Amazon.com Customer Reviews
Great, but with a few problems - Review written on May 27, 2008
Rating: 4 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful.
Kreg did a great job with this jig, but there are a few important things to keep in mind if you're thinking about doing pocket hole joinery; Things that I learned the hard way so I thought I'd share my experience.
First of all, forget about using pocket holes in MDF, Particle board, Melamine coated particle board, fiber board, etc. The screws enter too close to the edge for these materials and they just disintegrate.
Also, if you're going to be joining plywood, remember that plywood is rarely sold by actual thickness. For instance, 1/2" plywood is really 7/16" thick these days. And that 1/16" does make a difference with pocket hole joinery. The 1" screws that you're supposed to use with 1/2" material might poke out the other side if you're not careful. You can compensate for this somewhat by setting the drill depth, but you have to remember to do this and not just go with the 1/2" settings. I didn't have this problem with 3/4" material, even though it too is not really 3/4" thick.
You might want to consider buying some of the clamps they sell for doing pocket hole joinery Kreg RAC Right Angle Clamp, Kreg Standard Face Clamp. It's almost impossible to get a good joint without them. When possible, I'll tack the pieces together with brads and then drive the pocket screws, but you have to have something holding the pieces firmly together before driving the screws or it just won't work right.
If you're thinking about hooking up your shop vac to the jig, you'll probably need some sort of adapter. I wish these things were more standardized. This jig requires something like a 1 1/2" hose, my shop vac is 2 1/2".
Don't let this review scare you away from pocket hole joinery. It's quick, it's easy and it works if you know what its limitations are. And Kreg did do a great job with this jig. Well worth the price of admission.
Great tool to have - Review written on May 22, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
Face frames, cabinet joinery, and many other uses make this a diverse tool for your shop. The first time I ever used any kind of pocket hole equipment, and it worked flawlessly.
My first project was creating a custom transition from one room to another with a 2" difference in height. Instead of breaking out the biscuit joiner, marking and cutting BOTH pieces, gluing, then clamping, just cut all your pieces, use the extremely easy jig and drill some holes and you're nearly there. All that's left is to add a little glue, and screw it together!
The kit includes everything you need to set up your shop for production type drilling, as well as a jig and clamp to use in the field or on awkward pieces.
Better than the K2000, which is also great - Review written on February 27, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.
I have been a happy Kreg K2000 owner for several years. As such, I find the beauty of the Kreg jigs to be their tight, nearly invisible joints for things like face frames and edge banding, and the strength of the joints they form from a structural standpoint. Screws in a ton of sizes and types are widely available as well, which makes these jigs even more useful.
For the price, I can't envision a better way to supplement your wood joinery capabilities than the K3MS, especially if you don't already own a Kreg jig. I've used mine for everything from furniture work with oak plugs to construction that doesn't have to look nice, just be strong. It works well for both. The most significant upgrade in the K3 over the K2 is the chip-collection capability. It's remarkable how quickly you can fill a work area with chips using a pocket-hole jig. I have also found the pivoting clamp pocket on the back of the three-hole jig body very useful when clamping it directly to a piece of plywood or other large work surface. It makes jig alignment fast and easy, and that translates to faster, better-quality work.
Other than these feature upgrades, if you're already a K2 user you probably won't find much value in the K3. But if you don't own a Kreg jig already, the K3MS is an outstanding way to spend less than $150 upgrading your woodshop!
Yes, it IS worth the money! - Review written on February 12, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful.
Like you, I came here to Amazon and read all the reviews before buying my K3MS. I was torn; which Kreg jig to get? I had already bought a cheapo General brand pocket hole jig at Home Depot, and it just sat in the bottom of a box, gathering dust. It is all metal, but who cares? It is sloppily cast, and is very cheap. To do this properly, one needs a good step drill bit and self tapping pan head, flat bottom screws.
All the right stuff is included in this it. The difference between the K3 Master System and the K3 Standard is the big clamping base with the shop vac adapter. I was on the fence about whether to buy this kit or the standard kit. I finally decided to bite the bullet and get this one. If you think you will use it a lot, spend the extra and get this one. It just makes everything faster and neater.
If you don't think you will use it a lot, get the K3 standard. The lower models don't have the metal plate where the drill bit exits the jig, which is going to mean it won't hold up as well over the years.
I too laughed when I saw the shop vac attachment, but it is no joke. Drilling more than a couple pocket holes creates a lot of chips in a big hurry, and with this adapter, they just disappear!
A perfect USA made tool - just get it - Review written on December 27, 2007
Rating: 5 out of 5
This is an absolutely brilliant, well made, well designed, USA made tool. Just bite the bullet and buy this full kit. I had a cheap pocket hole set, but upon starting a cabinet project for my house, I just sucked it up and bought the K3 Master system; and it was unlike me to not try and find a cheaper solution. All I can say now is I don't regret one penny. It really is a fantastic woodworking kit with exceptional ease of use and results. For the cabinet making use, it goes from super fast pocket holes in the face frame wood to rapid holes along the sides of the cabinet to attached the frame. Plus, I will say again, this is USA made and the quality and design shows. If you've never used pocket holes, you will be amazed at how secure and strong they are.
Just one thing, even if you've used some sort of pocket hole guide in the past, the first thing you need to do is read the manual. Its a quick read and you will find out all the nice little design aspects of it.