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Tired of your DIY furniture projects not turning out like you had planned? Looking for the best way to combine two pieces of wood?
A pocket hole jig is a perfect tool to help you create amazing high-quality furniture with ease.
They are a mechanical tool that helps join two pieces of wood together, but as with all tools, all pocket hole jigs are not made equal.
How do you know which pocket jig is right for you? Buying the wrong tool can waste time and money.
In this guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about pocket jigs and our suggestions!
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
The Best Pocket Hole Jig with Reviews 2024
Here's a list of the best pocket hole jigs we found on the market:
1. Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig
- Front-mounted handle clamp for easy setup
- Built-in storage for accessories and bits
- Top of the line dust collection
- Quick release pin for holding drill block in place
- Adjustable stop mounts for high-quality precision
Pros
- Highly rated
- Very popular
- Incredibly easy to set up
- Portable and durable
- Easy to adjust to your specific needs
Cons
- Can be a little pricey depending on your budget
Overview
Ideal for beginners and those carrying out mobile woodwork, this portable pocket hole jig is very easy to set up. It also has excellent storage compartments for screws and accessories, making it especially helpful when using on the go.
Quick and easy to use, the KREG K5 Pocket Hole Jig has an adjustable workpiece stop and comes with a chart so you can even select the right size of screw for your project. It also has driver bits and a hex-shank drill that can improve torque and performance.
Clamping is made easy with the front-mounted handle. You have the power to adjust the pocket-hole jig with ease due to the ratcheting clamp, without using any tools. Another benefit is the clean-up tool in the form of a dust collection port that swivels and accepts any standard vacuum hose.
Included with your purchase of the Kreg K5 are some project plans to help you get started with a wide variety of DIY projects.
With over 500 reviews, most of them being 4-5 stars, it’s clear the Kreg K5 delivers exceptional quality for any woodworker.
2. Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System
- Removable drill guide
- Intuitively designed wood chip release holes
- Lifetime warranty included with hardened-steel-drill guides
- Strong and sturdy clamping recess for maximum jig security
- Drill guide block is also a handy repair tool
Pros
- Plenty of pocket hole size choice
- Suitable for job sites or bench-mounted work
- Lightweight at 3.35 lbs.
Cons
- Only suitable for materials with ½” to 1-1/2” inch thickness.
- Can be a little pricey for some budgets.
Overview
An excellent choice for beginners or DIY enthusiasts, the KREG Jig K4 is a small device that can easily adapt onto a workbench corner.
DIY tasks are made effortless due to the simple design. Using a simple two-step operation and easy thickness adjustments, the KREG Jig K4 has a toggle clamp on the benchtop base for variable stability. You can also use the face clamp if you are using it for a portable base.
Giving you full control over the hole depth, the KREG Jig K4 allows you to work with a variety of material sizes up to 1.5-inches in thickness.
Ideal for benchtop and portable use, the KREG Jig K4 is mostly recommended for simple home repairs, building cabinets, and so on.
It includes a stepped drill bit, starter screw set, 6-inch square driver, dust collection shroud, starter plug set and a DVD quick-start guide.
This will be a useful tool in any workshop no matter your skill level. If you have a tight budget, then consider other options before committing to this.
3. Kreg R3 Jr. Pocket Screw Jig System
- Can easily join materials ranging between ½” to 1 ½” in length
- Nine depth settings for all your needs.
- Dual wood chip holes for easy cleanup
- Includes a handy depth-collar gauge
- Customizable material thickness setting
- Included portable carrying case
Pros
- Reasonably priced and high quality
- Compact and easy to use
- Hardened steel core for extra strength
- Standard and unbeatable KREG lifetime warranty
Cons
- No clamp included
- Does not perform as well as some other options
Overview
A budget-friendly choice, the KREG R3 is a highly flexible and adjustable pocket hole jig that is both easy to use and install. The KREG R3 is suitable for small-scale projects or home repairs.
The KREG Jig R3 is ideal for people getting started with joinery. The pocket jig has excellent drilling power, providing a strong and study project finish.
For drilling a number of fast holes, the KREG Face Clamp is recommended. Using the Clamp Pad Adaptor can secure the KREG R3 to your workpiece, along with giving other clamping options.
Using the KREG Jig R3, you can easily join various materials together, from ½-inch to 1 ½-inch thick.
Positioning sliders mean that you can select from nine different depth settings.
As we motioned, it is budget friendly and best for novice woodworkers. Overall, you will make solid joints with this option.
