Which Kreg jig to buy?

[robc in wi]

Actual start on the teardrop is a ways off but I have a few projects around the house where a Kreg set up would be helpful. In some of the build journals guys have used the basic jig, I'm curious what jig will work for basic wall and cabinet work on the teardrop. More complete sets obviously offer more functions but run about $150. I'm already catching flack for my recent power tool purchases so cheaper might better. Any recommendations?

[lrrowe]

I love my Kreg tools. In my opinion, I would not settle for less then this kit.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_3526-39450-K4MS ... 1172718694

Then a few other clamps along with a good assortment of screws would be in order.

[S. Heisley]

I bought the simplest Kreg jig set-up and was very happy with it.
But, then, I tend to be a "less is more" type of person.

[dales133]

Get the jr.
Gets into tricky spots better

[scooter bob]

I have the basic kit. Works great.

[halfdome, Danny]

I have the original aluminum with steel sleeve Kreg pocket screw jig that drills only two holes.


I paid about $125 for it somewhere around 20 years ago from Rockler.
I used it for building commercial fixtures and just about anything that my cabinet shop customers required.
I've used it for some of the construction of the teardrops that I've built, but use dadoes and plows where I can, as I prefer them over pocket screws.
In my opinion, the rest of that kit really isn't necessary .
It's something like the shovel & pick merchants of the old 49er gold fields making more money than the prospectors.
A lot of the jigs and tools of today are copies of what we'd make in cabinet shops to do the task at hand.
Here's the type of pocket screw machine used in cabinet shops and it only drills one hole, it's a fantastic machine.
Danny

[Esteban]

If I hadn't already purchased an expensive Kreg pocket hole tool set I'd be very tempted to buy a Harbor Freight Portable Pocket Hole Jig Kit that's now offered for $64.99. The reviews for it at Harbor Freight and at LumberJocks.com Harbor Freight Pocket Hole Jig are quite good.

Harbor Freight Pocket Hole Jig
Brand: Harbor Freight | Category: Other
Review rating: 4

GREAT FEATURES/GREAT VALUE!

A VERY HIGH 4 STAR

After much consideration and research, I chose the (dare I say it) Harbor Freight jig. I liked the aluminum construction, and the added flexibility of the unit over the much higher priced Kreg jig. (I think I paid $54, a couple years ago).

A second Lumber Jocks review of the Harbor Freight Pocket Hole Jig

Harbor Freight Pocket Hole Jig
Brand: Harbor Freight | Category: Other
Review rating: 5

Never liked holes in my pockets- UNTIL NOW! Click the pictures to enlarge them

I’ve always called Harbor Freight “God’s gift to men” and since there’s been a bit of hubub about this tool paradise on this site recently I thought I’d post some reviews of my favorite HF Gems…

This one I just bought TODAY and I already can see that it is among the best tools in the store! For one thing, this thing is extremely well made! That isn’t always the case at HF… ok… I suppose it is RARELY the case. But if you had this jig setting alongside the Kreig version, I guarentee you’d pick this one up to examine first. Why? Because it really looks great. While the $100 Krieg jig is mostly plastic, this is all aluminum. And I don’t mean that crappy cast aluminum. This is precision machined aluminum, and may be the only thing harbor Freight ever sold that is truely well made in every way.

The design is also very well executed. The heart of it are the guide holes, of course. There are two sets of two so you can drill a pair side by side in your piece. One set is at a steep angle for 1/2 to 1” thick material, the other set of guide holes is at a lower angle for thicker material. you can move the hole guides to adjust how far apart you want them using nicely etched measuring marks so no ruler is needed. Lock them in place with the knob and use the very nice, heavy duty hold down clamp to secure your piece and you’re ready to drill.

The bit is included as are a bunch of screws. Another nice feature is that you can remove the hole guide assembly from the stand and clamp it to large parts that the stand won’t accomodate.

Bottom line is- this Jig is WELL worth the price of $55 with a 25% off coupon (found regularly in woodworking magazines) and may even be better in many ways than the twice as expensive Krieg jig.

[Treeview]

My vote too...Harbor Freight.

[Nobody]

While building my TD in 2006 I figured it was a good excuse to buy a 'joinery' tool I'd been wanting so I bought the CMT Pocket Pro starter kit - http://www.woodcraft.com/product/826773 ... pj002.aspx -. Pretty sure I found it at a local store (Sutherlands??) for under $50 which is a far cry from the more'n $90 today . It, like the original that Danny has only drills 2 holes, but I mounted it on a piece of scrap formica covered plywood, clamped it to my temporary work bench & used it throughout construction of my TD. It did a fantastic job, I still have it, & wouldn't trade it for the most expensive Kreg out there if I was starting my build (or another) today...

[coyote]

A friend gave me the $99 one, I love it. Not having the rest, don't know what I'm missing out on, but this one does wonders.

[drhill]

Even the simplest (cheapest) Kreg jig will get the job done. You already own lots of clamps, or soon will if you are building a teardrop. So no need for a fancy jig with a built in clamp. The pocket jig also can be used places where a larger jig might not fit.

https://www.kregtool.com/store/c13/kreg-jigsreg/p114/kreg-jigreg-mini/

[Mary C]

drhill, Thats the one I have and it was given to me. I have made lots of holes with it and it is easy to use and works in small places. I'm happy with mine and if you do not do a lot of joining or building then it is the best one to get. investing in the larger one was just a no go for me, just wouldn't be a good investiment.

Mary C.

[bobhenry]

I bought all the kreg screws and bits but chose the H.F. clamping appliance. Last august it got a work out 186 pocket holes for Mom's new cabinet doors.


and 5 weeks ago it created 64 pockets on the 45 miters for the tractor barn doors. I could not be more pleased with the jig.

[azgreg]

Even the simplest (cheapest) Kreg jig will get the job done. You already own lots of clamps, or soon will if you are building a teardrop. So no need for a fancy jig with a built in clamp. The pocket jig also can be used places where a larger jig might not fit.

https://www.kregtool.com/store/c13/kreg-jigsreg/p114/kreg-jigreg-mini/

Saw that same one on Amazon for $13.79.

[robc in wi]

Thanks for the replies. I guess that I have narrowed it down to the Kreg junior and the Harbor Freight. The H.F. comes with a Phillips bit and I prefer square drive so would have to purchase that separately.