Working with 1/2" Stock

[Helen Bauer]

I am making a small cabinet for the bathroom using  1/2" stock.  The 1" screw exits the first piece of wood off center and comes through the surface of the second piece. These are 90 degree angle joins and the wood is a full 1/2". I also tried using the my other Kreg jig with the smaller bit. I followed the instructions for 1/2" stock which said to set the collar at 5/8 and use 3/4 screws. The join is still off center, has no strength and is still very close to the surface of the second piece. HELP!! I've run out of ideas.Major bummer.

Thanks. 

[ray vile]

I had the same problem while working with 1/2 oak plywood and what I wound up doing is running the screw about half way in, backed it out then cut about an 1/8 of an inch off the tip of the screw with a pair of side cutters and ran it back in again

[Dan F.]

The best thing to do in this situation is to back off the depth collar about 1/8" or so. This will make it so the bit will not drill quite as deep allowing more room for the screw. Another option is to drill at the normal 1/2" settings then use the 3/4" screws. From the sounds of it your pieces aren't a true 1/2". Even a hair under can cause problems like this.

[Hank Pohl]

I had the same problem. I called Kreg about it. I was told to put a penny on the bottom of the jig then set my depth coller so as the drill bit just touched the penny, it didn't work very well. If you are not going to put a plug in the hole try this, Put a piece of 1/8" hardboard between your work piece and the kreg jig. Dill through both the hardboard and the work piece at the same time, set your depth collar for 1/2" wood. This centered the screw, gave me superior holding power and did'nt come through the face. Now I do it all the time when I work with 1/2" stock. Try It.

[Helen Bauer]

Thanks so much for taking the time to offer your suggestions. Your input helped me find a solution as I incorporated or got ides from your own solutions. Here is what finally worked for me. I placed a strip of 1/8" hardwood underneath my workpiece and backed the depth collar off about 1/8" from the 1/2" setting. By doing both of those things I was able to center the hole and still use a 1" screw. The end result was a strong join and no break through. BTW, the Kreg rep said that plugs can't ever be used with 1/2" pocket holes. Thanks again!

[Helen Bauer]

I just watched the video. I will try it and let you know how it goes.Thanks.

James Waller said:

Helen, there is a new video uploaded here by Jens Jensen showing how he makes "plugs" with a 3/8" dowel. Maybe it could work with a 1/2" dowel. Click on link below and then click on video to watch.

http://kregjig.ning.com/video/pocket-plug-jig?xg_source=activity


Helen Bauer said:

Thanks so much for taking the time to offer your suggestions. Your input helped me find a solution as I incorporated or got ides from your own solutions. Here is what finally worked for me. I placed a strip of 1/8" hardwood underneath my workpiece and backed the depth collar off about 1/8" from the 1/2" setting. By doing both of those things I was able to center the hole and still use a 1" screw. The end result was a strong join and no break through. BTW, the Kreg rep said that plugs can't ever be used with 1/2" pocket holes. Thanks again!

[Paul Wolsko]

Kreg Micro coming soon - 1/2" stock!

[Larry L.]

I'm new at woodworking so if my questions seem like I don't know what I'm doing it's because I don't.
Helen Bauer in her reply telling how she found a solution to her problem has left me with a couple of questions.
Helen said " I placed a strip of 1/8" hardwood underneath my workpiece".
Helen do you mean you placed the 1/8" harwood under your workpiece raising it up 1/8"?
Or did you place the 1/8" piece of hardwood between the workpiece and the jig so the hardwood was drilled through before drilling into the 1/2 inch piece?
You said "and (I) backed the depth collar off about 1/8" from the 1/2" setting"
which way did you move the collar? toward the dril tip, or away from the tip?

thanks Larry

[Helen Bauer]

Hi Larry,

Yes, underneath so that it raises it up 1/8". Move the collar closer to the tip of the bit so it doesn't go as deep. Sorry for the delay in replying.

Helen

Larry L. Baker said:

I'm new at woodworking so if my questions seem like I don't know what I'm doing it's because I don't.
Helen Bauer in her reply telling how she found a solution to her problem has left me with a couple of questions.
Helen said " I placed a strip of 1/8" hardwood underneath my workpiece".
Helen do you mean you placed the 1/8" harwood under your workpiece raising it up 1/8"?
Or did you place the 1/8" piece of hardwood between the workpiece and the jig so the hardwood was drilled through before drilling into the 1/2 inch piece?
You said "and (I) backed the depth collar off about 1/8" from the 1/2" setting"
which way did you move the collar? toward the dril tip, or away from the tip?

thanks Larry

[Larry L.]

Thanks That clears it up for me If I find I have a need for 1/2 inch stock I hope this old mind remembers your solution.