Home Fixated: Many of the tools we review here at HomeFixated are Bigger/Smaller/Lighter/Stronger/Faster/More Efficient versions of tools we regularly use. Cordless drills, reciprocating saws, compressors, chainsaws, miter saws – the list is longer than the NHL playoffs. Every so often, though, I get the opportunity to try out a tool I’ve never used before, like an oscillating multitool or an impact driver, and great rejoicing ensues. Such was the case when I recently received the latest version of a tool that’s a staple item in many a woodworker’s shop – the Kreg K5 Pocket Hole Jig. Cowabunga – joinery will never be the same!
3 comments:
This looks like a seriously handy jig to have. I have always wondered how one would go about drilling those types of holes, and now I know! It seems like this would be insanely useful to anyone doing any trim or furniture work in their shop. The wild world of jigs has always baffled me a little bit. I have always wanted to learn how to make my own, but when you have one as nice as this to work with, I think that it might actually be better. The one thing I do not like about it is how much plastic is on it. I find it hard to believe that it would last a good amount of time, but I could be wrong. Call me old fashioned but there is something that is just nice about using a tool that you know is made of sturdy wood or metal that plastic just can not achieve. Also, I appreciate the author's dig at Exxon. Made me chuckle.
Lucky guy, he got the master set. Kreg jigs are without a doubt a useful tool in a carpentry shop. Sure, if you're a high end shop you either aren't using pocket holes or you have a beefier machine to make them, but in your standard basement shop, Kreg jigs are a staple. There are some challenges with pocket holes, namely keeping the boards you are joining flush, but all in all it's a fast, simple, strong way to edge join wood. The master set has some fun additions that the basic set doesn't, like having the clamp activated from the front and some additional accessories. In scenery, we typically wouldn't need to use pocket holes since we can put scabs on the back of things, but we have one in our shop which I think I have seen used twice for scenery (as opposed to props). Kreg makes some all in all great products and all the products are clearly built by someone who has a lot of shop experience and thought, I wish there was a thing that could do this, and that is exactly what the original Kreg jig does
So the kreg k5 pocket hole jig looks like a pretty cool tool. I have worked with pocket hole jigs before and some of them are kinda annoying to setup and use. The article makes a fairly strong statement when it says "I’ve always known what pocket holes were, of course; those little angled slots lurking on the back of table legs, and inside cabinets. I knew that it’s a great way to make a strong connection between two pieces of wood. I never explored the possibility of trying it, though, because it seemed like it probably called for an expensive tool setup and a steep learning curve. Turns out I was wrong" and honestly this pocket hole jig does look far more useful than than the one that i used in the past and it also looks a fair bit heartier. It looks like a fairly good investment if you want to make furniture as that what I think it's best is, but eh it pretty cool.
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