Sears Kreg Experience

[Fins59]

Visited the local Sears store the other night here in Wausau, Wisconsin to see what they had in Kreg accessories.  It's a fairly large store.

Turned out they had nothing.  Talked to 3 employees in the tool department.  None of them ever heard of the Kreg Jig.  In fact one of them said "I've been here 20 years and I've never heard of a Kreg Jig".   One of them said maybe I'd have to go to a special woodworking store to get one.  ( I told him that I already have the jig but was looking for accessories).

All the local home improvement stores here have the Kreg but not too much in accessories.

Mistakenly, I thought Sears would be the place for these.  Maybe a Kreg Sales Rep should start hitting on these guys.

Anyway, that was my "Sears Experience".   

[Ken Darga]

Mike, 

You wrote,  ''The sales guy I talked to said they didnt carry it because of too many customer complaints.''

 

Perhaps the sales guys didn't know how to use the tool themselves, so as to educate the customers of its features and intended purposes.

 

Most of those guys, that work in some of the home-centers, generally only put-up stock.

Then there's some who can show you where the shop-vacs are located.

 

The Lowes near me, sells several of the Multi-Mark tools.

 

I find the Multi-Mark tool a very useful tool, however, it doesn't have graduations in 1/32 or 1/64" increments, that I need; therefore, I use my Starrett rules, to make accurate measurements---

http://www.starrett.com/pages/1294_tools_rules.cfm.

 

[Mike Kahle]

LOL, I hear what you are saying, and it is funny you went in that direction.... I couldnt remember the name of the tool, so I was trying to explain it to him. After a little bit, he finally when "OH, I know what you are talking about, no, we dont carry that, too many returns and customer complains."  I instantly figured he was just tired of messing with me with me not knowing what I was talking about. I did go to Lowes to buy the Multi Mark and thats when i found the Right angle clamp on discontinued discount.

[John Opaluch]

I was able to locate a fair sampling of Kreg tools in my local Lowes store.

[Rich Lomasney]

I bought my Kreg Jig, claps and selection of screws from Menards.  They don't have everything, but the have a good selection and I've been happy with the choices.

[Ken Darga]

Tom,

FYI--Sears purchased K-Mart.

Tom Santopietro said:

I believe K-Mart purchased Sears a few years ago..............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ken Darga]

Fins,

I wouldn't compare a Mercedes to a Ford Escort---

both are the cars, but theres a lot of differences.

 

Fins59 said:

Recently I've seen a few ads in magazines touting the Porter Cable pocket hole tool.   It's about $230 and looks "over built" compared to the Kreg K3 or K4.

[Steve M. Reynolds]

Ken I don't know much about the Porter cable if you don't mind could tell us some of the differences in the two jigs other than looks.

Thanks

Steve

Ken Darga said:

Fins,

I wouldn't compare a Mercedes to a Ford Escort---

both are the cars, but theres a lot of differences.

 

Fins59 said:

Recently I've seen a few ads in magazines touting the Porter Cable pocket hole tool.   It's about $230 and looks "over built" compared to the Kreg K3 or K4.

[William J Grasser]

The Porter Cable has several very nice features, one of which is the self adjustment, but it is expensive compared to the Kreg.

 

If "The Woodworking Shows" have a show near you, by all means go.  You will see both in action and can ask the vendors anything.

 

If I was building pocket joined face frames every day, I might consider owning one of the PC units, but because I use pocket hole joinery for so many construction projects, I like having the flexibility of using the Kreg jigs - I have all four - the mini, the single, the double and the triple.

 

One of the tricks I learned years ago, the single and hose clamp will allow  fixing chair rungs.

 

[Ken Darga]

Steve,

Porter_cable 560 Quickjig Pocket-hole joinery system

Technical Details

• Automatic depth control system allows for easy set-up for different material thicknesses
• Variable-spaced bushings allow a variety of positions for the pocket holes
• Self-adjusting clamp adjusts automatically to material thickness
• Repeatable clamp makes multiple pieces quick and easy
• Screw-length gauge recommends the appropriate screw length for material thickness

 The 560 includes QUIKJIG, 6" (15.2cm) Square drive, 3" (7.6cm) Square drive, 3/8" (9.5mm) Drill bit, Drill bit collar, Hex key, 1" (25.4mm) Screws (20), 1-1/4" (31.7mm) Screws (40), 1-1/2" (38.1mm) Screws (40), Clamp, Instruction Manual.

Product Description

The Porter-Cable 560 QUIKJIG Pocket Hole Jig Kit uses a built-in drill bit collar set up that does not need to be changed for different material thicknesses. The Porter Cable 560 has an automatic depth control system allowing for easy set up for different materials and uses a removable dust port that can be hooked up to a Porter Cable Dust Extractor or standard vacuum.

 

The Porter Cable unit has some nice features---it is designed to be used on a workbench, or the like.

The Kreg tool has portability, where you can take the jig from its base and use it almost anywhere.
Kreg offers various models, of the pocket hole jig---which makes the Kreg much more universal.

If I were to need a pocket hole jig for repetitive drilling, all day long, on a bench, the Porter-Cable would be considered.

For my needs, the Kreg is the way to go. I love its portability---it is a big plus. I find the Kreg jig that features 3 drilling guide holes, A, B & C very useful.  I have all of Kregs pocket hole jigs they offer---I use them all---from building to repairing, from single and multiple small and larger pieces.  On occasions, I’ve considered purchasing more of the same drilling jigs, so that I can have drilling jigs setup on various platforms, and for 2 or more workers, performing similar tasks.  Having multiple Kreg jigs would be very helpful for larger projects. I’m sure there are some shops already setup this way.

 

For now, I’m sticking with my Kreg.

[Fins59]

Ken, are you calling the PC jig a Mercedes and our beloved Kreg Jig a Ford Escort? :)

Ken Darga said:

Fins,

I wouldn't compare a Mercedes to a Ford Escort---

both are the cars, but theres a lot of differences.

 

Fins59 said:

Recently I've seen a few ads in magazines touting the Porter Cable pocket hole tool.   It's about $230 and looks "over built" compared to the Kreg K3 or K4.

[Frank Gardecki]

Now I wonder  if  the other power tool companies will follow porter cable's lead on the pocket hole tool .And it is crazy to buy a 230 dollar tool  that you won't use everyday. (unless you have money and don't know what to do with it!)

[Frank Gardecki]

Go  to this  You  Tube and see the features of the PC quick jig      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP4LvEGrTjs