Lining up driver bit with screw head

[Nufcac]

Hello,

I have just started using the Kreg jig which I think is great but I have been having difficulty lining up the driver bit with the screw head once the screw is in the pocket hole.  It seems to be a more fiddly than Philips head screws.

Is it just me (Its quite possible it is!).

Cheers,

Andrew

[Ken Darga]

Position the driver bit to the screw head---

slowly rotate the bit, until it seats into the recess of the screw head---

this can be accomplished by "feel", (you're working in a "blind hole")---

then proceed to drive the screw in, until it bottoms out---the joint closes and the correct torque is achieved.

"Proceed slowly" while driving in the screw.

When you achieve a snug fit---stop---then slowly rotate a 1/4 turn at a time.

DO NOT over-torque---"strip-out" can occur.

[Richard Merks]

if the pocket holes are facing up and you can see down into the hole I suggest you place the screw onto the magnetic bit and guild it in until you get a feel for the angle of the screw and hole, it doesn't take long, maybe a dozen screws like that, Also I have a drill with torque settings, I find it a must to have to eliminate the chance of striping out the screw joins, mine is set to about 1/4, after everything is together I bump up the torque a couple of clicks to snug the screws down a little more.

[Ken Kortch]

If you watch some of the Kreg videos you might note - as Richard said previously - that they put the screw on the bit before inserting the screw into the pocket hole.

Also, as Richard also suggested, run light on the torque to avoid stripping out the screw. If using a drill driver you may want to set it's clutch to the lowest torque to begin and then increase the torque stepwise until you feel the screw is seting correctly - maybe even checking it with a hand screwdriver to be sure.

[Nufcac]

Thanks for the replies.  Its mainly when unscrewing, I have a drill driver with adjustable torque and have been adjusting, but quite a few times I have had to peer down the hole to see which way the screw head was pointing and then carefully slide the drill bit in to line up.  Its not a big problem, but it is a tad annoying!  Im more used to the Philips head screws, so maybe it will become easier with more practice.

Thanks again.

[Ken Darga]

Nufcac, 

Some Kreg screws feature a "square" and "cross-point" recessed head.

[Richard Merks]

it all comes down to practice, you'll get the feel for after an easy project.

[michael evans]

Sometimes a torch helps especially if you have one on the drill .

[Ken Darga]

Mick,

Please define the "torch" you speak of.

Would this be "Propane/Map" or "natural gas" ?

michael evans said:

Sometimes a torch helps especially if you have one on the drill .

[Nufcac]

Yes I have a torch on the drill, I think I am starting to get a hang of it though, I've been building stuff like crazy the last few days, which is good for reducing furniture costs for my new house, as well as stocking up my fire wood pile but not so much for the neighbours!

[Nufcac]

This is a great drill by the way:-

Makita DHP459RMW 18V 4.0Ah Li-Ion Cordless Combi Drill LXT Brushless Motor

[Ken Kortch]

In the U.K. the term "torch" is used the same as the term "flashlight" in the U.S.

Ken Darga said:

Mick,

Please define the "torch" you speak of.

Would this be "Propane/Map" or "natural gas" ?

michael evans said:

Sometimes a torch helps especially if you have one on the drill .

[michael evans]

Define torch for you fellas across the pond , a flashlight is called a torch here in the U.K. no naked flame usually battery powered . Looking where to place a pocket hole drill bit could be a bit interesting using a naked flame ha.