Full Answer
Which KREG pocket hole jig should I buy?
My recommendation for a beginner woodworkers that have never used a pocket hole jig is the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 520Pro. My recommendation for woodworkers who will be doing a lot of pocket holes and need the efficiency is the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720Pro. This is the one I own and use often!
What is a pocket hole jig and how does it work?
A: A pocket hole jig is a system that allows you to create pocket hole joints in a way that is quick, accurate, and secure. It provides the means to drill the screws at an accurate angle and depth in order to have the best pocket hole joint possible. when used with glue, joints are generally strong enough for most DIY furniture builds
What is a pocket hole jig K4?
The Pocket-Hole Jig K4 includes one wood-chip relief hole for every Drill Guide hole to keep the drill bit clear of excess wood chips, minimizing drill-torque, increasing the longevity of your drill bits, and allowing you to complete a perfect pocket hole in just one plunge. satisfaction seriously.
Who invented the KREG jig?
The speed and reliability of the technique have made it a favorite in furniture manufacturing and cabinet shops for decades. But for the small shop and weekend woodworker, pocket hole joinery took a giant leap forward in 1990, when Craig Sommerfield brought out the first commercially available model of his remarkable Kreg Jig.
What is a Kreg tool used for?
A Kreg Jig is a type of tool used to join wood. Kreg Jigs can help you drill what are known as pocket holes, which allow screws to be inserted at an angle. Because the screws run along the grain of the wood rather than through it, the joint will be much stronger and more secure.
What is a pocket hole machine used for?
0:343:32Kreg® Foreman Pocket-Hole Machine (Item# DB210) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis simple operation drills a precisely placed pocket hole at the perfect depth in materials.MoreThis simple operation drills a precisely placed pocket hole at the perfect depth in materials.
What is special about Kreg screws?
Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws also feature a self-tapping tip that “drills” its own hole, so the screw drives in quickly and easily without splitting the wood — and without requiring a pilot hole in the mating workpiece.
Why use Kreg pocket hole jig?
If you're just needing to attach two boards together and don't want to see any exposed screw heads, a pocket hole may be a great choice. In many cases, pocket holes are great for simply attaching boards together like this. And they're great for attaching two boards together on the same plane like this as well.
When should you not use pocket holes?
This one may be obvious, but you should avoid using pocket holes in locations where they will be visible. The only exceptions to this would be 1) if you don't care about the aesthetics of the piece, or 2) you are using plugs and will be painting the piece.
Is Kreg jig worth the money?
The professional, the hobbyist, and the DIY woodworker. Ultimately, you'll need to decide if one of their tools is right for you. The Kreg Jig is a valuable tool. If you plan to construct cabinets, bookshelves, tables, or anything with multiple joints, then the Kreg tool is undoubtedly worth your money.
Can I use normal screws with Kreg jig?
You really should use Kreg screws in the pocket holes that your Kreg jig creates. They are specifically designed for Kreg pocket holes. However, if you don't have access to Kreg screws, you can try using regular wood screws, but they would have to have a flat-bottomed screw head.
What can I use instead of a Kreg Screw?
Alternatives to Kreg jig Pocket Hole ScrewsCSH Pan-head screws.Massca pocket hole screws.SNUG pocket hole screws.Quick Screw pocket hole screws.
Are pocket holes stronger than regular screws?
4:239:28When to NOT use pocket screws... and when you SHOULD! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you get to choose when you use pocket screws. And when you don't another place that you shouldMoreAnd you get to choose when you use pocket screws. And when you don't another place that you should definitely not use pocket screws is attaching a skirt to a table.
Are pocket holes good for plywood?
Pocket screws are available in coarse thread and a fine thread. Use coarse thread pocket screws for softwoods like pine, plywood, particle board and MDF. Use fine thread pocket screws for hardwoods like oak, maple, hickory, cherry, walnut and birch.
Do I need a pocket hole jig?
6:088:52Can you make pocket holes without a jig? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just need to drill an angled hole then drill a wider hole start by totaling the small hole justMoreYou just need to drill an angled hole then drill a wider hole start by totaling the small hole just like I showed before drill.
Do I need special screws for pocket holes?
1:275:42Will any screw work in a pocket hole? | MORE MINUTES - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is important because an advantage to using a pocket hole jig is that you only have to drill oneMoreThis is important because an advantage to using a pocket hole jig is that you only have to drill one hole in one board not in the receiving. Board that helps join the pieces together.
Are pocket holes necessary?
Glue might strengthen the pocket hole joint, but it's not necessary. This makes pocket holes a faster joint than others. It's great for quick jobs, such as the 5 minute pocket hole shelf we recently completed. It also means that a piece can easily disassemble for transport whereas a glue-up is forever.
Do I need a pocket hole jig?
6:088:52Can you make pocket holes without a jig? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just need to drill an angled hole then drill a wider hole start by totaling the small hole justMoreYou just need to drill an angled hole then drill a wider hole start by totaling the small hole just like I showed before drill.
What is the difference between pocket hole screws and regular screws?
0:000:32Can you use regular screws in pocket holes? #shorts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPocket hole joinery. Works because of the shape of the screw.MorePocket hole joinery. Works because of the shape of the screw.
Are pocket holes strong?
The superior strength of a pocket hole joint has actually been proven. Independent testing found that a pocket screw joint failed at 707 pounds when subjected to a shear load while a comparable mortise and tenon joint failed at 453 pounds - meaning that the pocket screw joint was approximately 35% stronger.
Why does the pilot hole stop short?
It stops short for good reason: to prevent the wood fibers from “blowing out” as the bit exits the material. That way, there’s nothing to interfere with this piece fitting tightly against the mating piece.
