K-2 Jig Versus Current Models

[Jerry Thomas]

Hi all,

12 years ago I "liquidated" my workshop, sold the house and all our stuff, bought a motor home and started seeing the country. It has been great but I always have missed the smell of cutting wood :-)  So I bought a 24 foot enclosed cargo trailer and have been setting up shop. The intent is not to haul it around but the ability to move it if we change our winter location in Arizona. Having told you the history here is my question...

Before I retired I bought a K-2 Kreg jig, probably at a woodworking show. I never used it but kept it in case I got back to WW. I got it out yesterday and did a few pocket holes with scrap wood. Like 3/4 plywood to 2x4 just to get a feel for it. Worked great. But it appears that it does not have the adjustments to enter the wood at the center line as the new models do. I also read some posts about the advantage of the K-2 clamping for large panel work.

I will likely be doing a wide variety of work with various thicknesses of hard and soft wood. Not much large panel project or minimal enough that it should not be a problem. My question is: Should put the K-2 on eBay and take the money to buy the new Master System? Or do should I  have both? Does the new system provide capabilities  that I will appreciate? I know these are general questions that can only be answered for each of us depending on our use. but.....

Thanks for your advice.

Jerry Thomas

[David Dean]

Well if it was me I would hang on to it and go a head and buy one of the master systems and when you start having problem's you can fall back on your K-2. My K-2 has been throw me and my three girls so it has got it's work out but I cant ask for a batter tool.

[Gary roofner]

Is the pocket hole jigs sold by somerfeld kreg k2 look like? I saw a thing on router forum for pocket jig from somerfelt.

[David Dean]

This one come's from Kreg jigs but Jay said somthing about somerfeld thought.

Gary roofner said:

Is the pocket hole jigs sold by somerfeld kreg k2 look like? I saw a thing on router forum for pocket jig from somerfelt.

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Jerry, talking about the k2 kreg I can tell you that I have owned it for over 20 years and used it exclussive in my cabinet shop.  In my opinion it was the best they ever produced.  It is simple to operate and is set up to bore the common used 3/4" material.  In the 20 plus years I have been unable to wear it out in spite of the many thousands of hole I have bored in all types of materials. I also own the kreg master system and have used it many times as an " in the field jig" as well as a portable jig in the shop.  It in not my favorite one however as  I had much rather use the  K-2 .  As far as the ability to adjust it to bore the other larger thichness of lumber I use the the master kreg system or another source that I have.

If I was in the postion that your are in, I would never let go of a K-2 jig and find another source of a jig that will bore the thicker materials.  I say this as I have more than proven the durability of a K-2.  

[Larwyn]

I almost always use my K2 for 3/4" stock (most of my work).  For the everything else I use the K2000, the Rocket and the Mini jigs. 

I would not trade my K2 for any of the newer jigs.

[Garry Graves]

The Model #K4MS is the current and most popular Kreg Jig, present day. Why? because it's user friendly. It has 9 material thickness adjustments and along with many other features, makes the unit much faster and easier to use. Unlike the K2, which has only 3/4" capacity, the K4 unit, either by itself or packaged in the master system, is a more advanced-feature system. Today's K4MS unit comes with a bonus 'mini jig,' included in the package. Don't get me wrong, all units, from the K2, to the K2000 to present day K4MS, are all great and perform pocket hole joinery well. However, the current model, K4MS, has all the features a woodworker needs and enjoys.

[Rick]

Except for having the clamp on the same side as the pocket drill guide, like the K3 system has ... just sayin' ...

Garry Graves said:

 However, the current model, K4MS, has all the features a woodworker needs and enjoys.

[Jerry Thomas]

Morning All,

In general the advice was not to let go of the K-2. So I will keep it. Many like the K-3. But I went ahead and bought the K-4 Master System primarily due to it's flexibility and accessories.I want to thank all of you for your advice and experience. Great Forum!

Jerry

[Ken Darga]

Hi Jerry,

I have both models/styles,

and find them both useful.

[Garry Graves]

...if you have the K4MS unit, it includes a portable holder, which will allow you to pocket hole large panels circumventing the need for a clamp handle on side nearest you, like the K3 unit. The portable holder for the drill guide (supplied withe the K4 or K4MS units), can be purchased separately from your local Kreg dealer.

Rick said:

Except for having the clamp on the same side as the pocket drill guide, like the K3 system has ... just sayin' ...

Garry Graves said:

 However, the current model, K4MS, has all the features a woodworker needs and enjoys.