Question for the woodworkers.

[VvvJRvvV]

My wife has been bugging me about telling her something I want for Christmas. I want them to have a good Christmas, that's it. However, she is persistent. I have been looking at adding a few new items and was wondering if anyone had any experience with these. Links are below.

Adjustable Pocket Hole Jig
http://www.hobbytool.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=419

I have looked at the units by Kreg and they really feel cheap in your hands. This one is aluminum with steel sleeves, does everything the Kreg does for $50 - $100 cheaper, depending on where you purchase it.

Campbell Hausfeld 3-Piece 16-Gauge Framing Nailer Combo Kit
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=235343-1126-IFN90499AV&lpage=none

3 piece air nailer set from Lowe's. Price is $179 online and $189 in the store the last time I looked. Not sure on the quality of these nailers. I have a few other nailers, it seem each brand has it's +'s and -'s.

Any thoughts on these items? Thanks in advance for checking this out.

 

[dink]

My wife has been bugging me about telling her something I want for Christmas. I want them to have a good Christmas, that's it. However, she is persistent. I have been looking at adding a few new items and was wondering if anyone had any experience with these. Links are below.

Adjustable Pocket Hole Jig
http://www.hobbytool.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=419

I have looked at the units by Kreg and they really feel cheap in your hands. This one is aluminum with steel sleeves, does everything the Kreg does for $50 - $100 cheaper, depending on where you purchase it.

Campbell Hausfeld 3-Piece 16-Gauge Framing Nailer Combo Kit
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=235343-1126-IFN90499AV&lpage=none

3 piece air nailer set from Lowe's. Price is $179 online and $189 in the store the last time I looked. Not sure on the quality of these nailers. I have a few other nailers, it seem each brand has it's +'s and -'s.

Any thoughts on these items? Thanks in advance for checking this out.

First of all the adjustable pockethole tool is currently "out of stock" with hobbytool.com crappy handle on those and the drillbit doesnt drill straight...darn chinese...you might ask me how I know about there inventory...well the website is owned by Enkay tools...which I rep this line...actually its run by the owners sun Adam.....I have had alot of requests for the item but its on hold till they can find a better supplier for the handle....which should be very very soon

Company website
http://www.enkayproducts.com/

 

[SteveL]

Where to begin.............I have the Kreg Pro set up and although it is a lot better built than it looks, I don't find myself using it nearly as much as I thought I would. If you plan on building a bunch of cabinets out of plywood with face frames, a pocket hole jig will make life a lot easier. Kinda depends on what you do mostly.

Next, the 16ga nailer set..................something is a muck. A framing nailer is usually 10ga, finish nailer is either 15ga or 16ga, and the little gun looks like an 18ga brad nailer. I have 5, no 6 nailers now, but none of them are CH brand so I can't speak of the quality. I have Porter Cable, Bostich, Harbor Freight and Senco. Every where from 23ga pin nailer to 10ga framer and 1/4" crown staple.

If you have a compressor, I would get a better brand gun or two that focused on what you need. The 18ga brad and 16ga finish would be my suggestion but your miles may vary.

What about the Bosch 10.8v Lithium Ion Pocket Driver??? Will drive 3" screws with ease and is very compact and light weight. It's on my wish list this year! It can be had for $129 or less and is also available in a 90* version for a few bucks more.

Now, if you are a serious wood worker, the best gift you can get is a Lie Nielsen 60 1/2 low angle block plane!!!! I use this on virtually EVERY wood project in some way or another. At $125, it's pricey for a hand plane, but if you've never use a Lie Nielsen, you won't understand. I now have 15 or so hand planes and the few Lie Nielsens that I have are the first ones to get used.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[SteveU]

I just got an 18 gauge Porter Cable BN200 brad nailer off Amazon for $80 including shipping. I would stay away from kits and get the tools as you need them, you will get better quality & won't pay for something you won't use nor will you have to spend additional money to get something that actually works. (My $20 250ft lb tool kit impact that won't take off a tight lugnut comes to mind here) The Portercable 557 biscuit joiner is a nice tool which could be used for a lot of projects & don't forget the clamps, Bessey always ranks near the top there.

Steve

 

[ZRX61]

Campbell Hausfeld 3-Piece 16-Gauge Framing Nailer Combo Kit
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=235343-1126-IFN90499AV&lpage=none

3 piece air nailer set from Lowe's. Price is $179 online and $189 in the store the last time I looked. Not sure on the quality of these nailers.

Lowes has a 3 piece Porter Cable outfit for $199: brad, finish & stapler..

 

[VvvJRvvV]

I think I will be going with the Kreg pocket hole jig setup. It is around $139, if anyone knows of a cheaper place to get it let me know.

I took another look at that nailer set from Lowes. Below is what I found out.

Framing Nailer - uses 31 to 34 degree, .113 to .131, Clipped Head Framing Nails
16 awg finish nailer
18 awg finish nailer

I may end up going with this. I use/borrow these nailers equally from my buddy.

Those Lie Nielsen planes are very nice. I have used one but do not own one. I have several planes I use, my favorites are from my grandfather, who passed away several years ago, they are all antique. If I get a chance sometime I will post some pics of these.

 

[l_bilyk]

The kreg jig gets good reviews, but I wouldn't want to pay that much money for a pocket hole jig. You could probably buy a biscuit joiner for that much, or save it towards a festool domino joiner

 

[Willy Victor]

I think I will be going with the Kreg pocket hole jig setup. It is around $139, if anyone knows of a cheaper place to get it let me know.

I took another look at that nailer set from Lowes. Below is what I found out.

Framing Nailer - uses 31 to 34 degree, .113 to .131, Clipped Head Framing Nails
16 awg finish nailer
18 awg finish nailer

I may end up going with this. I use/borrow these nailers equally from my buddy.

Those Lie Nielsen planes are very nice. I have used one but do not own one. I have several planes I use, my favorites are from my grandfather, who passed away several years ago, they are all antique. If I get a chance sometime I will post some pics of these.

Some building inspectors will not let you use a clipped head nailer, has to be a round head.

Willy

 

[mjribeiro]

I have a kreg starter kit and lately have been using it a lot - I think I only paid 40-50 bucks for my setup - I haven't found anything it couldn't do yet.....Buy the step bits from grizzley, at 9.99 they are the cheapest I've found without sacrificing quality.

I have a senco accuset 18 ga nailer and it is a great tool. It's paid for itself 100 times over. There are sometimes I wish I also had a 15 or 16 ga finish nailer. But for most home projects the 18ga is perfect.

Also have a full head framing gun - If you haven't built your garage yet, treat yourself before you start.

On the compressor, you may need more than one. I have a heavey duty one in my garage, but a small portable one for bringing into the house to do trim work.