Replies

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 12, 2004 04:30pm | #1

   Get the whole 9 yards... You'll never regret it.

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

2. 
   TomC | Jan 12, 2004 04:34pm | #2

   The Kreg 2000 jig kit for $130 is definitley the way to go.  It is pricey but you will use it a lot.  I was skeptical of the Kreg system until I tried it.  It does an amazing job, quickly and accuratley.

1. 
   JDRHI | Jan 12, 2004 04:51pm | #3

   I bought the 2000 when in a bind....hadn`t had time to research alternatives....I really lucked out....its so easy and accurate, I look for excuses to use it.J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

3. 
   slykarma | Jan 12, 2004 05:04pm | #4

   I also weigh in on the full system as opposed to the smaller setup. With the Kreg 2000 you get the one-flip clamping system that makes this thing such a breeze to use. Pocket holes make very strong way joints but the clamping to position the jig the right distance away from the joint was always time consuming. The Kreg system blows anything else I've seen out of the water. Pricey but durable and so fast. You don't waste any time clamping joints and waiting for glue to dry because the screws hold everything for good. It will pay for itself in no time.

   Wally

   Lignum est bonum.
4. 
   jako17 | Jan 12, 2004 05:07pm | #5

   I have one of the old metal jigs and found it great.Beats gluing and clamping face frames.Go for the whole 9 yards ,you won't be sorry.I found an extra set of the vise grips handy.

1. 
   blues_hound | Jan 12, 2004 05:15pm | #6

   I have one of the old metal ones and just last week i bought the 130$ kit and I love it.  I think a maga zine reviewed many of the products out there and named the kreg breand # 1

   Bluesman found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!

1. 
   frontiercc | Jan 12, 2004 05:19pm | #7

   I was at the woodworkers show in Timonium MD 2 weeks ago and everybody was saying good things about it.  Buddy I went with bought one.  I told him to- that way I can borrow it when needed.  He does a lot more woodworking than I do (cabinets and such) and spoke highly of it. 

1. 
   MikeR | Jan 12, 2004 05:36pm | #8

   Hey guys,

   Thanks for the fast and informative replies.  The full 2000 kit looks like its for me.  The lower model is only like $60 less so why not spend a little more for it all right?  Just don't let the wife know.  Besides, its all for business purposes...right?! ;)

   Thanks again.

   Mike

5. 
   Shoeman | Jan 12, 2004 05:36pm | #9

   One more vote for the 2000 kit.

6. 
   NickNukeEm | Jan 12, 2004 06:10pm | #10

   I have the Kreg 2000 and love it.  CMT just came out with a kit similar, but not as extensive.  Their jig, however, doesn't need spacers to accomodate differences in stock thickness, it uses a ratchet-tooth design similar to the Incra jig system.

   FHB 158, page 86 has a recent review, but is more instructional in nature.

   An even better pocket hole tool review can be found in the current (Feb. 04, Vol 28, No. 1) issue of Woodworkers Journal.  They provide an in-depth review of all that's available, including the new CMT jig.  It's on pages 88-100 and worth a look before plunking down any cash. 

   And NEVER keep secrets from your DW.  It will only bite you later. (The kept secret, not necessarily your DW, though you never know...)

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/12/2004 3:59:18 PM ET by NickNuke'em

1. 
   reinvent | Jan 12, 2004 08:34pm | #11

   Heers the link to the cmt jig

1. 
   caseyr | Jan 13, 2004 03:28am | #12

   URLs don't like to be attachments...

   How about for the description:

   http://www.woodtechtooling.com/CMT/CMTPocketPro.html

   and for a little more discussion:

   http://www.woodworking-forum.com/woodworking/CMT_pocket_hole_jig_852893.html

   For a hint at pricing (just the first one to pop up with a price given):

   http://www.mikestools.com/cmt/cmt_pock.asp

   and for those of you surviving north of the border:

   http://www.jacquescoulombe.com/CMT%20Pocket-Pro.htm

   Edited 1/12/2004 7:31:56 PM ET by CaseyR

1. 
   davidmeiland | Jan 13, 2004 03:52am | #13

   For quite a while I had access to a Castle pocket mortising machine. Put your piece face up on the table, line it up against the fence and on the mark, step on the pedal and the air clamp comes down and the cutter pivots up underneath to make the cut, elapsed time about 2 seconds.

7. 
   FastEddie1 | Jan 13, 2004 04:57am | #14

   I have the $65 kit and it works well for the few times that I use it.  I can see where the bigger kit could be worth the money, but I only use mine about once every 2-3 months.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

8. 
   dlb | Jan 13, 2004 05:16am | #15

   If you are going to buy the entire Kreg package, buy it if you can at a woodworking show. I bought thr 2000 and received an extra clamp, drill bit, & two instructional videos for $129.00.

   Before I made the purchase I had a chance to purchase the CMT pocket hole kit but it did not have the range of equipment that the Kreg did.

   Now for the bad news - I hardly every use it but hope business changes such that I can.

   The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

9. 
   migraine | Jan 13, 2004 05:29am | #16

   I've talked at least a dozen of people ito buying a Krieg jig and veryone has loveled it.  And they recommend it to their friends.

   I should have bought stock in the company.  They have great customer service, also