Kreg K4 or K5?

[pike]

The Kreg Jig K5 is £98 and doesn't come with a clamp (£25) or the K4MS is £99 and does have a clamp and extras.

Anyone have any suggestions which one should I get? I'm assuming they use the same screws.

Thanks!

 

[Graham Orm]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161938401964? ... EBIDX%3AIT

 

[pike]

Thanks Graham, I hadn't realised the clamp which comes with the k4 is a face clamp which as you show has cheaper alternatives. I was actually wanting the right angle one which slots into the drill hole.

 

[Graham Orm]

You'll probably have to buy the Kreg item then. :wink:

 

[Stu_2]

One thing to bear in mind is that one of the jaw faces of the Kreg clamp is designed to lock into the guide block when used off the jig, which has proved very useful.

Edit: Should have mentioned that the external housing for the guide block comes with the K4MS, but I'm not sure it comes with the K5. I use the K4MS, which seems to be a more comprehensive kit than the K5, so best check the specs.

 

[pike]

Cheers Stu, there does seem to be mixed reviews for the newer model.

 

[Lonsdale73]

The Kreg Jig K5 is £98 and doesn't come with a clamp (£25) or the K4MS is £99 and does have a clamp and extras.

Anyone have any suggestions which one should I get? I'm assuming they use the same screws.

Thanks!

I was in the same position about a year ago, ultimately opting for the K5 because I liked the idea of the support wings that come with it These are also rather useful for quicky positioning by eye - it makes it easy to identify a close approximation to a centreline simply by having an equal amount of board either side, then noting where the left (or right) hand edge lies for the one extreme and replicating it on the opposite side to get the outside positions and if the board is long enough to keep centering till there are adequate pocket holes. I've not used a K4 so don't know if it is any quicker/simpler/better but I do like the look of depth setting method on that one compared to that employed on the K5. I think dust extraction is 'better' on the K5 and certainly I can position it to left or right to suit my needs but the port can pop off a bit easily for my liking. I bought some of their right angle clamps and jury is still out on those. I find either they don't hold the work pieces securely enough but the merest tweak on the tension will punch right through the pocket hole however it's highly possible that's down to my inexperience. Overall, I found the ease with which I could create frames, carcasses, boxes and drawers made it one of the best £100 I'd spent.

 

[pike]

Thanks for that Lonsdale. Just the sort of thing I wanted to know. For my current project I've gone ahead and done without pocket hole but I am pretty sure it would be a handy thing to have. I've got a little longer to think about it before buying now.

 

[Cordy]

After reading This
I bought the K4; not tried it yet

 

[Lonsdale73]

Thanks for that Lonsdale. Just the sort of thing I wanted to know. For my current project I've gone ahead and done without pocket hole but I am pretty sure it would be a handy thing to have. I've got a little longer to think about it before buying now.

You're very welcome, nice to be a help for a change rather than looking for everyone else's.

 

[pike]

Cheers Cordy. Don't know why that thread didn't come up when I searched :?

 

[sitefive]

How fast can you drill holes with these more expensive jigs?
I timed today myself and I did 50holes in 17minutes with this combination:

+

Of course that was not drilling holes just for fun but for a project and the 50holes were between like 8different pieces of timber, can you do them much faster with those k4/k5 jigs which cost like £100?

 

[pike]

sitefive I have wondered about the mini jig. I might just give it a go first as it's cheap enough.

the screws cost more than that jig :shock:

 

[pike]

Just to say I've ordered the mini jig as for £15 it's not a big deal if I decide I need the more expensive one. The little one might be handy to have anyway.

Thanks all.

 

[sitefive]

The mini jig probably is the most versitale of them all, ok the $500 foreman is a beast but for £15 you can't go wrong, but make sure you got a decent strength quick release clamps or you will spend most of your time clamping down the piece.

btw the Kregg screws aren't really needed, just get screws with large enough heads.
using these 4.5mm screws from toolstation http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Screws+ ... sunk/sd760
for just about everything I have found they got a good enough head to be used for pocketholes without needing to spend 6x more on just the original kreg screws.

 

[pike]

Thanks again sitefive. I've bought the kreg screws but once I've seen and used them myself had planned on looking around for alternatives.

I've already got a few of the same Irwin quick grip clamp you posted a pic of.

I can see me using the little jig to do some on the spot repairs for existing furniture so it will be good for that.