Ever since I mentioned my $30 DIY Kitchen Island on Hometalk.com, several readers have asked how I make pocket holes without a Kreg Jig. It’s possible and anyone can do it. While I am sure it’s handy to have a Kreg Jig, my DIY kitchen island is proof that you don’t need a Kreg Jig to build things.
When I was working on the kitchen island I figured it couldn’t be that difficult to get two bigger holes into a piece of wood. I “played” around for a while and this technique works best for me. There is a great tutorial for this on YouTube as well.
So, if you want to build things but don’t feel like spending money on a Kreg Jig, there is a simple process to making pocket holes. All you need is a drill.
I used a 1/4 in. drill bit. You can buy a drill bit set with 10 pieces for around $5 at Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Start by marking off where you want the pocket holes to go.
Drill two pilot holes holding the drill straight. This is an important step. The pilot holes will keep your drill bit from breaking off.
Now you’re ready to make pocket holes.
Go back to your pilot hole and as you drill, start moving the drill downward. The drill will lay low and almost touch the wood.You have just created two pocket holes. You can make them as deep and long as you need them.
Take a screw and secure the wood to the other piece.
And there you have it – two pocket holes. It’s pretty easy, don’t you think?
chris aka monkey
April 6, 2015thanks i didn’t want to spend the money for a jig and this is so easy xx
sabines
April 6, 2015It really it easy!
Toni
July 17, 2015I applaud your ingenuity. Great job!!
sabines
July 17, 2015Thanks, Toni. It’s so easy to do.
Sandy Bareham
March 30, 2017What is the purpose of pocket holes? Thanks!!
sabines
March 30, 2017Sandy, pocket holes are simply holes drilled at an angle that form a pocket for the screw. It’s a quick way to join a few pieces of wood securely.
Robin
April 27, 2017I’m so happy you shared your ideas !! I’m getting into woodworking myself . Thank you
sabines
April 28, 2017Thank you for the kind comment. Have fun woodworking!
Patricia
April 24, 2018How do you determine the distance for your pilot holes?
sabines
April 28, 2018You don’t want the holes too close to the edge, but it’s up to you where you place them. I usually mark at 1 1/4 inches from the edge.
Free From Burdens
October 11, 2015This is so great. So many times some feel lack because they don’t have all the newest tools and gadgets. I’m not against them, but some don’t want to or have the money to spend on these tools. I’m one of them that just don’t have the money. I have a littlest kreg because it was the cheapest. But I get tired of moving that one little piece around to several pocket holes. This way is best and made me hopeful and glad to build. Thanks for the post.
sabines
October 11, 2015Hi! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I can totally relate to what you’re saying. Power tools are so darn expensive – not everyone can afford them. I am one of them. I buy most of my tools at estate sales. They have great deals on tools. Yes, I’d love to have a Kreg Jig, but spending $100 on what appears to be plastic with a couple of holes just doesn’t work for me. Maybe one of these days I’ll find one for cheap at an estate sale. In the meantime, let’s be creative and make our own gadgets. 🙂
Mike winfrey
October 21, 2016If you do eventually buy a pocket joke jig, I think you’ll find it’s a pain to use. Your method is straight forward and joins the wood just a securely as the jig imo. Besides that you’ll be done quicker.
sabines
October 21, 2016Really? Maybe I won’t need a Kreg Jig after all. Some people tell me my method is bad, others think it’s good. I’ve been doing it this way for more than two years and I like it just fine. Everything feels solid and secure. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
Jimmy Hall
January 17, 2016You go girl, and a beautiful Tennessee girl and Mama too to boot.
sabines
January 17, 2016Oh, Jimmy, you are too kind.Thanks for reading and stopping by. It means a lot to me.:)
Misti Kallas @ Shackelford Bleu Designs
February 19, 2016I have been thinking for 5 years now that I HAD to have a Kreg Jig, and that has kept me from building so many things…for example MY HEADBOARD. lol. I was saving up to by the big Kreg Jig set but I DID NOT want to spend that money on a tool that I will not use every day. My gut kept telling me that you could do it that way, but I was afraid to try. YOU HAVE JUST MADE MY DAY COMPLETE! I can rule the world now!!!! THANK YOU!!!
