anbohren

Anbohren is a German term that translates to "pre-drilling" or "pilot drilling" in English. It refers to the process of drilling a small hole in a material before driving a larger fastener, such as a screw or nail, into it. The purpose of anbohren is to make the subsequent insertion of the fastener easier and to prevent the material from splitting, especially in brittle or soft materials like wood, plasterboard, or plastic.

The size of the pre-drilled hole is typically smaller than the diameter of the fastener's shank, but larger than the diameter of its threads. This allows the threads of the fastener to grip the material effectively while the pilot hole guides its entry and reduces the resistance. In woodworking, anbohren is crucial for preventing wood from cracking, particularly near edges or in hardwoods. For metal applications, it can be used to facilitate tapping threads for bolts. The specific diameter of the anbohrloch, or pilot hole, depends on the type and size of the fastener being used, as well as the material's density and properties. Tools used for anbohren are standard drills or drill bits.