GEAR RETROSPECTIVE
In Great Gear, we often focus on new tools. Manufacturers appreciate the exposure for their new products, and many readers are interested in getting a look at those new products before making a monetary commitment. Of course, when one goes shopping for tools there’s far more available than just what’s new.
For this reason, I think it’s prudent to take a break at times from looking foward and instead look back to reflect on some of the tools that have seen the most use in our shop here at Woodsmith, and to explore exactly why that is.
POCKET HOLE JIGS.
For this first retrospective, I want to take some time to look at a few tools that have appeared consistently in these pages (and on the Woodsmith Shop TV show) for some time now. Pocket holes are handy for a variety of assemblies, and when it comes to making them, Kreg undoubtedly provides some of the best jigs.
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| The Kreg 720 pocket hole jig provides a drill guide, clamping station, and housing for the bits in one package. |
WHICH JIG TO CHOOSE?
If you ask around our shop which jig is preferred for pocket holes, you’ll get a few different answers. If you ask Phil Huber, our Executive Editor and host of the TV show, he’d recommend you give the 720 jig a try.
KREG 720 POCKET HOLE JIG.
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| The drill guide on the 720 is designed to easily position the pocket holes on workpieces between 1 1/4" to 3 1/2" wide — perfect for most rails and stiles. | The 720 jig may be larger than the 320, but it’s still light and maneuverable enough to attach directly when drilling holes in larger panels. |
The jig you see on here is the 720. It’s a full size jig with a lot of capabilities. The drill guide clamps down onto the workpiece by pulling the lever, which automatically positions it correctly for the thickness of the workpiece. The back of the jig holds the drill bit and its stop collar, the combined hex wrench and thickness gauge, and two bits of different length for driving in the pocket screws.
Using the jig is easy. Narrower pieces like rails and stiles can be set in the jig. In this use, the drill guide provides markers for locating the pocket holes evenly. The jig can also be used by attaching the guide to a larger panel, as you can see in the right photo. Additionally, it features extension wings for supporting wider workpieces and a dust port. Overall the 720 jig provides nearly everything you could want for pocket holes.
KREG 320 POCKET HOLE JIG.
However, bigger isn’t always better. If you ask our Shop Manager, Marc Hopkins, he’ll tell you his preferred pocket hole jig is the 320 shown at right. As opposed to the 720, this one is no frills, all function. Marc began using this jig in his carpentry days, as it was perfectly sized for the pocket holes he used to attach 1 1/2"-wide trim.
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| The Kreg 320 pocket hole jig is small and easy take where you need it. | A cleat in the rear positions it along the edge while the vise grip clamps it down securely. |
To use this jig, you’ll need to attach it to the workpiece using the vise grip clamp. The cleat can be adjusted based on the thickness of the workpiece. Marc’s draw to this jig is its small size and ease of use. Whether its a rail or the back panel of a cabinet, he prefers to bring the jig to the workpiece. In his eyes, the lack of different settings presents a streamlined option that gets the work done much quicker once you’re accustomed to using it.
Either way, it’s hard to go wrong with one of these, but they illustrate an important point. There’s plenty of things woodworkers disagree on, but the “right” way is the one that gets good results — however it is you go about reaching it.
