Pocket Hole Joinery

Get ready for the Simple Woodworking Bench project.

The bench project is assembled using nothing but pocket hole screws, which are all hidden underneath and inside. You won’t be able to see any of the screw holes once the project is assembled.

What is pocket hole joinery? Big pilot holes drilled at an angle through which self-tapping screws (they bore through wood on their own) drive into an adjoinery piece of wood. The pocket hole is essentially a guide guide hole for the screw. It’s pretty much the same technique as toe-nailing (nails hammered at an angle), which is how most stud framing is done – yep, the walls of your home.

This bench is built using 1x stock, which measures 3/4″ thick. For that, you’ll need 1 1/4″ screws. And, since the lumber is a hardwood (poplar), you’ll need fine thread 1 1/4″ screws.

Don’t have a pocket hole jig? Run down to Lowe’s to get one – they’re the largest retailer carrying it. There are a couple of versions available – the mini jig is about $20 (item #205297), a mid-level jig is about $40 (item # 255535), the next leve jig is about $100 (item #142733), and the top jig (which is a combination kit) is about $140 (item #168410).  I also recommend you pick up a right angle clamp –  #194999 – it’s about $28, but well worth it because it’s essentially a third hand. Go to Lowes.com and type in those item numbers in the search box and you’ll see them.

This video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7RqqWM2IXI which is pulled from the full video on building the bench, shows you the basics of pocket hole joinery.  Note: The jig you see here is an older version, but it works on exactly the same principle.