Glad I could help Dawn. But with a face frame jig like the General Tools face frame jig system (a Kreg jig alternative) youll be able to quickly set, clamp and drill face frames. And last, but not least, the length of the screw must match the depth of the hole and provide a secure connection without breaking the surface of the wood. ***This post contains referral or affiliate links. See a detailed tutorial of how to use the Kreg 520 here. Which is why I like to try out a test scrap first, verify depth is correct and then proceed with drilling the projects holes. Must-Have Kreg Tools Accessories For Beginners, 10 Pocket hole tips and tricks to build like a Pro, detailed video course on all things pocket holes, How to use Cricut Hat Press for Beginners, NEW Kreg Tools for Joinery, Hardware, and Workshop A Review, A hex wrench to adjust the depth collar (may include a material thickness gauge). Unfortunately it isnt. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. It works well. Justin, I can't think of anything you can't do with the Kreg Mini Jig but it's a bit slower because you have to stop and measure the spacing if you're not on 3/4" stock. All rights reserved, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! While the cost and portability of the 520P is appealing the dust collection with the 720P is equally desirable. Harbor Freight Jig works well. It includes: It is a little bit of an investment to get the docking station to upgrade your Kreg 520 jig. But these are a great purchase, regardless, and have many uses in a shop beyond just pocket hole clamping during drilling and screwing. When determining what types of screws will work in a pocket hole you should consider a few things. The micro drill guide helps create smaller pocket holes by about 25% and works for thick material or very narrow boards. 9 Pocket holes are great beginner-friendly joinery. And, for different thicknesses of wood, the jig will adjust the hole up or down to allow for a longer screw to be used. Thanks for the info! The docking station for the Kreg520 is an entire package that helps transform the portable jig into a benchtop jig. Confused about the Kreg Jig models?
Please read my full disclosurehere***. ), ( (3) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. So for $40 I get the JR and a free $15 clamp!I will be building the DIY Server Rack from your site! The plug cutter drill guide kit helps cut pocket hole plugs. If you are the occasional user, you may be ok with a pocket hole jig that takes a little time to set up. Using micro-jigs and need plugs? Instead, they work on sawhorses, or on their driveway or patio. If you havent purchased a face clamp before then most of the lighter duty pocket hole jigs will drive you to buy one. thanks needed this review as I am just going to buy one and was not sure what one I needed so this was very helpful :-). While my bench has a Kreg K5, the 720 Pro will be my next upgrade. Third, the screw head design matters as a hardwood will require the screw head to match the contour of the hole (flat head, typically). Just place your board in the jig, close the clamp, and youre ready to go. Lastly, when pocket hole plugs are seen some applications using contrasting woods like maple and purpleheart to create a design and call attention to the joinery. Then its possible a $100 jig is interesting but youve experienced the slowness a place, clamp, drill, clean and reset. Not sure I can afford a some of the more costly KJs would I be able to get away in only using the Mini Pocket Hole KJ? In addition to the jig itself, the set also includes a 2 classic face clamp, free project plan, and 100 screws. Each of the models achieves the process of making the pocket holes with varying degrees of ease and efficiency. With that, if youre not sure on options for a woodworking clamp check out our cabinet clamp guide. Make cabinets and furniture on a regular basis? However, before jumping in and buying your router, its best to pick a router lift and router together. Judy Bennett. Hi I went for the Kreg Jr. Pocket Hole Jig since I have limited space and it was more mobile. ), ( When choosing a pocket hole jig it is worth understand they actually come in many variations: In February 2021 Kreg released a complete re-design of their popular pocket jigs. You should be able to use other screws though provided they meet the same specs as far as length and thread density. I'm new to this, and your explanations are very helpful. It is filled with tutorials about pocket holejigs, pocket holejoints, and lots more information. Well, theres a jig for that. They have been around for a long time and have multiple models of Kreg Jig available. All the Kreg Jig models are very user-friendly and great for beginners. ), ( As a