How to Make Pocket Holes WITHOUT a Kreg Jig

by Sabine Schmidt

A Kreg Jig is a helpful tool to have around the house. But if you're like me and don't want to spend $100 on a piece of plastic with holes, try this method. Yes, you can make pocket holes without a Kreg Jig. All you need is a drill.

Make Pocket Holes WITHOUT a Kreg Jig

I used a 1/4 in. drill bit. You can buy a drill bit set with 10 pieces for around $5 at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Start by marking off where you want the pocket holes to go.

Drill two pilot holes holding the drill straight. This is an important step. The pilot holes will keep your drill bit from breaking off.

Now you’re ready to make pocket holes.

Go back to your pilot hole and as you drill start moving the drill downward. The drill will lay low and almost touch the wood.

You have just created two pocket holes. You can make them as deep and long as you need them.

Take a screw and secure the wood to the other piece.

And there you have it – two pocket holes. It’s pretty easy, don’t you think?

I built a kitchen island using this method.

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Frequently asked questions

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2 questions

Joanna Sorensen on Nov 06, 2015
How deep did you make your pilot holes and how did you make sure you didn't drill deeper than that depth?

1
Linda Richards on Jan 10, 2017
how far back from the end of the board do you make your mark? or do you make it as long as the srew?

3

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3 of 90 comments

JL on Aug 23, 2018

Great idea! I’m going to try it for sure! Thanks!

3 Reply
NickB on Mar 12, 2019

I'm all about finding ways to save and do things inexpensively, and you're doing great in that direction. I just had a couple of reservations. I bought my kreg jig for about $40. I know theres a $100 version. So, 40s not too bad. If you're gonna do it on the cheap, you have to consider that the threaded portion of the screw is in the adjoining board and Only the unthreaded portion is in the board you're drilling the pilot hole into, otherwise it defeats the purpose. Having the thread ONLY in the adjoining board serves to draw the two pieces tighter and tighter together. Another consideration is having a washer head screw so as it pulls tight it's not trying to split the wood, here's an example https://www.rockler.com/drawer-front-adjustment-screws?sid=V9146&country=US&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZ3kBRCnARIsAIuAV_SmtHehtamz1ojxoZVVK5rZXBxRh0n1cDhmr08X9FWZJ484EGoomQQaAulNEALw_wcB

1 Reply
- Pie81729982 on May 02, 2023
  
  Using countersunk srews as in the photo above will definitely split the wood and make any saving obsolete. If one must use these inappropriate screws for this job, buy small similar size washers to fit under the screw heads. Much cheaper outcome than washer-head screws.
  
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