How To Set A Kreg Jig

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A Kreg Jig is a blazon of tool used to join forest. Kreg Jigs tin help you drill what are known as pocket holes, which allow screws to exist inserted at an angle. Because the screws run forth the grain of the wood rather than through information technology, the joint volition exist much stronger and more than secure. Though they may look complicated to first time crafters, using a Kreg Jig is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is measure your wood, prepare the Kreg Jig to the corresponding width and use the guided slots to drill perfect pocket holes.

1. one

   Measure the wood y'all're using. Earlier you begin drilling, it's important to mensurate the width of the boards you'll be working with. The thickness is what you're looking to gauge hither. Knowing the verbal thickness of the board volition enable you to drill the pocket holes at but the correct angle.^[1]

   • E'er measure your wood, regardless of the specifications given on the characterization. It'south possible for woods to compress or for a board'southward width to be based on averages rather than precise measurements.
   • The departure of a fraction of an inch could potentially throw off your whole projection.

2. 2

   Fix your drill scrap collar to the correct depth. Line the pocket hole drill bit upward with the specifications indicated on the base of the jig. The pace (the place on the chip where it narrows to a point) should be even with the notch that corresponds to the thickness of your board. Slide the depth collar to the appropriate pinnacle and tighten it using an Allen wrench.^[2]

   • The depth collar is slightly wider than the guide holes of the jig, and will keep y'all from drilling too far into the wood.
   • A special pocket hole drill flake should be included with your new Kreg Jig.

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3. iii

   Change the placement of the jig. Using the same measurements, adjust the acme of the jig to the appropriate position. To do this, loosen the thumbscrew on the dorsum then that y'all can raise or lower guide hole piece freely. Once the jig is where you desire it, tighten the thumbscrew to secure it.^[3]

   • Raising and lowering the jig volition change the bending of the guide holes slightly to make them suitable for boards of varying widths.
   • Call up to reset the guide hole piece every time you lot drill a board of a different size.

4. 4

   Secure the jig to the workbench. Clamp the jig down and then that it volition remain firmly in place. This will foreclose the wood from coming loose while you're drilling. Make sure the guide holes of the jig are facing toward you on the workbench.^[4]

   • You'll be drilling into the back side of the board, which won't be visible one time the slice is completed.^[5]

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1. one

   Clench the woods into the jig. Identify one end of the wooden lath vertically against the clamp backing on the opposite side of the jig, and then pull the lever to press the clamp tight against it. Test the board to make sure that information technology doesn't slide around.^[6]

   • The clamp lever should lock into position one time the clamp is fully extended.

2. 2

   Fit the drill bit into the guide holes in the jig. The guide holes should be just large enough to comfortably accommodate the drill scrap. About standard Kreg Jig models volition take at least three guide holes so that y'all can drill every bit many holes equally needed to support the articulation.^[7]

   • For greater precision and security, keep your pocket holes spaced at fifty-fifty distances.
   • Should you lot need more than pocket holes than your jig allows, you tin brand room for more by shifting the woods down in the clench afterwards drilling your first set.

3. iii

   Drill the desired number of pocket holes. Begin drilling into the guide holes using steady pressure until you lot're stopped by the depth collar. Pull back on the drill as you work to complimentary the guide holes of loose wood chips. Drill as many holes as you need to create a strong joint that volition suit the purposes of your project, then plow the board effectually and repeat the process on the other end.^[8]

   • Endeavour drilling on a scrap slice of woods starting time to ostend that the settings on the jig are right.
   • Y'all'll need to drill at least two pocket holes—otherwise, the boards will pivot around the single screw.^[9]
   • The jig volition permit you to drill at a shallow angle into the wood, which results in a more structurally sound joint than if you were to drill straight through.

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1. 1

   Press the pieces of wood together to form a joint. At present that you've drilled the boards, arrange them the way they'll get in the finished project. Make sure the edges are evenly aligned. If you lot prefer, you tin can clamp the boards in place to make them easier to manage.^[10]

   • Line up the boards carefully to avoid making a costly mistake.
   • If you're using a smaller clamp, clench both pieces of wood to the table at the seam.^[11]

2. two

   Gum the edges of the joint together for added security. Spread a thin layer of wood glue onto the edges of the boards where they connect. This volition reinforce the joint even further and prevent the boards from coming apart equally y'all fasten them.^[12]

   • Give the glue a few minutes to gear up to brand the joint more sturdy while drilling.
   • If you're using wood glue in addition to a conventional clamp, utilize the gum before you marshal the edges of the boards.

3. iii

   Drill the screws into identify. Fit the screws into the pocket holes so that they're aimed at the body of the bordering board. Drive the screws deep until they disappear inside the pocket hole. The pocket hole fleck conveniently bores its ain thread as it drills, so you should have no trouble getting the screws to hold.^[xiii]

   • For softer woods, use screws with a coarse thread. Finer threads should be reserved for difficult, dense varieties of wood similar maple and oak.
   • Select the correct blazon of screw for the exact specifications and type of wood you're using.^[14]

4. 4

   Conceal the pocket holes with woods plugs or adhesive. Once y'all're done, you may detect shallow depressions left behind at the openings of the pocket holes. These can hands exist filled with a glob of putty or wood mucilage. Yous could as well invest in a set of Kreg wood plugs, which are specially tapered to slide right in for a smooth, seamless finish.^[fifteen]

   • Plugging the pocket holes is but a cosmetic pick, and won't affect the strength of the joint in any way.
   • Since yous'll be drilling into the back or underside of the boards, the pocket holes on the finished piece shouldn't be visible even if you haven't taken steps to muffle them.^[sixteen]

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• Take proper safe precautions past wearing centre protection while drilling.

• Kreg Jigs are useful for mounting shelves, putting together wooden crates, making your own tables and cabinets or dozens of other woodworking projects.

• Use pocket holes to reinforce the joints in your favorite antique furniture pieces and increase their lifespan.

• E'er drill in the management of the grain rather than against it.

• The faster your drill speed, the cleaner a hole it will brand.

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• If you don't clear the wood chips out the pocket holes while you're drilling, the drill bit will come across with extra resistance and quickly become overheated, which tin can cause it to vesture out faster over time.

• Exercise circumspection when working with electric drills and other power tools. Carelessness tin can pb to accidents or injuries.

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Things You lot'll Need

• Kreg Jig
• Electric drill
• Woods screws
• Tabular array clamp
• Forest mucilage
• Record measure out
• Wood plugs or bonding adhesive (optional)

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Article Summary X

To use a Kreg jig, first past measuring the thickness of the lath y'all're using and selecting the drill flake that corresponds to that depth. Then, adjust the height of the jig to fit the board'due south thickness and tighten the thumbscrew on the back to secure it. Side by side, clench the jig to your workbench and place the board into the jig. Once it's in place, pull the lever to press the clamp against the board so information technology doesn't slide around. Finally, insert the drill bit into the guide holes and drill into the wood using steady pressure until you're stopped by the collar on the jig. For tips on how to utilise a Kreg jig to create a strong joint for your project, read on!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Kreg-Jig

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