Guide Block, accurate?

[William Swartz]

I've been using Kreg to join my projects for the last 10 years, so I'm very familiar with the system.  I'm in the process of a new project and thought I'd upgrade to a K5. 

The new guide block and collar adjustments seem simple enough so I set up my drill bit and started making holes; and splitting wood, and popping screws out my face frame!

Did some analysis and found some odd things.  Using 3/4 stock, here's what I'm seeing:

Guide block set to 3/4, collar set per collar block using 1 1/4 screws:

Screw exits the end of the stock about .27" from bottom instead of the mid point.  Screw protrudes from stock about .6" and since it's entering so low, can pop though the surface of the joining piece.

Guide block set to 5/8, collar set per collar block using 1 1/4 screws:

Screw exits the stock at the mid point (.375") which is ideal, but now protrudes .66" from the stock.  This is enough to pop through the joining piece. 

From here, I set the collar using the stop, then lifted it up about .1".  This seemed to be enough to get the right combination of exit point and penetration. 

So what am I doing wrong?  Part of the appeal of the K5 was the ease of setup.  Select the proper guide block setting for the stock, set the collar with the easy guide, and you're done.  Seems this new jig is no better than the trial & error method I was using with my old jig.

Thanks for any insight.

BIll

[Paul]

I'm having the exact same problem! I've been scratching my head for weeks. I hope we get some answers on this.

[KregCS]

William,

In order to make the wood plugs seat properly we did make a slight change to the angle of the jig with the introduction of the K3. With this change, the screw does not come out in the exact center of your material, but about 1/8" below center. However, this does not affect anything as long as your material is exactly the size as the setting you have everything set on. 

If your material is a little undersized, it can greatly change the position of where the screw is coming out and can bring the screw even closer to the edge. Also, make sure that you are following the angle of the pocket hole while you are driving the screw. If you do not, it will affect the position of your screw placement as well. 

The first thing I would check is to make sure that your material is a true 3/4"-thick. If this is the case, please let us know and we can proceed from there. 

[William Swartz]

Thanks for the reply.  My stock is exactly 3/4".

William

[Gary roofner]

If you are talking 3/4 plywood it will be under 3/4!!!

[KregCS]

William,

If you could send me a message with your address I would be more than willing to send you a replacement block so that we can take a look at yours.