pocket hole jigs

[jd_1138]

I am going to build a small (30 inches wide by 18 inches deep) table/desk for the living room, so we can pay bills on it, put the laptop on it, etc.. I am going to use pre-turned table legs from Home Depot and 1x3's I guess.

I am going to put hinges on the top so we can keep stamps, scissors, envelopes, etc. under it.

I suppose Kreg makes the best pocket hole jigs? Is this one sufficient?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-8-25-in-Mini-Jig-Pocket-Hole-Kit-MKJKIT/100375609

 

[isr2kba]

I am going to build a small (30 inches wide by 18 inches deep) table/desk for the living room, so we can pay bills on it, put the laptop on it, etc.. I am going to use pre-turned table legs from Home Depot and 1x3's I guess.

I am going to put hinges on the top so we can keep stamps, scissors, envelopes, etc. under it.

I suppose Kreg makes the best pocket hole jigs? Is this one sufficient?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-8-25-in-Mini-Jig-Pocket-Hole-Kit-MKJKIT/100375609

I couldn't say that Kreg makes the best pocket hole jigs because I don't know. What I can say is that I have had the 2 hole Kreg pocket hole jig for quite few years and I have used it dozens of times. I'm very happy with it. When it finally wears out, I will buy an identical replacement immediately.

This is the one I have: Kreg 2 hole pocket hole jig

 

[rrich1]

look into the porter cable. i believe it doesnt need adjusting like the kreg. i have the k4 and it works great.

 

[signcrafter]

look into the porter cable. i believe it doesnt need adjusting like the kreg. i have the k4 and it works great.

The guy posted a link to a 20 dollar kreg jig asking if it was good enough for a table and you link to a 200 porter cable?

OP, I've never used the one you linked to. I have the bigger kreg jig and really like it. I've thought about picking up the one you linked to for times my bigger one won't fit. I'm sure the one you linked to will be fine for a table. If you plan on using it for other things in the future spend a little more and buy the next step up. Also make sure you have a clamp to hold that jig in place while drilling. And practice on some scrap because if you don't have the parts clamped together good when screwing them together they do move.

 

[Git]

The guy posted a link to a 20 dollar kreg jig asking if it was good enough for a table and you link to a 200 porter cable?

OP, I've never used the one you linked to. I have the bigger kreg jig and really like it. I've thought about picking up the one you linked to for times my bigger one won't fit. I'm sure the one you linked to will be fine for a table. If you plan on using it for other things in the future spend a little more and buy the next step up. Also make sure you have a clamp to hold that jig in place while drilling. And practice on some scrap because if you don't have the parts clamped together good when screwing them together they do move.

The OP asked 2 questions

I suppose Kreg makes the best pocket hole jigs?

As an owner of the Porter Cable version, I would agree with 'rrich1' that it is the 'best'

Is this one sufficient?

If your not going to use it very much - then yes, the $20 one is 'sufficient'

 

[Sal Bandini]

Yes it will work fine for your project. You don't need anything more. As an added bonus bring a 20% HF coupon and try to use it. It worked for me.

 

[Hornman]

I have that Kreg jig and I use it a lot. When I bought it I built a small table much like you describe as an exercise to learn the best ways to use the jig. Built the whole table with the Kreg pocket hole jig without a drop of glue.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Kreg jigs do a nice job.... just be careful, once the wife sees how nice the finished product is, you'll be using it a lot more.

As to the hinged top for stamps and envelopes, doesn't everyone pay bills on line?

 

[firworks]

I really like the HF Pocket Hole Jig: http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-pocket-hole-jig-kit-96264.html

But the bit that comes with it isn't as good as a real Kreg drill bit. My recommendation is to get that HF kit, and then buy a replacement pocket hole drill bit. If you use a 20% off on the jig it still comes in quite a bit cheaper than the Kreg K4. Also the bit that comes with the HF works, it just leaves the pocket holes a little rough. I usually chamfer them with a small pocket knife / carving knife.

 

[zkling]

I have two of the old all metal Kreg jigs. Two holes unlike the new ones that have 3 holes. I made a small single hole jig out of a block of aluminum. The single ones are nice for tight spaces or custom patterns, although a bit more difficult to keep lined up.

 

[jd_1138]

Kreg jigs do a nice job.... just be careful, once the wife sees how nice the finished product is, you'll be using it a lot more.

As to the hinged top for stamps and envelopes, doesn't everyone pay bills on line?

My 47 year old wife is a dinosaur.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions, guys. I never made pocket holes before, but it seems more elegant than screws drilled straight into **** joints, and going in at an angle seems more logical/strong.

 

[PelicanPines]

For what it's worth... I prefer using dowels.

I have the Kreg jig... I used the large version to build a small fire wood rack out of pressure treated 2 x 4s. I do like the Kreg in the other sizes too but always go with dowels.