4. Porter-Cable 560 Quik Jig Pocket-Hole Joinery System
- Includes automatic depth control
- Self-adjusting clamp for increased precision
- Variable speed options
- Removable dust port
- Integrated drill bit
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Provides efficient and accurate joining work, ideal for longer pieces of wood
- Comes with a wide variety of accessories
Cons
- Plastic material stop isn’t that sturdy
- Struggles with ½ inch boards
Overview
Mounted on your workbench or clamped onto your tabletop, the PORTER-CABLE 560 QUIKJIG Pocket-Hole Joinery System can drill 1-1 ½ inch pocket holes in wood. The depth and thickness gauge gives the best drilling angle, along with various length suggestions.
A fully-automatic pocket hole jig, the PORTER-CABLE 560 QUIKJIG has a repeatable clamp system that allows you to work on various pieces simultaneously. It is ideal for a wide range of heavy-duty woodworking applications.
Providing automatic depth control, the pocket hole jig easily adjusts to the thickness of your chosen material. It supports longer workpieces up to a thickness of 1½ inches.
Metal drill guides mean the PORTER-CABLE is ideal for heavy-duty work, reducing any deflection during its use.
Clean-up after joining a workpiece is made easy due to the rear dust collection port that’s compatible with either a PORTER-CABLE dust extractor or a standard vacuum.
With many features and an affordable price, we suggest this tool for all woodworkers.
5. Milescraft 1323 PocketJig200 Kit
- Built-in metric and imperial scales for measuring thickness of materials
- Comes with a clamping magnet for secure jig placement
- Hardened steel bushings for incredibly accurate pocket holes
- Flip fence for easy repairs
- Multiple jig placement settings
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Excellent quality for the price
- Includes a portable case and other various tools
Cons
- Limited instructions and guides included
Overview
Constructing and connecting your materials is quick and easy with the MILESCRAFT PocketJig 200. It allows you to build everything from bookcases, cabinets, shelves, storage projects or home repairs with ease. According to the manufacturer’s website, it is perfect for corner joints, T-joints, framing joints, Miter joints or repairs.
Easily adjust your pocket hole jig to suit your board’s thickness settings. Choose from a ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, and 1 ½ inch thickness settings. The locking cam lever and its sled design can also easily adjust the board’s thickness setting.
Achieve precise pocket holes each time with the hardened steel drill bushing. Securing your jig in place is also made easy with the clamping magnet included with the MILESCRAFT 1323 PocketJig200.
This pocket hole jig has an easy flip fence, meaning the device can be used for various repairs around your home. You can also select your drilling depth with the stop collar.
You can keep your pocket hole jig safe in the plastic storage case for easy carrying.
While this is an inexpensive option, it does not sacrifice that much quality. It is best for anyone saving money or for the casual hobbyist.
6. Milescraft 1321 PocketJig100 Kit
- Includes four popular board thickness options included in the jig setup
- No fence making it suitable for smaller projects
- Hardened steel drill bushings
- High-quality clamping magnet
- Lightweight
Pros
- Small and compact design
- Precise and accurate
- Relatively affordable for all budgets
Cons
- Cannot handle larger projects
Overview
A small, versatile pocket hole jig, the PocketJig100 makes it quick and easy to connect workpieces or complete home repairs.
Designed for easy measurement, the PocketJig100 has four built-in board thickness settings: 1/2”, 3/4”, 1” and 1-1/2”.
Secure your jig to your workpiece with the PocketJig100 clamping magnet. The hardened steel drill bushings make it simple to create precise pocket holes when combined with the MILESCRAFT High-Speed Steel Pocket Bit.
This creates clean pocket holes and reduced tear-out due to the tight tolerance between bushings and the drill bit.
You can simply position your pocket jig onto the required place, clamp to the timber, set the depth of your bit and begin drilling.
If you’ve got small DIY projects or simple home repairs, the MILESCRAFT 1321 PocketJig100 is highly recommended. It’s also quick change compatible, meaning you can focus on a variety of projects at once.
7. Massca Pocket Hole Screw Jig Set
- Includes a massca twin pocket jig for accurate drilling
- Fits a variety of wood sizes from ½” to 1.½” in thickness
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Built-in workpiece thickness gauge
- Intuitive drill depth setting gauge
Pros
- Budget-friendly option
- Includes a portable case
Cons
- Does not come with many instructions and guides
Overview
A fast and powerful tool, the MASSCA model is recommended for simple carpentry projects and various repairs of wood joints.
Timber from ½” – 1.1/2” thickness is suggested for best use. You can secure your workpiece with steel clamps and the MASSCA magnetic clamping magnet.
Once set in place, drilling is made easy due to the magnetic base system that can be quickly adjusted to keeping your drilling safe and your work protected.
These features make the MASSCA Pocket Hole Jig easy and safe to use. It is one of the most effective pocket hole jig systems available on the market.
