My building/woodworing history & reason for purchasing the Kreg jig

[Dick Gaffney]

I was brought up by a father that generally had some home remodeling project going on and, since the chip doesn't fall far from the block followed in his footsteps. I took what I consider the next step and made a few pieces of furniture, a basic little table, foot stool, little cabinet, bookshelves, end tables that type of thing.
In the early 70s I joined forces with a builder and built homes for four years, but the lack of fringe benefits, vacations and long hours drove me back into the insurance industry which was a good thing for my woodworking again became a hobby rather than an income.
My projects since retirement in May of 2004 have included cutting of trees and construction of a log lean to and log out house, sawing of logs into lumber and building, therefrom, a solid maple Adirondack rocking chair (my pride and joy to date), solid maple dining table including lathed legs, more foot stools (maple and birch), a built in bathroom linen cabinet, base kitchen cabinet for a friend and, lately all new birch kitchen base cabinets and remodel of my kitchen and a few small specialty boxes - for sewing, router accessories and auger drills. The wall cabinets will be next years project.
As you all know cabinet making is quite time consuming. When i saw the Kreg jig advertised on tv one Sunday morning I had to have it. I received it today and can't wait to get started on the 'Kreg built' wall cabinets along with a few other cabinets friends have me scheduled to build for them.
My guess is the 'Kreg' wall cabinets will go together quite a bit quicker than the bases using traditional doweling.

[KregRep]

Good luck on the cabinets, Dick. What material are you planning on making them from? Make sure and post photos/stories through this blog when you get started!

[Michael, Liam's Dad]

Welcome to the community Dick. Kreg has a great DVD that walks you step by step through cabinet building - Cabinetmaking (dvd) Model #V03-DVD MSRP: $9.99, the techniques in this video can be applied to any cabinet application. The visual clarity is like being in the shop with the instructor. Any joint that can be done with biscuit, dowel, or mortise and tenon can be done faster, easier and stronger with the Kreg Jig.