Four Project Tips for Pocket Hole Jigs
What are pocket holes, and how can a pocket hole jig open up all sorts of projects for your home? This Lowe’s video presents four project tips for pocket hole jigs:
Pocket holes are used to hide screws in projects such as cabinets, shelving or tables where appearance matters.
- Tip #1: Setup is one of the most important steps when using a pocket hole jig. Some jigs have fixtures that allow you to set your bit depth. A good rule of thumb is to allow your bit to leave about 1/8 inch of material before breaking through.
- Tip #2: Pocket hole jigs are extremely helpful when working with furniture that’s falling apart or already broken.
- Tip #3: Choosing the correct screw is just as important as setting your drill depth. Use a fine thread screw for materials such as oak or cherry and a coarse thread screw on softer materials like MDF, plywood or poplar. There are even screws with smaller heads for thinner materials and plugs to hide screws when all sides of the project are visible.
- Tip #4: When working on projects, try to avoid running screws into the end grain, which is typically weaker and has a higher risk of stripping out your screw.
