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What is the recommended pocket hole spacing across a panel?
We suggest that you place pocket holes every 6-8 inches across the length of a work-
piece for adequate strength. Feel free to place them closer or further apart as the
application warrants.
I am experiencing wood movement as I screw my joint together.
How can I eliminate this?
First and foremost, the use of our Face Clamps will eliminate most wood movement
while driving a screw. A good rule to use whenever attempting to assemble a pocket
hole joint is that the screw will tend to pull the workpieces away from the side the
pocket hole is placed on. Therefor, a simple solution is to always clamp a stop (clamp,
scrap workpiece, workbench) on the opposite side of the pocket holes. By doing this,
you will be able to consistently produce perfectly flush joints. Another trick that seems
to work well if you’re experiencing movement mainly caused by the lubricity of glue on
the joint line is to first dry fit your workpieces and drive one or two screws, then disas-
semble, apply glue to the workpieces and re-assemble.
I am afraid to use pocket holes because I am worried about wood expanding
and contracting with changes in the seasons. What do you recommend?
There are a couple of easy ways to compensate for this type of wood movement.
Let’s assume an example of attaching a rail or apron to a solid tabletop.
First, set your depth collar on the drill bit so you barely drill through the edge of
the rail or apron. This will create a larger pilot hole for the screw shank and
will create the effect of a “floating top”. Secondly, drive the screw into the
top until tightened, then back off 1/4 of a turn. This will allow for plenty of
expansion and contraction of the wood.
General FAQ
How can I get the longest life out of my drill bit?
We suggest following a few simple guidelines to get the longest life out of your drill bit.
1. Use a corded drill rated at 2,000 rpm or above (this is normally characterized as a
woodworking drill, a metal-working drill is usually rated under 1,500 rpm).
2. Place the bit into the drill guide before starting the drill.
3. Make sure the drill is up to full rpm before plunging it into the workpiece. Sharpen
the bit before it becomes so dull it breaks. In oak, this averages about every 2,500
pocket holes.
How many holes can I expect to drill before sharpening my drill bit?
You can expect to drill between 2,000 and 3,000 holes with your KJD drill bit when
working with oak material. Drill bit life directly correlates to material composition.
Can the Kreg drill bit be sharpened?
Yes, we have a factory sharpening service for KREG bits only. KREG drill bits have “Kreg”
stamped into the shank of the bit. We recommend sharpening the Kreg Jig® KJD bit
every 2,500 holes and the DKDB (machine) bit every 8,000 holes. Package the bit se-
curely and send it along with a check to the address on the following page.
