No-Jig Pocket Holes

Do you do this with hardwood also?

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

Your technique may be what led to the development of pocket hole jigs, but I suspect that it could lead to some problems if not done flawlessly every time.

I don’t think that I would use trim head screws, however. I use the Kreg system and the truss head screws give a lot of clamping force in the flat bottomed screw holes. Probably much more than trim heads would give. I set my drill clutch to ~10 – 12, drill speed to 1, and drive to the first “click” to get rock solid joints.

Good idea getting away from drywall screws. They’re way too easy to break.

-- Adversity doesn't build character...................it reveals it.

Do you do this with hardwood also?

Rich?? Ash?? Hardwood???
Bill

-- [email protected]

Gosh, I got the impression that everybody here does everything flawlessly every time….lol. It takes a bit of practice but with everything solidly clamped, it’s just a matter of drilling carefully.

Sawkerf, your concern is noted. If I weren’t confident the joints are plenty strong, I would not have posted here and risked the wrath of the collective wisdom.

I’m not saying the Kreg system is lacking. This is, IMO, a viable alternative.

-- Please Pray for Our Troops / Semper Fi / Bob Ross / www.theborkstore.com

First, I give you props for doing this without the guide. But with a price point of the Kregs line you can not beat it. It works flawlessly and I do not have to think about it.

-- Have thy tools ready. God will find thee work.

For years I’ve drilled holes for pocket screws on the fly using a 3/8”
spade bit. I drill in perpendicular to the work for about 1/4” then
abruptly turn the drill to the angle I want. Works great, really.

Not suitable for cabinetmaking really, but for screwing together
2×4s and in a pinch on installations the results are very acceptable.

I agree with this. For less than the price of a couple of those clamps, you’ve got all you need.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5985&filter=kreg

Raspar said:
>First, I give you props for doing this without the guide. But with a price point of the Kregs line you can not beat it. It works flawlessly and I do not have to think about it.

I have drilled pocket holes this way, but I wouldn’t give up my kreg jig. For me the jig is a lot faster and you get acurate, consistant holes every time. If you are not consistant with the dept every time, the screws may puncture throught the material.

-- Emmett, from Georgia