If you’re like me, your Kreg Pocket Hole Jig gets a lot of use. Which means the pocket hole drill bit gets a lot of use and drill bits don’t last forever. Today I’m sharing 3 signs it’s time to replace your pocket hole jig drill bit.
You may also enjoy these 9 Solutions to Common Pocket Hole Problems.
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I use my Kreg Pocket Hole Jig for nearly every furniture project I build, so it only makes sense I would eventually have to replace the drill bit. When I was filming the pocket hole plug cutter video (I love the plug cutter – it virtually makes pocket holes disappear!) I noticed it might be time for a new drill bit. Here are the three signs it’s time to replace your Kreg pocket hole drill bit.
3 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Pocket Hole Drill Bit
Cuts Like a Knife
If you drag a new Kreg pocket hole drill bit across a balloon, the drill bit cuts the balloon like a knife. If you drag a worn Kreg pocket hole drill bit across a balloon and it doesn’t pop, your dill bit is dull. It goes without saying a sharp object cuts better than a dull one. It’s time to replace you’re Kreg pocket hole drill bit if it doesn’t pop a balloon.
Pull Not Push
When you drill a pocket hole with a new Kreg pocket hole drill bit, the drill actually pulls itself through the workpiece and will be cool to the touch. When you drill a pocket hole with a worn Kreg pocket hole drill bit you may have to push the drill through the workpiece and the drill bit will be hot to the touch. It’s time to replace you’re Kreg pocket hole drill bit if you have to push your drill through the workpiece.
Clean Edges
Drill a pocket hole with a new Kreg pocket hole drill bit and you’ll see the edges of the pocket hole are clean and crisp. Drill a pocket hole with a worn Kreg pocket hole drill bit and you may notice the edges of the pocket hole are “fuzzy” or jagged and the hole itself may appear chiseled. It’s time to replace you’re Kreg pocket hole drill bit if your pocket holes are fuzzy or jagged.
Sharpen Rather than Replace
There is another option to replacing your drill bit. The Kreg Company offers a drill bit sharpening service. For about the price of a cup of coffee, you can send them your drill bit, they’ll sharpen it up as good as new and send it back to you.
FREE Pocket Hole Mistakes Guide
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Linda says
March 21, 2017 at 3:03 pmThat’s Why! I should have know because I sew a lot and needle do the same thing! Thanks for the reminder tip!
Scott - Saws on Skates says
March 21, 2017 at 6:18 pmYou’re welcome – glad I could help!
Cynthia Schuster says
February 12, 2018 at 10:48 pmHi Scott, I have a question for you I was using my Kreg 4 on 1×4 boards. I placed my Kreg on the 3/4″ setting on both the jig and the drill and I used a 1 1/4″ screw. But I noticed that the joints did not hold because the screws were too short. I decided to try the 1 1/2″ screw and that worked and held the joint.
What do you suppose I did wrong In not being able to use the recommended 1 1/4″ screw?
Scott - Saws on Skates says
February 13, 2018 at 9:26 pmHey Cynthia – That’s really strange. A 1-1/4″ pocket screw should have done the trick. Let’s get this figured out! Can you send me pics of the way you set up the drill guide on the jig and the way you set up the depth collar on the drill bit? If you can email the pics to sawsonskates (at) gmail.com I’ll take a look and help you get this sorted out.