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Pocket-Hole Placement
6
In addition to the proper Kreg Jig
®
settings, spacing pocket holes evenly across the workpiece is an
important part of getting a strong joint. The Kreg Jig
®
features a three-hole drill guide that allows you
to do this in a variety of workpiece widths without the need to reposition the workpiece after drilling
each hole. Use the guide below to determine how to position your workpiece for drilling pocket holes.
With the pocket holes drilled, position and clamp your parts. Small flat assemblies can be
aligned by clamping them to a flat surface. When using a Kreg face clamp to clamp large flat
assemblies off the edge of your work surface, position the large clamp pad on the side of the
joint opposite the pocket holes. Align the corners of case assemblies, such as a cabinet or
bookshelf, using bar clamps or a Kreg right-angle clamp. (See
Optional Accessories.
)
With your assembly securely clamped, drive the pocket screws using a variable-speed drill/
driver and the included 6" (152mm) driver bit. For drills with a clutch, adjust it to fully seat the
screws without over-driving them.
Joining parts
Before turning on the drill, slide the bit into the drill guide until the tip of the bit touches the
workpiece. Withdraw the bit about ¼" (6mm). Turn on the drill, make sure it is running at
full speed, and feed the bit into the workpiece. Always run variable-speed or multi-speed
drills at the fastest speed. A shop vacuum connected to the vacuum port (included with the
K4MS) quickly removes the wood chips and the hole can be drilled in one motion. When
not using a vacuum port, partially withdraw the bit several times while drilling the pocket
hole to clear the chips. Stop drilling when the stop collar contacts the drill guide. Wait until
the drill stops rotating to withdraw the bit from the drill guide.
Drilling Pocket Holes
1" to 2" Wide Material
2" to 3" Wide Material
3" to 4" Wide Material
Use B and C guides
Use A and B guides
Use A and C guides
(25mm to 51mm Wide Material)
(51mm to 76mm Wide Material)
(76mm to 102mm Wide Material)
For wide parts such as panels, we recommend placing the first pocket hole 2" (51mm)
from the panel edge and every 6" (152mm) to 8" (203mm) on center after that. When
drilling panels, you can use any drill guide hole.
