The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book

This book has some useful information about pocket hole jigs and their application but lacks specifics about things such as the choice of screw length for wood of differing thicknesses or what types of clamps work best for different situations. Some information about useful jigs for assembly or t-track assembly tables would also enhance the book. I would have like to see more information about competitive pocket hole jigs and the advantage/disadvantages of each model. The book seemed to really favor the Kreg jigs. Being a Kreg owner myself that sort of appealed to me but I would like to know more about alternative possibilities. Most of the book is taken up with practical application techniques in the form of building projects; however, the projects look like something out of the 1950s and not things I would be inclined to build for myself.

From reading all the glowing reviews here, I thought this book would have more, and better plans. Most of this stuff seems to be outdated, and just plain dull. The bookcase I am extremely disappointed with. The one that comes with the Kreg Jig is better in my opinion. Still this book teaches you about pocket holes, and where they should be placed, etc, so for that I'd say it's worth it. Just add your own imagination to some of these plans, and you will be fine. Isn't that what woodworking is all about anyways?Most of the book focuses on the Kreg Jig, but there are a couple different ones, including homemade. If you have just bought a Kreg Jig, and are new to pocket holes, this book is a great companion. I have not really found to many pocket hole books around, and most woodworkers seem to be prejudiced against pocket holes. I guess the purists do not like them for some reason, as they would rather wait for days for glue up's etc. The Kreg Jig makes one of the tightest joints I've ever seen, and makes most work fast, as glue really isn't even necessary, although I still use a bit.

The book itself is not as helpful as I'd hoped. I am a beginner who needs more visuals to learn basics about pocket hole drilling. I'm not yet familiar with a lot of the terms used in the book. I don't think it would take much time, however, to pick up once I have the basics down. The projects still need guidance from experienced woodcrafters. I am glad I ordered it since it gives me something to work toward.

I recently purchased a pocket hole jig for my son, who loves woodworking, and wanted to find him an instructional book to accompany it. This is a good book full of easy to make projects for the beginning/intermediate and skilled woodworker.

a little less thn i expected not enough on how to ues Kreg Jig

Good information ...just getting into Kreg jigs .... Nice practicing make big tool shelf with peg board back -with frame peg board door on hinges over the other pegboard so have 3 peg board sides to hang things .... Jigs worked great... shelving hole jig is great...

I have to agree with several others - way outdated. I haven't seen furniture like this since the 80's. The premise of the book is good - that makes it worth the cost. Danny Proulx is one of the best in the field of "how to" books for wookworkers. I've already started the sofa table - but, since I don't have any oak parquet flooring I think i will use cherry wood instead. <grin>.

These are projects that people can do with pretty basic wood tools, which is nice. If you have a tablesaw and router, you would be ahead of the game... I found a lot of projects could be done much more quickly using different methods and tools, then prescribed, but I think the point of some of the ideas was to show how to do things with less (in the way of tools, though it would take longer).The book has material lists, dimensions, etc. If you have a pocket hole love affair, this is a must buy. It even teaches you how to build a pocket hole drill setup! How cool is that? My favorite part of the book is the way it shows unusual joinery angles and suggests screw lengths for them. That is much better than trial and error...Loads of pictures, and great writing. Very simple projects that look very difficult when finished. The books projects' almost has a shaker feel to it, which I love. I am not huge on over the top ornate things... This is all about straight lines, great joints, and useful items. All projects here utilize items you can get just about anywhere. Costs are minimal due to the way these items are put together.From my memory, I believe the book covers how to make:A couple clocks, accent table, end table, quilt rack (very cool), mirror, and a frame... I know there is more than that though....Most items are made from red oak in the book, but these items can be made from virtually whatever wood one desires. I highly recommend this book, regardless of skillset. For me, the materials lists and plans were enough to make it worth it. It doesn't hurt that I love most of the designs too...

I don't have the book in front of me though it made a HUGE impression on me when I first read it and I'm writing it with the perspective of what it taught me and hindsight.Pocket holing was something of a mystery to me till I bought this book, which presented me with a series of Ah-ha! moments and saved me buying The Wrong Stuff.His designs are really simple and capable of boggling attractive results with no joinery experience needed. The essential tools are a) a pocket hole jig and b) a mitre saw. The system relies on being able to cut square ended bits of stick, and the m-saw is the surest way of doing it (every bloke should be given one as a rite of passage anyway, together with a good cordless screwdriver and a drill. With these he can basically build anything from a chopping board to a house. I digress)Mitre saw? Oh, yes, miter saw. sorry. It'll give you square ended pieces of wood, from which joints basically self-align. If you've the skill to do this with a tenon saw, you're perfectly capable of cutting mortice and tenon joints or dovetails and probably won't have much use for pocket hole joinery. You need a mitre saw, period. Panels can be cut by any good wood yard, but you need to cut sticks.The book.. explains it all, really. Step by step and in detail,though as all America-based authors do, he assumes everybody can purchase good-quality, imperial-sized "lumber" rather than the hydroponically-grown warped and undersized tat that seems to be all that the DIY superstores in dear old Blighty seem capable of gutting us with. Try getting a piece of "three-quarter inch maple" or "quarter-sawn white oak, inch thick..." over here without having to sell body parts to cover the cost. The method still works regardless, and with a little translation it's possible to apply the ideas to 18mm soft pine when you can't find 3/4" cedar, for example.I'm not terribly keen on Danny's use of contrasting filling plugs to make a feature of the holes (see the book cover for the emphasized oval hole plugs.) It can give everything a mass-produced gift-shop look and is contrary to the whole hidden fixing raison d'etre of the system, but it's an interesting technique nevertheless and may appeal to some. It may be a cultural thing - folk from the rebel colonies tend to go in for contrasting woods in their pieces whereas we subjects of King George tend to prefer a more repressed and unadventurous conservatism in our furniture.Other than for these minor issues, which are very subjective and beyond the issue of directly applying the information in a non-USA location which is, arguably, no failing on the book's part, I recommend the book wholeheartedly. As I can't give it 9/10, I'll have to gve it four stars.

Ok. Was hoping for a bit more innovation using the different pocket hole jigs - but this is my error and not theirs. The project themselves look great, and I will have a go at a couple during this winter. Good.

The book Explains each project in a way that allows you to adapt the techniques to your own design .I have been using the Kreg Jig Jn for basic construction projects and having now purchased the book it explains how to have ago at the more advanced designs with confidence.

Really good book, very informative...

This is a very good book if your looking for some projects for your new Kreg jig.I've only been making things out of wood for about 8 months, and I've made 2 of the bedside cabinets using these plans.The plans were very easy to follow.