One of the tools I use almost every day and almost certainly on every carpentry project is my Kobalt Tools countersink. While I’ve had various versions of this countersink over the years, Kobalt’s has been my favorite. I like the long twist drill versus a typical drill bit others come with and it has proven more durable than others that look just like it.
However, as a countersink alone it is wanting for anything other than straight-on, workbench use. So I can use it on the jobsite–heck, so I can find it to use it on the jobsite, I’ve combined it with another accessory I use all the time: A bit holder. Together, they make up the components for my favorite countersink.
What’s the tool hack?
The hack is simple.
If your bit holder has one of those hyper-annoying sleeves, simply opening up a little metal O-ring on the bit holder shank enables removal of said annoyance.
Remove the O ring.
I use my beloved–yes, I have a beloved one–Hyde 1 ¼-inch putty knife to get in there and release it. If you have a volcano nearby, it is suggested the guide be tossed in there.
Tape the bit holder to the countersink.
Next, I securely tape–following the contours from bit holder to countersink shank tightly–with a length of duct tape I rip into about a ¾-inch ribbon from the roll, taking about a dozen turns to get everything locked up.
Why is the tape red?
It’s also no accident the tape is red Duck Tape. I like to give small items a dash of color so they’re more easily found if I put them down somewhere. Same with the roll of tape itself. If everything is black and brown and gray, nothing stands out and it’s all just a little harder to wrangle.
What are the benefits of this impact driver hack?
Because the bit is now out and away from the body of the tool a few inches, I can use it to drive angled screws. One carpenter I was working with was baffled when I drilled pilot holes in framing, wondering what the heck I was doing.
Answer: If you drill pilot holes where screws might be hard to start, they’re less likely to move the piece or skate off of the work. It saves time.
I can also drill my version of no-jig pocket screws on the jobsite. I did it building the desk slab for a bunk bed build and you can watch that epic How to Build a Bunk Bed video right here. Awesomeness.
If I have to set a small piece on a deck or I need to pre-drill for cabinet face frames, it’s all countersink all the time.
And the other best part: I can find it. It lives in a pencil sleeve on my left nail bag. It might as well stay that close because I use it all the time. And, it’s my favorite countersink.
Mark Tool Hack: Complete.
