Pocket hole jig

[SeanFu]

It's unfortunate that I always learn things a few months too late, but I wanted to turn you on the the wonders of pocket holes!

I got the Kreg Rocket jig (http://www.kregtool.com) for Christmas, along with some nice bar clamps.  My advice if you are about to start a custom cabinet: drop the $100 up front for a pocket hole jig and some proper clamps.  You'll thank yourself many times later.

Of course, I didn't have this stuff for the majority of my cabinet construction... but now I've seen the light!  All future cabinet joinery will be with pocket hole screws!

cheers!

[1UP]

I thought the "pocket hole jig" was the dance you did when you're wearing an old set of jeans, and all your tokens start sliding down your leg...  

[slug54]

Yeah I got the smaller version  a while back, but I was
already done with my cab, It kicks major ass!
It would have been handy for making the wood face frame that holds the monitor glass.

here is the link to the smaller Krieg jig from rockler

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showdetl.cfm?offerings_id=2085&objectgroup_id=421&catid=7


                                Slug54

[Tailgunner]

Hmm, I'll have to rummage around. I picked up one of the older aluminum Krieg jigs at a trade show and have never used it. I was under the impression it was mostly for doing face frame kitchen cabinets but I can see where it'd be useful doing stuff on arcade cabs.

[Nannuu]

I just bought the whole Kreg setup before Christmas at a woodworking show and it is incredible!!!  It is also rated the top pocket hole jig made.  Here is a pic of the monitor frame I put together for one of the Minis I'm building.  I've used the jig all over the cabinet so far with fantastic results.

[SeanFu]

Nice example Nannuu.  I'm down to the wiring on my first cab, but I'm itching to do another with pocket holes!  I've got to find a family member who wants a cabinet...

I was going to buy a buiscuit joiner, but then a cabinet builder talked me out of it and into the kreg stuff.  It's pretty cool.  I also picked up some of those Wolcraft bar clamps (the ones you can tighten with one hand) and now I wonder how I ever built anything without them.  They are DEFINITELY worth the money.

[eightbit]

Nice example Nannuu.  I'm down to the wiring on my first cab, but I'm itching to do another with pocket holes!  I've got to find a family member who wants a cabinet...

I was going to buy a buiscuit joiner, but then a cabinet builder talked me out of it and into the kreg stuff.  It's pretty cool.  I also picked up some of those Wolcraft bar clamps (the ones you can tighten with one hand) and now I wonder how I ever built anything without them.  They are DEFINITELY worth the money.

I have a biscuit jointer and a kreg pocket hole jig. I almost never use the biscuits. Biscuits do not add any strength to a joint, they only aid in alignment. A pocket hole on the other head adds strength by using a mechanical fastener. This is especially usefull if you wanted to build a cab that was easy to  knock down. Its also a very fast very strong joing method.

[Tilzs]

Biscuits not adding strength to a joint is a false statement. The biscuit adds a lot of surface area for the glue to hold to and they expand when glue is applied makeing for very strong joints.

[Lanman]

I am preparing to build a showcase cabinet. I can see how the Kreg Jig would come in handy for several projects so it seems to be worth the money.

However, for cabinets in particular, has anyone constructed one almost exclusively with pocket holes? I just want to make sure that the cabinet will be sturdy enough if I go this route.

Any opinions welcomed.

[PedroSilva]

I just bought the whole Kreg setup before Christmas at a woodworking show and it is incredible!!!  It is also rated the top pocket hole jig made.  Here is a pic of the monitor frame I put together for one of the Minis I'm building.  I've used the jig all over the cabinet so far with fantastic results.

It looks fine, but ... shouldn't that be done on the inside, to have no holes showing ?

[Nannuu]

I just bought the whole Kreg setup before Christmas at a woodworking show and it is incredible!!!  It is also rated the top pocket hole jig made.  Here is a pic of the monitor frame I put together for one of the Minis I'm building.  I've used the jig all over the cabinet so far with fantastic results.

It looks fine, but ... shouldn't that be done on the inside, to have no holes showing ?

