Question on Kreg pocket hole plugs

[dicktill]

Question on Kreg pocket hole plugs: Obviously one end is "baloney sliced" to be flush with the piece that the pocket hole is in, but why is the other end also cut at a slight angle rather than square?

Thanks, Dick

revised: typo

 

[semenza]

Question on Kreg pocket hole plugs: Obviously one end in "baloney sliced" to be flush with the piece that the pocket hole is in, but why is the other end also cut at a slight angle rather than square?

Thanks, Dick

Huh, never thought about that. Maybe to make it easier to push them in? Or maybe some glue space?

Seth

 

[lwoirhaye]

I thought it was relief for the dome-head screw.  It leaves a little more glue area near the face.

 

[RKA]

It’s just the way they are manufactured.  To release the plugs from the stock, a perpendicular cut is made across the bottom of the plug stock.  That cut is not perpendicular to the plugs, it’s perpendicular to the stock from which the plugs are made.  And since there is no reason to add a step to square off the plugs they don’t.

 

[dicktill]

Thanks for all the replies. The reason for my question (other than curiosity), was if I need to shorten a plug before installing it, do I still need to cut the inner end at an angle?

Regards, Dick

 

[semenza]

Thanks for all the replies. The reason for my question (other than curiosity), was if I need to shorten a plug before installing it, do I still need to cut the inner end at an angle?

Regards, Dick

I don't think so. As long as it fills the hole and is glued in place it doesn't really even need to go all the way in. I know I have had few that I couldn't get to go all the way. I just cut them off flush and sanded. Now that I think about it I might try regular dowels. It would be easier to push them in and since I almost always need to flush cut them what difference does it make if they are pre-cut at an angle shaped like the pocket hole? Hmmm  [scratch chin]

Seth

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks for all the replies. The reason for my question (other than curiosity), was if I need to shorten a plug before installing it, do I still need to cut the inner end at an angle?

Regards, Dick

I don't think so. As long as it fills the hole and is glued in place it doesn't really even need to go all the way in. I know I have had few that I couldn't get to go all the way. I just cut them off flush and sanded. Now that I think about it I might try regular dowels. It would be easier to push them in and since I almost always need to flush cut them what difference does it make if they are pre-cut at an angle shaped like the pocket hole? Hmmm  [scratch chin]

Seth

A regular dowel will show some end grain compared to the plug cut at an angle through the mother stock.

 

[semenza]

Thanks for all the replies. The reason for my question (other than curiosity), was if I need to shorten a plug before installing it, do I still need to cut the inner end at an angle?

Regards, Dick

I don't think so. As long as it fills the hole and is glued in place it doesn't really even need to go all the way in. I know I have had few that I couldn't get to go all the way. I just cut them off flush and sanded. Now that I think about it I might try regular dowels. It would be easier to push them in and since I almost always need to flush cut them what difference does it make if they are pre-cut at an angle shaped like the pocket hole? Hmmm  [scratch chin]

Seth

A regular dowel will show some end grain compared to the plug cut at an angle through the mother stock.

Mmmm, yup. I wasn't thinking of that. I don't use them anywhere that will show on a finished piece unless I really have no good alternative.  My use is either completely unseen (no need to plug) , painted, or in a place that isn't in direct view.

Seth