Tool Review : Kreg R3 Pocket Hole Jig Review Overview

[PandawdyBob]

I noticed you were putting the screws in by hand. Is this to prevent stripping the hole? I couldn't find any information in my Kreg manual on how to set the torque on my drill.

[TheLumberjackass]

@PandawdyBob

Yes, you are correct.

These screws are razor sharp and will easily strip themselves loose if too much torque is applied. Most woods are decent to work with, but be extremely aware that when it comes to mdf, It'll strip instantly if your any way strong in the forearm department.

As for torque settings, I'm afraid you'll have to test a couple of screws and judge it from there :)

[elgregor2]

Thanks for letting others know that they can create!

[TheToolnut]

You mentioned that the Trend pocket hole drill bits are much better, how do they compare on price? I might give them a go.

[TheLumberjackass]

@TheToolnut

i actually didnt buy the trend bit so i cant tell you how much they are, but i'd say they would be cheaper somehow. but the shop where i bought the kreg jig replaced my dull kreg bit for the trend bit. so i got it for free really. there is a slight difference in width on the trend, its a little bit narrower, but it is a better quality bit. you can tell instantly when you compare the 2 of them side by side that the trend is made from better steel.

[TheToolnut]

The Kreg drill bits can be sent back to Kreg to be sharpened, i don't know how much it would cost but i'll be finding out soon because both of my bits need to be sharpened. Kreg maintain that their bits will drill two or three thousand pocket holes before they need to be re-sharpened, it think that's a bit optomistic.

[TheLumberjackass]

@TheToolnut

my bit didnt last very long at all, probably 100 holes and i could feel how dull it became. but, i figured out why it dulled so quickly. i was using the bit on plywood, and plywood has some very heavy duty glue which dulls blades and router bits. i would say that the sharpness of the kreg bit may last for about 500 cuts on solid wood, but it gets dull very quickly on plywood.

[mrdan1210]

Hi nice vid, i was looking to buy one of these for mdf cabinet construction but noticed that you dont reccomend the kreg screws for mdf, can other brands of screws be used?

[TheLumberjackass]

@mrdan1210

yes, other brand or other type screws can be used, but the problem your facing is how are you going to drill the hole to make way for that screw ?

you see, the kreg screws make their own hole, but the problem is, they are extremely sharp and any torque applied to the screw can wring itself loose. however, my solution would be to use a kreg screw first, but dont tighten it all the way, remove it, and then use a better more coarse screw instead :)

[cleric022684]

Hi, you do not do the woodworking for living so hope you don't mind, what do you do for living would you not like to do this for living? :-)

[TheLumberjackass]

@cleric022684

im going back to college, so im a student.

but before that, i was a public servant.

then the country went into recession and people started loosing their jobs, i was one of them.

so its time to get a degree so i can get a better job in the future.

[cleric022684]

@TheLumberjackass So kinda like a most of us, at least you are studying, her in Dublin when you see all the stupid and uneducated people it is easy to become one of them, some of them having problems to even pump a tires ;-) Hold on it should be better...one day.

[woodentoolcompany]

great little system, but the k3 jig is the best and most versitile but this is a cheap way to get started using pockethole joinery. check out a way to make the k3 even faster with the simple footlever system i invented for it.

[4909849057]

yes you are right. It is much better to hand drive screws in small pieces of wood. In soft or medium hard wood it is very easy to strip the wood. I'm curious why you are not using the pocket hole jig on your cabinet project?

I've watched your videos good work. jim

[TheLumberjackass]

hi jim,

thank you for the kind words :)

the reason im not using the jig on my cabinets is that i dont want to have any visible joints.

also, the screws that kreg provide , dont offer enough fastening power in mdf.

the threads are just not coarse enough for use with mdf.

mdf needs to be pre-drilled with the correct screw used at all times.

i may use the jig at some stage, but it'll be used for parts that are well hidden and not used for load bearing .

[drakekerry]

Any particulare reason you are using a hand driver for the screws? I mean why not chuck the bit up into your drill?

[TheLumberjackass]

hi drake,

one of the main reasons i use a hand driver only, is that i can feel how the screw is reacting to the wood.soft woods like pine need to be tightened up gently, as if a power tool was used, the thread on the screw would cut itself loose due to the rotational force, and would just turn round and round in the hole providing no grip.

i could use a torque setting on the drill to counter-act this,but i find using your hand is a far better indicator.

i honestly prefer to hand drive screws.