Features included with the Kreg K5

• Kreg K5 Base
• 2 Extension Wings
• Dust Collection Port
• Spacer Block
• Stop Block
• Drill Bit Block
• Drill Bit with stop collar
• Driver Bit – 6″
• Starter Screw Set, and Guide Book

Overall the Kreg K5 Jig is a really easy to use product.  It feels rugged enough for the casual woodworker.  A big plus is how sturdy it feels.  Some of the other jigs I’ve seen are a little flimsy and don’t include very good instructions (if any at all).  If you have a project where you’ll need to drill pocket holes, I think you’ll find that the K5 does an excellent job doing this.  It’s reasonably priced at most big box stores that sell Kreg products or online at amazon.

A Few Other Kreg Jigs

The Kreg K4 jig is the jig that I have used the most.  Similar to the K5 but with some obvious differences.  The biggest being that the jigs clamp lever is located in the rear, not the front.  The K4 (as of the date this was written) is still available online, and in big box stores.

The Kreg R3 is an excellent starter jig.  It was the first Kreg Jig I ever owned.  In theory you could do everything you want with just this one jig, although it would be a little difficult.  The R3 is great if you only have a couple boards that need pocket holes.

The Kreg Jig Mini is the most basic pocket hole jig I think has ever been made.  It is especially useful when you find you have missed a pocket hole drill out and you’re in the middle of assembly.  This jig can be easily mounted to a board with a single clamp.

Pocket Hole Picture Frame

I made this picture frame using my Kreg K5 jig.  It’s a simple design that holds a 5×7 picture.  Pocket holes make it very easy to create these types of frames.  Getting the dimensions correct on the inside can be a little tricky.  I’ve included the dimensions that I used, but you may need to adjust a 1/16″ here and there as needed.  Also in case you missed in the video above I go over some of the steps I used to make the frame.

If you make one of these be sure to post a picture of it over on the WoodLogger Facebook Page.  I’d love to see how yours turns out.

Material List

(1) 1″ x 2″ x 4′ – Oak (You can use any wood you like, I chose oak)
(1) 1/8″ x 5″ x 7″ – Hardboard used for backing.
(1) 1/8″ x 5″ x 7″ – Clear acrylic (or glass)

Cut List

(2)  1-1/2″ x 9-3/4″ – Top and bottom
(2)  1-1/2″ x 4-3/4″ – Sides
(1)  4-7/8″ x 6-7/8″ – Hardboard Backing (You may need to make small adjustments to these dimensions)
(1)  5″ x 7″ – Hardboard Backing (You may need to make small adjustments to these dimensions)

Milling & Assembly

	For my frame project I used my K5 jig to cut pocket holes.  I drilled two holes on each side board.
	For assembly, I secured the boards with a clamp.  This is an important step as when you screw your boards together they’ll adjust slightly if there not securely clamped.
	The next step is cut a groove around the inside of the frame.  For this I cut a rabbit along the inside of my frame I used a rabbit bit and cut my notch 1/4″ deep and 1/4″ wide
	After routing out the frame boards, I cleaned up the corners with a chisel.
	Next up I used some oak pocket hole plugs to cover up the pocket holes.  These plugs are sold in many different wood species and do a great job hiding pocket holes.
	Next up, I sanded the whole project and trimmed off the excess pieces of wood from the plugs.
	To finish my frame up.  I cut a frame window and frame back.  You may want to wait and make this your last step to ensure you get the perfect dimensions.

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The Pocket Hole Joinery Book, by Mark Edmunson is put together with these things in mind.  The book lays out eight different projects with basic diagrams and step by step instructions.  My personal favorite was the Blanket Bench project.  The author also includes a comprehensive, yet easy to read intro to pocket holes.  He covers many various types of jigs, clamps, and screws all geared for pocket hole jig owners.

While I really enjoyed this book, my only criticism is that I wish there had been more projects included.  Eight projects are respectful, but I wish there had been a few more included.