woodworker with over 25 years experience, 100+ kitchens built and many other projects Im sharing my tips, tricks and tool choices on this site. Well, based on my use and research I have found over 18 different variations of pocket hole jigs that range from single hole jigs for under $20 up to $500 pocket jig workstations that are built for industrial use. 8 It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services. Signup for a FREE hardwood directory that organizes 300+ hardwood retailers across the USA. I find it easier than trying to find similar screws from different brands. The best thing about pocket holes is that you can use them not only to build but also to repair older furniture. I also have a detailed video course on all things pocket holes and Kreg Jig. I use them to build almost every one of my projects. This is a jig I wish I knew about before I built my last cedar deck. Even though I use the now obsolete Kreg K4 in that demonstration, the basic concepts remain the same. While an avid woodworker needs a more complex system, if your project is small and re-use to-be-determined; a simple clamp on jig is fine. However, it is also included with the Kreg720PRO package (explained below) and I would recommend getting that instead if you have the budget. 2 square drive, 1-1/4 hp motor floor-standing electric, fully-automatic pocket hole boring, Flat step of drill bit ensures that bottom of pocket hole is perfectly flat, Hardened steel drill guide ensures consistent hole placement whether the, Simple design results in very fast drill bit changes, No need to worry about depths of holes and screw lengths, Fast and easy to cut for high volume jobs. The Pocket hole jig clamp helps clamp the Kreg720 to your workbench. With a heavy duty jig youll be able to bore for a larger diameter screws and achieve a stronger joint than the standard duty jigs. Thanks - very helpful info! 7 The Pocket-Hole Jig 320 is Kregs more advanced portable solution. Doesn't solve the clamping problem though. A full written article with concise information is below as well. 5 I love it when you use my site for inspiration, but by using it, you agree that you do so at your own risk. The pocket hole jig clamp is only $15 and in my opinion well worth the investment. In this section well get specific on the best pocket hole jig for your needs. Cant be used easily for furniture repair. Hi! Disclosures: (1) If you click a link on this site and buy something I will earn a commission. After youve carefully selected your wood pieces, cut them to length and are ready to drill pocket holes youll want to place and mark all joints. A square drive bit to help drive the pocket hole screws. The product ships with all relevant accessories, Works with materials from 1/2 to 1 1/2 thick (12-38mm), Pull the lever to start the motor, engage the clamp and drill the hole, Compatible with micro, standard and heavy duty bits, And, for control of your workpiece a 14 x 23-1/2 table top, Clear directions on which pieces are connected both during drilling and later during assembly, Clamping clarity for knowing the face and back of the frames, Metal swivel pads to ensure no marring on your work piece, 2in jaw capacity with 2.25in throat depth, Thumb screw allows for quick and easy adjustment of jaw capacity, Clamp on a variety of material thicknesses up to 2-1/4in (57mm), Picture frames while hidden, a plugged hole provides a complete finish, Table top joints where they may be felt (especially if close to the edge), Visual contrast where the pocket hole plug is part of the finished surface, Plugs require minimal sanding to match pocket angles, Package sealing prevents warping from moisture, Hardened drill guides guide bit reliably feature a lifetime warranty, Special fluting reduces heat, friction for better plugs and longer bit life, Works with standard Plug Cutting Bit (included), Midwest red oak is slow growing versus warmer climate causing variations in color and texture of grain, Certain red oak species appear orange while others can be a paler white, Old growth wood tends to have a denser grain pattern, Includes self-tapping screw sizes for pocket-screw joinery, All Kreg screws feature a deep No. If you're not a full time carpenter and just like to build things from time to time because it not only saves money but it's fun, it's important to not spend a lot of money on tools that will collect dust. Sometimes you need to Free woodworking plans for an open frame or enclosed 20U Server Rack for home or small office. A pocket hole is an angled hole that is drilled into one board. Read on! Seems to me that with the Mini it would be pretty easy to measure carefully once and then build your own guide for the setting the collar, no? It can get overwhelming to anyone really fast.
