Countersunk vs. Countersink — What's the Difference?

Completed action where a fastener is flush with the surface.

Often used in woodworking, metalworking, and construction.

Indicates a surface level or below, in various contexts.

Describes the process of making a conical hole.

Describes the aesthetic or functional result of an action.

Focuses on the preparation or modification of materials.

Used to describe the flush appearance of various objects.

A tool or action for creating a recess for fastener heads.

Refers to the past tense of countersinking actions.

Can refer to the tool itself, usually a bit or drill attachment.

Past tense and past participle of countersink.

A countersink (symbol: ⌵) is a conical hole cut into a manufactured object, or the cutter used to cut such a hole. A common use is to allow the head of a countersunk bolt, screw or rivet, when placed in the hole, to sit flush with or below the surface of the surrounding material (by comparison, a counterbore makes a flat-bottomed hole that might be used with a socket-head capscrew).

Past participle of countersink

A hole with the top part enlarged so that the head of a screw or bolt will lie flush with or below the surface.

(of a bolt or screw) That has a flat conical top allowing it to be inserted flush with a surface

A tool for making such a hole.

Chamfered at the top; - said of a hole.

To make a countersink on or in.

Sunk into a chamfer; as, a countersunk bolt.

To drive (a screw or bolt) into a countersink.

Beveled on the lower side, so as to fit a chamfered countersink; as, a countersunk nailhead.

A cylindrical recess, typically machined around a hole to admit a screw so that it sits flush with a surface.

(transitive) To create such a conical recess.

(transitive) To cause to sink even with or below the surface.

To chamfer or form a depression around the top of (a hole in wood, metal, etc.) for the reception of the head of a screw or bolt below the surface, either wholly or in part; as, to countersink a hole for a screw.

To cause to sink even with or below the surface; as, to countersink a screw or bolt into woodwork.

An enlargement of the upper part of a hole, forming a cavity or depression for receiving the head of a screw or bolt.

A drill or cutting tool for countersinking holes.

A hole (usually in wood) with the top part enlarged so that a screw or bolt will fit into it and lie below the surface

A bit for enlarging the upper part of a hole

Insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink)

To countersink a screw means to create a conical hole that allows the screw head to sit flush with or below the surface of the material.

Countersunk isn't a type of screw but describes how the screw is installed flush with the material's surface.

Choose a countersink bit based on the screw size and the desired angle for the screw head to sit flush with the material.

If done correctly, countersinking should not significantly weaken the material, but excessive countersinking can reduce material thickness around the screw.

Not all drill bits are suitable for countersinking; specific countersink bits are designed to create the correct conical shape for the screw heads.

Properly executed countersinking should not significantly affect the screw's holding power if the right size and depth are maintained.

Countersinking into concrete is possible with the right tools and anchors, but it requires specialized masonry bits and techniques.

Yes, there are countersink bits designed for use on metal, but they need to be made from a suitable material like high-speed steel or carbide.

Countersink creates a conical hole for the screw head, while counterbore makes a flat-bottomed hole to accommodate both the screw head and a plug or cap.

Yes, nails can be countersunk using a nail set to drive the nail head below the surface, although this is less common than with screws.

While not always necessary, countersinking screws in woodworking is often preferred for aesthetic reasons and to prevent the wood from splitting.

Yes, countersunk screws can be removed with the appropriate screwdriver or drill, although accessing them might be slightly more challenging if they're flush with the surface.

You can countersink into various materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and with the right tools, even masonry.

Yes, countersinking can also be used for decorative purposes, creating patterns or designs with flush or semi-flush fastener heads.

The depth of the countersink should match the screw head's height to ensure it sits flush with or slightly below the material's surface.