sabines
February 20, 2016Misti, I am so happy to hear this.I know exactly how you feel. I always thought I needed the Kreg Jig to make cool stuff and envied people who had one. Honestly, I am so happy for you right now. Have fun creating.
hugolatra2
February 22, 2016Not only the Kreg tool can be a little expensive… I am from Argentina, and we its hard to get this kind of stuff. So this little tricks are really appreciated from down here!. Thank you!!
sabines
February 22, 2016I am so glad you have use for this method.A fancy tool shouldn’t keep us from making cool stuff. Thanks for stopping by…I really appreciate your comment.:)
Lorelai
March 19, 2016I am so excited about this! I have many pieces I want to build and was dreading how much I’d need to spend on a kreg jig. This is such a helpful tutorial. Thank you so much!!
sabines
March 20, 2016I’m so excited for you, Lorelai.Kreg Jigs can be very expensive so I’m glad there are ways around it. Have a wonderful first day of spring!
Mano
May 19, 2016Hi , i find it is easy to do by this method. I need to know the type of screw you using for this and tell me what screw length to be used to joint 3/4 inch plywood.
sabines
May 19, 2016Mano, it’s best to use pocket hole screws. Regular screws could split the wood. However, sometimes I use whatever I have around. If I’m not mistaken the recommended screw length for joining 3/4 inch to 3/4 inch is 1 1/4″.
Mano
May 20, 2016So kind of you , You save my day.
sabines
May 20, 2016So glad I could help. Have a wonderful weekend!
Claudio J. Curcio
September 15, 2016In Argentina we don’t have KREG screws. So for 3/4 regular wood, I use screws (like you show in the photo) of 6 x 1 1/4″, drilling at 3/4″ from the head. For 3/4″MDF, I use the same screws but I start drilling at 1/8″ much farther from the head (3/4″+1/8″).
sabines
September 15, 2016Claudio, I’m not sure about the MDF.
Ronaldo
June 11, 2016Muito bem bolado vai facilitar muito os meus serviços.
Lori
July 20, 2016Awesome!! I just can’t afford one..thanks so much ..I’m making beautiful cupboard for my kitchen..Will give it a go this weekend..
sabines
July 20, 2016That sounds like a wonderful project, Lori. I’d love to see how it turns out. Thank you for reading.:)
cathie
July 27, 2016thanks so much….several questions….how deep did you go on your pilot holes and how far from the end of the 2 X 4 was the pencil line ?
sabines
July 27, 2016Cathie, stop drilling just before you think it will poke out the other side. I marked the line at about 1.25 inches from the end. Hope this helps.Thanks for reading.
Manos
August 12, 2016Thank you Sabine. I always wish to express my apreciation to such clever and no cost ideas as this of yours from Athens Greece where I am living.
sabines
August 12, 2016Thank you, Manos. I appreciate it!
mzaibakamad
September 8, 2016This tutorial is one of the best!!! so simple so clear.. Thanks for sharing.
If possible let us know if you have more tutorials you make, you made it so easy for me 🙂
sabines
September 8, 2016Thank you for reading.
Karol
September 19, 2016I’m a complete beginner wanting to do a project I saw online with instructions to make 3/4 inch pocket holes in 1X 4’s. What size drill bits should be used ? Thanks
sabines
September 19, 2016Hi Karol. Here’s a simple technique a carpenter once taught me. Hold up the drill bit and the screw. Hold the shaft of the drill bit up in front of the screw. You should only be able to see the threads of the screw (and maybe a bit of the screw). If you can’t see the threads the drill bit is too big. If you can see too much of the screw, the bit is too small. Hope this helps!