I have a few rack mount servers that I Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 cable is frequently used for wiring telephone jacks. The Kreg320 is a perfect beginner pocket hole jig especially if you want to try your hands at pocket holes without committing to it. Here we are going to only focus on the most common models. It is only $15 and in my opinion well worth the investment. Or even waist-aprons for compact tool storage? First, the purpose of the pocket hole jig system is to ensure the screw and its path into both pieces of wood are ready for installing a screw. What is it that you will use it for most often? And thats where a pocket hole joinery system wins over on assembly time. If you havent used a pocket hole system before the first surprise is how much clamping youll need to do. Today, I am breaking it all down into bite-sized pieces and helping you understand the capabilities of each model, pros, and cons, and most importantly how to decide which one to pick. More on that below. ), (
If you build with large sheets or panels, you want to get a jig that can be easily clamped to them and moved around. And thats where pocket hole plugs come into play to cover the hole left by the jig and the installed screw. So how do you compare the dozens of jigs available and decide whats best for you? Last update on 2022-07-21 at 14:23 / Images from Amazon. Hope that helps. 15 ), ( After using every type of random orbit sander to build cabinets and furniture the simple answer to which random orbital sander is best comes down to owning two orbital sanders: Cordless. Look closer and youll notice the chip ejection port with vacuum attachment, integrated accessory storage, and the ability to swap out the standard pocket hole guides for a micro guide or custom plug cutter (sold separately.) I've only ever used the Kreg screws because I know that the heads are the right size and I like how they make it easy to select the right screw based on the thickness and type of material. Plus Menards has a sale this week where you get the free clamp to go along with it. First, this type of joinery creates a moderate amount of force on the wood pieces. The handle, with its built-in clamping mechanism, rotates 360 to fit any piece. With the Pocket-Hole Jig 720, Kreg went entirely back to the drawing board and came back with some great features. Deciding on the best woodworking apron for your shop involves understanding types of fabric, your storage needs and use. While a standard pocket hole jig will work in most cases, if your everyday projects involve a pocket hole then upgrading to a pocket hole machine is a must. These machines are expensive. You can send up to 4 telephone lines on one 4 pair cable that termi Everything you need to know to build drawer boxes for your woodworking projects in this drawer building tutorial. For example, drawer slides should use aggressive thread pan-head screws but some vendors ship fine threads and even flat head screws. I haven't found the prices to be much different to justify the time searching for something else. But, most importantly, the top cabinet hardware jigs will work on all styles of doors, including shaker cabinets that have a challenging inset face. And lastly, uses the same drill bit and driver system as a full-size jig. I recently discovered why one might use pocket joints, and your site confirmed that I wanted to get the R3 kit. A good clamp is important. We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. I'm going to buy, but from what I've read, the Harbor Freight model saves lots of money on the larger jig, and is better made. I advise you to always follow manufacturer instructions, take appropriate safety precautions and hire a professional when in doubt. Once the holes have been drilled and the surfaces clamped a pocket hole screw is used to finish the joinery. ), ( And an almost must-have for a serious DIYer thats building or fixing furniture. Thank you so much for the info! Since these are meant for daily and continuous duty they will feature: The only downfall? Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 320 Best Pocket Hole Jig on a Budget, Kreg Foreman Pocket-Hole Machine (Professional), Face Clamp for Clamping Jigs and Leveling Surfaces, Dust Collection Adapters to Keep Work Area Clean and Drill Bits Working Their Best, Pocket Hole Screw Material For Indoor and Outdoor Use, Screw Design Matters to Avoid Breaks and Splinters, Alternatives to Pocket Holes The Biscuit Joiner.
