635709 Kreg Jig Mini

This is a great bit of kit! very simple when you think about it, its just a hole at an angle, but it provides a very secure joint. I bought this to build a couple of shelf units for under a desk. I used 3/4" MDF and used no glue, just the pocket-hole joint made with this Kreg jig and the proper screws. Both units I made went together very quickly and are very strong! they are now happily holding up my desk-top and computer. This is a well thought out tool. Its is well made from quality plastic and very simple to use! I bought a cheap F-clamp instead of the Kreg branded C-clamp and although it probably takes a bit longer to use, it works very well. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to make strong joints quickly! just remember to keep the little instruction booklet as it shows you how to set it up for different thickness materials.

This is the second Kreg Mini Jig I have bought after the first drill bit's smaller end broke of after around 70 - 80 holes being cut. You buy can replacement drill bits as standalone items but because Kreg continually overprice their items including spares it was only a few quid extra just to buy the whole kit again which I reluctantly did. I will be honest if another supplier offered a comparable item I would have bought elsewhere as feel somewhat annoyed with Kreg giving the failure of the drill bit. Anyways rant over..... here is the actual review: SHORT REVIEW PROS - Makes jointing wood for the amateur very easy - Kit comes with everything (apart from a clamp) to get started - Regardless of what Kreg says you can just normal wood screws for the pocket hole joints CONS - Somewhat overpriced for what you get - No longevity with the drill bit - Spares expensive - Even with excellent clamps the jig (blue part) can slip quite easily LONG REVIEW Pocket hole joinery is really a superb way for both new comers and existing woodworkers / joiners to easily and fairly quickly joint wood as opposed to traditional joints which take a good deal of time and acquired skill . Apart from the lack of a clamp this kit comes with everything you need to get started. Even though Kreg states that you have to use their special square headed screws and of course using their square driver bit for your joints I just used normal screws with longer impact driver bits to get the angle right for driving the screws into the pocket holes the benefit being they are hugely cheaper over the official Kreg screws. The strength of the joint is pretty good and I have used pocket holes for a particularly over sized chunky picnic bench which sits up to 12 people so goes to prove the strength of the joint whilst not anywhere near the strength of dovetails or tenons it still does well. I have found that even with really good brand name clamps the jig can easily slide about a bit but I resolved this issue by taking a file and roughing up the underside of the jig (the bit that sits on the workpiece) so it creates friction / resistance. The drill bit is staggered with the tip being slimmer that the rest of the bit. However on my first kit this slimmer bit broke off after around 70 - 80 uses which seemed somewhat premature. You can purchase spare drill bits but Kreg has overpriced them and it was only a few quid extra to buy a whole new kit which I did. Kreg does have some great ideas but I don't feel I get value for money with their products giving I think they are particularly overpriced for what you get. Sadly there isn't much of an alternative with different brands so I reluctantly bought the second kit. Ultimately with a little bit of fetling (roughing up the bottom) it does work very well but just be aware that it's not a tool that is going to last for years.

This is a really good option if you are willing to spend a bit of time in set up, and do not wish to spend the extra to get one of the more comprehensive Kreg jigs. The item itself is good quality, but I do now prefer hex shaft drill bits as they give such superior grip. That it not to say I have any issues with the bit that it included. The only downside to this set up, which is inherent to choosing the cheaper option, is that it takes some trial and error to set up. There are instructions which do offer guidance has to where to set the jig in relation to the edge of the timber you are drilling into, but in reality you need to test on some scrap material of the same thickness to get the hole in the center of the end grain, which is the aim. Once you are set up, replication is easy and the results are great.

I bought this handy little device to help me build a bespoke wardrobe from 18mm MDF. I am so impressed with it. I used a fairly cheap c clamp to hold it and the results are amazing. I now have a very sturdy custom fit wardrobe that looks great thanks to this piece of kit. I am an amateur DIYer and it was so easy to use. I highly recommend this.

I already had another pocket hole jig and drill driver that wasn't a Kreg one which wasn't always reliable because the drill bit would actually drill away the inside casing of the jig but this Kreg one is an absolute dream. It works smoothly every time and comes with a chart that shows you where to place the jig depending on the size of wood you are working with. I can't recommend this product highly enough. Kreg certainly put quality at the top of their list along with functionality. Their products are a bit pricey but definitely worth every penny.

The jig doesn't allow you to joint smaller sections of wood so you have to buy the miniature sets, they are not overly advertised so search for them. This model only does 9mm size but you can buy the smaller drills and use another jig that has adjustable drill hole guides. The drills are extortionately pricey for what they do. Overall if you can't make any other type of joint and want to make furniture quickly then this system works but it's not for me.

Great little jig. Makes stong joins and is fast and easy to use. I like making simple furniture from pallets this is ideal for joins for frames / carcasses. You need a clamp and drill. Its best get an off cut to mess around with to get the position right for the first time. Once you have this you can guess.

Pretty easy to use if you have clamps and a good work surface BUT, from a joinery perspective, there are some pretty fundamental flaws. For example, the pilot drill does not penetrate the face of the timber so you cannot check where the screw will exit the face of the timber. The pilot drill does not provide a clearance hole so the screw will not easily draw the timber joint together. The special screws are over-priced and of very poor quality material being too soft. The special square driver bit is of poor design and is a blatant pice of marketing to trap you into buying the special bit - a standard Torx screw head would be far better, providing better torque distribution and more secure/positive driving. So, I'm sticking with biscuits!