10 Quick And Easy DIY Pocket Hole Jigs

Make precise, square cuts. When making projects with right angles, such as cabinets or face frames, square cuts ensure square assemblies.

Anything less will result in gaps or unsquare joints. If you cut stock on a mitersaw, tune it up as well. Plan your work, work your plan. After cutting but before drilling, pocket hole jig build your own zero out project parts in the orientation you want, and then mark the back faces, as shown below.

Be sure to also draw other layout marks, such as where a middle rail lines up with the stiles. Then drill pocket holes into the marked faces to prevent accidentally drilling into the best face. Grab the best grain. Drill pocket holes so screws thread into edge or face grain for maximum purchase; avoid screwing into end grain, as shown below. These screws won't hold as well threaded into end grain.

Instead, drill the pockets on the rail and drive screws into edge grain of the stile. Set the correct pocket depth. For strongest joints, set the stop collar according to your jig's instructions. Check this each time you use the jig to avoid accidentally drilling too deep. A corded drill bores pocket hole jig build your own zero cleaner hole than a cordless one because of its faster bit speed. Excessive tear-out around the pocket could indicate a dull bit.

Keep a second bit on hand so you can switch to it when the first begins to pocket hole jig build your own zero. Smooth the way. Before drilling, spray the bit with a dry lubricant, such as Bostik DriCote, to reduce drilling friction and prolong sharpness. Repeat after every 20 or so holes. Clear chips frequently. Pull the bit out when you've reached about half depth to clear the chips; then finish drilling.

This reduces friction and bit dulling. Match up different thicknesses. When joining boards of two different thicknesses edge-to-edge or end-to-edge, as shown belowset the pocket-hole depth for the thinner board. If joining boards end-to-face or edge-to-face, such as in a table apron to the top, set the depth for the thickness of the board with the pockets, regardless of which is thinner, and then use a shorter screw if necessary.

Choose the right screws. Coarse-thread pocket pocket hole jig build your own zero hold best in softer woods, such Pocket Hole Jig Build Your Own One as pine, cedar, and poplar, as well as plywood; use fine-thread screws for hardwoods. Choose the length based on the workpiece thickness, pocket hole jig build your own zero shown in the chart below.

Use fine-thread screws for hardwoods. Use coarse-thread screws for softwoods, MDF, particleboard, and plywood. Most pocket-hole screws come with an oversized washer head for increased contact with the pocket shoulder, but you can also get screws with a smaller pan head for use with shallow pockets where a washer head would protrude pocket hole jig build your own zero the workpiece surface.

For outdoor applications, choose stainless steel or coated screws. Never use drywall screws -- they break easily while driving, and their tapered "bugle" heads can split the bottoms of the pocket shoulders. Don't forget the glue. Screws alone make a plenty-strong pocket-hole joint, but adding glue helps prevent a joint from opening up due to seasonal shrinking and swelling.

Clamp across a joint whenever possible, see photo belowto avoid the parts creeping out of alignment as you snug up the screws. Clamp parts to a perfectly flat surface so the front faces align.

If one of the parts is offset, shim below it, if needed. When screwing an edge to a face, such as the table shown below, always clamp the assembly securely before driving screws. Learn to drive a clutch. Although handy for driving fasteners, avoid using an impact driver for driving pocket screws.

Because you can't see the screw snug up against the pocket's shoulder, the tool's high torque can easily strip out the screw hole. Instead, use a drill or cordless screwdriver with an adjustable clutch, set to pull together joints without stripping out the holes. Keyhole slots are a great way to affix wooden hangings, such as a shelf or picture, to a wall.

Skip to main content. Pocket-hole pointers. Whether you own a pocket-hole jig or are considering buying one, these shop-won insights will help you get more from your jig.

Prepping the stock Make precise, square cuts. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Text. Printer-friendly version. Read more about Pocket-screw Joinery. Save time with pocket holes. For more related content, subscribe to our newsletter! More Joinery All Joinery. Half-laps by Hand and Machine. How to Handcut a Tenon. Tip of the Day. Foolproof Hanging with Keyhole Slots. Magazine Subscribe Magazine Customer Service.

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Jan 15,  · Here is how to make a pocket hole jig that won't require special drillbits and allows you to use regular wood screws (countersink ones). It might be the way. DIY Pocket Hole Jig: This article was originally posted to my website, www.- Be sure to stop by my site for more DIYs, repairs, and projects & remember to subscribe! Now on with the Instructable!Kreg Pocket Hole Jigs have become synonymous with DIYe. Jan 07,  · Having used and liked the pocket hole machine, I decided to build my own, using a router I found for a song at a yard sale, and with scrap plywood I got at the cabinet shop. The one I made was many moons old, and looks much worse for the wear, so it is modeled and rendered in 3D for your viewing pleasure.

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