Did you pocket hole project wobble then fall apart?

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Have a look at the vids on their website. It's not too bad.

I've seen the @petermillard and IF films and it does seem pretty simple and clever BUT at £170 just for the small jig (£400+ for the fully size) I would find it hard to justify for the small number of projects that I would see myself using it for - thus pocket holes do the job for the most part.
 
Kreg user, quite happy with the results and it has stood the test of time.
Same again, use both the std Kreg jig and the HD version with no issues. I think the problem is that there is no one solution for everything, so some jobs suit pocket holes and others do not but I think the Kreg screws are very good.
 
This small Coffee table/occasional stool was made a couple of years ago using 12 Pocket hole screws; Kreg jig
and Everbuild 502 Wood Glue
Strong as a Flander’s mare
00table.JPG
 
I have to agree with you, I have the Kreg jig which I bought at a car boot before all this kerfuffle with covid, for the princely sum of £1

I wasn't sure if I would do much with it so didn't want to spend out to much to use it

Bought the stepped drill on ebay, screws & drivers from Axminster (UJK)

Made my own plugs from dowel

Only item I have made with it so far is a learning tower for my grandson about 7 months ago, it has survived his punishing regime so far ;-)

I was pleasantly surprised how good it was to use



Well I have a Kreg jig, (and their screws) and while I've only used it for "rough joinery" (about all I'm capable of really), IMO it's the greatest thing since sliced bread!
 
I have to agree with you, I have the Kreg jig which I bought at a car boot before all this kerfuffle with covid, for the princely sum of £1
£1, what a steal, so odd with car boots, its never a fair price, either incredibly cheap, or virtually full price and falling apart.

Looking forward to an afternoon strolling around in the sun, not buying overpriced junk, one day...
 
After building my present workshop years ago I built a temporary work bench from 26mm mfc, it was solely joined with pocket hole screws & lasted years, it was still solid when I disassembled it & it had been well used to build loads of stuff for the new shop Including a new work bench.
The design of a project is key, a design that is inherently strong shouldn’t fail because it’s screwed together, it’s just a matter of getting the design right.
 
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It was a bargain I admit, I did advise on some prices for other things they were selling, large cramps etc so didn't feel to guilty

Like you I am looking forward to afternoons wandering round boot sales


£1, what a steal, so odd with car boots, its never a fair price, either incredibly cheap, or virtually full price and falling apart.

Looking forward to an afternoon strolling around in the sun, not buying overpriced junk, one day...
 
£1, what a steal, so odd with car boots, its never a fair price, either incredibly cheap, or virtually full price and falling apart.

Looking forward to an afternoon strolling around in the sun, not buying overpriced junk, one day...

Your experience is the same as mine then. I have bought tools worth £30 for 20p and seen people ask £30 for tools worth 20p. Crazy stuff.
 
Yes, much like auctions, you see a nice thing go for a pittance and a piece of cheap rubbish go for a bundle just because two people wanted it

Mind you I have seen that on ebay where people pay more for a used item that you could get one new for

Just people for you

Your experience is the same as mine then. I have bought tools worth £30 for 20p and seen people ask £30 for tools worth 20p. Crazy stuff.
 
Well it's been some time since pocket hole joinery has been talked about.
Wife bought me a jig a few years back but it's just sat on the shelf.
I've never used it but having to make a kids bedroom desk now it does seem appropriate.
So my question is this, If you built something using this system how well has the end product held up over time? Has it fallen apart? Or is it solid as a rock still

I used a Kreg jig and screws to make my first shop cabinets. They've been taken apart to be repositioned and reassembled three times now and are still going strong. I don't have the jig anymore but I do have some 1" screws going cheap if you need any.
 
..BUT at £170 just for the small jig (£400+ for the fully size) I would find it hard to justify..
I kinda feel the same about how much Kreg want for their plastic jigs so until I stumble over a bargain , Like Whatknot did, I'll stumble along without one.
 
I've seen the @petermillard and IF films and it does seem pretty simple and clever BUT at £170 just for the small jig (£400+ for the fully size) I would find it hard to justify for the small number of projects that I would see myself using it for - thus pocket holes do the job for the most part.
Just to clarify, it’s £170 (inc vat) for the mini jig & starter set (bit & connectors) and just to keep things on topic I have a pocket-hole jig that‘s priced around there, too. Back to the Peanut, it depends on wether you want a self-clamping invisible connector or not; if you don’t you don’t, but if you do then the peanut is far and away the cheapest option - especially if you already have the router. 👍
 
I bought the Triton Pocket Hole Jig and it's been excellent so far. I built my router table with it, I'm building my Stanley organiser cabinet with it and plan to build my workshop drawer units with it. I used Trend pocket hole screws and bought a pocket hole clamp from Banggood which I'm pleased with. I practised using scrap wood first to make sure I'd got the right screws and jig settings, I then worked out the best clutch position for my drill to avoid over-driving.
 
Right ho it looks like I've been talked out of pocket hole jigs being rubbish, but I'm still not going to buy one!
 
Right ho it looks like I've been talked out of pocket hole jigs being rubbish, but I'm still not going to buy one!

If you don't work with sheet goods regularly or do the kinds of repairs I do then you probably shouldn't buy one.
 
I applaud your excellent technique and trigger control.
While I thank you for the compliment (though it was probably intended to be a backhanded one ;) ) I can’t in all honesty claim anything special.

The geometry of a flat underside meeting a flat pocket which is pressing down onto a 15degree face means that the failure mode of pulling through the pocket is a very unusual occurrence, the thread stripping in the wood so not gripping is more usual, but still uncommon.

But change one of those (tapered underside of the screw, tapered hole or, deadly, both ) and pulling through becomes almost the default failure mode.

The 15 degree angle is not that special, there are jigs with less but then the entry pocket is bigger
 
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