Kreg Tool Box Survey Rant

[Eddie Longest]

  For a company that designs/makes really great tools why can't Kreg figure out a good tool storage box/system. From the recent survey of the new tool box options it is evident they have no idea where everyone else in the industry is going with tool storage. The boxes with curves and odd ball sizes are a real PIA to store and waste of time and material to make. They will be shortly be found in the trash bin along with the current junk Kreg plastic grey boxes.

   Kreg should take a lesson from Festool, Bosch and Dewalt. I want a box that has square corners, will lay flat on its side or stand on its edge and something else can be stacked on it either on it's top or side. Fein did a good job with their orange multi-tool too box. Even though not part of big company storage system the Fein boxes seem to work well with the other tool storage systems.

    When Kreg came out with the large screw storage boxes and tool boxes at least they nested with a series if Home Depot Boxes and I thought at least the were getting a serious about a tool storage system.

    The storage box shown in the survey may be more sturdy than the current Kreg gray throw away boxes but they are like trying to store a football on a bookshelf along with a neat row of books.

     Too bad they don't have a comments section in their survey, if so everyone would not have to read this post.

Sorry for the rant, but sometimes designers and engineers need to make contact with the real world users.

    For now I think the heavy duty Dewalt screw storage boxes (W/O the bins)  are better storage boxes than the newly designed Kreg tool boxes.

Eddie    

[KregRep]

Thanks for your input, Eddie.  Your thoughts have been forwarded to the Director of Product Management and his team. 

[Jay Boutwell]

For Kreg Tools.

I took the survey too and I voted for tool box number one as I felt that it would be good enough to store the kreg jigs when I take them to a job site or place them into a storage cabinet.    In my opinion when I buy tools I do not expect to be buying a case for it too.  That would require more money to be paid out where I had rather be spending my money on the tools and not tool boxes.  It is almost impossible to satisfy everyone when it comes to tools storage.  In my shop I have my tools in shop bench drawers and tool chests of which are made by companies that build only tool boxes.  In running my cabinet shop,  I find this much better than having a large amount of smaller tool boxes stacked into cabinets where you find that what you are looking for is always in the box that is at the bottom of the pile. 

When I was a mechanic I found the same circumstances and I had my tools in a large tool chest and not in small boxes so that I would not have to open a separate box for a specialized tool or wrench.  They had a place of their own and that way they were convenient storage location where they were easy to find, they were safe from damage and also easy to spot a missing tool or part of a tool.  Specializes shop equipment was kept in their own storage cabinet where they were safe and convenient and also easy to spot a missing tool. 

But here again maybe I work differently that others but my system works for me.

I feel that I had much rather see the money that is spent on big elaborate boxes to be used in making  better tools and equipment and not on making a high end tool box for every tool that they made.  That way a person can purchase the type of tool storage they like. 

[Andy Harris]

I personally don't see the need for yet another storage box.  We can all use our Kreg tool and some scrap wood to make one if we really need one.  

I would rather see a more affordable Foreman type product for quicker production and spend my money on that.  My view is that if a tool really needs a storage box then the box should be provided with the tool.

[NickM]

Let me pile on, too. LOL

I completed the survey. I don't think we another Kreg tool box. I currently store my Kreg jig and all related clamps and accessories in the Husky version of Kreg tool box.

Like Andy mentioned, I too would rather spend my money on Kreg tools that help me in my production. 

Be well,

Nick

[Russ Haynes]

Yeah, gotta thrown in $0.02 also.  First, I took the survey -- anything Kreg needs, they get.  This is a FABULOUS company that cares about its image and its customers.  They have fundamentally made woodworking more accessible to people.  Their products make it easier for people without a trade background and with no woodworking experience to turn out serviceable projects easily.  I haven't seen very many companies that are more tuned in to "real world users."  I'd be willing to bet that a lot of the people working for Kreg have some pretty nice workshops and turn out some pretty nice stuff from them.

Second, I don't need a tool box either.  My Kreg jig lives mounted to a board in the shop that gets fastened into the vice on my workbench.  It gets used so often that it never makes it back into a case of any sort -- it gets hung on the wall right where I can reach it.  The micro insert and the HD jig sit in a drawer until I need them.  As far as my Kreg clamps go, they'd need to make a MUCH bigger box than they're looking at to hold all of my face clamps, right angle clamps, bench clamps, etc.  They are used so often, they are not put away in a box -- they get hung back on the hooks over my workbench where they can be instantly accessed.

There are plenty of stackable systems out there, like Festool's or Bosch (and the Bosch ones are quite nice).  You want to buy a Systainer to put your Kreg stuff in, rock out.  But why should Kreg shoulder the R&D costs of making a box just for Kreg stuff that is compatible with Festool?  I'd rather they keep doing what they have been doing -- developing accurate and innovative tools that make woodworking more enjoyable and accurate.  You're a woodworker, build a box.

[Eddie Longest]

   Even though I have a big shop all my tools live in a trailer. I do home improvement, decks, boat work and woodwork in the shop when I get a chance. My Kreg stuff lives in a Kreg screw box and a Husky box like the screw box. I have recently started buying Husky clear water proof boxes to keep the jigs seperated. I had been keeping the jigs in their cardboard boxes but they are falling apart and all the pieces parts are getting mixed together.