Holly
September 25, 2016Hey Karol,
I’m also a total beginner, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I am wanting to do a very similar project to yours (here’s a link https://www.ana-white.com/2012/01/ten-dollar-ledge-project-video ) I also don’t really want to purchase a kreg jig as I probably won’t use it again anytime soon. In the video, we’re instructed to use 1 1/4″ screws. She’s using 1×6, 1×4, and 1×2 but I’m planning to use 2 1x4s instead of a 1×6. Not sure if I’ve helped or complicated things further, but I hope your project goes well!
sabines
September 25, 2016Hi Holly,
It just so happens I made the same art ledge yesterday. It’s in my guest room and looks great. I pre-drilled the holes and used 2 inch screws. I too used 1 x 4’s for both pieces.
Rui
September 26, 2016Hello. The marking off depend of the size os screw. Right??
sabines
October 2, 2016Yes.
ander
October 18, 2016That is not a pocket hole. All you did was toenail a screw with a pilot hole. However, if you had followed the pilot hole with a counterbore, that would be a pockethole.
Also, a pocket hole pulls one board tight against another, with your pilot hole being the same diameter through both pieces of wood, and the extremely short smooth shank on the screw, the two pieces can’t be pulled together any tighter than their initial position without driving the head of the screw into the wood, which is a bad idea with those screws that are cone shaped below the head because this can cause splitting.
There is nothing wrong with what you did, I have used the same technique to frame many many interior non load bearing walls. But call it what it is, that is toenailing, not a pocket hole. One more thing, just a tip for toenailing screws, a countersink with those screws will get the head flush and/below the surface of the wood without compromising the wood. But only a counterbore can make a pocket hole.
sabines
October 19, 2016Thanks for the insight. One of these days I will pick up a Kreg Jig and create “true” pocket holes.
Erich hatchett
January 8, 2017A rose is a rose no matter what you call it
Liz W
April 15, 2018Sabine, if you are motivated to do so, you can make a pocketholer jig yourself. I found a DIY Pocketholer tutorial on Instructables. It is a cheap alternative and user friendly. Thanks for your blog!!
sabines
April 16, 2018Sounds like something I’d have use for. I need to look into this. Thanks for sharing, Liz.
Lanning
July 16, 2017Ander as long as you don’t drill all the way through your starting board you will create a pocket hole. How do you think the name pocket hole was coined. It wasn’t because of a jig. I have been doing pocket holes this way for over 40 years, which was taught to me by my father who was a carpenter. FYI toenailing is done with a nail not a screw. But I guess if we are generalizing you could call toenailing a pocket hole and vise versa.
Greg
October 26, 2016Thanks!
After two hols I am like master in pocket holes!
sabines
October 26, 2016That is awesome, Greg!
sonia
November 14, 2016thank you for sharing, I was looking at the kreg jig but I thought it was to expensive, and a few small projects in the house don’t justify the cost. Now I have no excuses to not follow trought with my projects.
sabines
November 15, 2016I totally agree, Sonia. Kreg Jigs are expensive. This method is great for just a couple small projects.
Abdou
November 28, 2016Thank a lot Sabine from Algeria myself i tried to build a piece as a kreg jig, but the holes weren’t good. I think this is the best way to do a pocket holes. Great thank
sabines
November 28, 2016Wow, someone reads my blog in Algeria… awesome! Thank you, Abdou. Glad you find this useful. Have a great day!
Sevin
December 14, 2016Good work sabi
sabines
December 14, 2016Thank you, Sevin.
Papa J
December 17, 2016I agree with Ander, a true “pocket” hole consists of a pilot hole the size of the screw shank, and a counter bore slightly large for the head of the screw to seat on. Tightening the screw against the flange of the counter bore is where the strength of the joint is determined.
John Dough
December 20, 2016Go buy the Kreg drill bit, it’s only $15. It will drill out a pilot hole and a counter bore.
