How can we improve your Kreg Experience?

[KregRep]

At Kreg, we make it our top priority is to ensure that our customers get real use out of their Kreg products. The tips and tricks provided in the Kreg Plus Newsletter, Kreg Jig Project Plans, educational videos on YouTube, and the forums found right here on the Kreg Jig Owners Community are all designed to add to your woodworking success.

What we'd like to know from you, is how we can improve...
Do you find the Kreg Jig Owners Community helpful?
Could you have used more detailed instructions with a product?
How was the product packaging and materials included?
Are there any tools you need that we aren't yet offering?
Is it difficult to find accessories at your local store?
Is the newsletter content too simple? Too complex?
What other content would you like to see included in the newsletter?
Were the Kreg Trim Carpentry videos useful to you?

Please use this thread to give the Kreg Family a better idea of what you need in order to advance on your woodworking journey, and to let us know where we're succeeding so far. Thanks!

[Fins59]

This info can be found on the back side of the larger Kreg screw boxes (for example, the 500 ct 1 1/4")   It's a printed chart that gives the material thickness and screw length required.  In fact, after I emptied a box, I cut this part out and posted it near my workbench for quick reference.

Mark said:

Please post a reference chart for screw selection (show screw lengths for various wood thicknesses being connected etc).  Might include description on thread selection as well.  Something that can be easily found and printed.

 

Love my Kreg JIg!

[kenny from Sundre]

My suggestion is in the area of new products, and especially in regards to affordable tools to cut sheet goods. I spent about $220.00 on an Emerson type “A” clamping tool guide system and another $700.00 on a plunge saw. The Eemerson system, with proper set up is deadly accurate, due to the guide ridges that guide the saw and router plates. Veritas also has a power tool guide system, that will allow the cutting of a 4’ x8’ sheet length ways, which can not be done with the Eemerson type ”A” system. The traveler guide on the Veritas looks like it might be somewhat prone to jumping out of it’s track. The Veritas is also very expensive. With some attention to the set up process, a high degree of accuracy is obtainable with all these systems. While I have not physically seen the Veritas, it does not appear to allow a diagonal cut and the Eemerson most certainly does not. While the plunge saw is basically a good system, it can be a bit un-wieldy, but will allow a diagonal cut to be made. The problem that arises with the plunge saw is when making low angle cuts, the clamps may not hold as well as they should. My thinking is that Kreg should be able to design a system that incorporates all the good features and none of the negative features of these other systems.

[Jim Wheeldon]

I'd like to see more pocket screw availability at my local big box stores.

I've got a video I'll get edited up and available on here on how to use Kreg's pocket rocket as a repair tool.

[Ken Darga]

Jim,

re Kreg pocket hole screws---

Suggest discussing the matter with the dept mgr, of your favorite store.

Many are willing to listen to customers suggestions and ideas.

 

I've often made suggests, and they followed up with getting merchandise in the store.

 

One problem, with big box stores, is that the merchandise they stock, is determined by the companies purchasing  dept.

However, approach them anyway, contact the store manager.  They are willing to listen.  Most will make notes and forward to the appropriate persons.

Jim Wheeldon said:

I'd like to see more pocket screw availability at my local big box stores.

I've got a video I'll get edited up and available on here on how to use Kreg's pocket rocket as a repair tool.

[Ken Darga]

Jim, 

If you can't get a response from the parties you've contacted, 

Kreg screws can be obtained from ''Amazon.com''.

Ken Darga said:

Jim,

re Kreg pocket hole screws---

Suggest discussing the matter with the dept mgr, of your favorite store.

Many are willing to listen to customers suggestions and ideas.

 

I've often made suggests, and they followed up with getting merchandise in the store.

 

One problem, with big box stores, is that the merchandise they stock, is determined by the companies purchasing  dept.

However, approach them anyway, contact the store manager.  They are willing to listen.  Most will make notes and forward to the appropriate persons.

Jim Wheeldon said:

I'd like to see more pocket screw availability at my local big box stores.

I've got a video I'll get edited up and available on here on how to use Kreg's pocket rocket as a repair tool.

[jigman]

I was very dissappointed in the case the K3 master came in.  I cannot get all of the parts in it let alone the screws.  I like to take mine on DIY projects and the case is useless for that.  So now I have to throw it in a box and hope it is all there when I get there.  I really feel I was short changed.   I guess we need a contest on here for someone to design a kreg storage container that will hold screws and all the parts.  

