Pocket Hole Jig for 1/2 inch material

[Vijay Kumar]

I have the Kreg K3 system. I now see that Kreg is selling a Micro drill system to fit in the other Kregs and claims it can make a smaller hole and is better suited for the thinner materials.

So all you pocket hole experts --Is it the right jig for 1/2 inch materials or just a marketing hype?

[Richard Coers]

Marketing hype? You need the center of the screw exiting near the center of the stock. So the location of the drill bushing must be located in a different place than when drilling 3/4" stock. To get a proper flat for the screw head, I would assume you need a different head size on the screw. I find Kreg to be a great company with wonderful customer service and fine engineering. Deception is not an issue with them.

[Pat Rice]

AE924A3E-012B-4393-852C-FE9A71CF5B3B.jpgI use the micro drill bit on my Kreg Foreman all the time making drawer boxes out of 1/2" Baltic birch plywood and use Kreg 3/4" screws, it works well for me.

[Dave Sweeney]

That micro jig is not new, it's been around for many years. Pretty much if you want to make stuff with 1/2" ply on a Kreg Jig you need the micro jig. A bigger issue is finding some real 1/2" ply, even with the micro jig you need to be careful driving screws into what passes for 1/2" ply these days.

[Vijay Kumar]

AE924A3E-012B-4393-852C-FE9A71CF5B3B.jpgI use the micro drill bit on my Kreg Foreman all the time making drawer boxes out of 1/2" Baltic birch plywood and use Kreg 3/4" screws, it works well for me.

Thank you all. Pat where do you find the 3/4 inch screws? Are these available in coarse thread. Links please?

[johnny means]

The main issue with pocket screws in .5" material is that the screwhead usually sits proud of the pocket. The ⅜" hole is to wide for optimal placement in the center of the board. The smaller set up scales the whole system down for a better fit. I wouldn't call that a gimmick.

[Vijay Kumar]

Never mind . It looks like the 3/4 inch length is available only in fine thread, suitable for hardwood but not plywood.

[Bruce Wrenn]

You can use standard Kreg jig to do 1/2" material. Kreg makes a "shim" to put under material to elevate it. Before I bought a micro jig, I made bunches of drawers using old jig and shim. Google "using Kreg jig on 1/2" stock." The answer will appear in the Kreg Owners forum. With this method, you use 1" screws, instead of the "standard" 1 1/4" screws.

[Vijay Kumar]

You can use standard Kreg jig to do 1/2" material. Kreg makes a "shim" to put under material to elevate it. Before I bought a micro jig, I made bunches of drawers using old jig and shim. Google "using Kreg jig on 1/2" stock." The answer will appear in the Kreg Owners forum. With this method, you use 1" screws, instead of the "standard" 1 1/4" screws.

Thank you Bruce and all for your feedback.

[Rick Potter]

I agree that coarse screws are called for on plywood, with it's soft plies, but real Baltic birch ply is all hardwood plies, and is quite hard all the way through. I would think fine screws would be OK, if that is what you plan to use.

[Jan Smith]

You can use standard Kreg jig to do 1/2" material. Kreg makes a "shim" to put under material to elevate it. Before I bought a micro jig, I made bunches of drawers using old jig and shim. Google "using Kreg jig on 1/2" stock." The answer will appear in the Kreg Owners forum. With this method, you use 1" screws, instead of the "standard" 1 1/4" screws.

This, I have the first version and it also came with spacers for 1/2” material.

[Bruce Wrenn]

This, I have the first version and it also came with spacers for 1/2” material.

Actually yours is most likely the second version. The first was aluminum, of which I have two.

[Jim Becker]

I have the older aluminum version like Bruce. I've use it for .5" material a few times by adjusting the stop on the step drill with no issue with 1" pocket screws. If I had to do that a lot, I'd probably opt for a separate, dedicated jig, but that hasn't been an issue for me due to infrequent need.

[glenn bradley]

AE924A3E-012B-4393-852C-FE9A71CF5B3B.jpgI use the micro drill bit on my Kreg Foreman all the time making drawer boxes out of 1/2" Baltic birch plywood and use Kreg 3/4" screws, it works well for me.

My experience mirrors Pat's. Well worth having.

[George Bokros]

You can use standard Kreg jig to do 1/2" material. Kreg makes a "shim" to put under material to elevate it. Before I bought a micro jig, I made bunches of drawers using old jig and shim. Google "using Kreg jig on 1/2" stock." The answer will appear in the Kreg Owners forum. With this method, you use 1" screws, instead of the "standard" 1 1/4" screws.

I searched per your suggestion and could not find anything concerning the wedge. I have a K3 and it did not come with a wedge.

Thanks