T
January 8, 2017Hello, I am a novice wood worker and appreciate your willingness to put out there a cheaper and quick way to get something done. I love how you made a decision to try your own way, and when it worked, you added it to your blog. I also love the many posts of people, mostly women, that are traversing the world of tools and home improvement stores, seemingly novice like me. I love how YouTube and social media have opened up a way for people to be able to use tools like never before.
As Papa J and Ander point out your errors, which I was waiting for, not because I knew there were errors, but because I know there is a lot of science and expertise that goes into this craft, which means any simple way of doing something usually means something is being missed. If you decide to post other shortcuts, which I appreciate, I suggest asking for experienced woodworkers to comment on your posts because I also like to know where I am cutting corners on my work.
There are so many great YouTube videos from Lowes which explain beginners tool and woodworking information.
What you are doing looks fun and please keep blogging!
sabines
January 8, 2017Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I’m by no means an expert nor do I claim to be one. I like to share what has worked for me. The method may not be perfect, but it works (for me at least). My kitchen island only cost me $30 and is a solid peace of furniture. Yes, the pocket holes may not be perfect pocket holes (as pointed out by pros, which btw I appreciate), but I was able to make myself a kitchen island, and perhaps I can motivate someone else to do the same. I love getting comments and learn from them. And you’re right, YouTube does have tons of great tutorials. Thanks for your kind words and for reading my blog. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Cj
February 8, 2017Funny….my old man and his buddies would laugh at anyone who couldn’t drill a pocket hole free-hand or toe-nail a piece of wood….(hammering a nail at 45 degrees to attach two pieces.). Here were my instructions when I was about 12….”just drill straight down a pinch….then pull the bit and start at an angle ….it is easy.” And Sabine has actually made a good point. Half these jigs are built for people who don’t want to learn the art via practice. If you must have a jig you can simply take Sabines instructions….do same on a 1×2 or whatever size you want….make the holes and cut the piece of wood so you have a little square or rectangle to,walk,around with…if you can’t drill straight with that….try another hobby….and don’t let my old man see it or he will throw it away thinking it a junk piece of wood with two holes in it….I mean…who needs that if you have any skill all. I was 12 and it took me maybe 20 tries….with my dad’s “clear” instructions….to get it pretty darn near perfect….and all you guys and girls with “workshops” that have all new perfectly clean tools….we know you are just posing….it is like having a fast ’69 Chevy Ss ….and never driving it….or worse….never spinning the tires. Give the tools or car to someone who knows how to use them….stay koolio
sabines
February 8, 2017CJ, your comment made me smile. You know, my grandmother was a lot like your dad. She could make so much out of “nothing”. She always said to me “work with what you’ve got”. I may not build the most perfect things, but hey, I have a solid kitchen island and it only cost me $30 to make. I use that island every single day. It’s solid as heck… not going anywhere. Thank you CJ for keeping it real. It’s much appreciated!
Sandra Sue Taylor
December 27, 2020You know…. I was wondering why so many 100 year old houses and barns are still standing when the old time carpenters didn’t have a Kreg jig. Amazing isn’t it?
Sabine
December 31, 2020So true.
Judith L.
February 25, 2017Holy cow – this never occurred to me! What a great idea and instructions. Thanks so much for sharing. I just love crafters!
sabines
February 27, 2017Thank you, Judith. So nice of you to comment. I truly appreciate it.
Tai Buckner
March 11, 2017Thanks Sabine!! I am another one whom you’ve helped!! What would seem to be a simple hole, but as we all know it’s NOT, you have made it sooo easy!! Thanks Again!!
sabines
March 13, 2017Thanks so much, Tai. So glad this post is useful.
Jody
March 15, 2017I’ve been looking at a kreg jig for my current project but wow they’re pricey for just joining some wood together.. this is amazing! You’ve just saved me nearly $100. Thank you! I’m making a TV table for the lounge and just tried your technique out – amazing. Thank you!
sabines
March 19, 2017Thank you for the kind words, Jody. I’m so glad you find the tutorial useful. Good luck with your projects and thanks for reading!
