How to Use a Countersink Tool Hack to Save Time

Tool Hack: Countersink

Here’s a countersink tool hack that I promise will save you time and make your projects better. Or at least less frustrating. OK, maybe I don’t promise because I don’t know you. What I do promise is that it saves me time. All the time.

‣ MyFixitUpLife Tool Hack: Countersink
A countersink is a kick a++ tool. Make it better and easier to use with this tool hack.

It falls into this category, that I’m the first one in history to make up: ‘Looking for tools so you can work isn’t working. It’s looking for tools. Working, on the other hand, is working’. Circle-R, people. Circle-R.

First thing.

You need a countersink. From decks to bathroom framing to making a workbench to hanging a door, a countersink minimizes wood splits near the ends of boards. I use mine constantly: Drilling pilot holes for hinge screws or jig-less pocket holes for butt joints in anything from trim to jigs.

Second thing.

You must be able to find your countersink. It’s like a car: Having one is good. But if you can’t find it, it’s the same as not having one.

Since my countersink is only about 2-inches long, it’s born to be lost, either buried forever in the pencil sleeve of my tool pouch or rolling around in the archeological dig most toolboxes are.

Third thing.

This countersink tool hack. It can be represented as an equation:

Magnetic bit holder + countersink with a ¼-inch hex shank in the presence of duct tape >>> Tool hack

The Steps

A bit holder between 1 ½ and 3-inches works. You probably have one floating around somewhere.

Rip the duct tape in half and pay out a few inches.

Tightly wrap the union between the holder and the shank of the countersink. Don’t tape over the countersink’s set-screw. You’ll need to get at that to change the bit at some point.

Tool Hack-ed.

Your countersink is now easier to find, no matter where you keep it. For the record, mine rides shotgun with me in my tool pouch. I can find it without even looking.

How’s that countersink tool hack for saving time?

‣ MyFixitUpLife Tool Hack: Countersink
Fact: NOT using a countersink is a terrific way to waste time and split boards. This tool hack makes using one even easier and faster.
‣ MyFixitUpLife Tool Hack: Countersink
As much as I use a countersink, it is a born-to-be-lost item. This tool hack makes it not that anymore. Yes, by the way: It’s in there.
‣ MyFixitUpLife Tool Hack: Countersink
Slot the countersink’s 1/4-inch hex shank into a bit holder and wrap with 3/4-inch-ish pull of duct tape. Don’t cover the set screw in the countersink.
‣ MyFixitUpLife Tool Hack: Countersink
The best place to keep tools you use is where you can find them. I keep my hacked countersink in a vertical slot on my tool pouch. No-look-grab baby. Beat that.


About the Author

‣ MyFixitUpLife Mark Clement, MyFixitUpLife Carpenter
Mark Clement, MyFixitUpLife Carpenter
author avatar
Mark
A licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor, he writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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[…] Power Lock) but there was barely enough room for storing vertical items like my scratch awl, countersink, a Sharpie, and different driver bits (Square, Phillips, T-30 for Spax and so-on). And what […]

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