Woodpeckers Shelf Pin & Drawer Slide Template

[WillB]

Not to complicate your build  [tongue]

But a nice accent is the bushings you put the drilled holes...
Makes the shelf pin inserts feel so professional vs. just poking them in a wood hole.  I used them once years ago, and was happy I did...  LV sells them...

 

[xedos]

Would a Vix bit make a cleaner hole?

No as it still uses a conventional twist bit.  You want something that has side spurs, such as a brad point or a Forstner.

This isn't entirely accurate. 

While el cheapo vix bits typically have twist drills - it is not universally so.  I have one from euro ltd, and it has a brad point drill bit.  And a very good one at that.  Produces very clean holes.  It ought to for $50+ .

And, the Kreg bit in question is a brad point bit !  Just not a great quality one it seems.

 

[ChuckM]

And, the Kreg bit in question is a brad point bit !  Just not a great quality one it seems.

Good point. I wonder if it was the quality of the bit or if it was the speed of pushing the bit into the jig that caused the OP's tear-out problem. Granted, poplar is not hard hardwood and is more prone to tear-out. 

I'm picking up this set, and will give it a try:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/jigs-guides-and-fixtures/70090-kreg-shelf-pin-jig

I have both poplar and ply around to do some tests (I know other hardwoods like sapele are not much a concern when I do the shelf holes using the pegboard as a template). I'll see if my theory is correct that if you push the bit in gently to allow the bit to score the surface (not like using a pocket-hole jig), tear-out might be prevented. Stay tuned.

 

[Cheese]

This isn't entirely accurate. 

While el cheapo vix bits typically have twist drills - it is not universally so.  I have one from euro ltd, and it has a brad point drill bit.  And a very good one at that.  Produces very clean holes.  It ought to for $50+ .

Interesting, I’ve never seen a Vix bit with anything but a twist drill because Vix bits are usually used for hinges.

 

[xedos]

I think that was genesis for them, but lots of jigs no use them for shelf pins.
https://www.rockler.com/bench-dog-shelf-pin-jig
https://www.rockler.com/jig-itreg-s...-shelving-jig-set-template-self-centering-bit
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/milescraft-cabinetmate-drill-template-with-1-4-guided-bit
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/5mm-drill-bit-for-shelf-pin-jig

 

[ChuckM]

I picked up the Kreg jig and used it on a plywood and a poplar scrap. Some holes had fuzzy edges (which probably could be sanded off), but no tear-outs. As it turned out, blue tape didn't have much effect.

On the whole, the jig produced acceptable shelf pin holes.

 

[Packard]

I bought a good quality 5mm bit to try with my Kreg shelf pin jig.  It will not work with the jig.  Apparently Kreg uses the same jig for 5mm and 1/4" diameter pins.  The bushings are 1/4" diameter.  Their 5mm bit has a 1/4" shaft and tapers to 5mm at the ends. 

So the 5mm bit I bought does a nice job on the holes, but will not work.  Not sure what I will do going forward.

 

[Cheese]

I bought a good quality 5mm bit to try with my Kreg shelf pin jig.  It will not work with the jig.  Apparently Kreg uses the same jig for 5mm and 1/4" diameter pins.  The bushings are 1/4" diameter.  Their 5mm bit has a 1/4" shaft and tapers to 5mm at the ends. 

So the 5mm bit I bought does a nice job on the holes, but will not work.  Not sure what I will do going forward.

You could always try cutting up a couple of collet bushings and using those in the Kreg jig.
https://schmitt32.com/products/rolled-aluminum-bushing-for-1-4-collets

 

[Packard]

I bought a good quality 5mm bit to try with my Kreg shelf pin jig.  It will not work with the jig.  Apparently Kreg uses the same jig for 5mm and 1/4" diameter pins.  The bushings are 1/4" diameter.  Their 5mm bit has a 1/4" shaft and tapers to 5mm at the ends. 

So the 5mm bit I bought does a nice job on the holes, but will not work.  Not sure what I will do going forward.

You could always try cutting up a couple of collet bushings and using those in the Kreg jig.
https://schmitt32.com/products/rolled-aluminum-bushing-for-1-4-collets

The Kreg bushings are hardened steel; I don't think the aluminum bushing will stand up.  Perhaps a router bit with a 1/4" shank and a 5mm cutting end will work.

I will have to measure how long the shank will have to be.
https://www.amazon.com/Amana-Tool-4..._1_4?crid=1AAIUFD0HNLAU&dchild=1&keywords=5mm+router+bit+1%2F4+shank&qid=1605545476&sprefix=5mm+router+bi%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-4

CMT makes a nice jig but I cannot find a USA vendor: https://www.cmtorangetools.com/eu-en/systems-and-accessories/universal-boring-template