Tool Review : Kreg R3 Pocket Hole Jig Review Overview

A quick overview and review of the kreg R3 pocket hole jig.

This is a great form of joinery. it is easy to use for
the beginner and is normally used by professional's worldwide,
most commonly, by kitchen fitters.

a keenly priced tool, it will last you a long time and
will get you out of alot of difficult situations when woodworking.
the only downfall is the poor quality drill bit which dull's far too quickly.

other than that, a great tool and deserves its place in my tool shed :)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• kreg
• pocket
• hole
• jig
• R3
• system
• joinery

[PandawdyBob]

I noticed you were putting the screws in by hand. Is this to prevent stripping the hole? I couldn't find any information in my Kreg manual on how to set the torque on my drill.

[TheLumberjackass]

@PandawdyBob

Yes, you are correct.

These screws are razor sharp and will easily strip themselves loose if too much torque is applied. Most woods are decent to work with, but be extremely aware that when it comes to mdf, It'll strip instantly if your any way strong in the forearm department.

As for torque settings, I'm afraid you'll have to test a couple of screws and judge it from there :)

[TheToolnut]

You mentioned that the Trend pocket hole drill bits are much better, how do they compare on price? I might give them a go.

[TheLumberjackass]

@TheToolnut

i actually didnt buy the trend bit so i cant tell you how much they are, but i'd say they would be cheaper somehow. but the shop where i bought the kreg jig replaced my dull kreg bit for the trend bit. so i got it for free really. there is a slight difference in width on the trend, its a little bit narrower, but it is a better quality bit. you can tell instantly when you compare the 2 of them side by side that the trend is made from better steel.

[TheToolnut]

The Kreg drill bits can be sent back to Kreg to be sharpened, i don't know how much it would cost but i'll be finding out soon because both of my bits need to be sharpened. Kreg maintain that their bits will drill two or three thousand pocket holes before they need to be re-sharpened, it think that's a bit optomistic.

[TheLumberjackass]

@TheToolnut

my bit didnt last very long at all, probably 100 holes and i could feel how dull it became. but, i figured out why it dulled so quickly. i was using the bit on plywood, and plywood has some very heavy duty glue which dulls blades and router bits. i would say that the sharpness of the kreg bit may last for about 500 cuts on solid wood, but it gets dull very quickly on plywood.

[elgregor2]

Thanks for letting others know that they can create!

[TheLumberjackass]

@mrdan1210

yes, other brand or other type screws can be used, but the problem your facing is how are you going to drill the hole to make way for that screw ?

you see, the kreg screws make their own hole, but the problem is, they are extremely sharp and any torque applied to the screw can wring itself loose. however, my solution would be to use a kreg screw first, but dont tighten it all the way, remove it, and then use a better more coarse screw instead :)

[mrdan1210]

Hi nice vid, i was looking to buy one of these for mdf cabinet construction but noticed that you dont reccomend the kreg screws for mdf, can other brands of screws be used?

[cleric022684]

@TheLumberjackass So kinda like a most of us, at least you are studying, her in Dublin when you see all the stupid and uneducated people it is easy to become one of them, some of them having problems to even pump a tires ;-) Hold on it should be better...one day.