The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book
 Review
By Dean Bielanowski

Pocket Holes... you either love them or hate them. There is no doubt that when combined with glue, they make a very strong joint, and perhaps best of all, you don't require an armada of clamps for assembly. Readers may want to read up on our full review of the Kreg K2000 Pocket Hole System if they are unfamiliar with pocket hole joinery or its applications . Part of the 'issue' with pocket holes is that you are left with a very visible hole in which the screw sits. These can be filled with pocket hole plugs fairly easily and even make the holes a decorative feature of the piece, however, you are still either a follower, or non-follower of this joinery technique. Personally I happen to find pocket holes quite a useful joint in a number of applications. Finding books specific to pocket hole projects however, is a different story.

I have come across very few in the past. Woodworking author, Danny Proulx has compiled a new book with a load of useful projects made mostly from pocket hole joinery - The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book - published by Popular Woodworking Books. Let's see what kind of goodies one can construct with our pocket hole jigs!

Book Specifics
The 128-page softcover book (released 2004) is printed in full color and divided into 13 sections, 2 beginning chapters and 11 individual projects.

The Chapters
The first two chapters in the book form the introduction and base information on pocket hole joinery before you get on to the projects section. Chapter one - equipment and accessories - basically shows you a number of different pocket hole joinery systems available on the market today and the special screws and attachments that you require for each. Of particular interest in this chapter is a guide on making your very own pocket hole drilling jig. It is a simple system but suitable if you cannot afford the commercial varieties.

Chapter 2 looks primarily at all the different types of joints that can be constructed with pocket holes, each joints particular requirements and advantages/disadvantages. The chapter, like many others in the book is rich with quality photographs, so you are left with little doubt what the author is trying to explain.

The Projects
A nice variety of eleven projects are presented in detail in the book. I must say that most of the projects are quite simple in design and may not appeal to the seasoned cabinetmaker all that much, however, for the beginner or intermediate woodworker, or for anyone who owns a pocket hole jig and is looking for new ways to construct furniture and related items, the projects are quite suitable and can probably be built in a reasonably short amount of time.

The projects you will find in this book are as follows:

• face-frame and case joinery
• tall bookcase
• quilt rack
• window bench
• chest of drawers
• kitchen display and storage cabinet
• coffee and end tables
• sofa or hall table
• framed mirror
• pendulum wall clock
• child's wall clock

As you can see, the projects are more focused on common constructions that you would probably use every day of your life rather than ornate reproductions that can get too complicated. The projects featured do seem to be appropriate for pocket hole construction.

For each project, you are supplied with an exploded construction diagram. The quality of these are excellent. Hand-drawn, the diagrams leave you with no doubt as to how every component is assembled. Even the angles for the pocket screws are drawn clearly and cleanly. It's certainly a strong point for the projects. A full material list is included as well as a hardware and general supply list for completing the project. Material cutting diagrams are not supplied, however, the exploded diagram is marked by letters that correspond with the material list, so you have a good idea which piece goes where! I thought perhaps a cutting diagram from full sheet ply or wood (as required) would have been a helpful edition, although you shouldn't have too much trouble figuring it all out with a scrap of paper and pencil.

You are given a walkthrough on project construction via numerically labeled steps, each with a high quality photo included. I must say that the photos used in this book are probably the best I have seen in a woodworking book for some time. They are bright, clear and effective in illustrating the steps required to build the item. Small tips and tricks "boxouts" are scattered throughout the book giving you timesaving ideas and ways to perform a particular procedure to achieve better results.

Many projects in the book are designed to hide or conceal the evidence of pocket hole joinery, whereas others use the pocket holes (plugged of course) as a decorative feature. The framed mirror project for example is so easy to build, yet looks quite elegant and demonstrates a design that takes full advantage of using contrasting pocket hole plug species to enhance the look of the finished item. The pendulum wall clock achieves a similar result.

The designs of the hall table and end tables are basic, but functional. The kitchen display cabinet design didn't really take my fancy, but I guess its an individual thing. My partner has already got the quilt rack on my list of to-do's...

In terms of actual text, the project steps are well written. Sometimes you can read a book and the text just doesn't flow and make sense very easily.. you find you are having to read a paragraph several times before you get the full picture of what is going on. Danny Proulx has done a great job describing the processes in simple and effective terms.

If you have children, the Child's wall clock project is a good way to get them involved. It is a basic project that they will have fun constructing themselves once you have cut all your materials to size. Of course, adult supervision is also warranted, but their is some fun in it for them as well. A nice way to introduce them to woodworking.

Overall
The projects offer a good way to expand the use of your pocket hole jig. Even if the specific projects don't really catch your attention, by reading through them you will be sure to find new ways to use your pocket hole jig. Being one of the very few books on this particular subject, it is worthy of consideration.

Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book Photos
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An intro on pocket hole jigs and accessories...

The sofa table project...

Construction diagrams are very well drawn and presented.

The Framed Mirror project is simple but elegant.

Materials and hardware lists are supplied for each project.

The book is richly illustrated with step-by-step pictorials

Even the kids can have some fun!