Since it sets inside the cabinet it doesn't need to.  Just easier for me  .  The monitor casing will attach to runners inside so that it can be taken out if needed (although unlikely).  Honestly I didn't need to use the jig for this but it's fast, easy and strong so I did.

[PedroSilva]

I just bought the whole Kreg setup before Christmas at a woodworking show and it is incredible!!!  It is also rated the top pocket hole jig made.  Here is a pic of the monitor frame I put together for one of the Minis I'm building.  I've used the jig all over the cabinet so far with fantastic results.

It looks fine, but ... shouldn't that be done on the inside, to have no holes showing ?

Since it sets inside the cabinet it doesn't need to.  Just easier for me  .  The monitor casing will attach to runners inside so that it can be taken out if needed (although unlikely).  Honestly I didn't need to use the jig for this but it's fast, easy and strong so I did.

That explains it  

[eightbit]

Biscuits not adding strength to a joint is a false statement. The biscuit adds a lot of surface area for the glue to hold to and they expand when glue is applied makeing for very strong joints.

A board joined with biscuits adds only slightly to the strength of the joint. There primary use is to aid in aligning the boards for assembly. Yes they expand and lock in but the actual amount of wood spanning the joint is thin.

[Tonz]

You seem to be missing the point here. The strength of any end on joint in fact really comes from the glue used whether it is fixed with biscuits or screws. Both methods have their uses and both are equally strong in the fixing direction. Neither will provide much lateral strength on their own.

The important point is to have the joint well compressed while the glue is drying either with clamps or using the screws to apply compression strength on the joint. The monitor casing above is a fine example where clamping would be difficult and screwing is probably the best method. Fixing the bottom to an arcade side which is over 2m (6+ ft) tall calls for long clamps which few people have so again screwing is the way to go.

But if you want to make a table top or side of a unit constructed from glued boards the only real way to join them is to glue and dowel or biscuit joint them.

Biscuits joints are great for alignment and provided they are properly glued and clamped provide a very strong joint. I use them extensively in my woodwork projects and will vouch they are just as strong as any screwed joint.

[eightbit]

You seem to be missing the point here. The strength of any end on joint in fact really comes from the glue used whether it is fixed with biscuits or screws. Both methods have their uses and both are equally strong in the fixing direction. Neither will provide much lateral strength on their own.

The important point is to have the joint well compressed while the glue is drying either with clamps or using the screws to apply compression strength on the joint. The monitor casing above is a fine example where clamping would be difficult and screwing is probably the best method. Fixing the bottom to an arcade side which is over 2m (6+ ft) tall calls for long clamps which few people have so again screwing is the way to go.

But if you want to make a table top or side of a unit constructed from glued boards the only real way to join them is to glue and dowel or biscuit joint them.

Biscuits joints are great for alignment and provided they are properly glued and clamped provide a very strong joint. I use them extensively in my woodwork projects and will vouch they are just as strong as any screwed joint.

I am not the one missing the point. It is the glue that makes the joint strong I never disputed that. I simply asserted the primary use for biscuits is for alignment not for strength. A  screw is a mechanical fastener and if you used properly will give a very strong joint. A properly assembled and glued joint can be much stronger but it depends on how your jointing.

The primary use for a plate joiner is for saving time assembling complicated joints.

[Tilzs]

I think if you asked any woodworker if they used biscuits for alignment purposes and not for strength they'd disagree with you. One could use screws to keep the butt joint together yes but there are a lot of cases where you don't want the screw showing. How then do you join 2 pieces of wood. There are a number of ways, dadoes, rabbits, dovetails etc. Biscuits is going to give you a very strong joing, a lot stronger than just butting 2 pieces of wood together.

Pocket screws are great but you really should only use them places that won't show, because they really aren't very eye pleasing.

[JackTucky]

All of the woodworking guys on DIY say biscuits add strength.  I believe the TV when it talks to me.

Art

[eightbit]

All of the woodworking guys on DIY say biscuits add strength.  I believe the TV when it talks to me.

This is an interesting debate but how many of you guys here even have a plate joiner or have at least used one.

