Advice about best tool to use for project

[Fallingstar_lulu1]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I did try out a step drill bit and it has worked perfectly so that the wooden screws go in and can then join two strips together. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Fallingstar_lulu1]

I'm unsure of the main issue
Are the screws really bolts that just freely slide through the hole and then through another piece of wood and then a wooden nut tightens the two parts together?

Yes, I just needed the holes a little bigger as the new screws wouldn't fit though the existing holes. All sorted now thankfully.