    My concern was that Kreg was designing a tool container that was an odd ball shape and kind of specialized for a specific combination of tools. They seem to be like the gray boxes (Which I threw away.) but they looked more expensive. I'm not saying Kreg needs to build a tool storage system, I'm saying if they are going to build a new storage box it should be sturdy and able to be stacked and stored with other tool boxes either on it's side or top.

    Eddie

[Klrock]

I moved nearly all my Kreg stuff into a generic 20" portable tool box with removable top tray.  The boxes of screws are kept in the bottom along with the complete K3 box.  All the small stuff is in the tray along with some non-Kreg joint tools.  The only thing not in the box is the K4 which is mounted to a 3 ft by 8 inch section of 3/4 inch melamine.  Now I don't have to hunt for Kreg stuff and this arrangement is very convenient to grab and take away.

[Roger Waskow]

I recently bought the special kreg kit k4 with heaps of stuff that I have yet to find out what is what and I got the box as well. Now I have heaps of cordless hand tools that go into my truck in their original boxes as I mainly use Makita. When I use the drill all bits and pieces are in the box. It's square, stacks well in many positions. So it's the drill, the rattle gun, the rotary drill, Bosch screw gun etc, etc, etc. Then the screws of all sorts as well as nails in all sorts of compartmental boxes of sturdy make. Along comes the Kreg. Just love the tools which at first glance you can see are quality but oh boy, the box. I first thought everything will have it's spot but one you put the jig in it's spot (I think it's it's spot, you are advised that the rest of the gear gets chucked into a general compartment. I gave the box to my grandson for his Lego's and have devised a compartment in my truck for my kreg tools as all others have mentioned I can see if is something is missing and all is easy reachable. Now I just have to learn and practice how best to use the kreg system so the whole system is all over my workbench (thank heavens I have a large workbench). Thank you kreg for such quality tools and I will be adding more to my collection but no more boxes. You get so many compliments on your tools. Stick with that and if you need a box check out a Chinese website which sort of fits your gear and buy a couple of thousand of them. Keeps the cost down for us consumers to buy some more of your excellent tools. I know I'm new on this forum but I'm an old hand at wood working and learnt my trade before there were many power tools about.

Kind regards

Roger

 

[Tommy TBones]

I'm on my 3rd drill bit and I'm still working on my first project. The first bit split in the middle and the second bit the tip broke off. I looked and see they are made in China which is why they keep breaking. I spent 45 minutes at HD today trying to find a bit by any other company then Kreg Tool. I hate to say it but I'm extremely disappointed with your bits.

[Andy Harris]

I don't think because they are made in China would be the issue.  I had one break once and I noticed my drill was set to speed 5 not 24 (accidentally changed it) and that caused the bit to break. Could be worth checking the speed setting of drill or perhaps it hit a hard knot or something.  We shouldn't always assume something made in China is not good.  Plenty of things made here in America are no good too.

Tommy TBones said:

I'm on my 3rd drill bit and I'm still working on my first project. The first bit split in the middle and the second bit the tip broke off. I looked and see they are made in China which is why they keep breaking. I spent 45 minutes at HD today trying to find a bit by any other company then Kreg Tool. I hate to say it but I'm extremely disappointed with your bits.

[Jay Boutwell]

Well here we go again the speed of an standard drill motor should not break a bit.  These bits that made are not the quality of what they once were.  If the bit is going to break because of speed then it is going to do so after it heats up to a high enough of a temperature that It weakens the metal.  To do that you should smell burning wood and also see the blue in the metal indicating that the temper in the bit has been altered by heat.  I have several of the older bits that hold an edge as well as the pilot tip.  The only bits that have broke recently are the ones that are new production and also do not hold a cutting edge like the older ones did.  Tommy is stating something that most likely is true.  The breakage of a bit is due to fatigue from long use and using it when very dull and forcing it to cut.  I have some of the bits that were broke of both the older bits and the newer bits.  I have sharpened these bits into a standard drill bit and have used them for drilling 3/8" holes in steel plate.  The older bits will hold an edge while the newer bits will not and also do not cut well in steel.  That should be a clue.  

[james wilhelm]

Agree with you Jay, drill most pf my holes with an electric drill and had only broke one in the past five years  and kreg replaced it right away !!

Jay Boutwell said:

Well here we go again the speed of an standard drill motor should not break a bit.  These bits that made are not the quality of what they once were.  If the bit is going to break because of speed then it is going to do so after it heats up to a high enough of a temperature that It weakens the metal.  To do that you should smell burning wood and also see the blue in the metal indicating that the temper in the bit has been altered by heat.  I have several of the older bits that hold an edge as well as the pilot tip.  The only bits that have broke recently are the ones that are new production and also do not hold a cutting edge like the older ones did.  Tommy is stating something that most likely is true.  The breakage of a bit is due to fatigue from long use and using it when very dull and forcing it to cut.  I have some of the bits that were broke of both the older bits and the newer bits.  I have sharpened these bits into a standard drill bit and have used them for drilling 3/8" holes in steel plate.  The older bits will hold an edge while the newer bits will not and also do not cut well in steel.  That should be a clue.