Wood widths are just not quite what they should be...

[June Solomonson]

I searched at my local Big Box through nearly an entire stack of 1x6s. They were all 1/16th shy of .75" thick.

I went ahead and bought a few, but was wondering if anyone could tell me if 1.25" screws will be too long? TIA.

[June Solomonson]

James, thank you so much.

I tried your idea of adjusting the collar. While the screw didn't poke out the top of the adjoining board, the joint wasn't anywhere NEAR as strong as when it's right at 3/4. Is this now going to be a case of trial and error?

 

I've also built a few things with 1x boards and the 1.25" screws worked great. Have you used boards less than 3/4" with 1.25" screws? My fear is that if i go down to the 1" screws that the joint won't be as strong. Agh...

[John Schaben]

You really want to adjust both the stop collar and the jig itself to just under 3/4. The jig setting dictates just where the (how close to the center) the screw exits the pocket board and the collar dictates the amount of penetration the screw makes in the recieving board.

Did the pilot exit the pocket board after drilling?

[June Solomonson]

By "pocket board", I assume you mean the board I drilled the pilot holes in? If so, I think so. Is that bad?

I had adjusted the collar to go 3/32 below 3/4" because my board was that much less than 3/4". Too much?

[John Schaben]

I think we are into the "trial and error" phase. I'd move the collar about 1/16 at a time until the pilot no longer exits the pocket board. Do a test joint and see that the screw head does not protrude. I'm thinking what may be happening here is that there is not enough stock left in the pocket to tighten the joint. If the screw head protrudes you may want to change from washer head to pan head screws.

Wow, 3/32" is a lot undersized, I suspect it is a harbinger of things to come though.
Nos Nomolos said:

By "pocket board", I assume you mean the board I drilled the pilot holes in? If so, I think so. Is that bad?

I had adjusted the collar to go 3/32 below 3/4" because my board was that much less than 3/4". Too much?

[June Solomonson]

I think I'm going to find a different place to buy lumber from now on! "Trial and error" doesn't sit well in my vocabulary right now!

Thanks for the help.

[John Schaben]

:) Don't blame ya "trial and error" = "PIA"

Nos Nomolos said:

I think I'm going to find a different place to buy lumber from now on! "Trial and error" doesn't sit well in my vocabulary right now!

Thanks for the help.