Kreg K3MS K3 Master Pocket Hole Jig System

easiest way to make shelfing, all you need is square corners and your good to go

I have used this set several times, now. It is amazingly easy to use and makes for strong joints.

2 Suggestions:
1. This set really shines if you are going to be making alot of repetitive pocket-holes. If this is the case for you, I would get this set. Otherwise, I would probably get the Kreg K3SP K3 Pocket Hole Jig Standard Pack and save about $50.

2. I would also get the Kreg mini jig. It is a small block for drilling just one pocket hole. It is less than $10 and speaking from experience, there are just some places where the multi-hole jig will not fit.

Great product, as good as I have heard it was! So much easier and quicker than traditional methods. When practicality out weighs appearance, the Kreg system is the way to go. With careful planning, appearance does not suffer, the Kreg system cannot enhance the beauty of a wood project, but it does not detract, know what I mean? G.B.

I have owned the original Kreg jig since the early 90's and have loved using this tool. I was very hesitant to upgrade because I did not feel the newer version offered enough to justify the additional cost. After reading some of the reviews and seeing this tool being used (at Kreg's website), I decided to make the purchase. This new version is easier to use and is much more versatile than Kreg's original jig.
After completing several projects with this jig, I would suggest adding a clamping table. I made my table using an old Formica top that was lying around my shop. I purchased clamps and tracks directly from Kreg. This addition has made this tool ever more easy and fool proof to use.

In the past I have almost exclusively used either mortise and tenon, dovetail, block or biscuit joinery in all my projects.

I am currently involved in a project that requires the building of a bunch of base and wall cabinets. During the paper design phase of this project I saw that I was going to need a ton of stretchers. The stretchers are vital structural cabinet components but are not really visible in the end product. Since there were so many stretchers, it became clear that I needed an alternate method of joinery specifically for these components.

I had never used the pocket screw approach before mainly because I have always had an aversion to butt joints. I decided that using pocket screws for joining the stretchers might be worth a try so I purchased the Kreg K3MS Master Pocket Hole Jig System.

Being a real novice in this area I spent a lot of time researching the type of screws I would need. Since I was working with 3/4 inch oak laminate sheets and pine stretchers, I decided to order the Kreg SML-C125W #8, 1 1/4 inch coarse screws. What the heck, as long as I spent this much money I also ordered two Kreg right angle clamps as well. The literature I read suggested that these clamps made the joint alignment much simpler.

Well I got the pocket screw jig, read the directions, practiced a bit on some scrap wood and then proceeded to use it on my cabinet stretchers. After attaching my first stretcher I was sold on this type of joinery. The joints were simple and they were tight. The right angle clamps were a life saver as well. It turns out that the screws bite into the wood so hard that the torque will end up rotating the joint by a quarter inch or so if the piece is not firmly clamped in place.

I also built the solid oak cabinet face frames using pocket screw joinery. Since the face frame is constructed with hard wood I used the Kreg SML-F125 1 1/4 inch fine pocket screw. I had no problems with splitting. The joints were tight and strong.

The Kreg pocket hole jig, and supporting components kind of expanded my cabinet making horizon a bit. The joints were quick, easy and most importantly very strong. Although I will continue to use mortise and tenon, dovetail and/or biscuit joinery in most of my projects, I can see that there are applications where the pocket screw method is definitely warranted.

Would I spend the money to purchase these items again? The answer is a definite yes. This Kreg jig is well designed, it is well built, it is a quality tool, and it is now a "must have" tool in my shop.

If your interested, I have attached some "user supplied" photos of the pocket hole joined stretchers and face frame of my base cabinets.