Zippy
April 14, 2017Yikes, you’re going to put Kreg out of business! :?)
sabines
April 16, 2017Haha, wouldn’t that be something?!
Amanda
April 22, 2017I need to put pocket holes into a 1×4 that I am attaching to a 4×4. It says to use 2″ kreg screws. Where would I draw the line on the 1×4? Do you still draw the line at 1.25?
sabines
April 24, 2017I would.
Debbie
May 13, 2017You just saved me a ton of money buying the almighty KJ (I’m really tired of hearing about it anyway, lol.) Thank you for making this easy tutorial
sabines
May 15, 2017Debbie, I’m so glad you have use for my tutorial. I still don’t have a Kreg Jig, and for the few builds I do occasionally, this simple way really works. Thank you for stopping by.
Roy
August 1, 2017What kind of screws are you using?
sabines
August 2, 2017Roy, sometimes I use pocket screws, sometimes just standard wood screws. Nothing fancy.
Dianne
May 18, 2017Thank you so much for this post! I’ve thought I NEEDED a Kreg Jig for so long, and didn’t make projects because I didn’t have one. This looks so simple, I can’t wait to try it out. Happy building! 🙂
sabines
May 19, 2017I’m so glad you’ll give this a try, Dianne. Have fun building!
Barry
July 11, 2017While I was in Denver on vacation my nephew was building a treehouse. I helped him with it and I showed him how to do this. I then found this on Pinterest. The only thing I didn’t do was to mark the area with a pencil.
sabines
July 11, 2017That’s awesome, Barry. So wonderful of you to teach your nephew. I bet the tree house is amazing. Thank you for stopping by my little blog.
danhei13
July 13, 2017Oh my God thank you for this! Now I can save some money when building my desk.
sabines
July 14, 2017Yay! Have fun building.
JD
August 5, 2017Thank you for this tip, it will help a lot
sabines
August 6, 2017I’m so happy to hear this. Thank you for reading.
Sarah
September 26, 2017Hi! I am just about to start a project and I’m hoping to use this technique since I definitely fall into the category of not being able to justify getting a jig for potentially one project. For the initial pilot holes, how far down do you drill? Thanks for
Sarah
September 26, 2017Oops, hit send too soon! Thanks for any help you can give!
sabines
September 27, 2017Hi Sarah. Drill just enough so you can pull back your bit without breaking it off.
R H Cooke
December 8, 2017A bit of care and you could have the pilot holes centred on the line you drew
sabines
December 9, 2017Thank you for the tip. I will be more careful next time.
Audi
January 7, 2018Thank you for the pics!!! Life saver
T. Bakster
March 20, 2018Does the pocket hole go all the way to the end of the board?
sabines
March 23, 2018Pretty much.
Rob
April 23, 2018Do that pilot holes have to be drilled all the way through the wood or about half way in the wood?
sabines
April 24, 2018Half way.
Manjula 3
June 8, 2018Its a great tutorial. Thanks
Elizabeth
June 28, 2018So excited to see this! I am wanting to make some benches and a table for a breakfast nook at my home and was discouraged after seeing all the plans I looked at said to use a Kreg Jig. This will make my life so much easier (and cheaper!) Thank you!
sabines
June 28, 2018Yes! I felt the same way when I first starting building furniture. I was discouraged because I didn’t have a kreg jig. Happy building!
Dawn
June 29, 2018Awesome idea. Did you use a pocket hole drill bit? Or just a standard bit?
sabines
June 30, 2018Dawn, I used a standard drill (it’s what I had in my garage). A pocket hole drill would be better, though.
Dave
July 29, 2018Just a thought. If you ever do want to buy a pocket-hole jig, the one from Harbor Freight works well and it’s about 1/2 the price of the Kreg (if you wait for one of the 20 or 25% off coupons, which they seem to offer quite often). I’ve never used the Kreg model so I guess it could be way better (and if I was doing this as a job and not just a hobby, I’d be more apt give it a try)..
