Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Pocket holes

Okay. I don't currently have any pocket hole tools and the wife has spotted a woodworking project she wants done that needs pocket holes. Comments, suggestions, smart remarks? Spotted this set: http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-K3MS-Master-Pocket-System/dp/B0009VD03Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1223598261&sr=1-1

looks fairly good, have you looked at any other sets. do you have any good wood bits?

life begins when the kids leave home and the dog dies.

Ive been looking at the kreg for a while but haven't found the project to justify it its what I will buy when the time is right

I don't know if your aware of it towguy but they recently opened a Woodcraft on bee ridge and mcintosh in Sarasota you might want to stop in and see what they have

I've got this one (http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-K2000-KJK2K-Pocket-System/dp/B000LPJ5XW/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1223608248&sr=1-14). It's the bomb. :D Cheaper too!
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41B71XV6CKL._SL160_AA160_.jpg

I've mounted the jig (above) to a piece of lacquered MDF which I've made a hand-hole in, so that you can carry it like a suitcase, and hang it on a wall for storage. I rounded all the edges of the MDF and the perimeter of the hand-hole so it looks pretty nice- ppl ask me if I bought it that way! LOL

If you are just drilling a few holes, this one and a box of screws is really all you need. You clamp it to the work piece and drill. Not much harder than that. You just need to follow the directions regarding how far from the edge of the wood to clamp it, depending on the thickness of material being joined.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E7C63NTJL._SL160_AA160_.jpg

Image credits: amazon

I've got the one at the bottom of XSleeper's post. It works really fine. Now, if I were making cabinets for a living, I would spend the $140, but I think I spend less than $20 for the simple jig shown. BUT, if you gotta have a tool, go big or stay at home!!!

I have something somewhere in between the two sets that XSleeper posted. It has the jig, the step bit and the clamp. I think I paid about $40 a couple of years ago. A great tool for building face frames.

Like cwbuff, I have the in-between setup. It has the three-hole jig, bit and clamp. It cost me about $80...inflation, I guess.

This thing is possibly the best $80 investment I ever made in woodworking tools!

The one I have (pictured on top) is the three hole jig w/clamp. Those side pieces are separate from the rest, and are just basically like wing supports for the material you put in the clamp. (with a built in guide for setting your drill bit stop to the proper depth) The other piece is an adapter for thicker 1 1/2" stock.

Thanks, guys. Basically I'm trying to make sure I buy "enough" without going overboard [is there such a thing when buying tools?]. I eyeballed both of those shown on-line and I'm kind of waffling. Going to go look at what I can find in the retail stores so I can actually put my hands on them. Not a real pressing project, just something my wife saw in a magazine or flyer. I could biscuit join it, but for what they are showing I'm sure pocket holes are the way to go (and how they show it being done).

Thanks for reminding me about the Woodcraft store, Mango. Now if I could just get a tow call up in the neighborhood, the gas I burn getting there and back would be a business expense. :)

You can never buy "enough" and can't go "overboard" on tools.....RULE 13

You can never buy "enough" and can't go "overboard" on tools.....RULE 13


MAN LAW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beer 4U2

Checked the website and they're open Sundays. Probably driving up to St. Pete tomorrow anyway (Rays will be traveling and won't have to brave the stadium traffic) and will maybe hit the outlet mall at Ellenton AND Woodcraft. Let's see, how much credit limit do I have on my plastic...... :thumbup:

Forgot about the "Tim Taylor Rule". Beer 4U2

I have the two-hole version similar to the bottom picture in XSleeper's post. It is portable and adjustable for different thicknesses of wood. Great for occasional use.

I got spoiled when I worked in my friend's cabinet shop on an automatic, air and electric powered, foot pedal model. Position the work piece and press the foot pedal and move to the next hole. Thought I would throw this in just in case any of you guys are looking for something to fill an empty corner of your shop. Only about $3000.

Ken, I did some maintenance and reconfiguration on a picture frame shop once. They had a 3 phase opposed double blade 45 degree saw that cut the second angle on a frame and the first angle of the next frame in one motion with minimal waste. All holding components foot pedal air powered slide clamps. Had to push two buttons outside the cut area to lower the saw pneumatically (I guess to keep you from cutting yourself several times with a single pass!) Several thousand bucks for this baby, too.