[SeanFu]

I think if you asked any woodworker if they used biscuits for alignment purposes and not for strength they'd disagree with you. One could use screws to keep the butt joint together yes but there are a lot of cases where you don't want the screw showing. How then do you join 2 pieces of wood. There are a number of ways, dadoes, rabbits, dovetails etc. Biscuits is going to give you a very strong joing, a lot stronger than just butting 2 pieces of wood together.

Pocket screws are great but you really should only use them places that won't show, because they really aren't very eye pleasing.

Either method, if done right, will give you a strong joint.  Biscuits are nice, but you're going to need more $$$ to get equipped: plenty of strong bar clamps, a decent joiner.

With the pocket screws you only have to clamp the piece while you are working on it, which is nice if you aren't well stocked with clamps.  In most cases you can find a way to hide the pockets.  If not, you can get nice pre-cut plugs in almost any wood type that do a good job of hiding the hole.

I like the pocket hole joints, but I'd also like to get that sweet Porter-Cable joiner too.  Of course - I might just be a tool junkie...

[hyiu]

after reading this thread....

I really wanted to buy this pocket jig thing.....

damm.... I think I'm also a power tool junkie....

haaa haa haaa......  

[Tilzs]

All of the woodworking guys on DIY say biscuits add strength.  I believe the TV when it talks to me.

This is an interesting debate but how many of you guys here even have a plate joiner or have at least used one.

I do. It makes things plenty strong

[ErikRuud]

I have a DeWalt plate joiner. I have used it for many things, the latest was a cbinet designed to hold DVD's and a 55 gallon fish tank. I only used biscuits and glue to hold it together. So far it has not collapsed from the weight.

Using biscuits does not guarantee that your pieces will be aligned. Especially along the length of the joint.

[NY_in_TX]

I have a DeWalt plate joiner. I have used it for many things, the latest was a cbinet designed to hold DVD's and a 55 gallon fish tank. I only used biscuits and glue to hold it together. So far it has not collapsed from the weight.

Using biscuits does not guarantee that your pieces will be aligned. Especially along the length of the joint.

wow!  with the water alone it's like 450 pounds!  that's pretty strong. The thickness and type of wood has a lot to do with it too.  Plus the design, I wouldn't design anything with butt joints bearing any load.

basically each joinery style has their place.  I always watched the New ankee workshop and tried to figure out when he used certain joints and fasteners.  Basically I think it's what you feel like doing or have the equipment to do.   I'd get real let down when he would just screw something together, but when it comes down to it and you've dovetailed, biscuit jointed, or other fancy jointed something all day...it's nice to say screw it and screw it  

btw coolest joint is the hidden dovetail.  we should get norm to make a MAME cab.

ny

[ErikRuud]

The bulk of the cabinet is made from 3/4" oak plywood.  The face frame is made from solid red oak.  The top is supported by the back and two sides, so the weight transfer goes to the floor.  There is also a pair of 3" wide ribs the runs the length of the top that support the center and front edge of the top.  It has been six months and there isn't even the slightest sine of sagging in the top.

[Rod1968]

I worked for one of the largest unfinished furniture
factorys in th U.S. for almost 7 years and still do
some funiture building on the side as a hobby
and we only used pocket hole joints and never
biscuits. The reason we used pocket holes is because
they are strong fast and cheap "equipment and labor
wise". Truth be told biscuit joints are ten times stonger
the reason being is because both of theses joint are butt
joints and the strength of the joint
comes from the glue and most pocket hole jointery does
not use glue and even if you did use glue on the joint
is simply does not have the same amount of surface area
for the glue. With that being said would I say not to use
pocket holes "ABSOLUTLY NOT"  Pocket holes are
great and I use them all the time. Would I spend
a 100 bucks on a Cheap Plastic/Alum jig "HELL NO"

[hyiu]

after reading all these infos.....

I just spent $60 on a kreg joint thingy last night at lowes....

too bad this Sat is Valentine's day.... don't have time to test it out... heee hee heee....

sooo busy.... heee hee....

[dommer]

   Re:Pocket hole jig

[SeanFu]