|
I figured that for as few holes as I will be drilling overall, it's no big deal. I bought this mini jig because I wasn't going to spend over $100 for the full Kreg jig kit. In my opinion this is as good as the full kit as long as you don't mind clamping this down for every hole, where the full jig has clamps built in. Otherwise the hole is no different, and creates an even tight grip.I recommend you get the Kreg screws and driver bit set here or at Lowes, because you need an extended length driver bit because of the angle of the cut. They are only a few dollars, and work very well.
I own the larger Kreg pocket hole jig kit, but I bought this one for it's portability and to have a spare drill bit. This kit is small enough to stick in your tool box and use on the jobsite. I have found these jigs to be great for all sorts of joints and make a very strong connection.
I bought this on spec, not sure whether or where I'd use it.The more time goes by, the more opportunities I find to use it.It's easy to use and make nice strong joints with little effort.
It's designed for flat stock, but with some finagling I was able to clamp onto the unusual shapes of the chair spindles, etc. Pocket Hole Jig System" which has some jigs to help set the measurements quickly and correctly. The repairs are amazingly fast and strong. I'm an addict now to this Kreg Jig idea. My three monkeys, er sons, broke my initial round of repairs and several chair arms and legs got all wobbly or had completely broken off.
I bought some face clamps at Lowe's, and you will definitely need some good clamps to make the system work. I'm buying the Kreg stuff as a gift for my parents who do household repairs/woodworking and I will get them the R3 Jr. I saw the Kreg stuff on an infomercial initially so I was leary despite being intrigued.I had already repaired my wooden dining room chairs with wooden dowels in the spindles, some wood lag screws, and Gorilla Glue, all to no avail. and the repairs seem rock solid.
I glue some of them, but it's optional. The R3 also has two parallel pocket holes which would be stronger than the singles I've done. The Mini Kreg Jig worked great. They have held up longer than my initial glue/dowel/screw repair, despite having to drill through my previous glue and dowel work. The R3 kit has the driver or I would get that too.
I'm a sucker for most infomercials, and I've been disappointed after purchasing infomercial crap before. Believe the infomercial--this is a great system, and it works like they show in the video.You must be very careful with your measurements, and set the drill stop at exactly 4-1/4" or whatever the directions tell you for the thickness of stock you're using. I bought this Mini Kreg Jig, and it works fine but if I ever need to replace it, I will get the "Kreg R3 Jr. I would probably get the Kreg clamps too--mine from Lowe's are plastic and sometimes the jig slips a bit. The repair is more solid than the initial bedframe construction. This is a great product. The company that made the chairs went out of business, so no matching chairs were available for our set of 10 chairs.I broke down and bought this Kreg Mini Jig Kit, along with a box of assorted screws, the set of two drivers, and the oblong oak plugs.
If you're wavering, just do it. My three testers haven't been able to break anything loose yet.Since then, the kids trundle bed frame came apart, and the repair of 3/4" to 3/4" stock at a 90 degree angle was very simple, fast and satisfying. I'm a Kreg addict now, looking around the house for other wood repairs. Kit, a box of assorted screws, the oblong wood plugs, and a face clamp. You won't be disappointed.
As a rank newcomer to woodworking, I found this tool to be simple and intuitive to use and it produced the desired results, a firm, hidden joint. Very happy with the purchase and feeling inspired to tackle more complex tasks.
|
