First time using pocket holes: 3/4" pine - joints not working

[teewee [OP]]

Hello! First timer here and first time using pocket holes. I tried to join two pieces of 3/4" pine using Kreg pocket holes with a 1-1/4" coarse screw but found that no matter how I screwed them together, I was able to pull the pieces apart. I eventually tried using one 8x2-1/2" screw butt joint and it held the two pieces together tightly. I thought that butt joints were not as strong as pocket holes - what am I doing wrong?

thanks for your help!

?

[stevem]

longer screws

[Wally in Calgary]

Hello! First timer here and first time using pocket holes. I tried to join two pieces of 3/4" pine using Kreg pocket holes with a 1-1/4" coarse screw but found that no matter how I screwed them together, I was able to pull the pieces apart. I eventually tried using one 8x2-1/2" screw butt joint and it held the two pieces together tightly. I thought that butt joints were not as strong as pocket holes - what am I doing wrong?

thanks for your help!

?

You do not have the depth set properly when drilling. There is a gauge on the jig to set it for 3/4" material. Look up the instructions for your jig.

[jay]

Adjust the collar on the drill bit . That is what wally is suggesting

[Jacques Leclerc]

Same as Wally is saying. I used pocket hole all the time and no problems.
Jacques

[Egon]

Go with a glued lap joint.??

[mike66]

A quick look at your picture tells me your holes are too far away from the edge of the board so I am guessing the depth setting on the jig is not correct and also could be the stop collar on the drill bit. My guess is maybe both. As mentioned above, use the instructions to set the depths and the joint should be much stronger than a butt joint. Have never had a problem with a pocket hole joint with the Kreg jig.

Mike

[teewee [OP]]

Thanks everyone for the explanations. I double checked my stop coller length (3-1/2") and the jig depth (3/4") and both were correctly set as I didn't have to adjust. Then tried drilling new holes, this time paid extra attention to make sure I went the full depth and drilled positions A-B, instead of A-C near the centre of 1x3" stock - worked! The screws actually tightened and my drill clutched out.

Since I was playing around, I also tried to plug the hole with a 3/8" dowel and trim with a multitool but the power tool was pretty agressive. Anyone have suggestions on an affordable flush cut saw? (not sure if that's the proper term..)

[Kayak Jim]

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/pag...28&cat=1,42884

[Doug G]

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/pag...28&cat=1,42884

I have the same Lee Valley saws, they work well.

[beakie]

not to disuade anyone from buying a nice/useful tool
but if you're doing a lot of pocket holes, there are specific dowel/plugs that you can get for them.

granted a length of dowel cut @ an angle works easily enough.

[Egon]

You can use a chisel to cut them off. Practice on some scrap first.

[rfielder]

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/pag...28&cat=1,42884

Also, for quite a bit less:

https://www.busybeetools.com/product...-pull-saw.html

[WeQuick]

I ordered this one just this past Wednesday .... Its like the others shown here, but full size, making it more useful for my needs ....

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07HGQXXWC/...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[Kayak Jim]

.... Its like the others shown here ....

Not really. The other saws suggested only have set on one side of the blade so they don't damage the workpiece when flush cutting. Yours is good for general sawing but will scuff the surface if used flush as in the OP's application.