2 x 4 Joinery

[Tony Calabro]

Aloha to all. . . I picked up R3 Jig kit and I'm looking to build some 2 x 4 units. . . I'm wondering if I can just clamp it and drill the two  holes, or should I space the holes farther apart on the face of the 2 x 4. . . any help would be appreciated.

[Ryan McAllister]

I would space them farther apart. Doesn't sound like much but it will be much stronger. Good luck.

[Mike Camp]

Hey Tony, I have the R3 as well and I space the two holes out a little wider on the 1x4 and 2x4 pieces. If you look at the K3/K4 they have 3 holes and the outer two have a nice spacing for 3.5" material. I plan on picking one up down the road to save me from unhooking the clamp constantly. But I can't complain the R3 does what I need it to do.

[Tony Calabro]

Hey guys. . . thx for the info and quick response. . . I had a funny feeling I was going to have to double clamp to drill each joint. . . I think I'll make a pit stop at my local Woodcraft tomorrow morning and checkout the  K3 and K4. . . I've got a couple dozen 2 x4's and plans for 2 benches and 2 storage towers. . . I'm thinking cutting my clamping in half might be worth the expense. . . One added note. . . I'm using the Kreg plans for the bench. . . I figured that clamping four 2x4's together on edge, I can cut all the legs, and runners, with just 3 cuts. . . I cut the pieces, this morning. . . it worked great. . . all the pieces are identical lengths and it saved me one 2x4, per the Kreg plans. . . no offense, Kreg. . . thx again !!!

[kenny from Sundre]

I built some short half trusses for a lean to garden shed that i slid under the eave of  my workshop. I put 2 pocket holes in one face of the spruce 2X4s and one hole on the other face. It worked great.