I have used the HF model on a few projects now and I really like it. I’ve tried your method and if I were only going to a few pocket holes, I’d stick with your method. On the other hand, if you are going to do several projects where you want to use pocket holes, the jig is faster, more accurate, and it feels safer to me. I never knew I needed to make pocket holes, but I’ve used them on nearly every project I’ve done since I got the jig.
In case you are considering pocket holes, I will also note that the pocket hole screws are more expensive than regular wood screws. I just looked at a project plan for a chaise lounge that called for over 100 kreg screws. I will probably use about 12 (in areas where I think I the extra strength is needed). I figured out how to just use regular wood screws for the rest
fyi I have no affiliation with HF whatsoever. In fact, I do not like all of their products and end up returning 10 – 20% of what I buy there. I’m not returning their pocket-hole jig though. It works as intended.
sabines
July 30, 2018Dave, I’ve heard good things about Harbor Freight. And yes, I see the 20% off coupons all the time. Good to know they have a cheaper version of the Kreg jig and I’m glad you like it. I will have to look into it. We have a HF very close to my house.Thank you for posting this. Very good info. I really appreciate it.
Mrkoolio
September 20, 2018I saw one guy bragging about his 150$ kreg jigs and guy #2 says,”around here, we each get one freebie…..you know, when you bring something stupid to work and all the guys could laugh at you for weeks? Around here, you can say, “i want to use my free pass” and you can take whatever dumb thing you bought back to the store and we will never speak of it again. I suggest you do that with your little Kreg toy there.” At that point, guy number one got very angry and started telling guy number two how wrong he was and how great a tool/jig it was and how the other guy was just jealous. At that point, guy number two just blurted out, “some people will never learn” and he went over and grabbed a scrap piece of wood about the size of the kreg jig. he did a couple quick measurements and Drew pencil lines and proceeded to Drill six holes at 45° Angle….through the piece of wood …such that it looked just like the Kreg and then had some rivets Or nut inserts which he placec on both ends of the piece of wood. It took him about 5 minutes. Then he demonstrated how well it worked, then he demonstrated how fast you could do it freehand and they toss the newly built jig to a very sad looking Kreg owner and he said, ” there, you can keep that on. it’s twice as effective as the one you paid $150 for ….lol….you can take that back and I’ll let all the guys know that you now have 150$ and you are buying beer after work….plus now we can all have a good laugh about your wonderful purchase.”
Craig somehow convinced everybody that it is completely fine to be incompetent or lacking any skill for unwilling to learn something and has a jig for almost everything . Now, I for one love the jig that can raise and lower your under the table router. For that alone they should be reserved a special place in heaven. But on the pocket holes, my uncle would’ve laughed at somebody who bad I just like that and I think he showed me how to do a pocket hole when I was about 13 and it took me about five or 10 times to get it right but then I’ve done thousand since then and this idea that you have to go by pocket hole screws for four times as much is regular screws is just the most brilliant marketing move by Craig ever.
CHEAP GOOD TOOLD
My advice to those of you looking for tools on The cheap IS to watch craigslist and every once in a while you’ll see a woodworker or a carpenter who is retiring and they ARE SELLING EVERYTHING. don’t ask questions…. don’t argue over prices…. just get in the car and immediately go over there with as much money as you can spend. I have walked in TO places where it is insane so many tools and we start saying to 20 for this and 30 for that and before you know it …..if the guy likes you/me and believes you’re not going to abuse his tools that he has used for the last 25 years he will say what many of them have said to me which is, “I tell you what …. I hate all these hipsters coming over rand telling me how much better a carpenter they are thsn me……how about 500 bucks and you can have all of it.” It is not uncommon to get thousands and thousands of dollars worth of equipment for 500 bucks.