What happens when you tighten a screw?
As you tighten the screw, it pulls the joint tightly together. The process is simple, but there are several things going on that make it possible. For starters, the upper part of the screw doesn’t have threads. That lets it turn easily inside the pilot hole instead of driving your two pieces of material apart.
Step 1: Determine pocket hole placement
I find it is easiest to mark all of your pieces first, so you can drill all of your pocket holes at one time. This is especially useful when you have a lot of pocket holes to drill, as it cuts down on time.
Step 2: Determine screw size
See my tips below for which screw you need to use. The Kreg screws are self-tapping so they won’t split the wood and eliminates the need to pre-drill holes.
Step 3: Set Drill Guide Height
This setting is on your actual jig. You will set this setting to the thickness of the thinnest board you are joining. Lock this in place before moving on.
Step 4: Set Drill Bit Depth Collar
This will control the depth of the hole you drill into your piece. Align the step collar on the bit to the guide on your jig that matches your wood thickness. Tighten the collar with the provided allen wrench.
Step 5: Drill your pocket hole
Using one of the three drill bit guides of your choice, plunge your drill until you reach the depth collar. Place the pocket holes 6-8 inches apart if you are joining long pieces together. Two pocket holes are generally needed so your piece doesn’t twist.
Step 6: Attach the pieces with screws in the pocket hole
Use the screws that you chose (tips below), along with the provided drill bit and clamps to secure the screws within the pocket hole. Glue is optional, although it will make your joint much stronger.
How long does it take to make a pocket hole with a Kreg drill?
In short, if you can operate a drill, you can make a perfect pocket hole joint in a matter of minutes.
What is a pocket hole jamb?
Jambs - Add extension jamb to a window or door without visible fasteners. Pocket hole joints keep jambs in place and provide a tight, weather-sealed seam.
How to do pocket hole joinery?
Pocket hole joinery is a very simple process - it involves nothing more than drilling an angled counterbore into a piece of wood and joining it to another piece of wood with a screw. The bottom of the counterbore (the "pocket hole") sits about 1/2' back from the edge being joined and provides room for the head of the screw.
Can you use pocket hole joinery for cabinet making?
But pocket hole joinery isn 't just for cabinet making. Simply stated, pocket hole joinery is one of the best methods for joining any two pieces of wood where a strong joint with no visible fasteners on one surface is the order of business. As the manufacturer of the Kreg jig puts it, the uses for pocket hole joinery are only limited by ...
Drill Guides offer easy spacing options
Kreg Pocket-Hole Jigs all have hardened-steel drill guides that are positioned to give you hole-spacing options. This explains why, on models with multiple drill guides, the spacing between the drill-guide holes isn’t always even.
Board width or material size determines pocket-hole spacing
The built-in features in our drill guides are used most often when you’re drilling pocket holes in the end of a board. That’s where you’ll place them for projects like frames. In those cases, pocket-hole spacing is determined by the width of the board.
Pocket-hole spacing in wider boards
What if you’re using wider boards? We don’t make drill guides with wider spacing. So, you’ll want to reposition the board in the jig to space the holes farther apart.
Pocket-hole spacing in plywood, panels, and long boards
Of course, pocket-hole joinery isn’t just used at the ends of boards. You can also use pocket-hole joints along the edges of long boards to create things like table tops. And pocket-hole joints are great for sheet goods like plywood and MDF.
What is a kreg jig?
Learn more... A Kreg Jig is a type of tool used to join wood. Kreg Jigs can help you drill what are known as pocket holes, which allow screws to be inserted at an angle. Because the screws run along the grain of the wood rather than through it, the joint will be much stronger and more secure.
How to drill pocket holes in wood?
Before you begin drilling, it’s important to measure the width of the boards you’ll be working with. The thickness is what you’re looking to gauge here. Knowing the exact thickness of the board will enable you to drill the pocket holes at just the right angle.
How to keep a jig from coming loose?
Secure the jig to the workbench. Clamp the jig down so that it will remain firmly in place. This will prevent the wood from coming loose while you’re drilling. Make sure the guide holes of the jig are facing toward you on the workbench.
What is a jig for wood?
The jig will allow you to drill at a shallow angle into the wood, which results in a more structurally sound joint than if you were to drill straight through.
How to adjust a jig?
Change the placement of the jig. Using the same measurements, adjust the height of the jig to the appropriate position. To do this, loosen the thumbscrew on the back so that you can raise or lower guide hole piece freely. Once the jig is where you want it, tighten the thumbscrew to secure it.
What is depth collar?
The depth collar is slightly wider than the guide holes of the jig, and will keep you from drilling too far into the wood.
Why use pocket holes in antique furniture?
Use pocket holes to reinforce the joints in your favorite antique furniture pieces and increase their lifespan.
What is the only thing that doesn't have pocket holes in this build?
The only thing that doesn’t have pocket holes in this build is the window! It’s a moving part.
Do coffee tables have pocket holes?
YES! there are lots of pocket holes, but they are not seen while the coffee table is in use. You can see that I buy my screws by a box of 1000 at a time—that’s how many screws I use.
Can you use a kreg jig pocket hole on a coffee table?
By using Kreg Jig pocket holes on this indoor/outdoor coffee table, there are no visible screws or nails of any kind. It’s really one of my favorite projects lately. Mostly because it didn’t cost me any money—I used scrap wood leftover from my diy picket fence.
Is the K4 pocket hole system faster?
Sometimes if I don’t have many boards to do, I don’t even clamp the Kreg Jig to my work surface. Even so, the K4 really is a lot faster if you have many hole s to drill.
