How to Drill Pocket Hole WITHOUT Jig

[ukstd]

Brilliant! I've done that with screws before - go in a little straight and then push it over but hadn't thought about doing it with the drill bit. You just saved me £50-100 thank you

[DrewJacobson]

Try using a (sharp) spade bit.
It leaves a self centering hole for the screw. Then use conventional screws but grind one side of the screw flat to create a “kreg” none splitting version. Works for me!

[mjremy]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No jig and I have to finish this cabinet. The price on Kreg is outrageous at $100 for a piddly bit of plastic made in China. I have to devise my own angled slot. Milescraft is a more reasonable price folks and just as accurate, by the way. $25 instead of $40 for basic model.

[pablor]

Pocket holes go on the outside, inside the joint is very weak. To cover the hole since they are all different, a dowel will not work, you would need to apply wood filler. Impact drill os overkill for small screws, not recommended. Cheers mate

[nathannguyen]

Everyone when they hear the screw going in: 😐

Me: Plerry the platypus

[austinalsobrook]

Done it for years like this. The best upside for the jig though is if you get in a hurry, sometimes doing it freehand, the angle will be off. But yeah, it can be done without the angle

[markhwebster]

Excellent tip! I do have the Kreg, and the only reason I like it better than your method is that the depth of the larger of the two shafts is fixed. This in turn allows me to control the depth of the pilot hole for the screw after it passes through the Kreg hole into the receiving plank. I measure and put tape on the pilot hole bit to prevent me from overdrilling through the other side...because the Kreg hole is of a consistent depth

[mlewisml]

Thanks for the post will definitely take the advice

[exogator]

I bought a homebrand pockethole jig for $30 that had 2 drill bits with it, used to drill them like you do but i need to do about 200 and they need to be consistant, had to buy genuine kreg screws, $11 for 100 isnt all that bad

[chim_richalds]

I think you have discovered the method that the creation of the jig simplified and improved

[joseph]

A proper tip would be to start with a spade bit the same size as the head of your screw just deep enough to hide the screw head. Then finish the hole will a 1/8 bit

[TheMr.George]

Could of used this 45 mins ago lol. Good looking out brother

[jessetovar]

Ok, so you do go all the way through or just half? I've seen folks say not all the way, and instead just as a pilot hole and let the screw make the break

[meanbean]

I know it's ridiculous how expensive piece of plastic is thank you for posting although I already knew this but wasn't even thinking about it lol❤

[Eclecticgardengirl]

Thank you! Quick to the point and exactly what this woman needed to know!

[jdmchickkustomz]

Thank you cuz I don't have the money for this special tool for pocket holes

[achiekronu]

Been doing this long time ago. Since I don’t have enough money to purchase guide.

[twoton]

What size drill bit you using initially?

[changodelaporcelainacanada]

Cool. Theres cheap pocket hole jigs an ali express

[valarmorghulis]

Pocket holes go on the outside of a 90* joint