Any Kreg K5 feedback?

[Kev]

I was nearing the point of buying a K3 & K4 late last year, but I wasn't happy with user stories and I heard about the new K5 coming. Completely out of character, I decided to wait a while and see what other people thought.

There doesn't seem to have been much discussion anywhere (that I've seen) on the K5. Does anyone here have an opinion?

For the amount of pocket holing I'll be doing in my future, I don't think I could ever justify one of the Kreg stations ... so those flimsy crappy plastic things seem to be my fate !!!

Ironically I spend far more time pondering cheap tools than the expensive ones.

 

[neeleman]

Did you have a look at the UJK version sold by Axminster?
At least it's made from aluminium. And more important the screws are regular Torx T20 instead of those funny Robertson which are hard to get outside the USA.
Reviews are also good and also available on YouTube.
And it has metric scales and not imperial like the Kreg stuf.

 

[Kev]

I've never seen that before. Thanks ... looking into it right now!

 

[semenza]

That UJK looks nicely constructed. Is the tube portion a vac port? Looks solid.

The type of screws  is not married to the brand of jig.

Seth

 

[Kev]

That UJK looks nicely constructed. Is the tube portion a vac port? Looks solid.

The type of screws  is not married to the brand of jig.

Seth

I watched the vid - yes, a vac port.

 

[semenza]

Personally I like the clamp handle on the front side. I find it a nuisance to reach around large panels for the back side clamps. I had the K4 (back handle), bought the K3 (front handle) when it first came out. Big improvement.  I have not used the K5 but I did try out the clamp with a few different pieces of wood at a dealer. The clamp action was good and the auto adjustment could easily handle  an 1/8" so it would be great for 3/4", 18mm, 19,, 20mm thickness variances.  Actually I think I tried it with 3/4" and 1" material without resetting the clamp (not certain though).

Seth

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

If I didn't already have the K4, I would probably go for that UJK. I like that the dust port is attached and the whole unit is one solid piece.

 

[sancho57]

Does the UK version work with 12 mm material?

 

[neeleman]

Yes, look at my link to the Axminster website, it's there:
"Use for a wide range of material thickness 12-36mm"

 

[jplemons]

No experience with the K5 but I have the K4 set and like it a lot. It's not cheap plastic at all. Seems very durable. I even drilled through it on accident when I set the depth incorrectly and it's still strong and functions well.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

The vacuum port on the K5 is a joke - it will not stay in. 

 

[Mahomo59]

Had k5 delivered a couple of weeks ago from Workshop Heaven. So far I really like it. Easy to set up, storage is handy, front clamp is great and solid. So far only used it to construction my Ron Paulk style bench. Previously used Trend version, only went down to 16mm. Once I get shop sorted I will screw it to a piece of ply and hang it on the wall.
First kreg products bought end of last year, shelf pin jig (awesome) and drawer runner jig. Really happy with their quality.

 

[Sparktrician]

My K3 (purchased in '03) works well enough that I'm not even vaguely considering replacing it.  I do wish I could find equivalent screws with Torx drive.  The Robertson drive screws work well enough and certainly don't skip out, unlike Phillips, but I have a general preference for Torx. 

 

[cgmojoco]

The vacuum port on the K5 is a joke - it will not stay in. 

+1
Otherwise good upgrade from version4 for me

 

[builderbob]

My K3 (purchased in '03) works well enough that I'm not even vaguely considering replacing it.  I do wish I could find equivalent screws with Torx drive.  The Robertson drive screws work well enough and certainly don't skip out, unlike Phillips, but I have a general preference for Torx. 

Spark, try screwproducts.com that's where I get my Torx drive pocket screws. They are only available in 1 1/4" & 1 1/2" both fine and coarse. I'm very pleased with those screws!

 

[Sparktrician]

My K3 (purchased in '03) works well enough that I'm not even vaguely considering replacing it.  I do wish I could find equivalent screws with Torx drive.  The Robertson drive screws work well enough and certainly don't skip out, unlike Phillips, but I have a general preference for Torx. 

Spark, try screwproducts.com that's where I get my Torx drive pocket screws. They are only available in 1 1/4" & 1 1/2" both fine and coarse. I'm very pleased with those screws!

Thanks for the heads-up, Bob.  Will give them a look. 

 

[Carl Prentiss]

The vacuum port on the K5 is a joke - it will not stay in. 

+2

 

[leakyroof]

The vacuum port on the K5 is a joke - it will not stay in.  

+2

. I covered this in my review at talkFestool on the K5. Quick and cheap solution was to use the K4 dust port, which is fixed and won't rotate , but stays put.. [mad]
The K5 vacuum port was really surprising compared to how rugged the older K4 port was. I am still amazed that Kreg hasn't been forced to offer a better port for the K5s

 

[RC]

Got my UJK jig last week and its definitely solid (well the accessory clamp is a bit silly with the colored rubber handle covers that make the release handle a bit stiff. You can remove them easily btw.) and I like it.

Haven't had a chance to take it for a test drive yet, but it does feel quality all over.

Edit: Used it for the first time now and it definitely is rock solid piece of kit and the DC works perfectly connected to my CT26.

 

[rljatl]

The vacuum port on the K5 is a joke - it will not stay in. 

+2

. I covered this in my review at talkFestool on the K5. Quick and cheap solution was to use the K4 dust port, which is fixed and won't rotate , but stays put.. [mad]
The vacuum port was really surprising over how rugged the older K4 port was. I am still amazed that Kreg hasn't been forced to offer a better port for the K5s

That's odd.  The vacuum port on my K5 does not fall off.  In fact, I cannot even pull it off.  Wonder what the difference is?