Pocket hole jig drill bits.

[dbhost]

So as of late, I am getting rough cuts / tear out with my Drill Master pocket hole jig / drill bit. When I first got the jig, and for the longest time, it cut nice clean holes, but they are getting nasty.

Which leaves me to wonder, the bit seems like it is dulling... so replacement... But are all pocket hole jig drill bits the same size? Can I use the oh so common bits for a Kreg jig?

Anyone else here with the Drill Master jig replace their bit yet? What did you use?

[LCHIEN]

Kreg step bit is like 3/8" diameter with 1/2" long pilot 1/8" dia. IIRC. Yup that's correct, I just checked.

two things: Kreg uses 15 degree angle. I think HF drill master is slightly different 12.5 maybe?

If you drill too slowly you get ragged holes. Kreg recommends at least 1800 RPM. Are you going fast enough?

[dbhost]

Full speed on my hand drill, however fast that goes... Ryobi is kind of vague with specifications on this thing... It is the old Clutch driver / drill corded. Basically a 3/8" VSR drill with a keyless clutch style chuck. It cuts better / cleaner if I plunge a bit, pull out, say 1/4" at a time to clear debris from the hole...

[LCHIEN]

Some of those battery drills are not that fast. Should say max rpm on the label.

The other issue with PHD is that the drill speed should be more than 1800 RPM while you set the screw the driver should be torque limited to prevent stripping the hole and the drill driver should probably be lower than 300 RPM

What drills the hole properly will rip out the screw threads quickly. While I mentioned its nice that its easier to swap bits now, its also more dangerous!

FWIW my Craftsman C3 drill-drivers have a H & L speed switch which gives 0-1400 RPM and 0-400 RPM respectively.
When doing lots of PH I like to use a corded drill which does 2000 RPM to drill the holes. That was back with my old PH bits which had a 3/8" shank anyway. And a separate cordless drill driver to set the screws.

[dbhost]

This isn't my cordless stuff. It's the old blue corded 3/8 drill with a clutch / keyless chuck.

[nicer20]

Some of those battery drills are not that fast. Should say max rpm on the label.

The other issue with PHD is that the drill speed should be more than 1800 RPM while you set the screw the driver should be torque limited to prevent stripping the hole and the drill driver should probably be lower than 300 RPM

What drills the hole properly will rip out the screw threads quickly. While I mentioned its nice that its easier to swap bits now, its also more dangerous!

Yep. I also use corded drill when drilling pocket holes. I also make sure the drill has reached full speed before making contact with the material.

Kreg's drill bit is the best - but I have found that Milescraft drill bit isn't that bad as an alternative. (https://www.milescraft.com/product/pocketbit/)

[Dedpedal]

I wonder if the sleeve/guide is getting wallered out some and letting the bit wander.

[dbhost]

Possible, but not highly likely, its not like it is a sloppy fit...

[capncarl]

I think expecting flawless holes with no tear out is expecting too much for a blunt drill bit plunging into the top of the wood at about 10 degrees. It does happen sometimes and is probably wood related but the bit dulls as is being shoved down the sleeve at speed. I always thought that the bit should be inserted before starting the drill motor. My old Kreg single hole unit is over 10 yrs.old with countless drillings and it still shows no wear on the bushing.

[dbhost]

I'm pretty sure it is the bit, it's, well not the sharpest tool in the toolbox...

[LCHIEN]

Dave, we all anxious to hear what the sharpest tool in your shop is? :-)

[leehljp]

I got two new ones from Rockler about 5 years ago, an 15° angle headed one and a flat headed step drill, both from Kreg.

They are available from Amazon also.

[LCHIEN]

I see on Amazon there are a lot of vendors selling Kreg-like replacement step PH drill bits.
What's curious to me is that they sell either pairs (one full shank and one 1/4" Hex shank) or two pairs (2 of each).
Why is that?
If I was buying I would want the same type of shank for all of mine. Not one of each.