Customer Reviews

Kreg R2 Rocket Pockethole System

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought one of these little jigs to see if pocket screw construction really was as great as the advertisements say- and I'm here to tell you it's even better. I'd used biscuits in the past to build cabinets, but pocket screws can be set up faster and require no clamping when gluing. The only downside is that pocket screws, unlike biscuits, aren't totally hidden from view- but the holes can be hidden in a lot of built in construction or filled with oak or maple plugs available from Kreg.

This little Kreg jig has a plastic body, but it's a very high density synthetic and should last a long time. The kit has everything you need to get started, including screws, but you'll probably want to get a bag of another 1000 if you plan on doing more than a few boxes.

If you're planning on gearing up for even limited production, or building an entire kitchen, consider getting the all-metal Kreg with built in clamp. For about twice the cost (once you buy the accesories already included with this jig) you'll have a unit than can be bench mounted and sets up in a couple of seconds.

I build cabinetry and prior to getting my Kreg I used a mix of T&G, dowels, and biscuits to join boards and frames together. For your basic furniture construction this device is simply amazing. Attach the jig to one face to be joined, run the special drill bit (included) down one or both fixed metal ferules, unclamp and use the Kreg screws to attach the two parts. I can now build furniture, test for fit in the shop, take it apart, apply finish and rebuild on site.

On the downside it leaves a rather gaping hole on one side of the joint so it is not the preferred method for joining boards that are visible on both sides. They sell wooden plugs (in different wood species), but I am not impressed with them as they take a lot of fiddling to get them in and flush. I also have not used it for joining boards into panels (table tops or cabinet sides) because I prefer an old school biscuit joint with good clamping technique for a flush surface.

However like I said earlier. This is a heck of a tool. It makes for speedy face frame joints and handles my ¾ inch plywood joints very easily. Plus I can literally build the cabinet piece by piece and take it apart to finish or move it. For the price, the rocket pockethole kit is a very good value. If you build cabinets or furniture, than this is a nice tool to have it your shop. (BTW: order extra screws - personally I find I use the 1 ¼ coarse thread screws on just about everything).

Like DJ said, the ProPack is nice, but this is the kit that you will mainly use. Spend the money instead on this kit and one or two right angle clamps, maybe a bench clamp too. The Kreg clamps have yet to make a mark in the wood that I have used (mainly oak). The key to making this system work well is TIGHT clamping when the screw is passing from the drilled piece into the second piece. Hand clamps don't always do the job well and you can get movement, resulting in suboptimal alignment. Also be careful with MDF & melamine - these can split easily with this system. Get both the fine and coarse thread screws that are self tapping.

Bottom line is that when done right, this is much faster, cheaper, less messy, and more precise than biscuit joinery.

If you hang doors, you absolutely need the Porter-Cable 126 Portaplane. If you do cabinet work, you'd best invest in the Kreg pockethole jig. My bar clamps and doweling jig will be consigned forevermore to the back of the shop. I was skeptical of the claims that this little tool could make face frame construction so quick, effortless, and accurate, but after five minutes of work I was sold on it. It's everything Kreg claims that it is! Note: I ran out of Kreg's screws at the end of my last project and wondered if any other # 6 screw MIGHT work in a pinch. I needed just four more to finish the job. I tried drywall screws after reaming out the flat base of the bore...forget it. The key is the flat base of the screwhead, the pitch of the threads, AND the self tapping point. All designed to work together in a near-perfect little system. Avoid any knock-offs. 6 stars.

This is a great system for joinery, as all the other reviews already attest. If I was to do it again, though, I'm not sure I'd buy the Rocket jig. It is made of plastic and requires screwing in different-sized blocks onto the end of the jig for different thicknesses of wood. For instance, there is one configuration for 1x material, another for 2x material, etc. This means fiddling with the screws and blocks each time you need to join different sizes of wood, which not only is a little bit of a hassle, but also means that the screw holes will eventually get stripped-out.

The included clamp is also poor quality, and I have already had to replace mine after a few projects. There are a couple of new designs for the Kreg jigs, and I think I would get one of these before buying the Rocket jig again.

I bought the Kreg Pocket Hole Pro Pack, which has all of the components on this set, plus the workpiece holder. You could make your own using a toggle clamp. What I wanted to share with you is that the Kreg Pocket Hole offerings made the number one spot across the board in the November 2003 issue of Better Homes and Gardens "Wood" magazine. Everything from the mini on through to the automated production machine were given the top ratings. It was a clean sweep for Kreg. They tested a lot of machines too. Some of the advantages are the flush edge joining to the workpiece prevented tearout. The case hardened steel guides didn't show wear or metal shavings. Easy to make or buy the premade plug holes out of wood. (Some were an odd shape, and wouldn't accept plugs very well)
Even though the body is made out of plastic, which is substantial and well done, the steel guides are the only thing the drill bit touches.
Pocket hole joinery is a nice addition to your arsenal. You will find yourself incorporating it more and more into your projects, and the Kreg system is the best. Highly recommended.

This is a great tool for joinery. Makes really strong joints and is fast and easy. The bit is good quality. I bought the tool after seeing it used in projects in the Handyman Magazine and reading the good reviews here at Amazon. After using it extensively to build cabinets, I agree with the reviews.

The couple of areas for improvment:

1. The end attachment is hard to screw into the body. I leave it out entirely now, since I mostly work with 3/4" material and line the edge of the jig to the wood edge.

2. The clamp barely works for 1 1/2" material. Some pieces were 1/8" bigger, and I couldn't clamp it. They should have provided a slightly bigger clamp.

3. After extensive use, the plastic body at the holes is reamed out. A metal body would be nicer.

I have been putting off getting a pocket hole jig for some time. I am about to start a project and I thought that this would be the best way to assemble the project that would allow disassembly at a later date if need be. I was originally just going to get a cheaper set, but decided to go ahead and pay a little more. Boy am I glad I did. I decided to practice with this set up by building a squirrel feeder my wife wanted, and I have been putting off. Wow this little thing worked out great.

While this tool may seem more expensive than the competition, it comes with lots of things that make up for it.

For instance it comes with a drill bit and collar for the bit that I would have had to buy separately with the other set up I was going to get originally. Also it comes with a handy long #2 square drive for your electric drill witch is great for getting into even tight spots. You also have the ability to set it up for the thickness of wood that you are going to be using and not have to measure ever time you use the too. That is a big time saver.

I would recommend this well put together tool for some one who is not going to use pocket holes for the majority of there projects but wants a great tool for a great price that is easy to use. You may find yourself putting in more screws than you need just because they are so easy to install. If you are going to use pocket hole joints a lot then you might possible want to step up to the Kreg with more options. But for me this thing is wonderful.

DOn't waste your mopney on the more expensive versions of this. The Kreg Rocket does all most will ever need. Well designed and well made, the Kreg jig is perfect time saving tool for both pro and occasional cabinetmakers.

I have been using the Kreg Pocket Jig for about eight years and have been totally satisfied. For cabinet construction, I generally use pocket screws in conjunction with biscuits. It may take a little longer, but the end result is perfect alignment and no clamping reqired.