Setting the collar 1-1/4" vs 1-1/8"

[Mark Stephens]

Hey fellas,
I work for a Kreg Tool retail dealer and a customer pointed out a funky flaw on the bench top clamp today. Using the drill bit collar guide, you place the bit in the channel and move it to line up the shoulder of the drill bit with the thickness of material you're joining. Tighten collar, drill some holes.

So why is it that 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" seem to share the same setting? And why, if you're setting it for 1-1/8" thick material, does it appear that you'd be drilling deeper than if you'd set the collar for 1-1/4" thick?

Has anyone noticed this about the depth guide on this tool? Is this by design? I have a hard time believing this is a mistake, but I thought I'd come get some user input and try to get a solid answer for my customer.

Thanks!
Mark

[Larwyn]

My K2000 has the gauge on the stock support wings and I think it is marked a bit differently. I'm not in the shop right now but the best I remember it has a positive stop that is marked 1 1/2" with additional marks at the proper setting for 1/2" and 3/4". Sounds like those new jigs have a few more options. I keep a bit set up for 3/4" stock with my K2 and keep the K2000 together with another bit set up for 1 1/2" stock so I do not spend much time adjusting stop collars in the shop. It just keeps things simple.

[KregRep]

Phillip said:

The settings are a relationship between 4 things. The bit penetration depth, the screw length, the pocket angle, and the centering of the exit for the screw. If you run through the entire process, of matching each part, you will see that the main object appears to be getting the screw to exit in the center of the stock, without letting the screw go too deep.

This is exactly right. In this particular case with the 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" settings, it's the length of screw that makes the difference between the two. Here's a bit more information on the topic: [click to enlarge the photos]

[Mark Stephens]

Thanks for the input everybody. I'll pass it along.

Cheers,
Mark

[Bruce Matasick]

Where can I find the write ups #17, 18 on selecting the correct screw? It's hard for me to read online and I'd like to print the pages. Thanks

KregRep said:

Phillip said:

The settings are a relationship between 4 things. The bit penetration depth, the screw length, the pocket angle, and the centering of the exit for the screw. If you run through the entire process, of matching each part, you will see that the main object appears to be getting the screw to exit in the center of the stock, without letting the screw go too deep.

This is exactly right. In this particular case with the 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" settings, it's the length of screw that makes the difference between the two. Here's a bit more information on the topic: [click to enlarge the photos]

[KregRep]

Bruce, If you click on the image it should come up in it's own window. Then, if you want to read it better just click again and it should zoom in. If you want to print it, you should be able to do that as well from the new page.