinds of wood join will provide you with proper joinery function and proper hiding of the screws.

In addition, a new type of join makes your wood structure look unique. These wood joints can easily create a better function between two wood pieces. In turn, you get a better appearance of your wood structure which works great all the time. 

FAQs

Let’s look at some of the questions asked on hiding screws in plywood. 

Where To Get Wood Plugs To Hide Screws?

Well, a wood plug is a piece of wood that is used to hide screw heads. If you want, you can make it on your own. Wood plugs are almost like small pieces of dowels. Just cut dowels into small pieces. If you don’t want to hesitate, buy it from the market. These are available in markets and shops.

How To Hide Screws In The Door Frame?

Using wood glue would be great for hiding screws in the door frame. It will give the door a very smooth and aesthetic vibe. Just look at the page where the technique has been shown.

How To Join Wood Without Screws Showing?

One of the most common ways to avoid screws is to use dowels. They might look a bit old, but trust me, they work fine. At the same time, you get the highest friction on wood dowels when used with wood glue as well. 

Conclusion

All of these sums up how to hide screws in plywood. Once you master the technique, believe it or not, your wooden structure looks flawless.

The surface of your wooden structure would not contain any type of dot. 

But, you must do any of the tricks mentioned above. If you think a bit, you will find out which one would work best for your wooden structure. 

Either way, make sure you use the right tools to hide the screw in plywood. Using the right type of tools would make the task a lot easier than ever before. 

Learn more:

How To Screw into Pressure-Treated Wood? Simple Steps Ever

How to Remove PVA Glue from Wood? Top 5 Domestic Remedies

Where to Recycle Nails and Screws? 5 Exclusive Ideas

How To Use Hot Glue Without Gun: The Best Handy Ways

Hey, I'm George Fanton. I've over nine years of experience in the woodworking industry. I've cultivated a deep interest in practical wood and tasks. I enjoy sharing new information on woodworking technology to maintain my expertise in the current woodworking industries.

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