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Charles,

2 1/2" screws for joining cabinets together seems a little excessive - can't you use shorter screws? Are you drilling to the full depth of the screw thread? What material screws are you using, steel or brass? If brass then use a steel screw to cut the thread into the wood and then extract it and install a brass one.

Paul

Hi
Hardwood is always treated diff to soft wood.

You need two diff sizes of drill bits.
First drill all the way with the size for the screw Secondly re drill part way for the thicker part of top shank of the screw
Also are you drilling deep enough also turn screw slowly and when you feel the screw biting and becoming difficult withdraw screw and re drill.
If you want a flush fit don't forget to countersink the wood for the screw head,Hardwood if very unforgiving it will not give like soft wood so it all has to fit exactly.
John Hope this is a help.

hi

you could also try a bit of vaseline on the screw to ease it in the final bit as the dry hard wood will bite well
you may need to experiment a bit to get the hole sizes just right if you can try some tests on offcuts if you can and try the advise already given as well.