one time a guy gave me about $6000 worth of stuff including three table saws, 2 of which I immediately re-sold for $500….. so I was even at that point I had about $5000 with a free tools, but it was such a good deal and he was such a nice guy that I drove back and gave him the extra $500 that I had just made selling his size. He was so happy and impressed that he went in the back and brought out another 4 Paslofe. Nailguns Worth about $1000 and he said, “I’m glad you came back because I forgot to give you these and I didn’t have your phone number.” It’s all Karma in this worldt. . We actually became friends and he helped me build some cabinets in my house …..that he would only accept beer and food for, but when his mom passed away, I handled the will/estate for him.. worth..about a million…. meaning that I was entitled to about $60,000 in legal fees, which I of course accepted….and then refunded 59,900$ to him. The $100 was for our lunch and that day I got about three hours to just ask every woodworking/construction question I had ever had and I learned so much that afternoon and I made a great friend.
I have a saying, ” we don’t really own tools, we are just borrowing them and holding them and taking care of them for our time on this planet and then they go to the next Carpenter or woodworker and we try to take care of those tools as well as the person before us. We try always to help those Who are younger and more inexperienced than we are, we try to learn from those who are more knowledgeable and experienced than we are, and we always give grief and a hard time to those in this world that deserve it . I cant believe you are not remarried! All the best. Jay.
sabines
September 21, 2018Jay, I love your story and I agree with you. Some of the best tools I’ve ever bought were at estate sales.Once I bought a drill for about $1.50 at an estate sale. The person who used to own it passed away at age 84. His name was on the the drill. I used this drill to built my kitchen island. I became very emotional while using his tool. I wished I could’ve told him how much I liked his drill and how I was able to build this island for me and my kids. I bet he got a lot of use out of his drill and now I use it frequently. I will keep this tool until it no longer works.
anthony yeatman
October 9, 2018thanx sooo much 3800 rand a set here in good old south africa for a krig set and your way works great ant from durban
tibbs
November 10, 2018I saw this very same technique on an episode of “This Old House”and “New Yankee Workshop” of all places, years ago. So…phooey to all the nay-sayers in the world!!
sabines
November 11, 2018Haha I agree.
jotadeku
November 28, 2018Thanks for sharing. I was about to buy a kreg jig and didn´t feel happy about the price. Your solution is simple an effective. Regards from sunny Chile.
sabines
December 1, 2018Thank you. Glad I could help.
Scott Krauszer
January 22, 2019Thanks for the info!
geumsoorae
March 24, 2019good job
MSgt Mac
April 8, 2019Not bad but one has to be careful with your method not to drive the screw all the way through the board with the pocket holes. There is a reason for using screws designed for pocket hole jigs. They have a flat bottom that will rest on the flat part of the hole that results from using the special drill bit. The screw showing in your pictures appears to be a normal drywall screw that is designed to be drilled straight into the wood. You could have achieved the same results without your “pocket holes” simply but driving your screws at the same angle and driving them until the tops are buried in the wood. Sorry, but I will stick with my jig and appropriate screws.
Sabine
April 9, 2019Fair enough.
Bernie Robinson
May 17, 2019Sabines: Your method is fabulous. I am English by birth but live in Chile. A long way from the big shops. I downloaded a photo
and instructions to build a desk. In the end it was promotion to sell the K4Jig. Measurments and angles wrong and in any case the jig here is very expensive. I used 96 3″ screws. With your method, less than a day. I think that with the jig it would have taken over a week.
Many Thanks
Muchas Gracias
Bernie Robinson
Pichidangui
Chile
Sabine
May 23, 2019That’s amazing! I’m so happy to hear this.
David
May 30, 2019Thank
Awet
July 22, 2019Its awsome. You make me feel good with the pocket hole making. Ur blessed for sharing us this idea. Thanks alot you saved me from unnecessary expenses.
Wayne R Seymour
April 6, 2020I use a bit the size of the head of the screw (use first, going in between 1/4″ and no more than 1/2″) and another just a tad smaller than the shank of the screw (use second, be sure you go into the second board at least 1/3 the length of the screw). This gives you a pressure point to draw the two pieces together. Just a little more work, but it ensures a tight bond between the two boards.