I own several dowel jigs included a brand new DowelMax that my wife got me for Valentines day.

 

[LB-1911]

I never made pocket holes before, but it seems more elegant than screws drilled straight into **** joints, and going in at an angle seems more logical/strong.

Round up some scrap wood to practice with before you go live & take your time.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Round up some scrap wood to practice with before you go live & take your time.

BEST ADVICE !!

You will need some way to clamp it to the work piece. You also need to clamp the two pieces you are going to join when you install the screw.

Kreg screws aren't cheap, but they are the best I have found. Buy them in large quantity on Amazon.

 

[tjpavlov]

For around $100 Kreg bundles the small jig with the plywood ripper and some clamps. You can find that on sale sometimes. It's worth considering.

 

[southalabama]

I've got a kreg jig, dowel jig, mortising machine and a biscut joiner.

A kreg jig has become my quick go to.

It will work fine for your purposes.

Home Depot runs specials on kreg kits.

 

[kunkernator]

I have the 2 hole Kreg jig, and the clamp. I have built many woodworking projects using this, a few tables, shelves, a couple bench seats..... It works AMAZING.

At the time, the pocket hole screws were cheapest on Amazon, if you bought in large packs. So you may want to check that out.

Can't speak for other branded products, but I would be happy with any of the Kreg items. Don't let the plastic fool you, they have metal inserts, and I have never had an issue with the plastic.

 

[Honda 1]

I also have the two-hole Kreg pocket jig. It has been used on a number of projects and provides great results for its cost,$40.00. A well made tool.

 

[rharman]

It'll do the job on a small project. Just be sure you have it square and securely clamped.

It's addicting.... you'll probably want to step up to a better kit for future projects.

I have an older aluminum Kreg K2 and love it.

https://www.kregtool.com/about-us/news/company-news/the-kreg-jig-timeline.aspx

 

[ddawg16]

I have the Kreg jig.....I've been using it for years. It is actually more useful than the more expensive setups....just use a wood clamp or vice grip to hold it in place.

What is more important is when you get ready to screw the screw in.

Make sure you clamp the two pieces in 2 directions when you run the screw in. One clamp holding both pieces flush to a surface...the other clamping them tight against each other.

If you don't, when you run the screw in, because of the angle, it will pull one piece down and you end up with a lip.

 

[ddawg16]

BTW....

My other 'go to' tool is the biscuit cutter.

Because of it, and the Kreg, I doubt I'll ever use dowels again.

 

[Ehcrain]

I have that kit and use it often, I also have the two hole set but find the single is able to do more due to its smaller size

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Sticky Grips]

I actually run the harbor freight one and like it a lot.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Amazon has a couple of Warehouse Deals on some jigs. I just picked one up recently, the K4 kit with the HD set included.

The basic K4 kit is only $86:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...reg+pocket+hole+warehouse+deal&condition=used

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0044BBOQK/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

 

[406Rich]

HF one for me, picked up at a garage sale, cheap, with bits and collars, works great, now I`ll keep looking for a Kreg..note the brad point bits give a much cleaner hole...

 

[Git]

BTW....

Because of it, and the Kreg, I doubt I'll ever use dowels again.

Dowelling jigs have come a long way. There are now some very precise and easy to use jigs

I have this one - Jessem Paralign
http://www.jessemdirect.com/Paralign_Dowelling_System_p/08300.htm

 

[CSRPenFab]

Kreg pocket hole jig is the shiznit! Get one and you'll soon find it being used for everything! I sold my pricey Porter Cable biscuit joiner to a friend once I got my Kreg.

 

[todd_fuller]

BTW....
My other 'go to' tool is the biscuit cutter.
Because of it, and the Kreg, I doubt I'll ever use dowels again.

until you use a Domino.... I guess they aren't strictly dowels though.

 

[ratdoggy]

I am going to build a small (30 inches wide by 18 inches deep) table/desk for the living room, so we can pay bills on it, put the laptop on it, etc.. I am going to use pre-turned table legs from Home Depot and 1x3's I guess.

I am going to put hinges on the top so we can keep stamps, scissors, envelopes, etc. under it.

I suppose Kreg makes the best pocket hole jigs? Is this one sufficient?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-8-25-in-Mini-Jig-Pocket-Hole-Kit-MKJKIT/100375609

I have the one that can do two holes...
You will use it if you do any kind of woodworking...
BTW a drawer would make more sense than a hinged top.....
I wouldn't want to clear everything off the desk when I need a stamp

 

[ratdoggy]

BTW....

My other 'go to' tool is the biscuit cutter.

Because of it, and the Kreg, I doubt I'll ever use dowels again.

What is this "dowel" you speak of?

 

[rharman]

BTW....

My other 'go to' tool is the biscuit cutter.

