Plug Cutters

About Plug Cutters

Plug cutters are specialised woodworking tools designed to create perfectly cylindrical wooden plugs that conceal screw heads and fill counterbored holes. These precision cutting tools fit into standard drill presses or pillar drills to produce clean, uniform plugs from matching timber, ensuring an almost invisible finish when disguising fixings in furniture, joinery, and decorative woodwork. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks plug cutters from trusted brands including Trend, Faithfull, Bosch Professional, and Draper, available in individual sizes or convenient multi-piece sets.

Available in both metric and imperial sizes, plug cutters feature sharp cutting edges that slice through the wood grain to produce plugs with consistent diameter and length. Professional sets often include countersink bits and drill bits for complete screw concealment solutions, whilst individual cutters allow craftsmen to match specific screw sizes and timber types for bespoke finishing work.

Applications

Plug cutters are essential tools for various trades and woodworking applications:

• Joiners and Carpenters: Concealing fixings in high-quality furniture, staircases, and architectural joinery
• Furniture Makers: Creating invisible joints and professional finishes in bespoke pieces
• Kitchen Fitters: Hiding screws in wooden worktops, cabinets, and decorative panels
• Shopfitters: Finishing retail fixtures and display units with seamless surfaces
• DIY Enthusiasts: Achieving professional-looking results in home projects and restoration work
• Boat Builders: Concealing deck fastenings and maintaining smooth surfaces in marine woodwork

Choosing The Right Plug Cutters

When selecting plug cutters from MyToolShed.co.uk, consider these important factors:

Size Matching: Choose plug cutters that correspond to your counterbore diameter and screw size. Sets typically include common sizes (6mm, 10mm, 13mm, 16mm), whilst individual cutters suit specific requirements.

Measurement System: Select metric sizes for modern European screws or imperial sizes for traditional woodworking projects and older fixings.

Shank Diameter: Ensure compatibility with your drill press or pillar drill chuck capacity, typically 6mm or 8mm shanks.

Complete Sets: Consider comprehensive sets like the Trend Snappy system that include matching drill bits, countersinks, and plug cutters for coordinated workflows.

Brand Quality: Professional brands like Bosch and Trend offer superior edge retention and cleaner cuts, whilst Faithfull and Draper provide excellent value for occasional use.

Safety Information

Always use plug cutters in a drill press or pillar drill—never in handheld power drills, as the tool requires stable, vertical pressure for safe operation. Ensure workpieces are securely clamped before cutting, and allow the cutter to reach full speed before engaging the timber. Wear safety glasses to protect against wood chips, and keep fingers clear of the cutting area. Remove plugs carefully after cutting to avoid breaking delicate wooden cylinders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What timber should I use for making plugs?
Use the same species and grain direction as your workpiece for the best colour and pattern match. Cutting plugs from offcuts ensures an almost invisible finish once the plug is glued and trimmed flush.

Can plug cutters be used in a cordless drill?
No, plug cutters require the stability and consistent downward pressure of a drill press or pillar drill. Using them in handheld drills is dangerous and produces poor results.

How deep should I cut wooden plugs?
Standard plugs are typically 10-15mm long, providing sufficient length to fill counterbored holes whilst allowing excess material for trimming flush after gluing.