I think you will really enjoy this book and the projects included.  I sure did.  If you are considering purchasing this book another title to check out is The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig by Danny Proulx.  I have written a review for this book as well if you’re curious.  Both books really complement each other, and if you are new to pocket holes I think you will find them helpful.  Check out the titles over at Amazon; there both reasonably priced, and I will include links at the bottom of this post where you can pick them up.

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The Kreg Shelf Pin Jig is an excellent jig to add your woodworking collection.  I’ve done the “make your own” pegboard type of jig.  The problem is you cut it down to size and it seems like you never get it right the first time.  When you do finally get it right it still feels a little off when you’re finished.  Anyone who has the done pegboard thing will know how it can be a pain to do(and no I’m talking about those crazy smart never make a mistake woodworker guys, I mean regular folk).

Before I go much further though I have to say that I’m a big Kreg nerd.
Kreg hands down makes the best products for woodworkers and the difference is you can tell these guys actually eat their own dog food.  That is to say, I really believe these guys are real woodworkers and actually use their own products.  I hope this review is helpful and as always I’ll include a link at the bottom of the review where you can find the this jig.

	Here is a snapshot of the box that the jig came in.  I picked mine up from Amazon.  Click here if you want to check out more about it.
The box includes: Shelf-Pin Jig Locating Pin Jig Extender 1/4″ Drill Bit Depth Collar Allen Wrench Instruction Manual
The back of the jig has a really handy set of holders built into the jig. It will hold your drill bit, depth collar, and the location pin.
	The jig can be used with or without the fence.  The fence is really handy, it attaches to the edge of the jig and allows you to get a square fit.  It can also be attached to either side of the jig.  On one side if you attach it you’ll get approximately a 1″ depth in-set.  If you attach to the other side, it will give you approximately a 2-1/8″ depth in-set.  Of course you don’t have to use the fence at all if you need to go deeper.  Just attach a square board to the work piece and align your jig to that.
	If you have(or need) multiple jigs you can attach them together to get a longer length.  I can’t see ever purchasing an additional one, but I could see where some folks might want this.  If you need more holes you simply insert the locating pin in the last hole and then place the jig on top of it.
	The depth collar is used to set the depth of the hole while drilling a hole.  If you set the depth collar and the drill bit in the back of the jig it will line up for a perfect depth.
The jig is really easy to use.  In the first image I lined up the board on the edge using the 1″ side and fence.  I’m using a Kreg clamp to hold it in place but any good clamp will work great.  I drilled my end hole.Next up I put in my locating pin and then placed the jig on top of the pin.Lastly I drilled my remaining holes with the locating pin still in the first slot.

Overall the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig is a really easy to use product.  It feels rugged enough for the casual woodworker.  One of the best features is the size.  I’ve seen other jigs that are two or three times this size.  Another big plus is the metal reinforced holes in the jig.  Some of the other jigs I’ve seen only include a punch hole and you then go back and drill them in after.  With this jig you get it all done at once.  If you have a project where you’ll need to drill shelf holes I think you’ll find it does the job well.

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I don’t believe in reviewing or giving opinions on woodworking books unless you can legitimately say you’ve built at least a couple of items from the book.  I’ve completed the end tables in this book, and currently I’m working on the framed mirror project.  Now that I have presented my only credentials, and gotten that out-of-the-way; I have to say that I really enjoyed this book!  If you’re newer to the Kreg Jig you’ll definitely enjoy it!

Danny Proulx is the author of this book and he has done a great job assembling real world projects.  As a new Kreg Jig owner it was great to find a list of projects that I could pick from using the jig that would teach me how to properly use the tool.  Not only did it show how to use the tool, it showed ways to use it that I would have never thought possible.  One example was to edge join boards without glue up, no biscuits, or any dowels.  Using pocket holes worked great, and it will definitely be a trick that I use in the future. The author includes an index and a list of suppliers in the book.  Which is always a big help when building projects from a book.

