Hello all – I’m not “new” here – just changed my nickname from Rob to TN-LabGirl since I kept getting mistaken for a guy!!

My first home project since my 2 woodworking classes – adirondack chair for the grandson (practicing on the child size before I do the two big ones for my best girlfriend!)  In the ww classes they provided everything – wood, screws, tools, etc., etc.  First question – how do I know what size bit to use to pre-drill holes?  I “think” it has something to do with the size of the screw shank absent the threads BUT how to figure that out?

Second question – we did countersink the screws on the nightstand project in wwII, but we used a manual countersinking bit/tool – kinda had a large U-shaped handle.  I did find a previous post about countersinking doing a search here, and saw the information about the jackrabbit system.  Not sure I’m ready to go there – plan to predrill all holes and do countersinks before doing ANY glue-ups etc.  But if the tool like we used in the class is expensive it may be worth it to look at the jackrabbit.

and yeah, I know this is not really “fine” woodworking stuff like most of you guys do, but i do think most of first projects are going to be outside things – no reason I can’t do them in a “fine” manner with square pieces and good joints!

Robin and Molly & Sadie (the Wonder labs) “Wonder if mom could build us a loft in the tree so we can see what’s going on outside the fence?”