micro jig issues

[Tony Lawson]

I recently bought the micro jig for 1/2 inch material.  I've never got it to work correctly and I've followed the directions to the letter.  I've tried both 1 inch and 3/4 inch screws.  My screws are not coming out in the center of the workpiece and usually they through my work piece..  I tried the Kreg tech support but was practically insulted and told my material wasn't 1/2 inch thick.  Has anyone else had this issue?  I have the regular size jig and have never had a problem but the micro jig has not really served me well.  I look forward to solutions to my problem.

[Al Partyka]

I too have the same problem. Just purchased it and was testing. I Google the problem and here I am. Will call tomorrow. My wood is 1/2" and the screw is coming too close to the edge.

[Tony Lawson]

Al Partyka said:

I too have the same problem. Just purchased it and was testing. I Google the problem and here I am. Will call tomorrow. My wood is 1/2" and the screw is coming too close to the edge.

Good Luck, when I called Kreg they practically called me stupid.  We found that if you shim the jig out with an ice cream stick the holes come out better.....I really expected more from Kreg

[John Schaben]

Hi Tony, if your stock is a MEASURED 1/2" thick, it doesn't sound like the guide is bottomed out in the jig. I'd suggest checking the stock with a caliper.

[Tony Lawson]

John,   Do you work for Kreg?  That was about the first answer I got when I called....Anyone wise enough to consider this product knows how to measure the wood and determine it's thickness.  Of course it's 1/2".  When you drill the pilot holes they do not come out center of the wood like the regular JIG does....shim it...and it works...but one shouldn't have to do that.  And yes...the guide is completely to the bottom...I explained that when I first called with the issue but to no avail...I've just had to live with it.  Sadly, some friends have not bought the smaller JIG because of the that issue...3/4 stock????  works great if I need to place two srews close together because the wood is more narrow than normal.....just doesn't work will with 1/2" thick stock...

[John Schaben]

NOT HARDLY!!!
Sorry, just trying to help.

I find this statement somewhat arguable

"Anyone wise enough to consider this product knows how to measure the wood and determine it's thickness."

 

Tony Lawson said:

John,   Do you work for Kreg?  That was about the first answer I got when I called....Anyone wise enough to consider this product knows how to measure the wood and determine it's thickness.  Of course it's 1/2".  When you drill the pilot holes they do not come out center of the wood like the regular JIG does....shim it...and it works...but one shouldn't have to do that.  And yes...the guide is completely to the bottom...I explained that when I first called with the issue but to no avail...I've just had to live with it.  Sadly, some friends have not bought the smaller JIG because of the that issue...3/4 stock????  works great if I need to place two srews close together because the wood is more narrow than normal.....just doesn't work will with 1/2" thick stock...

[Dorald Keefer]

Gentlemen - Do we have to separate you two?

SUGGESTION: Could someone take a few pictures to illustrate this problem and then we all could weight in. . .

[Tony Lawson]

I didn't mean to flame anyone, but I was very disappointed with Kreg when I paid 50 bucks for this new item and it didn't work very well...When I called Kreg and explained my issue....I was practically insulted by saying I couldn't read directions.....If I can this week I would be glad to take some pictures.....It's obvious that other users are having the same issues.....and to John....I appreciate your willingness to help and apologize if I sounded rash but it's been a long time since my original post and to go over again everything I had heard in the past just really got me going......Partyka....do you still have the pieces you were working on?  If you can you can probably submit pictures quicker than I can.....

[Tony Lawson]

What has Kreg told you about this problem?

Al Partyka said:

I too have the same problem. Just purchased it and was testing. I Google the problem and here I am. Will call tomorrow. My wood is 1/2" and the screw is coming too close to the edge.

[KregCS]

Tony,

I'm sorry for the experience that you have had with our company and would like to sincerely apologize.  As far as the issue you are experiencing with the Micro Jig I was curious if you were setting your depth collar for 5/8"?  Due to your message we started looking and noticed that the special instructions for working with 1/2" material was left out of some units.  If you received one of these that did not have the instructions, you would not be made aware of the small change that needs to be made when working with this material hence causing the problem you are encountering.  Setting your depth collar to the 5/8" setting and using the 3/4" screw you should have the desired results and not have any other problems.  If this is not the case please let us know.

[Tony Lawson]

I will try that.  Thanks for the suggestion....that is far more than I got 2 years ago....I have not been using this jig because I was having to shim it out.....I will post my results later today....

KregCS said:

Tony,

I'm sorry for the experience that you have had with our company and would like to sincerely apologize.  As far as the issue you are experiencing with the Micro Jig I was curious if you were setting your depth collar for 5/8"?  Due to your message we started looking and noticed that the special instructions for working with 1/2" material was left out of some units.  If you received one of these that did not have the instructions, you would not be made aware of the small change that needs to be made when working with this material hence causing the problem you are encountering.  Setting your depth collar to the 5/8" setting and using the 3/4" screw you should have the desired results and not have any other problems.  If this is not the case please let us know.

[John Schaben]

Sorry - I must be extra dense this morning but I don't see how the depth setting is going to change the point of exit on the screw.. The angle is fixed so the point of entry into the stock needs to be changed to change the point of exit.

[Tony Lawson]

I'm curious too. I called my dad and he is trying his because I will not be off work until later today.  I will try to post some pictures later today. We both bought ours at the same time and both worked off center of the workpiece.