Couple of Kreg questions.

[Debora Cadene]

The other day, I made a table top and needed to square it up. Once I had it to where I wanted I added some corner brackets, which I had cut on a 45 to fit into the corner for bracing. I "assumed" I was to pocket hole them in, so made the holes, which appeared to be ok, then when I used the 2 1/2" screw, the tip came out the other side and I was using 2x4's.  I just backed the screw out a little and that was it, but in the future.. what would I use. Is there a chart for the 45* angle cuts vs pocket holes, or should I have done it differently?  I was also wondering about the little mini...what size wood is that good for? 

[Jay Boutwell]

Debora, sounds like an interesting project that poses some challenges.  When working with angles the task of choosing the screw length and pocket hole depth becomes more of a challenge.  Normally what I do is determine the angle of the screw.  Pick the screw or screws that I have to use, and then adjust and bore the pocket hole only deep enough to allow the screw to penetrate the wood to its maximum depth without exiting the wood.  With experience, this will become almost a habit without thinking about it.  Your method sounds good and the only thing I would change is the depth of the pocket hole.  The other method would be to drill the pocket hole "free hand" and adjust it to fit the screw.

The Kreg mini jig is the single hole without a clamp and was intended to be used in tight places where you are unable to apply your  clamp on jig.  It was introduced for the 3/4"  material and is clamped on using a face frame clamp or similar clamp.

 It can be used on thicker material however the screw does not exit the material in the middle of the bored material and will exit closer to the edge in a 2x4.  I have used it on a 2x4 that is installed in something like a wall stud and applied one on each side similar to toe nailing it in place.  It has a definite place in the line up of pocket hole assembly and very useful for adding pocket holes to assembled work like in a chair or a table leg where you wish to add a screw to repair it without disassembly of the item.

There is also the micro jig which was made for 1/2 inch material.   

 

[Debora Cadene]

Thanks for the reply Jay, I appreciate it.  I don't have the micro, and still need to get three more spacer bars for the portable, just in case.  

I LOVE my kreg, but funny thing....when I was looking for the pocket screws.....nobody in this little town was familiar with the Kreg or the screws.  

[Jay Boutwell]

I started using the Kreg about 25 years ago when it was first introduced and it took some time before people began to be familiar with the Kreg Jig.  It has become very popular with time.  I have driven thousands of screws using it in my cabinet shop and can tell you that it would be very hard to be without.  It certainly is a great tool. 

As for the spacer bars I have yet to find a need for them.  If you are having problems with finding pocket screws there are several sources for them by mail order. 
 
Debora Cadene said:

Thanks for the reply Jay, I appreciate it.  I don't have the micro, and still need to get three more spacer bars for the portable, just in case.  

I LOVE my kreg, but funny thing....when I was looking for the pocket screws.....nobody in this little town was familiar with the Kreg or the screws.  

[Debora Cadene]

Yeah, so far, the only place to get the 21/2 is Amazon. Menards can get them in, and they stock very little in the way of supplies.  I have heard there are other brands besides "Kreg" that are pocket screws, but have yet to find them.

[Martin Johnson]

Lowes carries some Kreg screws plus Lowes has there brand of pocket hole screws.

[Fins59]

My Menards (Wausau, WI) has a good selection of Kreg Screws.  It's a fairly large newer Menards though. so the stores are probably all a little different in their stock.

I recall a few years back when I went to the local Sears Store and asked for Kreg Jig.  The clerk said "Craig Who?" (:

Debora Cadene said:

Yeah, so far, the only place to get the 21/2 is Amazon. Menards can get them in, and they stock very little in the way of supplies.  I have heard there are other brands besides "Kreg" that are pocket screws, but have yet to find them.

[Michael Minyard]

A good place to find the screws is coastal tools pretty good price too.

Debora Cadene said:

Yeah, so far, the only place to get the 21/2 is Amazon. Menards can get them in, and they stock very little in the way of supplies.  I have heard there are other brands besides "Kreg" that are pocket screws, but have yet to find them.

[Leslee]

Debora, You could use pennies to help raise your pocket screw like a spacer. You could also drill a hole in the leg and the veritcal piece of wood. Then screw in a bolt with wood screw threads on one and bolt screw on the other. I seen it down on Woodsmith shop tv one Saturday morning. It was showing how to make a table and how to put the table together. I think it was on this season; season 6. I hope this would help you.

       

[Steve Osterday]

The Woodcraft stores carry a good supply of all Kreg products including screws if you're near one of them. Otherwise McFeely's (online) carries Kreg screws as well as their own. Lowes carries a very limited supply of Kreg stuff.

[Debora Cadene]

I will have a look for sure, thank you.