[Alex Sykes]

I would love to see local workshops for new users.  I think there are some intial set-up and use issues that seem so much harder when you have to figure it out from a picture or drawing.  Having someone show you how to make 3 or 4 holes sure would have helped me get through the first couple of projects.  Maybe you could have in-store demonstrations like the video game makers do in the electronics stores.  I could suggest a great online community where you might be able to find some knowledgable kreg users who might be willing to product demonstrations in exchange for some goodies.  What about a kreg party, host a party get some shwag. 

[Ken Darga]

Jigman,

I store all my Kreg products, in a RubberMaid container, and 

labeled the container, "KREG".

The Rubbermaid (R) containers are offer in 5 - 16 gal size capacity.

I've found this product most suitable for me, to date.

It's very handy to keep the tools and fasteners together, especially for my ''grab and go'' tasks.

Perhaps in the future, I'll come up with something better, but for now, the RubberMaid containers work for me.

jigman said:

I was very dissappointed in the case the K3 master came in.  I cannot get all of the parts in it let alone the screws.  I like to take mine on DIY projects and the case is useless for that.  So now I have to throw it in a box and hope it is all there when I get there.  I really feel I was short changed.   I guess we need a contest on here for someone to design a kreg storage container that will hold screws and all the parts.  

[Ken Darga]

The Rockler store, that I frequent, has several set-up display samples, with numerous versions, of making joints, with Kreg made tools.

Great for the newcomer to Kreg joinery to peruse. 

It gives one some great ''how-to'' suggestions.

 

You don't find or get this kind of info/ideas, from the big box home centers.

Alex Sykes said:

I would love to see local workshops for new users.  I think there are some intial set-up and use issues that seem so much harder when you have to figure it out from a picture or drawing.  Having someone show you how to make 3 or 4 holes sure would have helped me get through the first couple of projects.  Maybe you could have in-store demonstrations like the video game makers do in the electronics stores.  I could suggest a great online community where you might be able to find some knowledgable kreg users who might be willing to product demonstrations in exchange for some goodies.  What about a kreg party, host a party get some shwag. 

[jigman]

Value engineering.  That is what happened to the Kreg container.  The kreg people did not see any value in putting the unit in a nice useable containe.   I wonder how many people have small shops and cannot leave a set up all the time for a kreg unit.   I have a 12 x 12 shop and I surely can't do that.  Besides some projects do not need the kreg system and sometimes you need to take it with you.  They never thought of that.   I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say I bought this and it had a great storage place for bits or some other parts.   Useability is what they should have been thinking not containment.   When you ask someone what they do with their container and they say it just lays somewhere in the shop that means the container is not useable.  If you want to keep your name in front of people then make things useable with your name on it.  Very simple.  They did not realize the value of it.   Can you imagine having one place to go for all your screw and the system.    Now that is value.

[jigman]

jigman said:

Value engineering.  That is what happened to the Kreg container.  The kreg people did not see any value in putting the unit in a nice useable containe.   I wonder how many people have small shops and cannot leave a set up all the time for a kreg unit.   I have a 12 x 12 shop and I surely can't do that.  Besides some projects do not need the kreg system and sometimes you need to take it with you.  They never thought of that.   I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say I bought this and it had a great storage place for bits or some other parts.   Useability is what they should have been thinking not containment.   When you ask someone what they do with their container and they say it just lays somewhere in the shop that means the container is not useable.  If you want to keep your name in front of people then make things useable with your name on it.  Very simple.  They did not realize the value of it.   Can you imagine having one place to go for all your screw and the system.    Now that is value.

  OH by the  way,  just don't ask me for mine.  It  is great and I love it.  I will have to live with their mistake.

[Mark]

You might like the EZ Smart system.  It works well, no tear out and can cut a 4 x 8 on any angle.  No afiliation other than I own one.  I don't use my table saw anymore for the most part.

kenny from Sundre said:

My suggestion is in the area of new products, and especially in regards to affordable tools to cut sheet goods. I spent about $220.00 on an Emerson type “A” clamping tool guide system and another $700.00 on a plunge saw. The Eemerson system, with proper set up is deadly accurate, due to the guide ridges that guide the saw and router plates. Veritas also has a power tool guide system, that will allow the cutting of a 4’ x8’ sheet length ways, which can not be done with the Eemerson type ”A” system. The traveler guide on the Veritas looks like it might be somewhat prone to jumping out of it’s track. The Veritas is also very expensive. With some attention to the set up process, a high degree of accuracy is obtainable with all these systems. While I have not physically seen the Veritas, it does not appear to allow a diagonal cut and the Eemerson most certainly does not. While the plunge saw is basically a good system, it can be a bit un-wieldy, but will allow a diagonal cut to be made. The problem that arises with the plunge saw is when making low angle cuts, the clamps may not hold as well as they should. My thinking is that Kreg should be able to design a system that incorporates all the good features and none of the negative features of these other systems.