Have a small project coming up. Pocket holes are the way to go for what I need. I have been looking at reviews on-line for Pocket Hole Jigs and they seem to be all over the place and when I look at places like Amazon, there are a lot of choices. It's not a big wood working project and don't see me really using the jig much after I am done (famous last words there). Trying to find a simple, reliable pocket hole jig that won't cost a lot if it's possible (I know you get what you pay for, but money is a little tight right now since the accident). Any recommendations/advice would be really appreciated. Thank you!!!
Would you be able to rent one from a tool rental outfit? My local Ace Hardware also has a rental business.
The local tool rental place just went under the auction block. I am more inclined to purchase, largely because I am probably going to need several weeks to complete things.
You'll probably end up using it for more than you think. I use mine a lot. I have this one and have built 50+ cabinets with it: You'll also want a pair of these to clamp down your joints, otherwise they have a tendancy to pull and leave one edge proud. If budget is tight, this would be the way to go.
I have the simple 2 hole as well as a single hole kreg jig and lukem is right, you’ll find more uses for them once you get one. Handy tool!
You might be holding your cards close to the chest in anticipation of putting up a build thread, but if not- what sort of project are you considering?
I don't have a lot of space at my place. So making the best with what I have. Want to have a place to run my model trains. I don't have a basement or extra room for set up. But I do have 9ft ceilings. So I am going to put in what I am calling High Shelves for a couple of runs of O Gauge 3 rail track. Going to need some help with putting up the shelf brackets (looks like it's just easiest and most cost effective for me to build them myself to get what I want/need and to save money) I have all the wood and fasteners and wire and track, etc. So it's just a matter of doing it with some limitations I still have from my accident. A couple of 'old timer's have offered to help me and I am glad for that! Would like to be ready to run by Thanksgiving, but that may be a bit ambitious with all that is on my plate and my limitations right now. We'll see. For where I need to end join/butt join I plan on glue and pocket screws, back up plan is glue/screws/with a wooden gusset (this wouldn't be quite as nice in terms of what I am looking for/finish/looks/etc. Hard to decide on a pocket hole jig...been pretty frugal since being laid up and I have in the back of my head that holidays are coming...and maybe a bit of procrastination since I am not 100% yet. Gotta keep moving the best I can...or I might just lose what I have... lol!!!
Can you use standard star drive (torx) construction screws and/or sheet rock screws instead of the pan head screws?
Yes, in most cases. I wouldn't try it for thickness under 3/4" because they might pull through the pocket. I've used construction screws a few times, but the Kreg screws are really good and worth the money to me though.
I’ve only ever used the pan head screws. I think anything else would split the wood instead of pulling it into the adjoining piece.
Kreg jigs are great for most stuff, as long as you're not going into the cabinet making business. Pan head screws are pretty much necessary because the bugle head screws will just split everything out. When I was running my cabinet shop I had a porter cable pocket hole machine... it worked great for production stuff, but that type of machine is expensive and totally unnecessary for small projects, plus the kreg type jigs are way more versatile for drilling pockets at odd angles and such. Thirty to a hundred dollars for a jig is a great investment, for anybody that likes making stuff outta wood.
Yes lukem is spot on. The Kreg jig os top notch. We have the bigger set with 3 holes and wings. Built many things with it.
I have the cheap 2 hole Kreg jig, and I use it a lot. My only issue is that I need to double clamp it or one side will walk a bit and be too close to the edge. Wouldnt be a problem if it was one solid piece. I order the cheapest pocket hole screws that I can find on Amazon. The Kreg ones is spensive.
