Author Topic: Kreg Jigs?  (Read 9427 times)

BBV

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Kreg Jigs?
« on: April 17, 2012, 03:52:47 PM »
Is anyone here familiar with Greg Jigs for joining in carpentry?

They look like this http://www.kregtool.com/Pocket-Hole-Jigs-Prodlist.html.

Are these worth it, or is it more mustachian to stick with counter-sinking drill bits?

I don't have any of the necessary tools yet, I'm just getting ideas (and refer back to MMM's post on the topic frequently), but these were recommended on http://ana-white.com/2011/03/how-do-i-get-started so I was wondering if anybody was familiar with them.

Thanks!


BenDarDunDat

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2012, 07:24:41 AM »
I think you could easily make your own jig with a clamp, a piece of wood, and a drill bit.  A countersink is more for straight on application - they have them at Harbor Freight for $4 or so. 

Sparafusile

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2012, 06:11:55 AM »
This is the "Do it Yourself!" sub-forum so my advice is to build your own jig. Look for instructions online or experiment on your own. $150 seems excessive to me for a contraption that simply holds a board in place and allows you to drill at an angle.

Here's a site I would recommend if you are just getting started: http://woodgears.ca/beginner/index.html
« Last Edit: April 19, 2012, 06:14:58 AM by Sparafusile »

jwystup

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2012, 09:57:19 AM »
They have some that are much cheaper than $150 though. I've been looking into it as well since browsing through the ana-white website myself. There's one that's $20 on Amazon (I think it's called the "mini") but I think I've decided to purchase the $40 one (the "jr"). The biggest reason I'm going for that one is because it has a lip on it that holds it in the perfect spot from the edge and it has the double holes. Somehow my boyfriend and I decided that instead of exchanging gifts for our birthdays (they're like a week apart so it's weird), we'd just buy ourselves something. I'm so glad "he's" getting me that for my birthday! haha.

I agree, it may not seem like the most mustachian since it seems like something you could do the same things without it. But I also think that being mustachian involves buying things like this, if you'll use it to build a bunch of good furniture that will last (instead of buying crappy cheap particle board furniture). Tools are definitely a strange area when it comes to whether or not they're "mustachian"  since in the long run it will save you money to get quality tools that last and help you build awesome things.

http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-R3-Pocket-Hole-System/dp/B000J43A7W/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

ritchie70

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2012, 09:46:29 PM »
I have one of these.

Although I haven't made a lot of use of it, it is definitely a very cool thing. It's designed for butt-joining two pieces of wood, like if you were making the face frame on kitchen cabinets.

It's not designed for joining two pieces at a 90 degree angle. Despite that, that's what I used it for and it worked great with a little extra thought.

All you really need is the basic set and their special screws. The rest is just nice-to-have.

fwttg

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2012, 11:24:35 AM »
Quality tools are one thing I don't mind spending on but the Kreg's Jr seemed a bit pricey for a plastic block just to drill holes. However, I'd been putting off a project on the 'honey do' list so I picked up the Kregs Jr from Amazon as mentioned by jwystup above. Have to say it works great.

The project involved making a rectangular frame from 1x4 cedar with a mesh panel for a rabbit hutch door. Cedar is prone to splitting so, after drilling all of the holes with the jig, I dry-fit each joint and pushed screws through to mark their position on the piece they would screw in to. After that I pulled everything apart and held the Kreg Jr, as a visual guide only, against the piece to be screwed in to and drilled pilot holes. (Hope that makes sense.) Anyway, everything went together fine, no splitting.

As far as special screws....they remind me of the ones used for assembling kitchen cabinets. Perhaps they can be purchased at a cabinet place? I just used 1 1/4" deck screws.

Thanks to BBV and all for bringing up this device!

woodworker2010

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2012, 12:47:25 PM »
Kreg jig is handy for quick jobs.  You can if you're using soft woods (pine, cedar, etc.) or plywood, you can use drywall screws...

jwystup

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2012, 08:57:33 PM »
Does anyone know if you absolutely NEED the special screws? I haven't had a chance to use mine yet so I have nothing to go by. Hopefully soon after I get the damn garage cleaned out (seriously, it's so full of crap, it's hard to do yardwork because it's a pain to get the lawnmower out).

fwttg

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Re: Kreg Jigs?
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2012, 10:02:54 AM »
The notch in the screw threads at the tip is probably important for self-tapping and minimizing splitting and, obviously, the head of the screw has to fit into the drilled hole.

Hardware stores carry many screws that have the notched threads and that's where I'll go down the road. Drywall screws and deck screws were used above. Here's a link from a Kreg's distributor describing 'pocket screws':

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=46497&cat=1,180,42311,46275,68962

Anything similar should be fine but I'm no expert and welcome being corrected :-).