Shopsmith Forums

Good Morning Everyone!

I am thinking about getting the Kreg Jig system, and wondering if anyone has one at home and what they think of it. I think it would be great for simple cabinet making for projects where master jointery are not as important.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Nathan

"Fine" woodworking just isn't really something I am seriously into. I keep saying that for some of my projects I consider a hatchet to be a precision tool.
I like being "able" to do it but just have too many interest in life to spend 3 hours making an invisible scarf-joint in a toothpick. I know some folks get their jollies like that but it just isn't me. For me the woodshop is more of the project than making items. It is a fun diversion where I can putter on a bad weather day (or just can't sleep at night). Otherwise it is a "Gitter-done" and move on to something else location.
Maybe that is why I love my Kreg pocket-hole stuff so much. It's quick, tidy and very strong, especially when combined with a bit of glue. I use them a lot in locations where in years past I would have used a lot of corner blocks.
Some years ago I made a pair of doors for our gypsy-wagon and they needed to be light, strong and quick. The pocket hole system served perfectly.
I also find myself using those screws for a lot of other stuff without the holes in applications where a surface fastener is acceptable and I might have otherwise used common countersunk utility screws if high strain is expected. It all depends on the job at hand.
It's about time now to go clean out an old horse stall I'm putting a couple of antique tractors in. Go brush a few horses and then work on a golf cart I recently bought so I can move it out of the farm shop to get a truck inside. It needs a new brake hose on the right front and the new hose assembly is still on the seat in the box. The shop elves have not replaced it yet.


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I've had mine since they came out. The jig system works great and easy to learn system. I have built cabinets for my home, a fence, deck etc. It saves you time and for me it's one tool on the must have list.

These are great and you will love it.

I started with the simple little one hole jig and since have purchased a collection of them. I went with the K3 system and then they came out with the K4 I went to that and now they have the K5 but I haven't gone there, yet anyway.

I also have the HD and the mini sets so I can work in thinner and framing size pieces.

This and biscuits have been my go to simple jointing system for a long while already and I do not miss dowel at all. I do sometime combine the biscuits and the kreg on the same joint, way cool that you can do that.

I'll get that order out before you start the next project that might use them and start making a project or two with them to get the hang of it and show us some pictures when you got'em done.

Ed

Thank you everyone for the replys. It sounds like I definitely need to get one. I have hears that the Kreg 5 is made of cheaper plastic parts than the 4 series....is this true? I noticed the 4 is about 10-15 dollars more...

I have the 4 and use it a great deal but I believe I would prefer the 5, even though I've not used it.

On the 5, the lever to hold the work being in front would be a major plus as well as the piston system like the MAXX series of clamps. I also like the idea of wider wings to hold the material.

The storage under the wings is not something I believe I'd not care about one way or the other and they have removed the drill bit/collar adjusting jig which I thnk was less than wise.

Is the plastic thinner? I don't know, if it is, may it's stronger, but I have no real knowledge of that. A quick email to Kreg would give you the answer. They have great CS.

I use it mainly on 2x for rough construction or 1/2" for drawers. I bought the mini to use with the 1/2" and like it.

Make sure your cuts are very square and I think you will find the pocket jig a go to tool. Again just my 2 cents.

Be well,
Ben

I have the little R3 jig, which is compact and easily brought to the work. https://www.kregtool.com/store/c13/kreg ... jigreg-r3/

It is perfectly adequate and a relatively inexpensive way to get started if you want to see if pocket screw construction is for you.

There's probably no faster way to put together a cabinet carcass. The joints are very strong and you can work quickly because you don't need clamps to wait for the glue to dry.

The downsides I see are (1) you see the pockets or have to take steps to fill them or otherwise hide them where they won't be seen, which isn't always possible, and (2) the screws aren't cheap.

I have the 4 and I really like it! I use it a bunch. I found that I was a lot more careful in some of my cuts because any errors in square jump right out at me when I try to fasten things together.