Because of it, and the Kreg, I doubt I'll ever use dowels again.

Amen. Dowels are a pain. Just threw together a cover/shelf for my laptop at work. Biscuits & pocket hols - the only way to fly.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

I have the mini jig in the original post. Made tons of stuff with it, but it can be a little tedious to use if you have a lot of holes to drill. Because there are no guides, you have to mark and align every one by hand/eye.

I built this queen size loft with it.

 

[code4pay]

I have the mini jig in the original post. Made tons of stuff with it, but it can be a little tedious to use if you have a lot of holes to drill. Because there are no guides, you have to mark and align every one by hand/eye.

I built this queen size loft with it.

I thought this was a good easy way to improve the mini jig, I'm going to make our e for mine http://m.imgur.com/VRamHFj

 

[MushCreek]

I built all of our kitchen cabinets, including 33 drawers with the two hole Kreg jig. I love it! I also have a biscuit joiner, which I used to build maple counter tops.

 

[kv501]

I have the mini jig in the original post. Made tons of stuff with it, but it can be a little tedious to use if you have a lot of holes to drill. Because there are no guides, you have to mark and align every one by hand/eye.

I built this queen size loft with it.

Yikles, so the only thing holding that bed together is pocket screws with no wood joinery? I don't know if I'd have my kid up on that. Look at Matthias Wandel's YT videos where he tests glued and unglued pocket hole joints. It doesn't take squat to pull them apart, they are about the weakest wood joints there are.

If you don't want to get into mortise/tenon, etc. you can at least go with dowels which are orders of magnitude stronger than pocket joints.

 

[firworks]

Yikles, so the only thing holding that bed together is pocket screws with no wood joinery? I don't know if I'd have my kid up on that. Look at Matthias Wandel's YT videos where he tests glued and unglued pocket hole joints. It doesn't take squat to pull them apart, they are about the weakest wood joints there are.

If you don't want to get into mortise/tenon, etc. you can at least go with dowels which are orders of magnitude stronger than pocket joints.

What he showed in the video was that they don't have strength for supporting cantilevered loads. In that bed each of the horizontal members is supported on both ends so it's probably fine. The only part of it I'd be a little iffy on is the front where there is no cross member. It's probably still fine as long as it doesn't receive a strong side load and start to rack. For a bed I don't think I'd worry.

 

[Zeke]

until you use a Domino.... I guess they aren't strictly dowels though.

Looked into domino cutters. Now those are pricey.

I have the smaller Kreg that you can use anywhere, not just on the bench. A little hard to keep up with the setups for different thicknesses of material but once you do the first one, the rest are easy.

For that reason, I'd look into the HF one.

 

[BikerDad]

The Two Hole Kreg Jig, the R3, is probably the best value for your application. Because it has the registration lip, it will be easier to use than the Mini, although the Mini will work. Get the R3 and the Classic 2" Face Clamp and you'll be all set. I do not personally have the R3, but I did use it and the K4 to build a full set of kitchen cabinets with frame and panel doors. I now have the K5.

One thing to remember when screwing the pieces together is that adding glue to the joint makes it more prone to slipping as the screw starts to pierce the second undrilled piece. This can be really, really annoying, and is my biggest complaint with pockethole joinery. What you can do in response is clamp everything together, then screw it, disassemble, put glue in the appropriate locations and then reassemble. Doing so takes longer, but it also really reduces the shiftiness. One advantage to pocket screws over dowels is they minimize the number of clamps required. With most joints, once the screws are driven, clamps can be removed. As a result, you only need the clamps for the current assembly, not for the other X glued up assemblies that are curing. For non-alignment-critical applications, you can forgo clamps entirely and just screw things together.

 

[ilovevocs]

Yikles, so the only thing holding that bed together is pocket screws with no wood joinery? I don't know if I'd have my kid up on that. Look at Matthias Wandel's YT videos where he tests glued and unglued pocket hole joints. It doesn't take squat to pull them apart, they are about the weakest wood joints there are.



If you don't want to get into mortise/tenon, etc. you can at least go with dowels which are orders of magnitude stronger than pocket joints.

Fun police..... Roll up your Lead cords, beer thirty, the inspector is here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[todd_fuller]

One thing to remember when screwing the pieces together is that adding glue to the joint makes it more prone to slipping as the screw starts to pierce the second undrilled piece. This can be really, really annoying, and is my biggest complaint with pockethole joinery.

This is also one of my biggest complaints with pocket hole joinery too. It can be pretty fiddly getting a joint lined up perfectly unless everything is clamped very tightly. That screws really want to pull the joint out of alignment. I never bought on of their clamps that plugs into another pocket hole, so maybe that's the solution.

For me, the domino + a couple pocket holes is the perfect union for fast, utilitarian work. No clamping and perfect alignment.