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Tips
Nominal Size vs. Actual Size
At a lumber yard or home center you’ll see
labels on lumber such as “1x6” and “2x4.” These
“nominal” sizes once described the dimensions of
rough-cut lumber before it was milled to fi nished or
actual size. Actual size is always less than nominal
size.
The board-thickness marks on your Kreg Jig refer
the actual thickness of the board. For example, a
1x4 is actually ¾" thick, so you’ll set your jig to the
¾" mark.
Common Board Sizes
Nominal Size Actual Size
1x2
3
⁄4" x 1
1
⁄2"
1x3
3
⁄4" x 2
1
⁄2"
1x4
3
⁄4" x 3
1
⁄2"
1x6
3
⁄4" x 5
1
⁄2"
1x8
3
⁄4" x 7
1
⁄4"
2x2 1
1
⁄2" x 1
1
⁄2"
2x4 1
1
⁄2" x 3
1
⁄2"
2x6 1
1
⁄2" x 5
1
⁄2"
2x8 1
1
⁄2" x 7
1
⁄4"
4x4 3
1
⁄2" x 3
1
⁄2"
6x6 5
1
⁄2" x 5
1
⁄2"
3½˝
1½˝
4˝
2˝
Nominal
(2˝ x 4˝)
Actual
(1½˝ x 3½˝)
6 Tips to Reduce Wood Splitting
Test Pieces
Test the joint with scrap pieces cut from the same stock as your fi nal workpiece.
Make sure you’re using Kreg Screws
Kreg screws feature sharp, self-tapping tips that slice through the wood fi bers.
Use the Right Screw Type
Use fi ne-thread screws in hardwood. These #7 screws displace less wood than the #8 coarse-
thread screws used for softwood, plywood, MDF, and particleboard.
Screw it In, Back it Out
Drive the screw half-way in, back it out to clear excess wood fi bers from the hole, and then
drive the screw all the way in.
Reduce Friction
Apply bee’s wax or other lubricant to the screw to reduce the friction as the screw enters the
workpiece.
Clamp Correctly
Center the pads of your Kreg Face Clamp™ on the joint line with the large clamp pad on the face
side (opposite the pocket holes) of the joint. Adjust the clamp to apply enough pressure to keep the
workpieces fl ush and stable but not so tight to make clamping and unclamping diffi cult.
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