Pocket Hole Joinery

[afreegreek]

May sound silly, but I can handle that...

-do you need special screws for this?
(I saw that in the store, next to the product they had Kreg screws. Just a racket, or are they designed differently?)

-What plugs are often used? Do you use preformed plugs, as biscuits are sold in big jars? Or is a wood putty better? Or nothing! I guess that would work too.

all the feature of Kreg screws are common but not all on the same screw.. you can substitute other screws for official Kreg screws and they will work just not as easy as Kreg..

ya, the pocket hole itself is 3/8" diameter .. way too big for wood putty. it will just shrink and fall out. wood plugs are best, next best is the plastic caps

[MceeD]

I have used the pictured Kreg Jig and screws, on just about every joint and connection in my trailer. As it has been said a little glue and a few screws makes for a rock solid joint/connection/bond.

[Corwin C]

For plugs in the holes, glue in a 3/8" dowel, cut flush with dozuki saw and viola a pre-made plug for another hole!

[afreegreek]

For plugs in the holes, glue in a 3/8" dowel, cut flush with dozuki saw and viola a pre-made plug for another hole!

little hard to tap in though huh?

[digimark]

I know there are cheaper alternatives to the Kreg screws but for me it's been a matter of confidence - it's worth the extra money to me use their screws.

[mwallace61]

I've used Durham's water putty to fill pocket screw holes if I'm painting and not had any issue's with shrinkage. YMMV.

[dh]

I just picked up the JR yesterday and built my first cabinet face frame. This is the best $40 I ever spent on a specialty wood working tool. OK, so this is the only specialty wood working tool I own, but I love it.

[Larwyn]

I've had one or more Kreg pocket hole jigs for around 5 years now. I never expected to use them as often as I do. It really makes quick, design on the fly projects and any project where you want hidden fasteners (face frames). It eliminates the need for a lot of half lap or mortise and tenon joints but will never be as strong as those two, only faster to make and often of adequate strength. It can also be used where dadoes and rabbits would normally be used but again with some sacrifice of strength. It just depends on what you need.

I keep my K2000 jig and the Rocket Jig set up for 1 1/2" material most of the time, and use the K2 (one of Kreg's first models) and the Mini Jig for 3/4" material. Of course they can all be used on various thicknesses.

In my opinion, when used where pocket holes are appropriate, you cannot beat the Kreg jigs. For me they make a lot of quick projects happen that I would not even bother with if I had to use more elaborate and time consuming joinery.

[jamwius]

I bought the k4 and it worked out great. I used it to extend my 1/2" plywood sides to 10 feet. With the titebond III glue and the screws the joint is very solid and strong. The only thing to watch out for is that the wood pieces are secure when you join them. My first joint had a slight lip on it because the screw goes in at an angle it pulled the adjoining piece up a bit. After that one it went good from there. Pretty short learning curve in my opinion.

John

[Rlowell]

I love the Kreg Jig and look for places to use it on my build. I have used it to make the floor sub frame. I did not use glue for the frame and TRIED to break it apart...no luck. It make a fast, strong joint, with or without glue. I will also use the jig for the galley.
Rod

[Mentor58]

I've got the basic Kreg jig myself, and I LOVE it. It lets me do much better work than I could otherwise think possible. Now I think I actually try to plan stuff so I can use pocket screws to join them.

Steve