Rapid drilling without the need for marking out is now possible due to the built-in setup gauge.
Creating perfect woodwork holes is made easy and enjoyable with the MASSCA Pocket Hole Jig set.
Overall, this jig offers great quality for the price, but better models are out there. It is best for the beginner or price-conscious shopper.
8. General Tools 850 Heavy Duty Pocket Hole Jig Kit
- Suitable for making corners, angle, and flush joints
- Built-in clamp
- Heavy duty aluminum pocket hole jig kit
- Forest Stewardship compliant
- Lifetime warranty
Pros
- Heavy durability
- Designed to handle various tasks
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- A lower quality pocket hole jig option
Overview
The General Tools 850 Pocket Hole Jig is a versatile option for those searching for both simplicity and portability.
The aluminum body makes it more of a lightweight option than you might at first imagine, yet the pocket hole jig system is strong enough to handle a wide range of projects.
The General Tools 850 is designed for use with a bench top or a portable base, where its clamping system can truly shine.
The General Tools 850 Pocket Hole Jig is recommended for creating a flush, corner, and angle pocket hole joints.
It is highly recommended for constructing face frame cabinets, fastening picture frames on various applications, and sneaking screws into tight spots.
The General Tools 850 pocket hole jig kit comes complete with a #32 3/8-inch step replaceable drill bit, so you can easily switch sizes.
It comes with a hex wrench 6” square drive bit, 24 coarse square drive screws, 24 fine square drive screws, and 24 wooden pocket hole plugs.
This jig is affordable and reliable, but there are better options at a slightly higher price.
Is it worth buying a more expensive pocket hole jig?
The pocket hole jig is one the of the most effective tools for combining pieces of materials and helping you build high-quality furniture. While the majority of pocket hole jigs may appear similar on the surface, there is a marked difference in the quality as you increase your budget.
If your budget is extremely tight, choosing the lower cost options will still do fine. If possible, spending a small amount more to upgrade to a high-quality pocket hole jig can make a significant difference in the long run.
Investing in a higher priced option will mean your pocket hole jig comes equipped to handle more complex projects and will often include a wide variety of common jig positions that make your job easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly IS a pocket hole jig?
Pocket hole jigs are one of the most confusing tools around, but don’t let the name fool you! A pocket hole jig is simply a mechanical tool used to join two pieces of wood easily and quickly.
Do KREG Make The Best Pocket Hole Jigs?
One of the most popular manufacturers of pocket hole jigs is KREG. They are industry leaders and provide high-quality and affordable pocket hole jigs for use on a variety of projects, making it ideal for DIY’ers and woodworkers of all skill levels. There are a variety of KREG pocket hole jigs to consider before choosing the one that’s right for you.
Factors that many DIY enthusiasts should consider include precision and accuracy when drilling or conducting joinery work. KREG pocket hole screws are made to fit and are easy to use.
It’s worth looking at various different pocket hole jigs to determine which pocket hole jig is right for you, your skill level and the projects you are working on…
Can anyone use a pocket hole jig?
Yes! Pocket hole jigs are designed to be exceptionally easy to use. After a few minutes of reading the manual and following the guidelines, you can be well on your way to joining various pieces of wood to create furniture!
Why is buying a quality pocket hole jig important?
DIY and professional woodworkers have been combing pieces of woods without the help of the pocket hole jig for years, but why use another method that is more difficult and time-consuming?
A high-quality pocket hole jig reduces stress as well as the time needed to get the job done.
Is using a pocket hole jig “cheating?”
While some woodworkers frown upon the use of pocket hole jigs, it is absolutely in no way “cheating” to use one. Whether you’re just a DIY enthusiast or a professional looking to make their job easier, pocket hole jigs will enhance the quality of your work.
Are more options for board thickness better?
When buying a pocket hole jig, you’ll see different choices include a variety of settings for easy use. While you don’t have to purchase a pocket hole jig with the most settings, for many DIY users, the more options, the better.
Ultimately, it depends on what specific projects you hope to tackle with your newly purchased pocket hole jig.
Wrapping It Up
With so many options to choose from, deciding which pocket hole jig to purchase can often be an overwhelming experience. Ultimately, you want to choose a pocket hole jig that will accomplish what you need today as well as more advanced projects in the future.
If you’re looking for the best pocket hole jig on the market today, we recommend you seriously consider picking up a Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig.
Suitable for DIY beginners and those with more woodworking experience, it offers incredible quality for a great price. You’ll be up and joining wood in no time.
The Porter Cable 560 was discontinued about 2018. Why is it is being included in a “review” (which just appears to be retyped marketing material) in 2020?