Pocket Hole Jig Advice Needed Please

[Thornley Marshall Designs]

Hi All, I’ve been looking at pocket hole jigs and came across this one and wondered if anyone had bought one and what they thought of it?

Also if you have a different one which is better than this one, and more versatile etc, if so, do you have a link or website for the one you use please?

I’m not majorly fussed about the cost as I’ve always believed in buy quality tools.

This is the one I was looking at:
https://www.toolstation.com/trend-pocket-hole-jig-pocket-hole-screws/p20572

Thanks in advance,
Rob

 

[Spectric]

Well I would not bother with the Trend item at £79, take a look at the original Kreg K4 which I have used

https://www.toolstoreuk.co.uk/kreg-...MI4uq0i6zKiAMVg4BQBh1eoQMXEAQYCCABEgKIvPD_BwE

or the two versions from Armour from WWW

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/h...Pk3fw6lwpUhAsXR6P-igyFBxb&_bc_fsnf=1&brand=82

What is your intended application as pocket holes are great in some applications but not for all. I also use a heavy duty Kreg pocket hole jig which is good on more substantial timbers and you can get 4 inch HD screws for it in and are also weather resistant.

https://thetoolboxscotland.co.uk/pr...RjDP7IrPtQYMdy6Mrai4WO9VDpdZczVZnUOxcKNs8qKEj

 

[Thornley Marshall Designs]

Well I would not bother with the Trend item at £79, take a look at the original Kreg K4 which I have used

https://www.toolstoreuk.co.uk/kreg-...MI4uq0i6zKiAMVg4BQBh1eoQMXEAQYCCABEgKIvPD_BwE

or the two versions from Armour from WWW

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/h...Pk3fw6lwpUhAsXR6P-igyFBxb&_bc_fsnf=1&brand=82

What is your intended application as pocket holes are great in some applications but not for all. I also use a heavy duty Kreg pocket hole jig which is good on more substantial timbers and you can get 4 inch HD screws for it in and are also weather resistant.

https://thetoolboxscotland.co.uk/pr...RjDP7IrPtQYMdy6Mrai4WO9VDpdZczVZnUOxcKNs8qKEj

I want one to be able to attach timber at right angels which don’t necessarily need a joint. I want to also use them to add strength along side joints for particular DIY jobs I want to do around the house.

 

[kinverkid]

I bought the Trend one second-hand years ago. It does the job and you can take it apart and clamp the pocket guides singularly. But, none of them are worth the high prices in my opinion unless you're doing production work, maybe. I don't use pocket holes often although it is, in suitable instances, a good and quick way to join tmbers. The one I use the most is a simple 3D-printed one: Pocket hole jig, Do a search on Thangs and it will come up with all sorts of combinations of ideas for pocket hole jigs.

 

[Thornley Marshall Designs]

Well I would not bother with the Trend item at £79, take a look at the original Kreg K4 which I have used

https://www.toolstoreuk.co.uk/kreg-...MI4uq0i6zKiAMVg4BQBh1eoQMXEAQYCCABEgKIvPD_BwE

or the two versions from Armour from WWW

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/h...Pk3fw6lwpUhAsXR6P-igyFBxb&_bc_fsnf=1&brand=82

What is your intended application as pocket holes are great in some applications but not for all. I also use a heavy duty Kreg pocket hole jig which is good on more substantial timbers and you can get 4 inch HD screws for it in and are also weather resistant.

https://thetoolboxscotland.co.uk/pr...RjDP7IrPtQYMdy6Mrai4WO9VDpdZczVZnUOxcKNs8qKEj

That first one seems the same as the one from Screwfix however the second one:

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/armor-tool-mini-jig-pocket-hole-system/

Seems a lot better than the others. Especially with it being able to set the distance from the thickness on the size measurement. And also what screw sizes are needed.

