So far, I'm seeing these pocket-hole videos being mostly marketing videos to convince in the usage of the jig. Need more vids that cover not only a demo of the jig but info of the thickness of the pieces involved, where the exit screw hole should end up. Should the exit hole end up in the center of the piece getting the pocket hole or should the exit hole end up on the edge of the piece? The marketing time is over, time to get down to the details people. LOL
@DIGS16 Yes. You hold the drill at the angle I show and just do it. If you succeed, PLEASE tape a video showing how in the world you're making it happen without the drill slipping.
Pocket holes used to be made w/ a chisel. You 1st make a 'V' shaped stop cut that the screw head will butt against. Then cut a 'V' shaped channel down to the stop cut. 3 planes come together at right angles. Drill a pilot hole & you're ready to go. It's not as neat looking, but just as functional.
Can I use a pocket jig to connect two pieces of mitered plywood cut at 45 degree angles ? I am a beginner making canvas stretcher bars / frames for art work.
@woodentoolcompany I've discovered you should really use the screws provided by the manufacturer. They are designed to not split the wood and to work perfectly with the jig drill bit.
@AsktheBuilder I use all drywall screws and have for years...if I dont tighten them up to much they are fine..but if you dont mind the extra expense I would recomend using the proper screws as well. THey do grab a bit better..and like you said the proper ones dont split the wood as easy....I still plan on using drywall though..Hope you drop over have a look at what I have been up to with pocketholes. Wayne
if your joints are slipping past each other while clamping or holding them together by hand use this neat trick: sprinkle a little bit of table salt in a few spots. That will be sufficient to increase traction between the pieces. No more slippage.
I want to join two pieces of wood at 90 degrees, I want to put stress on the joint and have it last a long time. Which is stronger a pocket hole joint or tongue and groove joint? thoughts? TIA,
Wow, that's a tough call. If I wast to use a pocket hole, you bet I would use waterproof urethane glue as well as the screws. But an expert dovetail joint is hard to beat.
I too just picked this General Tools jig up from Home Depot for about $30. It worked well drilling the holes. However the square driver tip that came with the kit was too big for the included screws. I barely got the screws in.
I HATE square headed screws. They are not standard and require a square tipped driver. I am just gonna replace it with a phillips headed self-tapping screw and go from there.
The main reason for using Kreg screws would be the self-tapping tip which prevents your wood. The square drive is also very nice compared to the phillips head. Much easier to drive and less likely to spin out.
Kreg makes top-notch pocket hole jigs. They are consistently rated highest in the magazines.
after using now for almost 6 months, i can say that this pocket hole jig is one of the most used and more valuable tool in my shop. There are quite a few out there including some really expensive ones, but this cheap unit works flawlessly and I've built now many things using it. One thing I've done is put together pieces of 1x8-10-12 pine together, I mean scrap peaces, that end up being a single piece thanks to pocket holes in the borders.
HEY GUYS THIS IS MY SECOND SUCCESS! A couple of days ago I got the crown molding perfect. Well, today I went to Home Depot and I bought the same unit you have in the video for $29.00. The best investment I eve made! I made a beautiful small cabinet as a sample to practice, and from the get go the holes and alignment was perfect! Since I've been home all day preparing for hospital tomorrow, I've been looking at this beautiful piece of wood without outside holes :)!
I prefer the pan head screws made especially for these joints. I find that flat head screws (I don't use bugle head drywall screws) can split out the wood when applied parallel to the grain.
I find the Kreg Mini a good choice, especially for repair or reinforcing existing work. Less than $30 with a box of screws and a cheap clamp and you're good to go.
And if you don't need disassembly, put in some glue.
So far, I'm seeing these pocket-hole videos being mostly marketing videos to convince in the usage of the jig. Need more vids that cover not only a demo of the jig but info of the thickness of the pieces involved, where the exit screw hole should end up. Should the exit hole end up in the center of the piece getting the pocket hole or should the exit hole end up on the edge of the piece? The marketing time is over, time to get down to the details people. LOL
theStormaftertheCalm 3 months ago
is there any way to make pocket holes without the use/buying of a jig?
DIGS16 7 months ago
@DIGS16 Yes. You hold the drill at the angle I show and just do it. If you succeed, PLEASE tape a video showing how in the world you're making it happen without the drill slipping.
AsktheBuilder 7 months ago
@AsktheBuilder okay so its was more diffucult than thought, only bc my drill press didnt have enough space between the chuck and base
DIGS16 7 months ago
@DIGS16
Pocket holes used to be made w/ a chisel. You 1st make a 'V' shaped stop cut that the screw head will butt against. Then cut a 'V' shaped channel down to the stop cut. 3 planes come together at right angles. Drill a pilot hole & you're ready to go. It's not as neat looking, but just as functional.
deezynar 1 month ago
Can I use a pocket jig to connect two pieces of mitered plywood cut at 45 degree angles ? I am a beginner making canvas stretcher bars / frames for art work.
universe5364 8 months ago
Comment removed
woodentoolcompany 11 months ago
@woodentoolcompany I've discovered you should really use the screws provided by the manufacturer. They are designed to not split the wood and to work perfectly with the jig drill bit.
