Kreg Jig advice

Greg Guarino · 2012-04-11T14:18:59+00:00

I decided last weekend to knock together a quick project that will serve as a (musical) keyboard stand when I want to use my keyboard at home, and a bench the rest of the time. I'm using wood that I saved from the Ikea bed my daughter outgrew some years ago. Here's the basic layout: some of the wood it came from: will also have horizontal members around three sides maybe 8" up from the bottom of the legs. (I'm omitting the fourth side to allow me to use a damper pedal with the keyboard). In addition, I've cut 45 degree angle corner braces to go inside the top and two crosswise supports to prevent the seat slats from sagging over too long a span.I cut all the pieces before I thought too much about how I would fasten them. I bought a Kreg pocket hole jig and screws. I've never used the system before, but the video sure makes it look easy, and I've found the promotional videos are generally accurate ;)I'm looking for general advice, plus the answer to a couple of specific questions.How far apart should I space the screws at the ends of each support slat? The main ones are perhaps 5" wide. I assume I'll use two screws in each joint. How close to the edge is too close?Should I glue the joints also? This would involve scraping the leg pieces where the horizontal boards meet them, as the wood is already finished. That would be a minor drag, but I don't want the thing to "rack" (is that the right word, as in "become a parallelogram"?) when someone sits on it. The wood is solid, BTW. I got the "coarse" Kreg screws.Any further tips would also be appreciated.

Apr 11, 2012 29 Replies

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Dave 14 years ago

On Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:57:26 -0500, Leon

No, but it's just because of sheer stubbornness. About two years ago, just before I made my first Festool purchase (Domino and CT22), I bought a kit (5 tools and an accessory) of 18v DeWalt tools. And then, not too long ago, my tool dealer talked me into buying a 12v Li-ion impact drill. So, I have to wait until something dies, even a battery. I *have* been thinking of helping something along with a hammer, but hat would be cheating.

Well, I don't have a wife. Maybe I can borrow yours around Christmas time?

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Leon 14 years ago

Heck yeah! And give her the money like I did. LOL

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Pat Barber 14 years ago

about 10 years now and it is a way to do nice projects.

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Greg Guarino 14 years ago

Geez. I just had a quick look at some of your other projects. The TV stand is among the few that would be within my (current) skill range.

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Jack 14 years ago

When I bought my spiral, segmented cutter head planer instead of a cheaper 2 or 3 knife planer I did it because I appreciate the finer things in life. I didn't buy a Northfield however, knowing the 500 bucks I saved on not buying a $645 vacuum would pay for the quality cutter head on a good enough, affordable planer, it would not pay for a $20,000 Northfield planer...

Possible, I ain't gettin' younger.

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Jack 14 years ago

Yes, pocket screws are great. One of the few "shortcuts" I found that does what everyone says it does. I of course use the cheap $40 Kreg thing-ee:-)

I didn't glue at all since I've found that cross-grain and end-grain glue gains very little strength and that usually goes away after the first seasonal change.

Same, I never use glue with pocket screws, and it's meaningless in edge grain.

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Leon 14 years ago

See there Jack the Festool vac you are referencing and did not buy has already saved you $500 and you have not even bought it yet. ;~)

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Dave 14 years ago

On Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:38:43 -0500, Leon

Don't tell him that. He's confused enough at it is.

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Greg Guarino 14 years ago

After making a couple of test joints I decided to forgo the glue. Here's the result:

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without the top slats to show the structure:

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put about 450 pounds on it with no hint of wiggle. This pocket screw thing has real possibilities. I built a shelf for a chain saw (in a few minutes) yesterday with them also.

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G.W. Ross 14 years ago

I built a Japanese style bridge 8 years ago in the back yard. Initially I was going to put the rails on by mortising them into the upright posts. Decided to to it quick and dirty with pocket hole screws. I filled the holes with dowels, then sawed them flush with a LV flush cut saw. It is still sturdy and still looks good. Picture in ABPW.

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