Please read my full disclosurehere***. ), ( (3) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. So for $40 I get the JR and a free $15 clamp!I will be building the DIY Server Rack from your site! The plug cutter drill guide kit helps cut pocket hole plugs. If you are the occasional user, you may be ok with a pocket hole jig that takes a little time to set up. Using micro-jigs and need plugs? Instead, they work on sawhorses, or on their driveway or patio. If you havent purchased a face clamp before then most of the lighter duty pocket hole jigs will drive you to buy one. thanks needed this review as I am just going to buy one and was not sure what one I needed so this was very helpful :-). While my bench has a Kreg K5, the 720 Pro will be my next upgrade. Third, the screw head design matters as a hardwood will require the screw head to match the contour of the hole (flat head, typically). Just place your board in the jig, close the clamp, and youre ready to go. Lastly, when pocket hole plugs are seen some applications using contrasting woods like maple and purpleheart to create a design and call attention to the joinery. Then its possible a $100 jig is interesting but youve experienced the slowness a place, clamp, drill, clean and reset. Not sure I can afford a some of the more costly KJs would I be able to get away in only using the Mini Pocket Hole KJ? In addition to the jig itself, the set also includes a 2 classic face clamp, free project plan, and 100 screws. Each of the models achieves the process of making the pocket holes with varying degrees of ease and efficiency. With that, if youre not sure on options for a woodworking clamp check out our cabinet clamp guide. Make cabinets and furniture on a regular basis? However, before jumping in and buying your router, its best to pick a router lift and router together. Judy Bennett. Hi I went for the Kreg Jr. Pocket Hole Jig since I have limited space and it was more mobile. ), ( When choosing a pocket hole jig it is worth understand they actually come in many variations: In February 2021 Kreg released a complete re-design of their popular pocket jigs. You should be able to use other screws though provided they meet the same specs as far as length and thread density. I'm new to this, and your explanations are very helpful. It is filled with tutorials about pocket holejigs, pocket holejoints, and lots more information. Well, theres a jig for that. They have been around for a long time and have multiple models of Kreg Jig available. All the Kreg Jig models are very user-friendly and great for beginners. ), ( As a woodworker with over 25 years experience, 100+ kitchens built and many other projects Im sharing my tips, tricks and tool choices on this site. Well, based on my use and research I have found over 18 different variations of pocket hole jigs that range from single hole jigs for under $20 up to $500 pocket jig workstations that are built for industrial use. 8 It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services. Signup for a FREE hardwood directory that organizes 300+ hardwood retailers across the USA. I find it easier than trying to find similar screws from different brands. The best thing about pocket holes is that you can use them not only to build but also to repair older furniture. I also have a detailed video course on all things pocket holes and Kreg Jig. I use them to build almost every one of my projects. This is a jig I wish I knew about before I built my last cedar deck. Even though I use the now obsolete Kreg K4 in that demonstration, the basic concepts remain the same. While an avid woodworker needs a more complex system, if your project is small and re-use to-be-determined; a simple clamp on jig is fine. However, it is also included with the Kreg720PRO package (explained below) and I would recommend getting that instead if you have the budget. 2 square drive, 1-1/4 hp motor floor-standing electric, fully-automatic pocket hole boring, Flat step of drill bit ensures that bottom of pocket hole is perfectly flat, Hardened steel drill guide ensures consistent hole placement whether the, Simple design results in very fast drill bit changes, No need to worry about depths of holes and screw lengths, Fast and easy to cut for high volume jobs. The Pocket hole jig clamp helps clamp the Kreg720 to your workbench. With a heavy duty jig youll be able to bore for a larger diameter screws and achieve a stronger joint than the standard duty jigs. Thanks - very helpful info! 7 The Pocket-Hole Jig 320 is Kregs more advanced portable solution. Doesn't solve the clamping problem though. A full written article with concise information is below as well. 5 I love it when you use my site for inspiration, but by using it, you agree that you do so at your own risk. The pocket hole jig clamp is only $15 and in my opinion well worth the investment. In this section well get specific on the best pocket hole jig for your needs. Cant be used easily for furniture repair. Hi! Disclosures: (1) If you click a link on this site and buy something I will earn a commission. After youve carefully selected your wood pieces, cut them to length and are ready to drill pocket holes youll want to place and mark all joints. A square drive bit to help drive the pocket hole screws. The product ships with all relevant accessories, Works with materials from 1/2 to 1 1/2 thick (12-38mm), Pull the lever to start the motor, engage the clamp and drill the hole, Compatible with micro, standard and heavy duty bits, And, for control of your workpiece a 14 x 23-1/2 table top, Clear directions on which pieces are connected both during drilling and later during assembly, Clamping clarity for knowing the face and back of the frames, Metal swivel pads to ensure no marring on your work piece, 2in jaw capacity with 2.25in throat depth, Thumb screw allows for quick and easy adjustment of jaw capacity, Clamp on a variety of material thicknesses up to 2-1/4in (57mm), Picture frames while hidden, a plugged hole provides a complete finish, Table top joints where they may be felt (especially if close to the edge), Visual contrast where the pocket hole plug is part of the finished surface, Plugs require minimal sanding to match pocket angles, Package sealing prevents warping from moisture, Hardened drill guides guide bit reliably feature a lifetime warranty, Special fluting reduces heat, friction for better plugs and longer bit life, Works with standard Plug Cutting Bit (included), Midwest red oak is slow growing versus warmer climate causing variations in color and texture of grain, Certain red oak species appear orange while others can be a paler white, Old growth wood tends to have a denser grain pattern, Includes self-tapping screw sizes for pocket-screw joinery, All Kreg screws feature a deep No. If you're not a full time carpenter and just like to build things from time to time because it not only saves money but it's fun, it's important to not spend a lot of money on tools that will collect dust. Sometimes you need to Free woodworking plans for an open frame or enclosed 20U Server Rack for home or small office. A pocket hole is an angled hole that is drilled into one board. Read on! Seems to me that with the Mini it would be pretty easy to measure carefully once and then build your own guide for the setting the collar, no? It can get overwhelming to anyone really fast.
