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I have some dated step drills from various Kreg jigs. They have a standard drill shank unlike the newer drills with the hex shank. While shopping at a Menards store I saw an adapter called a "Quick Change Pocket-Hole Bit Adapter" and of course it was on sale.

Today I had the time to check it out. This first image shows the two type bits I have. The hex is the new version and the straight 3/8" shaft is the old version.
The adapter accepts the 3/8" shaft and locks it in place with two setscrews. The hex shaft now stays mount to the bit. Operationally it works just like the new bit.
This saves time because now you can use just one drill and quickly change from drill to driver using a quick change chuck. Or so the story goes.

Ed

Considering your 'plethora' of tools, why not just attach the different bits to different drills?

I do have a plethora of tools and yes a second drill for the bit has been how I have been working. However having two drills at the bench takes up a lot of room and since they look alike I've found I'll pick up the wrong one a time or two which wastes time.

For others who don't have a collection of drills the $4.99 adapter is a lot cheaper then another drill.

Ed

In the instructions of the Kreg kit I have says do not use a battery powered drill to bore the holes with Kreg jig. So I usually bore the holes with a corded drill and drive the screws with my cordless that has torques settings.

Until Kreg removes that warning from the instruction that is how I will do it.

Ed in Tampa wrote:In the instructions of the Kreg kit I have says do not use a battery powered drill to bore the holes with Kreg jig.

WHY wood it make a difference as to what it's powered by? Both are powered by electricity.

beeg wrote:

Ed in Tampa wrote:In the instructions of the Kreg kit I have says do not use a battery powered drill to bore the holes with Kreg jig.

WHY wood it make a difference as to what it's powered by? Both are powered by electricity.

I didn't know so I went to look it up. Much to my dismay I could not find the warning. I did however find other warning that must have triggered in my mind the reason I thought you should not use a cordless drill.

On page 30 of my Kreg book Under general FAQ
The question is asked.
Why do I need to use a 2,000+ RPM drill to make pocket holes?

A drill that is rated at 2,000 RPM or above is considered a woodworking drill. RPM's below that are normally seen in metal working drills. The higher the RPM, the cleaner the hole and the longer the drill bit lasts. A 1500 RPM drill will do the trick but you will see slightly more wear of the bit over time.

Since none of my cordless drills turn higher than 1300 RPM and all my corded drills are rated at 2000 RPM or higher I must have made a mental note never to use a cordless drill to drill holes with the Kreg jig.

Sorry for the incorrect info where I said Kreg said never to use a cordless drill to drill holes with their jig.

Well Ed I too recall the days when they said to use a corded drill, maybe for the purpose of getting the higher rpm range?? Later purchases have seen that instruction out.

The holes do come out cleaner at speed but most of the time my joints are hidden or inside of the box so I don't care how clean they look. BTW I think the top speed on my current drill/driver is 1500 in the high range but I could be wrong.

What further interests me is that Norm, Scott, Tommy, and the workshop guys always show using a battery drill and Kreg is often a sponsor of the show. Anyway I've used mine a lot and love how well the system works. I plan to keep using it as I have been, with my current battery drills.

Ed

+1 I use cordless drill. Don't own a corded drill and don't plan on owning one. I have used cordless as far back as I can remember with my Kreg stuff.

Jack

reible wrote:Well Ed I too recall the days when they said to use a corded drill, maybe for the purpose of getting the higher rpm range?? Later purchases have seen that instruction out.

The holes do come out cleaner at speed but most of the time my joints are hidden or inside of the box so I don't care how clean they look. BTW I think the top speed on my current drill/driver is 1500 in the high range but I could be wrong.

What further interests me is that Norm, Scott, Tommy, and the workshop guys always show using a battery drill and Kreg is often a sponsor of the show. Anyway I've used mine a lot and love how well the system works. I plan to keep using it as I have been, with my current battery drills.

Ed

reible wrote:Well Ed I too recall the days when they said to use a corded drill, maybe for the purpose of getting the higher rpm range?? Later purchases have seen that instruction out.

The holes do come out cleaner at speed but most of the time my joints are hidden or inside of the box so I don't care how clean they look. BTW I think the top speed on my current drill/driver is 1500 in the high range but I could be wrong.

What further interests me is that Norm, Scott, Tommy, and the workshop guys always show using a battery drill and Kreg is often a sponsor of the show. Anyway I've used mine a lot and love how well the system works. I plan to keep using it as I have been, with my current battery drills.

Ed

Well it might just be the episodes I caught but I always see Scott of American Woodworking using corded drill to drill the hole and cordless to drive the screws.

Hey Ed,

I don't catch all of his shows and since they are on PBS I'm not sure how new or old this one is, it is where he makes a drum. The battery drill is drilling the holes for sure in this one. I'd be interested to know if this is a fluke or if he now uses battery drills more often?

This is a frame of one I just happened to watch the other day.
Ed