Kreg pocket joiner device

I use quite a bit of pocket hole joinery, but not with Kreg . . . I have a cheaper knockoff. I have not seen the video you mentioned, however if the project looked easy they probably were. This type of joinery is a breeze and it quite tough. I will be upgrading to the Kreg sometime in the future.

I believe that bits may be available from LV. If not they should not be overly expensive. If you change the length of the bit the jig should be able to compensate. I have only cracked off one bit in the last 3 yrs.

Yes other screws can be used, however I find that the non-Kreg are not that much cheaper than the Kreg branded screws. Keep in mind that they do come in a couple of lengths (for various thickness of wood) and in a coarse thread (for soft wood) and fine (for hard wood).

Hope this helps.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

You can buy all that stuff at any big box store…(now.) The bits are $20.

Pocket joinery is pretty good. There are a few quirks that you have to address when using them. The screws are the screws. You could use drywall screws….which work. But the brand named ones are really better screws. It takes alot of pocketholes to wear one out.

I have one of the simple ones and in the shop we have a pockethole machine and clamp table.

BTW, screwing into end-grain is worthless.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

I use both biscuits and pocket joinery. I think that the Kreg pocket joinery devices are some of the handiest and most useful joinery techniques there are. I use them with and without glue. They are mechanicallly strong without glueing and very strong with glue.

I would use the Kreg screws [coarse and fine] and the Kreg drill bit.

The pocket joinery video does make it look easy. You could do almost any joint in the video using many other techniques however. The advantage to screws is you can glue the joint, screw it together and move on. In most cases you don’t have to wait for the glue to dry. In pieces I make where I want to practice or hone a skill, or make something appear like I really spent a lot of time on it, I don’t use screws that you could find by flipping the item over. As for sharpening the bit, that won’t make a difference. The bits are available any place and are actually very good quality. The screws are reasonable. You can get various sizes for various applications with a fine or a coarse thread. They are square drive so you won’t strip a screw head ever again. You can also get various plugs to fill the holes as well. I learned a few tricks from the video included in the kit that I use in other applications as well.

-- NorthWoodsMan

I can tell you that somehow the Kreg jig was one of the first few woodworking devices I bought. Not sure how I happened on to it at that time either. It is a fantastic tool, after a little practice, it is extremely easy to use.

I’m as amateur as it gets, but I really like this jig. I’ve used it for a lot of things, not just trying to build furniture. And, it’s kind of fun.

I normallly use biscuits but I recently completed a project where the frame was small and I did not feel the joints would hold up to the abuse they might take, so I picked the small Kreg kit and it worked like a champ. Quick and easy, the butt joints I used for the frame will hold up for years to come, you can see a picture of the doors I built in my projects section. I don’t use them very often, but when I do, I know that they will work just fine.

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

Biscuits don’t really add much strength to a joint, but are great for alignment purposes such as edge gluing a table top. I dont’ use them for everything, but pocket screws are wonderful for a quick and strong joint as long as you use the right screw type and length. And, like Catspaw says, screwing into end grain is worthless.
All in all, it’s really affordable and versitile at the same time.

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

Regarding biscuits, I know they’re not for adding strength but rather for alignment.

But, I was tearing down a plywood carcass the other day, biscuits and glue plywood edge butt joint onto plywood face. Probably about the worst joint you could think of. No dados, just a plywood edge against a plywood face, some number 20 biscuits and glue. I had to break the carcass down with a 2 lb sledge. And when I did the joints pretty uniformly tore the plywood apart rather than busting the biscuits.

I understand that a solid wood long grain to long grain glued joint is stronger than the surrounding wood and that adding biscuits does not add strength. But using biscuits for plywood to plywood adds a heck of a lot of strength.

I have the Kreg pocket rocket, which is the cheapest one, & does the same thing as the fancier ones.

I’ve built quite a few things with it, & I’m well satisfied with it.

I bought face frame screws at Grizzly, & saved a bundle.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I have the Kreg jig and I use it anytime I can. It is easy, quick & effective. I have only had it for five months, but when I am doing any kind of joint, I will always be looking to use it when I can first before considering an alternative.

-- http://rusty@midohio.twcbc.com

One thing you MUST do when using a Kreg jig is to make sure that your wood is square.
The screws hold the pieces together so tightly that if your pieces aren’t square, neither will be your joint.

Another tip: if you are going to paint a piece and the holes will be visible, then just use a 3/8” dowel and some glue to fill in the holes. Trim them flush and away you go. Don’t spend the money for those pre cut plugs.

The first time I ever used them was on the stand for the harpsichord I built. Steady as a rock.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I have used the Kreg jig for several projects and found it to be very useful.

It is quick. No clamping needed just add some glue and assemble and keep going. And so far it is extremely strong. That being said there are a few things to keep in mind.

When using pocket holes to assemble a cabinet case for instance, you need to guard against the work shifting as you tighten the screw. You do not have any dados or rabbits to hold the pieces in position. I usually clamp them in place very firmly before I tighten the screws. The shift is worse if you use to much glue.

Also 3/4” plywood isn’t exactly 3/4” so for some joints you will need shallower pockets.

Yes you can use any pan head self tapping screw, but the Kreg ones aren’t that expensive and I like the square drive.

-- mhawkins2 - why does my wife keep parking her car in my shop :)?