Mass Wood working

Pocket screw joinery is the best option for the do-it-yourselfer because pocket screws create very strong joints and dont require you to have a lot of special or expensive tools that you wont use frequently.

Dowels, biscuits, half lap joints, dovetaills, and so on are time consuming and sometimes require specialty tools. If youre not a full time carpenter and just like to build things from time to time because it not only saves money but its fun, its important to not spend a lot of money on tools that will collect dust. All you need are butt joints which are easy to cut even on a small budget. See my post on how to make square cuts. Getting perfectly square cuts will ensure a straight project and strong joints.

You dont need dozens of clamps! The screws will hold the work pieces together. Clamps arent cheap and even small projects wind up needing more clamps than I have. I built a number of euro style cabinets to make a built-in desk and I dont own a single expensive, long bar clamp!

The Kreg Mini Kreg Jig Kit only costs around $20 and is a good pocket hole jig to have even if you have more expensive Kreg Jigs because it can get into spaces others cant, like under stairs to make repairs and into tight corners. If you already own another Kreg Jig you can save some money buy just buying the Kreg MKJ Mini Jig by itself without the accessories.

The accessories that come with the Mini Kreg Jig Kit are a special stepped drill bit that makes the pilot hole and pocket hole in one step. The bit comes with a stop collar and an 4mm hex key for adjusting the collar.

The Kreg Jig Mini makes the same pocket holes its big brothers make. This is the only Kreg Jig I own and Ive used it for numerous projects including cabinets for a built in desk. I learned how strong the pocket screws were when I moved dozens of sheets of drywall with my DIY panel carriers.

Its a little slower to use than the other jigs because you have to manually place the jig in the correct spot. Using makeshift spacers made it easier and using the Kreg Face Clamp speeds things up even more. You can get a Vise-Grip Locking C Clamp with Swivel Pads for about half the price but the Kreg Face Clamp has larger pads which will minimize the risk of putting dents in the wood.

Kreg Jr. Pocket Hole Jig

In hindsight, I should have bought the Kreg R3 Jr. Pocket Hole Jig System vs the Kreg Mini. Its only about $20 more than the Kreg Mini Jig but it comes with everything you need including a 3" square driver, some screws, pocket hole plugs as well as a case.

The Kreg Jr is a lot faster to use than the Kreg Mini because it comes with built in guides that can be adjusted for the thickness of material youre working with and the case includes a guide to help you adjust the stop collar on the drill bit.

One of the things that slowed me down a lot was having to stop and change the stop collar. In building my desk I used 3/4" and 1/2" plywood and Id have to stop and readjust the collar using a tape measure. It was a very clumsy process.

With the Kreg mini I would have to unclamp, move the jig over, position it using the spacers, clamp it back down, drill and repeat. With the Kreg Jr I would have been able to just slide the jig over and not have to spend time realigning the jig. When youre making dozens of pocket holes, those few seconds saved each time really add up. A plastic insert allows you to attach the Kreg Face Clamp to the Kreg Jr Jig which makes repositioning the jig with one hand a snap.

Kreg K4 and K4 Master Pocket Hole Jig

The Kreg Jig K4 and Kreg K4MS Jig Master System are meant more for professionals and the serious DIYer woodworker. The K4 runs around $100 and the K4MS goes for about $140. The Master System is essentially the same as the K4 with some extra useful accessories such as the face clamp, portable base, 6" square driver (in addition to the 3" driver) and a material support stop. If youre going to buy the K4 instead of the R3, might as well spend the extra $40 because those accessories come in handy.

The K4 and K4MS are more durable than the other systems. Because the drill guide is stationary and the work piece gets clamped to the dril guide you dont get a small point of pressure from the clamp on the plastic drill guide. My Kreg Mini has some dents in it from clamping with a standard C-clamp but is still usable.

If you frequently make pocket holes and have space on your workbench to permanently or temporarily affix the Kreg K4 Jig, youll save yourself a lot of setup time. Just slide the work piece in the jig and clamp it down with one hand. A dust collection port allows you to hook up your shop vac to keep your work area clean.

Kreg Micro Pocket Hole Jig

The Kreg Jig Micro Drill Guide System makes 25% smaller diameter pocket holes and uses smaller pan head screws which allows you to make pocket holes in thinner stock.

If you frequently use 1/2" plywood or boards to make drawer boxes or picture frames, the Kreg Micro is for you. The Kreg Micro fits into the same bases and accessories that come with the K4 Master system and it can be used on its own with spacers.

Even though the other Kreg Jigs can make pocket holes for 1/2" stock, many times 1/2" plywood comes in actual thicknesses of less than 1/2" and reducing the size of the pocket hole makes for sturdier construction in thinner pieces.

Kreg Jig HD Pocket Hole Jig

The Kreg Jig HD Starter Kit KJHD is specially designed for thicker stock such as 2x3s, 2x4s and other 2x dimensional lumber. The holes are 25% bigger which provides up to 50% greater strength. This new Kreg Jig was first released in 2012.

Special screws were developed for the new jig that are larger and have a 3 special coatings to resist corrosion. This is a great jig for outdoor projects such as planter benches, outdoor furniture as well as indoor furniture made of dimensional lumber such as workbenches.

The Kreg HD drill guide can accept the Kreg Face Clamp and fits in the K3 and K4 jigs.