I bought the Trend one second-hand years ago. It does the job and you can take it apart and clamp the pocket guides singularly. But, none of them are worth the high prices in my opinion unless you're doing production work, maybe. I don't use pocket holes often although it is, in suitable instances, a good and quick way to join tmbers. The one I use the most is a simple 3D-printed one: Pocket hole jig, Do a search on Thangs and it will come up with all sorts of combinations of ideas for pocket hole jigs.

thanks for that. I have a friend who has a 3D printer, I could ask him to print it for me. I’ve heard of ThingyVerse which is well known for 3D printing

 

[Peter Sefton]

@Thornley Marshall Designs Armor Tool have taken the design and functionality of pocket hole jigs up a step and with quality materials to boot, I may be biased as the Armor dealer in the UK but do think it's a really good product. This video compares it to a leading brand.

If you wanted to go for one of these we could offer you a deal.



Another very solid offering at a lower price point is the Milescraft 400, with a very good review recently.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/milescraft-pocketjig400/

Cheers

Peter

 

[Spectric]

I don't like the latest Kreg offering, the older K4 was fine and mine is still going strong but the newer Kreg KPHJ20 seems bitty and the change was for changes sake or marketing. Given the latest Kreg, the Armor or the Milescraft then for me it would be the Armor.

I want to also use them to add strength along side joints for particular DIY jobs I want to do around the house.

The standard pocket screws are great for face frames and joints that are not load bearing, they are not a strong joint like dowels or loose tennons. The HD pocket hole screws are a lot stronger and work well in the right application on heavier timbers.

If you are looking for a more versatile jointing system then dowels are great but not the fastest method, here a good dowel jig that is supported in the UK is the one from Jessem, do a search for dowels and you will fin a lot comes up.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/j...hZCCX4yA3E8LZYI0TQv2shKzSuHaNC3vaOFFLwBHB0pXP

 

[Sachakins]

Hi All, I’ve been looking at pocket hole jigs and came across this one and wondered if anyone had bought one and what they thought of it?

Also if you have a different one which is better than this one, and more versatile etc, if so, do you have a link or website for the one you use please?

I’m not majorly fussed about the cost as I’ve always believed in buy quality tools.

This is the one I was looking at:
https://www.toolstation.com/trend-pocket-hole-jig-pocket-hole-screws/p20572

Thanks in advance,
Rob

Hi,
I've had this kit a couple of years, but a lot cheaper from Amazon at the time.
Does it work, yes, would I buy it again no.
Too much flex when clamping, driver bits useless, too soft and rounded off quickly.
Clogs too easily.
Not had heavy use either in that two years, maybe 1000 holes.

 

[Niall Church]

@Thornley Marshall Designs Armor Tool have taken the design and functionality of pocket hole jigs up a step and with quality materials to boot, I may be biased as the Armor dealer in the UK but do think it's a really good product. This video compares it to a leading brand.

If you wanted to go for one of these we could offer you a deal.



Another very solid offering at a lower price point is the Milescraft 400, with a very good review recently.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/milescraft-pocketjig400/

Cheers

Peter

You MAY be biased,you MAY be biased? Any advance on 'may be',then?

 

[Peter Sefton]

@Niall Church

No, I highlighted my interest, do your own research. But I do think Armor are the best on the market.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Mike Fletcher]

I have used a Kreg jig for years (don't remember the model) and in the right application it works perfectly. With this one you can remove the drill guide and clamp to the workpiece when the jig won't fit or you're using it on an already assembled project (chair, table, etc.).

 

[stuart little]

I have the Trend, does the job for me. I bought it 10 or more years ago when it was a bit cheaper. I've not used it in a while now, but it's there when required.

 

[starfish]

I also have the trend … works fine. But I’d look at these if buying today

Pocket hole jig

 

[ColinDeVelen]

I have also had a trend one for a while. Use it more for repairs than anything else. Anything that is awkward to clamp normally, like the rail on the sofa, can get glued and then one PHscrew to pull it all in tight.
I did try short tenons with a PHscrew to pull the joint closed for a planter I made. Worked well enough and was easily and quickly dismantled for winter.

 

[Ollie78]

I have a UJK one which is nice and simple.
I have tried several before and concluded that the most critical thing with any of the systems is clamping the 2 components together very well when drilling and also when screwing them together. Also dust extraction is important for clean holes.

 

[TRITON]

I occasionally use the Kreg mini jig as they're only about 20 quid but as it clamps to the board/component its easier to use in some situations. These days its pretty much as an add on or way if adding pressure to biscuit joints while the glue goes off.