Again, this is an adjustment I rarely have to change. Lock the collar by tightening the set screw. This will keep it from drilling into the plastic. Use an Allen wrench to loosen it.ĭrop the drill bit into one of the guide holes until the tip touched the plastic base. The drill bit comes with an adjustable collar that is held in place with a set screw. I hardly ever have to adjust this because I mostly use 3/4″ lumber when making pocket holes. I use the K5 jig.įirst, set this drill bit guide part to match the thickness of your board. They both accomplish the same task, but the K5 is a little easier to set up and adjust.

There are two versions: the K4 and the newer K5. There are other brands of pocket hole jigs, but the Kreg Jig is clearly the king and the only kind I have every used. Additionally, this may actually be stronger than screwing straight into face grain, because the angle will ensure a longer portion of the screw will be embedded in the wood. The solution is to drive a screw at an angle so that it goes into the face grain (or edge grain) of each board. The important thing to always keep in mind, whether you are using pocket screws or not, is that screwing into the end grain of a board provides the weakest connection.įor a project that won’t be subjected to a lot of stress, screwing into the end grain can work, but a far better choice is to avoid this practice, especially when using softwoods such as pine. It’s good to understand good grain and direction to learn how pocket screws work. It’s a big community and there is plenty of room for all of us! How Pocket Hole Joinery Works We can awe at the work of others and get inspired by their approaches and goals. Of course most of us are somewhere in between and that’s what makes woodworking interesting. These folks are more interested in completing a project they can use, rather than relishing in the shop experience. At the other end of the spectrum are the “project based” makers. Quiet time in the shop can be a centering, healing experience. Spending time perfecting difficult skills and procedures can be personally satisfying and enjoyable. Some people find that the process alone is woodworking’s greatest reward. There is a wide spectrum of building and woodworking.

While I am not interested in getting deep into this topic here, it is pretty hard to discuss pocket holes without touching on it. Some people will argue that pocket screws are “cheating” and the only proper way to build is by spending countless hours practicing and refining techniques such as mortise and tenons, or hand cut dovetail joints. Anyone can purchase a relatively inexpensive pocket hole jig and start building immediately! It’s not just a great introduction into woodworking, but a great technique for experienced builders too. Over the past decade, pocket hole joinery has enabled millions of people to make strong, great-looking furniture and other projects without years of training or experience.

Kreg screw guide