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Craig Sommerfeld discovered his passion for working with his hands in a high school shop class. After graduating, he turned that interest into a career. From 1976 to 1990, he worked third shift as a tool-and-die maker for Bourns, Inc., a manufacturer of electronic components, in Ames, Iowa. There, after hours and during breaks, he worked to find a way to build kitchen cabinets with hidden joints.

He drew inspiration from the pocket-hole joints used under dining tables and other furniture pieces. The problem: Manufacturers had specialized, expensive equipment for making the joints. Craig needed an easy and efficient solution. So he created plans for a single-hole jig and built the shortcut device himself. It was a success: The jig easily enabled Craig to hide the holes.

Craig showed his creation to his brother Marc, a high school shop teacher and cabinetmaker. At first, Marc was a bit skeptical. In fact, it took Craig two years to convince Marc to try using the tool. Once he did, Marc saw that Craig's jig offered convenience without sacrificing quality.

Knowing other woodworkers could benefit from the tool, Marc talked his brother into taking it on the road. In 1989, the two ventured to the Minneapolis Woodworking Show—their first real success. They sold all the jigs they’d brought and took orders for 20 more. The brothers continued to attend trade shows each weekend to sell the jigs Craig and his son Todd built during the week in a backyard woodshop.

When Craig's employer closed its doors and moved operations overseas, a new opportunity presented itself: Craig could now sell the jig full-time. After taking a leap of faith, the metalworker made waves in the woodworking industry. Craig’s jig became the Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig®, and Kreg Tool has grown from a home business to an international enterprise in just 25 years.

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Jig settings for 2 ¾ x 1 ½ boards with 30 degree miters?

I making a hex ring out of 2x4s ripped to 2 ¾ inches wide with 30 degree miters.  What setting on the Jig should I used? 1 ½ is too much.  Thanks.Continue

Started by Patrick Halinski in Kreg Jig® Operation Dec 30, 2023.

40mm Cup Hinge Jig Question

Hi All.....I have the 35mm Kreg Jig hinge drill guide. The guide is great for 35mm Hinge Cups, but I have a speciality 40MM hinge cup to drill.Has anyone adapted the Kreg guide to work with 40mm Forsner drill bits? Or have a guide that works…Continue

Started by Ed Anderson in Beginners' Zone Oct 3, 2023.

Product Reviews

New Kreg 720Pro

I saw the video Kreg put out for this new jig and had high hopes for it.

I purchased one today and am very disappointed with it.

First the docking station is extremely cheap. The plastic is pathetic. A Lego has more…

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Posted by Duke Leon on February 15, 2021 at 9:00pm

Not Pleased With Pocket Hole Construction

Several months ago, I purchased the Kreg K4MS so that I could build the Lego Table as outlined on the companion "buildsomething" web site which exclusively uses pocket hole construction.  I have considerable experience with conventional…

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Posted by Robert Ringel on September 17, 2020 at 1:48pm — 9 Comments

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