pocket hole jigs

[FullRaceMerc]

We used a Kreg jig for years (until upgrading to an auto machine). Works good. Just be careful to not bang the bit into anything. They are very brittle.

 

[7th Kahuna]

This is also one of my biggest complaints with pocket hole joinery too. It can be pretty fiddly getting a joint lined up perfectly unless everything is clamped very tightly. That screws really want to pull the joint out of alignment. I never bought on of their clamps that plugs into another pocket hole, so maybe that's the solution.

Your comments remind me that I recently saw a video of a woman 'salting' her glue before she assembled the work. I can't actually say for certain that it was salt but it came out of a salt shaker. Could have been some sort of fine abrasive. She offered no explanation, I assume that was another video, but my only conclusion was that whatever it was, it was added to the surface to reduce slipping.

 

[BikerDad]

I assume that was another video, but my only conclusion was that whatever it was, it was added to the surface to reduce slipping.

Yup, that's exactly the purpose. It was likely either salt or fine sand.

I never bought on of their clamps that plugs into another pocket hole, so maybe that's the solution.

For me, the domino + a couple pocket holes is the perfect union for fast, utilitarian work. No clamping and perfect alignment.

I have the pocket hole clamp, it helps, but the best solution is to simply clamp dry, run in screws, disassemble, add glue, reassemble. Best, at least from the perspective of preventing shifting.

The problem with the domino, especially when used in "utilitarian work", is the cost of of the tool. 40 times the cost of the pocket hole jig the OP asked about. I'm not saying that the domino isn't a bang up tool, it is, in fact, on my Tool Want List. If the Grand Relocation Sale 15% off at my local Woodcraft by some miracle is applied to Festool, it may make it off my list and into my shop.... Just that it's darn expensive.

 

[Sal Bandini]

I agree the Domino is over kill for that task. For "utilitarian" work a sub $100 plate joiner is the way to go.

 

[rharman]

I looked at the Domino long ago. Too rich for me! Biscuits & pocket holes cover my needs.

 

[Git]

I looked at the Domino long ago. Too rich for me! Biscuits & pocket holes cover my needs.

And don't forget - the Domino REQUIRES 'dust extraction' so if your drinking the Festool Koolaid, that is another $500-$600

 

[MaineGuide]

And don't forget - the Domino REQUIRES 'dust extraction' so if your drinking the Festool Koolaid, that is another $500-$600

I think you can get your dust extraction from a standard shop vac, provider your hose can connect, but I'm not positive. I've know plenty of people who've used a Rigid vac with a Festool track saw with good results, so I think it would work on the Domino?

 

[todd_fuller]

I agree the Domino is over kill for that task. For "utilitarian" work a sub $100 plate joiner is the way to go.

I thought this was GarageJournal! If you can do it, you can always over do it.

 

[blackhawk51]

Have used the Harbor Freight version for a year now on numerous projects and I absolutely love it. However, when it comes to bits and hardware I buy the Kreg brand because I've found them to be leaps and bounds better in quality from my experience using both.

 

[rharman]

Have used the Harbor Freight version for a year now on numerous projects and I absolutely love it. However, when it comes to bits and hardware I buy the Kreg brand because I've found them to be leaps and bounds better in quality from my experience using both.

Yep, they are very good. Can't beat the Kreg screw assortments.

 

[ajchien]

I have two of the jigs the OP posted. So imprsssed, I also got the K4 master kit although I probably should have bought that large "foreman" table jig. If you have no problems with hiding the pocket holes, hands down, pocket holes are the fastest way for me to finish a project. I do agree with others, investing in more clamps as well as kreg screws helps a lot.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have the Kreg R3 kit. If I know know from using it, the Kreg Mini (what the OP posted) with some clamps and square drive bits (I bought extra lengths anyways) would have been all I really needed.

Kreg pocket hole jigs are the best reason to buy an impact driver !!

Best price on screws is on Amazon. Buy the largest quantity you can afford.

 

[DenisG]

Yikles, so the only thing holding that bed together is pocket screws with no wood joinery? I don't know if I'd have my kid up on that. Look at Matthias Wandel's YT videos where he tests glued and unglued pocket hole joints. It doesn't take squat to pull them apart, they are about the weakest wood joints there are.

If you don't want to get into mortise/tenon, etc. you can at least go with dowels which are orders of magnitude stronger than pocket joints.

Stronger, yes, but x2's not x10's:
https://woodgears.ca/joint_strength/pockethole.html

 

[Mandres]

I think pocket holes make a lot of sense for cabinet face frames, built-in bookshelves, etc.

That said, I think they have no place in furniture. I guess I'm a luddite (and I'm only 35) but any piece worth making yourself is worth making right - and that means dovetails, mortise/tenon, etc. That's where I get the most pleasure from woodworking anyway - tuning and hand-fitting the pieces until they're perfect.

For the cost of a premium pocket hole jig you can pick up a nice chisel and backsaw and learn to do it right.