How to Use Kreg 320: Detailed Step-By-Step Guide
Learn how to use Kreg 320 pocket hole jig and make pocket hole joints easily. This detailed, step-by-step guide teaches you everything you need to know to build projects.
If you have been around this website before, you know that I love building with pocket holes. Pocket holes make woodworking accessible to beginner woodworkers. Using pocket holes, you can make wood joints using only a power drill.
Kreg Tool Company manufactures the most popular jigs for making pocket holes, called Kreg Jig. The Kreg 320 is their most budget-friendly and compact pocket hole jig. It is loaded with simple and foolproof features, making it easy for any beginner to use.
Some of the advantages of the Kreg 320 are:
- It is budget-friendly, coming in at around $40 (at the time of writing this)
- It is compact
- Great for beginners who are just starting out and don’t want to invest in a large jig
- It is great for making pocket holes in large panels and plywood
- It makes pocket holes in angled boards easily.
- Great for making repairs or if you forgot to make pocket holes in a project.
Take a look at the comparison of the various Kreg Jig models.
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Video Tutorial
Parts of the Kreg 320
The Kreg 320 comes in a storage box that contains everything you need to make pocket holes and join the boards.
The parts include:
- The Kreg 320 pocket hole jig drill guide
- The material thickness gauge – helps you measure the thickness of boards ranging from 1/2″ to 1 1/2″. It is also a hex wrench that helps adjust the collar of the drill bit.
- Stepped drill bit with pre-marked common material thickness settings.
- Stop collar –
- Clamp adapter – works with clamps to hold the jig in place.
- Driver bit
- A few starter packs of commonly used pocket hole screws – 1 1/4” and outdoor 2 1/2“.
Features of the Kreg 320
Kreg has really put a lot of thought into this Jig to make it as user and beginner-friendly as possible.
The Drill Guide
The main part of the pocket hole jig is the drill guide which helps guide the drill bit at the angle to make the pocket hole.
The Kreg 320 drill guide has a spot to add the clamp adapter, chip ejection holes, thickness settings, and removable thickness stop.
On the back of the drill guide, the gray tabs help set the thickness of the board on the jig. This helps adjust the depth and location of the pocket holes to ensure strong joints.
Variable pocket hole spacing
This is the BEST thing about this jig. The drill guides and the spacers can be easily twisted apart and put together in various configurations to give you the spacing you need for your project.
Setting up the Kreg 320
Step 1: Measure Material Thickness
The thickness of the boards you are making pocket holes in is one of the most important things to note to ensure strong pocket hole joints.
The thickness gauge makes it super easy.
In this case, I am using 3/4” boards so this is the setting I will use on the drill bit collar and the jig.
Step 2: Set the Kreg 320 to Material Thickness
Use the material thickness and set it up on the jig using the two gray tabs on the back.
To slide these, you press on the ends and slide them up and down between the three settings on the jig. Once set to the required thickness, you will see the gray tabs in the corresponding holes on the front.
In my case, I am using 3/4” boards, so I set it up to 3/4“.
Step 3: Decide the Pocket Hole Spacing
The pocket hole spacing on the boards depends on their width. The great thing about the Kreg 320 is that you can easily change the spacing by twisting and separating the drill guides and spacers.
- For a 1×2 board, you want to remove the spacer completely.
- For a 1×3 board, you can keep the spacer.
You can also purchase more spacers if necessary for your application, though I don’t think that is necessary. If you need wider spaces between the pocket holes, you can always move the jig to a new location.
There may also be situations where you can only use one drill guide, like when working with angles. The Kreg 320 works well in these situations as well.
Making Pocket Holes With Kreg 320
Step 1: Clamp the Jig to the Board.
The Kreg 320 can be clamped directly to the board. You do not want to make the pocket holes without a clamp, which could be dangerous and lead to injury.
- Align the bottom gray tabs with the edge of the board. This is important to make sure that pocket holes are at the correct depth for strong joints.
- Add the clamp adapter to one of the holes at the top of the jig. Insert the clamp into the adapter, tighten the adapter around the clamp, and clamp the jig tightly to the board.
You can also clamp the board to the workbench to ensure stability while drilling the pocket holes.
Note: You want to make sure that the chip ejection holes are not blocked.
Step 2: Set the Drill Bit Collar
The drill bit comes with easy-set markings on the bit, making it easy to set up the thickness.
- Use the hex wrench in the thickness gauge to set the collar on the drill bit.
The included drill bit has easy-setting marks for the most common thicknesses. The depth collar can be moved to the required setting so the window is aligned with the marking and tightened.
Step 3: Make the Pocket Holes
It is time to make the pocket holes.
- Install the drill bit in the drill and ensure that the drill is set to the drill setting.
- Drill pocket holes in the workpiece through the drill guides. Once the depth collar hits the drill guide, the pocket hole is complete.
- Pull the drill out of the drill guide with it running to pull out any extra wood chips and create a clear pocket hole.
Joining Boards With Pocket Holes
To attach the boards together, clamp the two boards together. Be sure to use wood glue.
Depending on the type of joint, I highly recommend using a Kreg Face Clamp or Kreg Right-Angle clamp.
Attach the boards using the special square drive bit and pocket hole screws. You can use the screw size selector tool to determine the exact screw you need.
How to Use the Kreg 320 for Angled Boards
When making pocket holes in angled boards, you want to make sure that the bottom gray tabs stay aligned with the edge of the board.
This can be especially challenging when making pocket holes in beveled or compound miter cut boards. As long as the bottom gray tab is aligned with the edge of the board, you can make the pocket hole reliably.
See more about how to make pocket holes in angled boards.
How to Use Kreg 320 to Make Repairs
Whether you have an old piece of furniture that needs repair or you forgot to make pocket holes in a certain location, the Kreg 320 is a great solution.
Since it is so compact, it can be clamped almost anywhere to help make pocket holes.
In spaces where there is not enough space to add a clamp, you can add screws through the grooves on the jig to hold it to the board.
You can remove the material thickness stops to make the jig fit into tight spaces as well. Just ensure that you measure and mark the exact location of your pocket holes and clamp accordingly.
That’s it!
Kreg320 is a simple and versatile pocket hole jig that you can start using right out of the box.
More pocket hole resources:
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
