I've met Kreg

No, Kreg isn't some new man in my life.  I already have the only two I'll ever need.

I had never heard of Kreg before a year ago, when I started back into DIY building projects again; Kreg started showing up in many blogs and tutorials and plans; I didn't know this Kreg, so I did more research. 

Oh...pocket holes!  I know pocket holes!  Still confused? That's ok....hang on, and I'll fill you in!

Pocket holes are a type of joinery...that is, a way to join two pieces of wood.  It's an easier way than other ways that require of lot more skill or access to parts (like the inside of a chair) to form a tight joint.  Pocket hole joinery starts with (get ready:) a hole(!) drilled on an angle, in which you drill in that pre-drilled hole and connect your pieces in a tight, strong joint.  Still confused?

 Does a picture help?

To drill the holes, you need the guide (called a "jig") that places the holes at a precise angle for the size and width of the piece you are working with.  You know what comes next, right? Yep....I was off to Lowe's to buy my very own Kreg jig.  The first two people I asked were staring at me and said "a what?";  finally helpful person #3 knew what I wanted, and got me all set. 

I came home so excited, and set off to make my first kreg jig joinery ... thing.  To a big fail.  So I tried again (failed again), and then took the smart way out: I read the directions. Yep, I can be like that.  I get so excited to get going, I don't want to waste time reading the directions.

The nice folks at Kreg have written really nice directions, and after another attempt, then reading the measurements correctly, I had my first perfect joint. Yay!

I tested it: banged on it, beat it against the workbench, and yep, it's a tight, strong joint.

So now what?  Well, here's what!

This pile of wood came home with me last Monday for a new project.  But then I took that 3 hour tour to nowhere, and here it still sits. 

But this week is different, for a few reasons. 

I have more free time, and I'm determined.

This project is much needed, and timely.

It will help clean up a mess, and get me started on another needed cleanup project. 

Curious? Stay tuned!