The Kreg Right Angle Clamp is more than just useful. It is absolutely
essential and transforms the whole operation, turning an unscrewed joint into a precise, firm-as-old-effluvient, locked-up entity that doesn't move when you transfix it with the screws.
The UJK version
(only seen it in the shop) apparently has a ratchet and quick-release mechanism,
but is far too fiddly for real world use, IMHO. The Kreg uses the standard Mole/Visegrip mechanism and latches on like a pitbull that's been surprised with an annual Intruder and goes down to whatever preset depth one has umm,
pre-set it to - with a one-handed squeezy action.
The UJK device looks like it needs holding with one hand and tightening with the other while the components are immobilized by some other method, say another pair of hands or maybe,
a clamp... (!!). Speaking as one who has sometimes had to hold a flat piece of wood with one hand, a vertical with the other and the clamp with... the
other, other hand, I can see nothing but hurt coming from not having a one-handed, juggleable system.
Take a look at the throat depth of the Kreg vs the UJK. I've often had to use mine at full stretch. It's a no-brainer, sorry.
The RAC is simply
necessary.
Face-frame alignment is still a pain though. The supplied with the jig face frame clamps are just too feeble to hold components intimately enough to prevent the bits jacking off (?) One either needs a big 'un, or a bench-mounted alternative. The Irwin wobbly-headed 11" clamps have caught my eye and will be my next purchase. A large, sanded coin hot-glued onto one or both pivoty faces should do nicely. I'll report back if it works as well as I imagine.
In my experience the actual (insanely expensive in Britain) Kreg screws tend to give a less jacked-apart joint than threaded-to-the-hilt varieties. I tend to use roundhead Quicksilvers and suchlike for el-cheapo projects and keep the Kregs for "proper" furniture or stuff using thin stock but then I'm a cheapskate with no shame. Nevertheless I bought a second Kreg RAC and it was money well spent.
My jig is the no longer available Axminster original which was, I believe a rebadged Dakota featuring all metal construction and it comes in a wooden box with the basic stuff inside. The adjustment is stepped in 1/4" bites so intermediate thin stock sizes ideally need shimming up off the aluminium base with a scrap of hardboard which can be kept in the same box. Dust collection is of the uncollected variety, but then the chippings - not dust - tumble out of the relief chutes and never get airborne. In my experience this has never been an inconvenience. YMMV.
Sorry if I seem overly pedantic about the RAC's absolute necessity, but it just
is.
