
If you set it too far, you will run the risk of drilling too deep and either having a weak joint or the screw will pop out the end when you assemble your boards. You can estimate about where the 1 would be and drill a test hole to make sure it doesn’t come out the end of the board.Įrr on the side of too short rather than too long. If you aren’t working with typical thicknesses and need additional options, you can adjust the collar as needed, but err on the small side.įor example, if you’re drilling into a 1″ thick board, adjust your collar between the ¾ and the 1 ½ setting.
#Kreg screw guide how to
If that’s the case, refer to your specific jig’s instructions for how to adjust the stop collar for your board thickness.īut, this is a super handy feature, so I’d recommend buying a new drill bit that comes with the marks. NOTE: On older versions, the bit may not have these marks and the collar may not have a hole. So, if you are drilling into a ¾″ thick board, you need to set BOTH your jig (from step 1) AND your drill bit for ¾″ material. Depending on which jig you buy, you may have additional accessories. And the newer ones come with a handy thickness gauge that doubles as the set screw wrench. Kreg Pocket Hole Jigs come with a jig, a drill bit, a stop collar, and a square head screw driving bit. RELATED: If you’re wondering which jig you need, check out this post to help you decide which pocket hole jig is best for your shop! No matter which one you’re using, the proper set up is key! So, let’s discuss how to set up your jig. You can use a cordless or corded drill for this. If you’re ready to start building using pocket holes, first, you need to grab a pocket hole jig and a drill. How to Use a Kreg Jig for Drilling Pocket Holes Personally, I prefer using dowels with hardwoods. My only reasoning is that hardwoods require a different thread screw than soft/plywoods and I don’t keep both types of screws stocked in my shop. I will note that PERSONALLY (this is just my own preference) I don’t typically use pocket holes in hardwood projects. Although, a 90 degree drill attachment can help solve that issue.
#Kreg screw guide plus
If you’re working in tight spaces and don’t have room to drive a pocket hole screw (the drill plus the bit will require about 10-12″ of space to work), you may want to consider a different option. If you don’t really care if you see the screw heads and just need the pieces attached, a simple butt joint with a screw through it may be a simpler option than pocket holes. Check out this post for four ways to plug a pocket hole. You CAN plug pocket holes, but sometimes the plug may stain differently than the wood.

If you aren’t able to hide your pocket holes and you plan on staining the piece, you might want to opt for a different joinery technique. Here are a few examples where pocket holes may not be your best bet: Pocket hole joinery is my go to method for cabinets and basic DIY furniture building. When used correctly, pocket holes work really well in plywood, softwoods (like pine and spruce), and hardwoods, too.
