3 Reasons Why You Need a Pocket Hole Jig - EveryTool Guide
Building cabinets, among other woodworking and carpentry disciplines, requires tight, strong joints in the wood. Simple. An essential piece of kit to have at your disposal for this type of work is a pocket hole jig.
Now, we know that some purists will baulk at the idea of using something like a pocket hole jig. But we believe that every tradesperson - or enthusiastic hobbyist - should make the application as simple and error-free as possible. So that's why we're recommending pocket hole jigs. Oh, and does using a pocket hole mean you'll never need to use wood glue? We cover that as well.
And if you find this guide useful, share it with your friends!
With that out of the way, here are the EveryTool 3 Reasons Why You Need a Pocket Hole Jig.
#1 - The Benefits of the Pocket Hole Drill Bit
When you buy a pocket hole jig, you'll typically get a bit that you fit in your drill driver. This stepped drill bit will drill, simultaneously, two different diameter holes into your workpiece.
And it will have markings that clearly show the depth you're drilling to. It also creates a perfect hole for the pocket hole screws. And that's where the good stuff begins.
#2- The Benefits Pocket Hole Screws
The screws that hold the workpieces together are what ensure a tight, robust and clean joint. Pocket hole screws are engineered with self-drilling points that penetrate even the toughest material, washer heads and a square recess. Your pocket hole jig should come with a Robertsons No.2 squarehead screwdriver bit.
The self-drilling action of the screws, coupled with the design of the shanks, tightly draws the two workpieces together. The square recess ensures slip-proof driving and the washer head prevents overdriving, removing the risk of splitting the timber.
#3 - Always Drill the Correct Depth With a Pocket Hole Jig
Another key benefit of using a pocket hole jig is that you'll always drill the correct depth for the screws to make the joint. For example, a 3/4" board requires the depth the drill be set to the 3/4". Again, the drill bit is clearly marked as is the pocket hole jig.
Use the supplied collar to mark the required depth on the drill bit. This means you'll never drill too deep, ruining the timber, or too shallow, resulting in a loose joint.
Should you Need Wood Glue When Using a Pocket Hole Jig?
As we've already mentioned, using pocket holes in cabinet making gives you tight, strong joints in the material you're working with. But does that mean you don't need wood glue?
Well, it depends on whether you take the belt and braces approach. Yes, the pocket hole screws and correctly drill pocket holes, when combined, are the best way to join two pieces of wood together. However, we need to remember that wood absorbs moisture from the air.
So, in a humid environment, the wood will expand a little. And when the air is dry it contracts a little. Wood moves. It's as simple as that. And even though the pocket hole method of joining two pieces of wood is reliable, using just a little wood glue in the joint can help reduce the likelihood of the joint pulling apart.
Which Pocket Hole Jig Should You Buy?
We currently offer two:
We'd love to hear your experiences with pocket hole jig, along with any questions or queries you have about buying the right one and putting it into action. So get in touch via the comments section.
And if you found this short guide useful, pass it along to your friends on Facebook and Twitter!