Anybody try out the Harbor Freight pocket hole jig?

[Nick B]

I just got one of these a month ago,does anyone use one in addition to their Kreg?

http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-pocket-hole-jig-kit-96264.html

[Rick]

Even sounds like the same guy narrating their informational video.

Kreg may have all the extra features, but this one has metal construction.

[Nick B]

The reason I bought it was that it's half the price of the Kreg, but it doesn't have any of the depth guide markings on it like the kreg does. I haven't built anything with it yet.

[John Schaben]

General Tool also makes one, even less whistles than the HF one.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?p...

[Rick]

Years ago I bought a small pocket hole jig but never used it.  What got me going was a Kreg DVD by Gary Striegler that opened up the pocket hole world to me.  He is a custom builder and a contributing editor in Fine Home Building magazine.

Kreg has not just built a good tool, but has provided instruction and accessories to make the tool useful.  This forum is a great source too. 

[Bob Farmer]

Rick said:

Kreg may have all the extra features, but this one has metal construction.

Did anyone else notice that its missing metal somewhere? For me, the only part of a pocket hole jig that NEEDS metal, is the sleeve where the bit contacts the jig. 

It seems to me that this one has metal everywhere it doesn't need it, and doesn't have metal where it should have it. It has the metal sleeves, but unlike the Kreg Jig the metal does not extend fully to where the jig would contact the workpiece. So, there's nothing for the bit to cut 'against'. Should still work, but lots of frayed edges and harder drilling I would imagine.  The 'general' one looks better in that regard...

[Ken Darga]

Nick,

You may have got it for ''half-price''---but---

it's not the same.
After you get going on your projects, you'll wish you invested in the Kreg.

Kreg's offers so much more.

Nick B said:

The reason I bought it was that it's half the price of the Kreg, but it doesn't have any of the depth guide markings on it like the kreg does. I haven't built anything with it yet.

[Pierre Vallee]

No, but it looks good and seems reasonably priced

[Pierre Vallee]

Nick, you can probably make your own marking guide quite easily

[Ken Darga]

''Looks'' can be deceiving. 

Pierre Vallee said:

No, but it looks good and seems reasonably priced

[Nick B]

I plan on building the "outdoor chair" from the plans on Kreg's website on Monday, if I have the time. I also bought the Kreg MKJ Mini Jig for $9 on Amazon to compliment my pocket hole jig setup. I got a vise-grip clamp and a long driver extension for my drill,too. I'll see how it goes...

[Rick]

Bob, great point!

Bob Farmer said:

Did anyone else notice that its missing metal somewhere? For me, the only part of a pocket hole jig that NEEDS metal, is the sleeve where the bit contacts the jig. 

It seems to me that this one has metal everywhere it doesn't need it, and doesn't have metal where it should have it. It has the metal sleeves, but unlike the Kreg Jig the metal does not extend fully to where the jig would contact the workpiece. So, there's nothing for the bit to cut 'against'. Should still work, but lots of frayed edges and harder drilling I would imagine.  The 'general' one looks better in that regard...

[Rick Sheaffer]

The HB jig may be metal but I can't say the plastic of the Kreg jig has ever failed me. If the plastic in the Kreg Jig was a cause for problems, the metal might be an advantage. I like the light weight and the fact that it won't cause a lot of damage to my workbench, foot, etc...

Rick said:

Even sounds like the same guy narrating their informational video.
Kreg may have all the extra features, but this one has metal construction.