I have a few rack mount servers that I Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 cable is frequently used for wiring telephone jacks. The Kreg320 is a perfect beginner pocket hole jig especially if you want to try your hands at pocket holes without committing to it. Here we are going to only focus on the most common models. It is only $15 and in my opinion well worth the investment. Or even waist-aprons for compact tool storage? First, the purpose of the pocket hole jig system is to ensure the screw and its path into both pieces of wood are ready for installing a screw. What is it that you will use it for most often? And thats where a pocket hole joinery system wins over on assembly time. If you havent used a pocket hole system before the first surprise is how much clamping youll need to do. Today, I am breaking it all down into bite-sized pieces and helping you understand the capabilities of each model, pros, and cons, and most importantly how to decide which one to pick. More on that below. ), ( If you build with large sheets or panels, you want to get a jig that can be easily clamped to them and moved around. And thats where pocket hole plugs come into play to cover the hole left by the jig and the installed screw. So how do you compare the dozens of jigs available and decide whats best for you? Last update on 2022-07-21 at 14:23 / Images from Amazon. Hope that helps. 15 ), ( After using every type of random orbit sander to build cabinets and furniture the simple answer to which random orbital sander is best comes down to owning two orbital sanders: Cordless. Look closer and youll notice the chip ejection port with vacuum attachment, integrated accessory storage, and the ability to swap out the standard pocket hole guides for a micro guide or custom plug cutter (sold separately.) I've only ever used the Kreg screws because I know that the heads are the right size and I like how they make it easy to select the right screw based on the thickness and type of material. Plus Menards has a sale this week where you get the free clamp to go along with it. First, this type of joinery creates a moderate amount of force on the wood pieces. The handle, with its built-in clamping mechanism, rotates 360 to fit any piece. With the Pocket-Hole Jig 720, Kreg went entirely back to the drawing board and came back with some great features. Deciding on the best woodworking apron for your shop involves understanding types of fabric, your storage needs and use. While a standard pocket hole jig will work in most cases, if your everyday projects involve a pocket hole then upgrading to a pocket hole machine is a must. These machines are expensive. You can send up to 4 telephone lines on one 4 pair cable that termi Everything you need to know to build drawer boxes for your woodworking projects in this drawer building tutorial. For example, drawer slides should use aggressive thread pan-head screws but some vendors ship fine threads and even flat head screws. I haven't found the prices to be much different to justify the time searching for something else. But, most importantly, the top cabinet hardware jigs will work on all styles of doors, including shaker cabinets that have a challenging inset face. And lastly, uses the same drill bit and driver system as a full-size jig. I recently discovered why one might use pocket joints, and your site confirmed that I wanted to get the R3 kit. A good clamp is important. We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. I'm going to buy, but from what I've read, the Harbor Freight model saves lots of money on the larger jig, and is better made. I advise you to always follow manufacturer instructions, take appropriate safety precautions and hire a professional when in doubt. Once the holes have been drilled and the surfaces clamped a pocket hole screw is used to finish the joinery. ), ( And an almost must-have for a serious DIYer thats building or fixing furniture. Thank you so much for the info! Since these are meant for daily and continuous duty they will feature: The only downfall? Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 320 Best Pocket Hole Jig on a Budget, Kreg Foreman Pocket-Hole Machine (Professional), Face Clamp for Clamping Jigs and Leveling Surfaces, Dust Collection Adapters to Keep Work Area Clean and Drill Bits Working Their Best, Pocket Hole Screw Material For Indoor and Outdoor Use, Screw Design Matters to Avoid Breaks and Splinters, Alternatives to Pocket Holes The Biscuit Joiner.