Creating pocket holes without a jig us one of the most common woodworking issues. A pocket hole is a hole that is drilled at an angle across the wood so that it forms a pocket where a screw is inserted. Pocket hole joinery is used as an alternative to using a nail gun. These are some instances when pocket holes are used:
- linking wooden pieces that form a right angle
- attaching flat pieces that are too thick or numerous for regular screws
- screwing items into the end grain of the wood (the edge showing the tree growth rings)
The end grain is the weakest part of the board so it’s recommended to drill straight through here. If you must screw on the board here, it must be done at an angle.
A jig is a tool that joins wood by drilling pocket holes. It is designed to install screws at an angle through wood.
It is possible to make a pocket hole without using a jig if you create a pilot hole beforehand. This will guide the drill later on and prevent the bit from breaking.
Mark the holes on the wood with a pencil. Use a ruler for this. A good measurement is ¾ to 1 inch from the edges.
Use a small drill such as a 3/16” bit to make a hole vertically (straight down). Upon reaching the desired depth, quickly lower the drill so that you are boring through the wood at an angle.
Push back as far as possible so the drill bit cuts through the wood deeply. Avoid letting the end of the drill bit resurface. Apply pressure until the bit pokes a hole through the other side.
This hole is just the pilot hole. For the pocket hole, you need a larger bit such as a 3/8 inch.
Position the bit on the same location. As before, you will drill down to the right depth, but you need to hold back since the bigger bit will cut more strongly. Tilt the drill backwards at a steep angle. And this time, stop drilling when you are ¾ inch deep in the wood.
When you are successful, you will have made a hole that is enough to cover the head of the screw that you will install in the wood.
Aside from a 3/8 bit, you may use a countersink bit. This will make a dome-shaped hole in the wood. Since this bit makes a big hole, you need to tilt it gradually. The advantage of using this method is that you are less likely to go too deep.
A pocket hole drill bit has a tip that makes a pilot hole before creating a pocket hole. This is used like the 3/16” bit. The difference is that you will only use one drill.
When you have made the pocket hole, drill in the screw. Be careful of screwing in too deeply or using oversized screws as their tips might poke out. The main purpose of pocket holes is to conceal the screws.
Remember that people have been using pocket holes for a long time before jigs were invented. You don’t really need this tool, but it is more convenient.
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