The book includes 11 projects that you can build:

• Basic Cabinet
• Tall Bookcase
• Quilt rack
• Window Bench
• Chest of Drawers
• Kitchen Display and Storage Cabinet
• Coffee and End Tables
• Sofa or Hall Table
• Framed Mirror
• Pendulum Wall Clock
• Child’s Wall Clock

My only criticism is that I believe the author prefers the style of showing some of the Kreg pocket holes, and then finishing them with inserts of a different style of wood to accent the piece.  It may have been the authors motive to simply demonstrate that it’s an option, but for the life of me I can’t imagine why anyone would prefer that style of finishing.

If you’re interested in checking this book out; Amazon has it for a very reasonable price.  I’ll include a clickable link at the bottom of this article if you want to see more about it.

The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book (Popular Woodworking)

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Yeah, I know what you’re thinking and you’re partly right.  Why am I reviewing a glorified ruler?   Well there is a little bit more to it than that.  I have a couple of combo squares that I regularly use, and one of them broke a few weeks ago.  Recently, I’ve turned into a Kreg nerd and so I thought I would check out the Kreg Multi Mark tool and see how it does.  Needless to say Kreg does it again.  This little tool is great!  Really…!  Let’s face it 90% of all the measures we do as casual woodworkers are 6″ or less.  This tool takes up only a little bit of space on my work table and makes quick measurements easy to do.  It’s perfect for most lay outs.  I’ve also used this for outside projects too(it fit perfect in my pocket).

It also makes setting the depth of the blade on your table-saw (or bits on a router) a snap.  The multi-mark also includes a simple level which comes in handy.

The metal scale can be removed and re-positioned to allow you to use the tool as a 90° square.  You can also re-position it be a 45° marking tool.  The measure has both Imperial and Metric scales.

Overall I wouldn’t recommend you run out and buy one of these today(although it’s very affordable).  If however, you’re looking for a nice handy tool to do most of the quick marking measurements for a project; the Kreg Multi Mark measuring tool is worth checking out.

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One of my favorite toys is my Kreg Drawer Slide Jigs.  There are actually two jigs that you’ll want to use to help you install a drawer.  The two jigs really compliment each other, and make completing drawer installs a snap.  I picked up both jigs from Amazon for a really reasonable price (as always I’ll include links to the jigs at the bottom of this post).  Another important thing when it comes to installing drawers is to use high quality drawer slides.

The first jig is the Kreg Universal Drawer Slide Mounting Jig.  This jig makes it extremely easy to attach a drawer mount to your project.

It has a magnet and a small lip on the bottom of the jig that allow it to hold your drawer slide for you.  All you do is put your drawer slide on it and then clamp the jig to the case or cabinet your working on.  Another plus is that it will keep it at a 90° angle making it easier to keep everything plum when you install it.  Another thing that I have used is a drawer slide back bracket.  This is a really nice thing to use if you can’t mount the drawer slide to the sides of your project.  It holds the drawer slides in place and really anchors it in place.

The second jig is the Kreg Drawer Mounting Brackets. These brackets are fantastic for holding the drawer in place after you have installed the drawer slides.

Simply clamp the brackets to your project and sit your drawers on top of the brackets.   Then sit your drawer on top of the brackets.  The drawer sits at the perfect height as it lines up with the width of the mounting jig.  With the drawer sitting on the brackets all that is left is to pull the arms to the drawer slides out and attach them to the drawers.  The entire process is really easy and makes it quick to install drawers into a project.

My overall recommendation on these jigs is a big A+.  Both jigs compliment each other very well.  The jigs are easy to use and the instructions are easy to follow.  The quality of the jigs are top-notch(which you would expect from Kreg).  There made of a high quality plastic and it feels solid.  My only complaint really is that I believe both jigs should be sold as one kit, or at least available as one kit.  These items are manufactured by Kreg and you can find them at Amazon.  I will include links at the bottom of the page you can check out for more information.

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