Kreg Jig Beginner - Won't Drill

[A. R. Hawkins]

I am new to the Kreg Community and was enjoying the new experience and possibilities!  I read, and followed, all the directions and successfully created 7 pocket holes.  When I started to drill the 8th pocket hole the drill would not go through the wood (using 3/4 inch pine).  I thought maybe I bent the tip of the bit--so I went to buy another one--still, the drill will not penetrate the wood.  Does anyone have any idea why this might be happening?  I am sure it is somehow user error...but can't figure out what I might be doing wrong.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Andréa

[Art S. Hamilton]

Hello, AR

 

Often I can't see the forest for the trees.  If you go back to the drill that would not drill

your holes, it would strike me as inconceivable that any drill could be that defective.

Please try putting the bit back in, tighten it with the chuck key, then make a felt pen

mark on both the chuck jaws and the bit, in a straight line.  Try drilling once again,

and assuming there's still no success, have a glance at the felt pen mark.  It's my guess

that your drill is simply slipping in a worn-out or damaged chuck.

We are all getting access to better and better drills, and the newer models often feature

carbide jaws, in the keyless version.  Carbide is very tough, and can be brittle, but when

it's alloyed with cobalt or titanium, it can be very long lasting on chuck jaws.  And since

almost anything you put in the chuck will be somewhat softer than the carbide jaws, the

jaws will tend to embed every so slightly into the bit, and mostly eliminate slippage.

I'm quite curious to know if this is your problem.

Next, assuming the bit has slipped, and let's say getting a new drill is not an option for

you, then tighten each of the three keyhole areas on the chuck.  It  may seem overkill,

but this is done on metal lathes routinely to prevent loaded slippage.