AsktheBuilder 11 months ago
@AsktheBuilder I use all drywall screws and have for years...if I dont tighten them up to much they are fine..but if you dont mind the extra expense I would recomend using the proper screws as well. THey do grab a bit better..and like you said the proper ones dont split the wood as easy....I still plan on using drywall though..Hope you drop over have a look at what I have been up to with pocketholes. Wayne
woodentoolcompany 11 months ago
if your joints are slipping past each other while clamping or holding them together by hand use this neat trick: sprinkle a little bit of table salt in a few spots. That will be sufficient to increase traction between the pieces. No more slippage.
enricorosan 2 years ago
Great tip. Thanks!
AsktheBuilder 2 years ago
I keep having problems joining pieces with pocket holes because the pieces slide when I screw them down.
Is this just a clamping issue? Do other people have this problem?
limetwig2007 2 years ago
Yes. It's a clamping issue. Clamp pieces tight and in correct position until all screws are driven.
AsktheBuilder 2 years ago
I want to join two pieces of wood at 90 degrees, I want to put stress on the joint and have it last a long time. Which is stronger a pocket hole joint or tongue and groove joint? thoughts? TIA,
ojgville 3 years ago
Wow, that's a tough call. If I wast to use a pocket hole, you bet I would use waterproof urethane glue as well as the screws. But an expert dovetail joint is hard to beat.
AsktheBuilder 3 years ago
dovetail owns all
zRaaGz 2 years ago
i have this jig, it's made by general tools. they make the ones for craftsman too.
RodGoldenshaft 3 years ago
I too just picked this General Tools jig up from Home Depot for about $30. It worked well drilling the holes. However the square driver tip that came with the kit was too big for the included screws. I barely got the screws in.
I HATE square headed screws. They are not standard and require a square tipped driver. I am just gonna replace it with a phillips headed self-tapping screw and go from there.
JosiahsBackpack 2 years ago
Can I just use the regular screws rather than the Kreg pocket hole screws?
ionxi 3 years ago
Seems like it would work to me.
AsktheBuilder 3 years ago
There are many reasons I would use Kreg screws over standard screws.
1) Self tapping tip prevents wood from splitting.
2) threads on only half the shank keep the wood from pushing itself apart.
3) built strong, heads never break off
4) square driver is way better than phillips which is constantly spinning.
hswrestlingfan 3 years ago 2
@hswrestlingfan They are nice screws!
woodentoolcompany 11 months ago
The main reason for using Kreg screws would be the self-tapping tip which prevents your wood. The square drive is also very nice compared to the phillips head. Much easier to drive and less likely to spin out.
Kreg makes top-notch pocket hole jigs. They are consistently rated highest in the magazines.
derekbalsley 3 years ago
"...the self-tapping tip which prevents your wood FROM SPLITTING."
derekbalsley 3 years ago
after using now for almost 6 months, i can say that this pocket hole jig is one of the most used and more valuable tool in my shop. There are quite a few out there including some really expensive ones, but this cheap unit works flawlessly and I've built now many things using it. One thing I've done is put together pieces of 1x8-10-12 pine together, I mean scrap peaces, that end up being a single piece thanks to pocket holes in the borders.
malanga13 4 years ago
Probably the best pocket hole jigs that ive used are made by KREG, but they can be pretty pricy.
hellraiserl33t 4 years ago 2
Great video! Thank you for teaching me this.
E5Bobby 4 years ago
Where can I get one of these pocket Jigs and drill bit? Which are the best brands?
eganair 4 years ago
The one in the video I got from Sears. They are really common at websites that sell tools to woodworkers.
AsktheBuilder 4 years ago
HEY GUYS THIS IS MY SECOND SUCCESS! A couple of days ago I got the crown molding perfect. Well, today I went to Home Depot and I bought the same unit you have in the video for $29.00. The best investment I eve made! I made a beautiful small cabinet as a sample to practice, and from the get go the holes and alignment was perfect! Since I've been home all day preparing for hospital tomorrow, I've been looking at this beautiful piece of wood without outside holes :)!
malanga13 4 years ago
I also will use the pan head screws ... but if I run out then I will resort to DW screws.
PiztOff 4 years ago
I prefer the pan head screws made especially for these joints. I find that flat head screws (I don't use bugle head drywall screws) can split out the wood when applied parallel to the grain.
I find the Kreg Mini a good choice, especially for repair or reinforcing existing work. Less than $30 with a box of screws and a cheap clamp and you're good to go.
And if you don't need disassembly, put in some glue.
byhammerandhand 4 years ago