Why does pre-drilling a hole reduce the chances that wood will split when you put a screw in? Doesn’t the wood still need to expand the same amount?

Question

Why does pre-drilling a hole reduce the chances that wood will split when you put a screw in? Doesn’t the wood still need to expand the same amount?

In: 5

Answer 1

Drillbits are designed to remove material while they cut so they are not wedging themselves in possibly causing the wood to split. Now that the material is removed the screw has room to go in without causing enough pressure for a split.