Pocket Screw Joinery (mainly in the UK)

[ali]

I'm influenced a lot by american woodworking and FDM and would really like to start playing with pocket hole joinery. However I don't really find much choice in the UK. Is anyone else using a lot of pocket holes and where do you buy your supplies from? Or should I be looking at America for supplies?

 

[ldmillar1981]

Hi Ali,

I too wanted to experiment with pocket hole joinery, intelligent workshop stock the Kreg stuff.

I still haven't got around to using it yet tho, I plan to use in on my own kitchen when I get around to doing it.

Regards
Leigh

 

[promhandicam]

Kreg are the best known brand and there are many people who stock the jigs. I just bought a load of screws from Workshop Heaven as they were reasonably priced - not sure how their prices on the jigs compare. I just used a kreg mini jig - around £15 - for several years and it was fine.

Steve

 

[richard.selwyn]

I use them a fair bit. Just be careful when you screw the pieces together as if they are not clamped or mechanically aligned the action of the screw can cause mis alignment.
I buy screws from Axminster. I use the Kreg jigs, but they offer alternatives. I like the Kreg jig with the vacuum adapter as they make a lot of mess. Recently built a cupboard for a client with 30 shelves - that was 120 pocket holes. I also use them for fitting small table tops.
I think I saw a jig at Rutlands too.
Richard

 

[tbellemare]

CMT makes the same thing, essentially, the Pocket-Pro. It should be readily available in Europe. They're Italian.

Tom

 

[Paul G]

I use Kreg a lot, be sure to clamp before screwing, it will shift on you.

 

[Alan m]

iv got the kreg too
theres not much choice really. trend adn cmt do an aluminium cast jig , i found them to be a bit clumsy and heavy compared to my kreg.
not sure which model i have but i got the normal clamp at the back jig,and 2 clamp to the workpiece jigs,clamp,bits,drivers etc in a box.
i dont use it as much as i used to but at times i cant do without it.
i would definetly get the kreg versions.

 

[joiner1970]

Kreg here too, got mine from d & m tools. I see axminster tools do a new one called ukj or something

 

[oldie]

Kreg with me also.
Can't remember where bought (internet) - but not eBay.
Got good deal for the 'complete' kit + box of each size of screw + the long clamp.

Although vaguely knew about pocket 'jointing' - never used the method.
Had job for built-in shelving.  Had to join 230cm x 20cm x 3cm uprights, to 40cm x 35cm x 3cm.  There were 6 uprights - 12 pieces.
The 'shorter' piece was to be at floor level (for extra stability, and, deeper books) with them being shaped to 20cm at the top edge.
(Hope that makes sense.)

Had no way of clamping the two 'planks' together (end to end) whilst glue set.  Was paranoid about getting a really strong, true joint - uneasy about doing it at all.  Potentially, a lot of weight on those shelves.

Happen to have read another thread where Alan M ( probably others as well) saying how pocket holes jointing useful for clamping.
So went for it.  Even now can't believe how quick and easy to use - something else should have got years ago - along with Festool sanders.

One good tip, from Kreg forum, was to vacuum the holes out before final assembly - if any wood dust in holes, can force joint apart a little as screw tightened.
Might be helpful to have a look at 'Kreg  Jig Owners Community' site - http://kregjig.ning.com/ .

Richard

 

[semenza]

I use Kreg a lot, be sure to clamp before screwing, it will shift on you.

I have had them shift even with clamping but , combine with Dominos and  ......... no more shift.

Seth

 

[Paul G]

I use Kreg a lot, be sure to clamp before screwing, it will shift on you.

I have had them shift even with clamping but , combine with Dominos and  ......... no more shift.

Seth

Interesting concept, don't have one of those (yet) but I'll try it with biscuits sometime. 

 

[Rob-GB]

I use Kreg a lot, be sure to clamp before screwing, it will shift on you.

I have had them shift even with clamping but , combine with Dominos and  ......... no more shift.

Seth

+1 What Seth Said  [big grin]

Interesting concept, don't have one of those (yet) but I'll try it with biscuits sometime. 

With biscuits you will still get some lateral shift but should not get steps in the joint face.

Rob.

 

[ldmillar1981]

Has any one else tried these out?

[attachthumb=#]

I picked up a couple when I got my kreg stuff.

Regards
Leigh

 

[Jaybolishes]

How are those working out LM.  I bought a bunch of them and haven't even gotten them out of the package.  And I was using my kreg jig a lot this week.  I totally forgot I had them.

 

[ldmillar1981]

How are those working out LM.  I bought a bunch of them and haven't even gotten them out of the package.  And I was using my kreg jig a lot this week.  I totally forgot I had them.

Haven't tried them or the Kreg jig yet.

They look really useful tho,

Regards
Leigh

 

[Paul G]

Has any one else tried these out?

[attachthumb=#]

I picked up a couple when I got my kreg stuff.

Regards
Leigh

Is it supposed to clamp in one hole while you fasten the other?

 

[jmbfestool]

Pocket hole method makes it alot easier to assemble units I think.

I some times use them with dominos most often not.  They hold well enough on their own and when doing built ins once the units in it ain't moving about so I'm not worried of them not holding up over time.

When doing mitres with floor boards couple dominos and then using pocket screws to clamp the joint is ideal. 

I like them I found pocket screws to be very handy and having a kreg jig in your tool bag is a must.  I bought my kreg jigs from intelligent workshop

Jmb

 

[ldmillar1981]

Has any one else tried these out?

[attachthumb=#]

I picked up a couple when I got my kreg stuff.

Regards
Leigh

Is it supposed to clamp in one hole while you fasten the other?

yes instead of using a long clamp, to clamp the whole workpiece, just clamp the joint

 

[jmbfestool]

Has any one else tried these out?

[attachthumb=#]

I picked up a couple when I got my kreg stuff.

Regards
Leigh

Is it supposed to clamp in one hole while you fasten the other?

Yes it is.   Recommend highly using a pocket hole clamp when using pocket hole system.

The one LM posted I have never seen nor used my self looks Alrite though.
But looking at it I recon its slow with the threaded clamping method.  You would have to unwind it alot before you could even attach or remove it from the pocket hole.  This would be slow going.

I use the kreg version
http://www.intelligentworkshop.co.uk/kreg-right-angle-clamp.html

 

[Paul G]

Yes it is.   Recommend highly using a pocket hole clamp when using pocket hole system.

The one LM posted I have never seen nor used my self looks Alrite though.
But looking at it I recon its slow with the threaded clamping method.   You would have to unwind it alot before you could even attach or remove it from the pocket hole.  This would be slow going.

I use the kreg version
http://www.intelligentworkshop.co.uk/kreg-right-angle-clamp.html

For face frames I've been simply clamping the joint to the workbench which has worked fine, but there are other times something like this would be handy. Since this clamp is taking up one hole while fastening another, how close do the holes need to be for this to prevent shifting?

I got spoiled at a cabinet shop using one of these, oh the sweet memories http://www.wwthayer.com/JLT-Face-Frame-Clamp.asp