6 Best Pocket Hole Jigs: Reviews on Top Systems that Worth Money

Pocket hole wood joinery results in sturdier, longer-lasting furniture and the process is quick and easy when you use a quality pocket hole jig. This method of joining pieces of wood to make furniture starts out with a hole drilled at an angle in one piece of wood. The pieces are then screwed together with a wood screw driven through the pocket on one piece and into the second piece. A good pocket hole jig simplifies this process. You just clamp it in place on the wood and drill the pocket hole. They cut neat, properly-spaced pocket holes that make it easy to join separate pieces together with wood screws, fill and finish. There is no need for messy glue.

Reviews on the 6 Best Pocket Hole Jigs

1. Kreg K4MS K4 Master Pocket Hole System with Screw Kit

Kreg has an impeccable reputation for high-quality wood-working tools and the K4MS K4 Master System is no exception.

This is a great pocket hole jig for furniture building in the shop and furniture building or repair on the road. It has nearly unlimited adjustability, a large clamping recess, material support stop, a removable 3-hole drill guide and a dust-collection attachment to keep your workspace clean and dust free.

Its removable drill guide makes this pockethole jig a good bench-top model and a great contractor-grade tool with a portable base. It can be used to drill pocket holes in material from 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches thick and can be adjusted in increments of 1/8 inch. All these great features result in clean pocket holes that are easy to plug. This kit includes a clamp, drill bit, plugs and wood screws.

Pros:

• 1/8-inch increment adjustability between 1/2 and 1 1/2 inch
• Removable 3-hole drill guide
• Large clamping recess
• Material support stop
• Dust collector
• Portability
• Comes with a good variety of wood screws in a handy container

Cons:

• Excessive flexibility when using it on bigger pieces of wood
• Collar depth and height of the clamp must be adjusted for every different wood thickness
• Side placement of the dust collector can get in the way

2. Porter-Cable 560 QUIKJIG

Porter-Cable’s QUIKJIG Pocket Hole Joinery System is easy to use anywhere, as long as there is a workbench or sturdy table to clamp it down on.

This pocket hole jig will drill pocket holes into wood from 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Its depth and thickness gauge tells you the best drill angle. It also has a gauge that recommends the appropriate screw length. This is one of the best pocket hole jigs on the market. It comes with a drill bit, drill bit depth collar, clamp, allen wrench, square drives and 100 screws.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Adjusts automatically to wood thickness
• Recommends proper drill angle and screw length
• Can be easily used on longer pieces of wood with a 2×4 for support
• Dust catcher is on the back

Cons:

• Doesn’t firmly hold boards that are 1/2inchthick or less
• Screw size recommendations aren’t always accurate
• Material stop is plastic and not very sturdy

3. Kreg K5 Pocket Hole Jig

The Kreg K5 Pocket Hold Jig is a great, portable jig with convenient storage compartments for screws, bits and other accessories. Its ratcheting clamp is easy to adjust without tools and the clamping handle is located at the front of the drill. This is one of the best pocket hole jigs for mobile woodworking and for beginners.

It even comes with plans for six easy first-time projects. Setup is quick, it is easy to use and everything you need is stored right in the unit. This pocket hole jig come with an adjustable workpiece stop, driver bits and hex-shank drill, a chart to help you select the right size screws.

Pros:

• Very portable
• Quick and easy to set up
• Easily adjusts for various board thicknesses
• Handy storage for screws, bits and accessories
• Dust collection port swivels easily from one side to the other and can be attached to a regular vacuum hose

Cons:

• Doesn’t hold up under heavy use
• May arrive broken or missing pieces. Check it right away.

4. Kreg MKJKIT Mini Kreg Jig Kit

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Very portable
• Positioning is very easy due to the no-fence design
• Can be used on wood of any thickness

Cons:

• Does not come with clamps

5. ImpaktP1 Portable Pocket Hole Jig

The Impakt P1 Portable Pocket Hole Jig is good for light work. It can be used to drill pocket holes in 1/8-inch increments in wood ranging from 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch thick. Special chip extraction holes keep the wood chips out of the way. It has retractable edge stops, which makes it suitable for use on the inside of cabinets.

This Pocket Hole Jig comes with a 3/8-inch bit with depth collar, an allen wrench, a 6-inch square drive bit and 50 wood screws measuring 1 1/4 inches long. This is an inexpensive pocket hole jig.

Pros:

• Costs less than similar pocket hole jigs
• Easy to use
• Can be used for a wide variety of projects
• Drill guides are easy to remove

Cons:

• Not sturdy enough for heavy use
• May not be the best pocket hole jig for beginners
• Difficult to get the right settings when using more than one wood thickness

6. General Tools 850 Heavy Duty – All-in-one Aluminum Pocket Hole Jig

This kit is a complete pocket hole jig system. It includes a two-hole pocket hole jig, a clamp, a 3/8-inch step drill bit, a 3/8-inch steel stop collar, an allen wrench and a 6-inch square drive bit. The kit also includes 24 ea. fine square drive screws, coarse square drive screws and wooden pocket hole plugs in a plastic case.

This is a good, inexpensive pocket hole jig that can be used for corner, flush or angled pocket holes. It can also be used to make pocket holes for face frame cabinets, leg-and-rail connections and picture frames. It is great for use on-site and in the workshop with its built-in clamping system. The maximum wood width that this pocket hole jig can be used on is 1 1/2 inches.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Versatile
• Sturdy aluminum construction
• Has a built-in clamp so you never have to find one

Cons:

• Not sturdy enough for heavy use
• Can’t be used to drill holes in wood thicker than 1 1/2 inches

What to Look for When Buying a Pocket Hole Jig

The right pocket hole jig is well worth the investment whether you’re only making furniture for yourself, neighbors, friends and family in the garage or basement or you’re going into professional woodworking. They will cut clean pocket holes that are much easier to use, fill and finish. If you’re only making an occasional coffee table or repairing a chair, there’s really no need to invest a lot of money. You can get an inexpensive pocket hole jig that is plenty sturdy enough to handle the job.

Thicker pieces of wood will require a particular type of pocket hole jig. Some of them will handle wood pieces up to 1 1/2 inches thick but, if you’re working with thicker pieces, you’ll have to get a hole jig that can handle it.

Consider portability before you buy, too. Get a pocket hole jig that can be easily set up and used away from the workshop if you plan to go to customers’ houses to do repairs.

Buy a pocket hole jig that comes with bits. Regular drill bits usually aren’t long enough to be used with a pocket hole jig. Also, make sure you get one that comes with a clamp or buy a clamp for the hole jig. Some pocket hole jigs can be bought with or without clamps. The MKJKIT Mini Kreg Jig Kit, for example, can be bought with a clamp for just under $40.

In Conclusion

All of the pocket hole jigs on this list are good, for one type of woodworking or another. Any of them will be a good purchase, if you select the one that will handle the level of work you’re doing. A bad pocket hole jig can split your expensive wood or leave rough, jagged pocket hole edges that will take extra time to smooth, repair and finish. The right pocket hole jig will save you time and increase the value of your furniture. It will also make a big difference in how much you enjoy woodworking. Get the right tools for the job and your woodworking experience will be more rewarding.