New Kreg Jig K5 coming fall '13

[leakyroof]

I usually eyeball them too. I am generally alternating screws with dominos and sometimes the screw placement  matters for some other reason. I like to set a couple flip stops to left and right sides just to make sure the screws  end up in the right spot when it matters on a bunch of pieces that are the same. Not a big deal though.

Is the base height of the K5 the same as the K3 (older front handle)?  If so I could use my same set up and just swap out the jig.

Seth

Turns out I have 2 K4's and the new K5. Almost 1/2" difference in height Seth. K5 is a touch below 1 1/2" and the older k4's are just under 1" on the main work area sections of each jig.

 

[sakurama]

I'm surprised more people don't use the Portercable one - it's still a better jig it seems. It's strange you still have to manually adjust the drill stop for depth on the new one. Does anyone use the PC or has tried it?

Gregor

 

[promark747]

I'm surprised more people don't use the Portercable one - it's still a better jig it seems. It's strange you still have to manually adjust the drill stop for depth on the new one. Does anyone use the PC or has tried it?

Gregor

Yep, love the PC QuikJig.  Kreg is nice, but every aspect is better on the PC.

 

[RKA]

For those of you with the PC jig, is it easy enough to use for larger panels/cabinets?  I've never used a pocket hole jig before, so I'm a little lost.  Any comparisons to be made against the K5?  I need something for a couple upcoming projects.  I like Seth's suggestion to combine pocket holes with dominos.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Just got a K5 and was surprised to find that the screw length recommendations, for 1/2" stock seems to have changed.  Before, they were recommending 1" screws; now it seems you need 3/4".  Of course I had about 200 1" screws and no 3/4", and none at Home Depot.

Someone at SMC recommended adjusting the stop collar, which is a good idea, but why would they change something so seemingly fundamental ?

Also, found the dust port to be flimsy in the extreme.  Mine kept popping out after connecting an adapter to it.    I think whatever Festool hose connects to a 2 1/2" port is just too heavy for it.

Seth, what are you using for an adapter in your picture ?

 

[semenza]

Just got a K5 and was surprised to find that the screw length recommendations, for 1/2" stock seems to have changed.  Before, they were recommending 1" screws; now it seems you need 3/4".  Of course I had about 200 1" screws and no 3/4", and none at Home Depot.

Someone at SMC recommended adjusting the stop collar, which is a good idea, but why would they change something so seemingly fundamental ?

Also, found the dust port to be flimsy in the extreme.  Mine kept popping out after connecting an adapter to it.    I think whatever Festool hose connects to a 2 1/2" port is just too heavy for it.

Seth, what are you using for an adapter in your picture ?

Two PVC elbows. The end of one is reamed out to fit the D27 Festool hose tool end.  I made the drop down so that it runs along the table edge and I don't catch it with panels. And that also keeps it out of the way when using the flip stops.

Seth

 

[leakyroof]

Just got a K5 and was surprised to find that the screw length recommendations, for 1/2" stock seems to have changed.  Before, they were recommending 1" screws; now it seems you need 3/4".  Of course I had about 200 1" screws and no 3/4", and none at Home Depot.

Someone at SMC recommended adjusting the stop collar, which is a good idea, but why would they change something so seemingly fundamental ?

Also, found the dust port to be flimsy in the extreme.  Mine kept popping out after connecting an adapter to it.    I think whatever Festool hose connects to a 2 1/2" port is just too heavy for it.

Seth, what are you using for an adapter in your picture ?

  I ran into the same issue with 1/2" material for a repair to a drawer at work. And, lots of Fine Thread 3/4" available, but no coarse screws.
About that Dust Port... Yep, as I noted in a review at talkFestool , it's going to be a source of frustration.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I ran into the same issue with 1/2" material for a repair to a drawer at work. And, lots of Fine Thread 3/4" available, but no coarse screws.
About that Dust Port... Yep, as I noted in a review at talkFestool , it's going to be a source of frustration.

OK, so I'm not crazy.  I KNOW the K3 worked for me with 1" screws...

What's so frustrating is that for certain sized stock, they want you to choose the "settings" for different sized stock.  i.e., for 1/2" stock you're supposed to set the drill guide for  1" stock IIRC.    Why they couldn't mark the guides appropriately, is beyond me.  The full chart of permutations is not in the smaller chart inserted in the support wings.

Also I found that the fine thread 3/4" screws really don't seem to hold very well in 1/2" ply.  Makes me want to tear my house up looking for that old K3.

Every Kreg product I've had before has been well thought out, but this one seems kind of half-baked.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

And one more thing... when using the Micro jig, you can't use the Kreg 90 degree clamps - the pin is too big too fit into the pocket hole.  Kreg, WTH ?

 

[semenza]

I never liked the fine thread pocket hole screws, I always used the coarse for everything. I have since switched to GRK and the thread is in between the Kreg fine and coarse. So far no problems in any material.

Seth

 

[NERemodeling]

i wonder why they only offer the 3/4 in fine thread??

John