Sorry guys, it looks like Kreg cancelled the AC corded version of their new Rebel pocket hole drilling machine.
I checked retailers, and the battery-powered version is still available for preorder.
A few weeks ago, Kreg announced a new line of Rebel pocket hole machines for woodworking joinery. See New Kreg Rebel Pocket Hole Machine is the First of its Kind.
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They showed off a new 20V Ionic Drive pocket hole joinery kit, a 20V tool-only option, and also an AC-powered version.
It looked like the corded tool would be available later.
However, I recently heard some rumors that Kreg CANCELLED the AC Rebel pocket hole machine.
I looked around, and there’s no longer any reference to the corded model that I can find anywhere. Except for the image in my earlier post, I cannot find any signs the corded model ever existed or will ever be available.
I checked with anonymous sources, and was informed that Kreg has decided to prioritize their 20V cordless line. I am unable to confirm this with Kreg.
I messaged Kreg yesterday, asking what I can tell readers about when the AC-powered Rebel is launching, and they never responded.
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Right now it’s just a rumor, but it seems to be a high-confidence one.
Well, at least there’s a deal on the cordless version (see New Kreg Cordless Tool Deal Fixed their High Prices).
A couple of readers said they were only interested in the corded pocket hole tool that Kreg was showing off, and it looks like that might never be an option.
Are you going to keep waiting for the corded tool, or buy into Kreg’s 20V battery system?
As a reminder, there are plenty of pocket hole jigs on Amazon and elsewhere that don’t require rechargeable batteries.
I can’t think of any reason Kreg would have abandoned their corded tool other than to help funnel more potential customers into their cordless system.
I’m starting to feel sorry for Kreg. This and recent promotions make it seem like the new Kreg Ionic Drive 20V cordless power tool system has been a flop, despite the fortune they must have spent on influencer marketing to promote its launch.
Jared
They must really be struggling with the 20v order. Their cordless line is not particularly appealing – I assumed many people actually interested in the jig would prefer the corded version rather than jumping into a new platform. This doesn’t seem like a good sign for Kreg.
fred
Others have said it, and I agree that the cordless pocket hole tool is the only tool in Kreg’s cordless lineup that has any real appeal and might act as an entryway into that lineup. Having a corded version reduces that appeal considerably.
Scott K
It seems like a significant risk to develop a new battery platform without having a track record in the space. I wonder if they explored partnering with an established company – these tools could have been a nice supplement to an existing line.
Nathan
Meh I wasn’t that interested anyway so I can wait. I have a jig and it works well for me. And I use it rarely
Blocky
I have been heavily considering the Castle pocket hole cutter. The corded Kreg looked like a solid option for me – lower price, probably faster cutting, better ergonomics for large panels.
I do pocket holes not very often, but in the last month, I’ve done them hundreds at a time on massive panels that don’t fit on a workbench.
Sounds like Kreg just made up my mind for me.
Skylar
That seems like a bad business decision. Presumably most (or all) of the design work has already happened in order to make a corded version of the machine, so why would you cancel it?
I can only speak for myself but I doubt it’s a unique position- I would use the machine primarily for putting pocket holes in window & door casings when trimming out an entire home. That means I’d have my Festool dust extractor on hand to run the corded tool and I’m not going to buy into some dinky little new cordless system when I already run M18, M12, & Dewalt 20V systems for my daily workflows.
That sucks to hear; I was really looking forward to not hauling our Foreman around and I had already earmarked the funds to buy a corded version in the budget.
Irving
Random thought: It – absolutely, postively, will not happen, ever – but from a purely marketing perspective, parasiting on existing battery infrastructure might be an intelligent decision.
Were someone in *corporate* (anywhere) to suggest producing a limited-use (and, thusly, condemned to very shallow market penetration) cordless tool that used *someone else’s batteries* they’d be pushed out the door before the echo of their voice in the conference room died out.
But it might make sense; if you know you’re not going to sell a zillion units, or even 20-30K of them, but your tool does offer value and compliments the rest of your offerings , why incur the expense of invent / develop / manufacture your own battery system? Just use someone else’s.
Heresy, I know, but how many of us will never buy Tool X or Gizmo Y because it’s limited use – even though that limited use is a terrific time saver – because it would be an addtional burden when we’re already heavily committed to a red / yellow / green battery system?
Then the corporate question becomes “whose battery system do we parasite off of?” and “what might we be giving up because of that?” (Certainly, the owner of that battery system would be easily tempted to manufacture their own version of your Tool X, unless it’s of such limited value that it wouldn’t make marketing sense to add another SKU to the corporate system workload.
Bob
They did not invent/develop/manufacture their own battery system nor tools (other than the pocket hole tool). Everything else was very likely from an oem with a custom color and a unique interface added to make it a unique battery platform. The only real expense was likely a minimum initial order and marketing.
With luck, an adapter to use other batteries will become available. The issue being enough sales of the Kreg tools to make developing and selling an adapter worthwhile. Perhaps a diy 3d print model at a minimum will surface.
Adam
This has been done before, and generally seems to get positive feedback from what I’ve seen. The most prominent example I can think of is Graco paint sprayers (which use DeWalt batteries).
paul
I asked the factory in Ningbo, China (the factory’s name is Zhongshuo) that produces this pocket hole tool. They said they currently have orders of AC pocket hole tool on hand, but have not started production yet, and KREG has not asked them to ship.
Stuart
Thank you very much for sharing these insights with us!
paul
In addition, the 115mm small electric circular saw and jigsaw are also produced by Zhongshuo factory.