wobbly shelves

[Keri]

Hello,

My son and I purchased the Kreg master system to build some bookcases for his room (with hopes of using the Kreg in future projects as well of course).    We are using 1x12 pine.   Since the actual thickness of the wood is 3/4" we set everything at 3/4. We vacuumed out the sawdust from all the pocket holes.  So far we have attached the shelves to one side of the book case using 2(1 1/4") screws per shelf.   The shelves really wobble a lot.   I thought that using the Kreg even attached to only one side the joint should be pretty tight.    Is this normal?    I expect it will firm up once we attach the sides but wanted to check about this wobbliness before going on.   Thanks for any help!

Keri

 

[Bob S]

Hi Keri,

 

I've only had the Kreg Jig for a couple months, but I built a bookcase for my wife out of 1x12 pine also. 

 

I used 4 screws on each side of the shelf and it is very strong.  I also put a 1x4 backing across the back of each shelf using 4 more pocket screws on each.  The bookcase doesn't have a backboard, just the 1x4 on each shelf so books don't push through.

 

I don't have a picture, but I'll see if I can take one and post it to show you what I mean.  I've built several workbenches for my shop and a pretty big laundry folding table for my wife and everything is very strong.  I'll try to post a pic of my bookshelf tomorrow.  Don't give up! 

[Keri]

Hi Bob,

  So then it does seem normal that at this in-between stage having a shelf attached to 1 side with only 2 screws it wold be wobbly?   I only used 2 screws because the Kreg instructions say every 6 inches.  So maybe we should go back and add in a couple more screw per shelf and then go forth with adding the next size, etc?

 

Don't worry if you can't post the picture - I can definitely see in my head what you are describing.  Thanks for the advice!

Keri

[Bob S]

I put a screw about 1 inch from the front and back of the shelf on each side, then two more evenly spaced between them, so they're probably only about 3 inches apart, 8 screws total on each shelf. 

 

On my workbenches I was using 2-1/2 inch screws with 2x6 lumber so I spaced them further apart, but I wanted the bookcase to be strong, and it is very sturdy.

[Keri]

Hmmnn, there must be something I am missing.    We just tried adding 2 more screws to one of the shelves (for a total of 4 on one side), and it is as wobbly as ever - not a tight joint at all.    I really think it should be much tighter even w/o the second side on.    We are quite frustrated as we had expected to have it in his room by now!

Keri

[Bob S]

I just took a few pictures of mine so you can see what I did.  The little backboard I put on each shelf adds a lot of support.

 

The second picture is under one of the shelves; the third is behind so you can see how I attached the backboard.  They're not great pictures, but they should show you what I'm talking about.

[Al Barale]

Hi Keri, It sounds like the boards havent pulled togther tight enough, are you using the course thread screws? as pine is soft and finer thread screws may not have enough grip to pull and hold the boards together. If you could take a picture of the joint it may help us to give you a better answer to your problem.   

[Keri]

Hi Al,

Yes, that is exactly what is happening, it is not tight at all!   I am using coarse 1 1/4" screws.  Below are pictures, first shows where I am at - side laying down, shelves standing up.    They are all loose.    Second picture shows a joint.   I did try doing 4 screws on one of the shelves as Bob suggested but it made no difference.     

 

Al Barale said:

Hi Keri, It sounds like the boards havent pulled togther tight enough, are you using the course thread screws? as pine is soft and finer thread screws may not have enough grip to pull and hold the boards together. If you could take a picture of the joint it may help us to give you a better answer to your problem.   

[Phil Luciani]

Add some glue to the joint and use 4 screws per side

[Phil Luciani]

Are both sides attached to the shelve? if not thats why it is not tight 
Phil Luciani said:

Add some glue to the joint and use 4 screws per side

[Al Barale]

Keri

I'm not sure what you have in the way of clamps, clamp the boards together prior to driving in the screws, The clamps will hold the two board pieces firmly together while you are driving in the screws.  

Here is link for the kreg right angle clamp,  "Watch the video "      http://www.kregtool.com/Right-Angle-Clamp-Prodview.html

 

If you dont have any clamps just try and remove the screws again and then while holding the board tightly together re-screw together again, the screws should pull the board together a lot firmer than you currently had.  

 

Oh and I would add at least one more pocket hole screw in the middle of the two screws that you have already done.  

Hope this fixes your wobbly shelves.

[Keri]

Hi,

Thanks for all the input.    We did use lots of clamps (guess I forgot to mention that previously) and did try 4 pocket holes per side.    Still super wobbly - much more than it should be even without the other side on.   It was just too frustrating so we switched to my old method using screws through the side into the shelf - and right away a super tight joint, just what I had expected/hoped with the Kreg.    So did the project that way and it is very sturdy.    I know there must be something basic I am missing but I guess w/o someone physically here to watch and show me I don't know what else to do.    I will return the jig.

again, thank yo to everyone for your help!

Keri

[Al Barale]

Keri

I can understand your frustration but don't give up on the Kreg jig just yet, maybe someone that lives near you can help show you how to get the best from the Kreg jig.  Other than what I have told you I'm not real sure where you were going wrong.  Perhaps you can practice on some scrap bits of timber.  I am sure that you master the pocket hole technique in no time.