On 1/18/13 11:07 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
-MIKE- wrote:
On 1/18/13 7:07 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
I asked what everyone is using for Pocket Hole Jigs in another
thread, but having noodled about some since then, it seems
worthwhile starting a specific thread on the matter.

What I use now is some cheap junk jig that I bought years ago, and
leaves more to be desired than it does to offer in functionality and
useability. I was looking at the Kreg K3 kit, and came across
videos and opinions on the Harbor Freight jig. That jig is viewable
on their web site. Of course - it is cheaper than the Kreg, will
accommodate both 1x stock and 2x stock, looks to be well built, etc.
It has now become a contender. So - what is everyone else using?

Is anyone using or familiar with the Harbor Freight offering?

Other comments?

OT comments are normal in a community, so I won't make a big deal
out of them if they pop up in this thread.


General Tools also makes a generic pocket hole jig.
The only concern I would have on non-Kreg jigs is how easy is it to
adjust for thickness of material? The adjustment on Kregs is fast and
simple.

So does it have a couple of common thickness in mind? Say maybe 1/2", 3/4",
and 1 1/2"? The HF model does that, but I don't think it's infinitely
variable.


I don't know how the other Kregs do it, but mine has little slides that
click into place with markings on them for stock thickness.

Keep in mind that this is just to insure that the hole is centered on
the end of the wood. This is of moderate importance for squaring the
joint and getting equal pressure. However, there may be times when you
don't want the hole perfectly centered. With repeated use in different
circumstances, you'll reply less on what they tell you to do and more on
what works best for you in whatever particular circumstance.

I make a habit of always making test connections on scraps of the same
material to be connected. You will find reasons, at times, to do things
a bit differently than the directions suggest. hole deeper or shallower,
centered or not, longer or shorter screws, etc.

One reason I like the smaller (Jr?) jig without the integrated clamp
(like the HF), is that I can clamp it wherever and on whatever I like.
The integrated clamp models are more for bench-top and not as portable.
I would like to get a bench-top model at some point, but I'm glad I
didn't start with one. There are things you can do the the Jr you can't
do with the larger ones, but the Jr can do whatever the larger ones can do.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply