Kreg is launching an all-new line of pocket hole jigs that will be replacing their K4 and K5 family of products.
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720
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Let’s start off by talking about the Kreg 720 jig, which features an Automaxx one-motion clamping mechanism that automatically sets material thickness for workpieces 1/2″ to 1-1/2″ thick.
There is clever on-board storage, helping to ensure you always have what you need in one place.
The Kreg 720 pocket hole jig comes with a drill but, stop collar, screwdriver bits, sample screws, and a dust collection accessory that fits common shop vacuums and dust vacs.
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720PRO
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Building upon the 720 is the Kreg 720PRO pocket hole jig saw, which also features Kreg’s new docking station.
The docking station, available with the 720PRO or separately, comes with two wings that serve as material supports and also handy parts and screw organizers.
The pocket hole jig clamp secures the jig to your workbench for easier use.
Kreg 520Pro Pocket Hole Jig
The Kreg 520PRO pocket hole jig is a little smaller and more portable. Instead of automatic thickness adjustment, it features 3 material presents – 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1-1/2″.
The 520PRO is an adaptable design, with a squeeze-action clamp that can rotate 360° to adjust to different setup needs.
You can also clamp the 520PRO to larger workpieces, such as sheet goods.
Kreg KPHA750 Docking Station
The docking station works with both 720 and 520PRO jigs, and comes with the two attachable wings for workpiece support, as well as the benchtop clamp.
The wings can be removed and used where needed, to help support longer workpieces.
Kreg Custom Plug Cutter Drill Guide Kit
This plug-cutting attachment is an accessory for the 700-series pocket hole jigs, and allows for users to create their own custom pocket hole plugs to help keep screws hidden after assembly.
Kreg Micro-Pocket Drill Guide Kits
There will be two Kreg Micro-Pocket drill guides – kit 530 for use with 500-series pocket hole jigs and pan-head pocket hole screws, and kit 730 for use with 700-series pocket hole jigs and pan-head pocket hole screws.
These jig accessories allow for 25% smaller pocket holes, and are suited for smaller projects, 1/2″ material, and narrow workpieces.
Pricing And Availability
ETA for all of these new Kreg products is 2/15/2021.
Pocket Hole Jigs
- 720: $130
- 720PRO: $150
- 520 PRO: $100
Pocket Hole Jig Accessories
- Docking Station: $50
- Custom Plug Cutter Kit: $70
- Micro Jig (500-Series): $50
- Micro Jig (700-Series): $50
- Replacement Micro Jig Drill Bit and Stop Collar: $17
- Pocket Hole Jig Clamp: $15
Discussion
Kreg has innovated in the pocket hole jig space for quite a few years now, and with the newest lineup it looks like they’ve taken convenience and ease of use to new levels.
While the new Kreg pocket hole jigs look to be replacing K4 and K5 products, others, like this 320 jig ($39 via Amazon) should not be impacted.
The new Kreg 520PRO, 720, and 720PRO jigs look interesting, and I wonder what Kreg has planned for the new lines. There will be a plug-cutting attachment and micro pocket hole attachments available at launch, as well as the docking station that can increase the versatility of 520PRO and 720 jigs.
Everything seems well thought out, and it’ll be interesting to see how well the new systems work.
John Blair
It’s interesting. It looks like they took a page out of Armors playbook. I like the look of the 720’s vacuum attachment and storage for everything on the base. I don’t like they went away the K5’s ability to use a 2X4 as a wing/support. Of course the ability to use in a flat orientation may take away that requirement. I guess we will see when it gets put into use.
Ken
I use a *lot* of pocket hole joinery for my home projects. It looks like Kreg made a very similar copy of the Porter-Cable 560 Quick Jig pocket hole system, except in cheap plastic instead of cast metal. The PC 560 is very superior to the typical Kreg offerings with much better build quality and automatic adjustment. Unfortunately PC discontinued the 560 a couple of years ago. I almost wonder if Kreg purchased the design from PC and altered it a little bit?
I love the automatic adjustment feature of the 560, and I expect that Kreg customers will be very happy with this improvement.
B
the PC is the best simple and easy to use , made of a cast aluminum retail was 175 on sale that was 150, this piece of plastic garbage is 130 … well fools and their money
BTW there are some decent copies out there of the PC
Andrew
I’ve been looking for copies/clones/similar to the PC tool to no avail. I must be looking in the wrong places. Do you know the names or models of any of the others? Thanks!
William
This is interesting. I’d rather see a trigger style quick-grip clamp than the auto clamping style though. I’ve heard the springs and such wear out over years of use. I also wish they would try to mimic the Castle pockethole cutters and use a 6 degree screw angle instead of the 15 degree they currently use. This helps with joints shifting. I use thousands of pocketholes a year as a cabinetmaker so I have the Kreg pneumatic forman. But there are occasions where I need to hand drill pocket holes for various reasons. That 520 pro seems really interesting for that.
Does anyone make a quick-grip clamp that features the kreg clamp pad on one end? That would be a great retrofit for the K4 and K5 portable drilling guides.
James R.
There’s a pistol-grip version right in this post. Is that not what you’re looking for?
Doresoom
I’m just gonna say I called this one! Although I was surprised they released both of these jigs at the same time.
MoogleMan3
Yep! I watched your video on these the day before release. Good call.
John
I noticed all of these on the shelf at my local Menards this afternoon. Didn’t have a chance to look at them closely though. Also saw that the older version of the Microjig and an older pocket hole jig kit were on the clearance rack.
Patrick T
Hmmm. I might need to make a run by my local Menards. I’ve been interested in these but, haven’t had a need. A good deal on a kit via clearance could convince me to pick something up.
Jaycob P.
It worked out well for me that they had new ones coming out since they clearanced out the old stuff at Menards while they were having their 15% off bag sale. I was able to get a K4 and pretty much every accessory for a good price.
A W
It’s hard to tell from the images, do the larger kregs integrate with the dog holes on the bench, or are they just using a bench that has dog holes?
Stuart
I assumed they’re just using a bench with dog holes.
Scott K
These look really interesting. I’m very pleased with the 320 that I bought from your recommendation, and I’ve found it to be pretty simple to pick up. These look like a really efficient way to switch between different material sizes.
Aaron
trigger grip seems ridiculous to me… I used to do pocket holes in a cabinet shop using a foot pedal machine, recent years the K4. I like the clamp on the K4. I like that it clamps just a tiny bit extra tight.
Nathan
didn’t the K320 replace the K3.
meanwhile I have a k4 master kit that I’ve had a while – don’t understand why the 720 kit wouldn’t come with a face clamp.
But I sort of like the idea. I don’t see how this is like the PC system as I don’t recall the PC system being auto setting. It’s very much like the Armor system without having the jig fit your bit for you. which I like the idea of.
I think if I saw the armor and the kreg together in a store to put hand on them – I wonder which I would choose. Meanwhile I see Triton makes a device too now.
If I had the money I’d try the castle system though – it seems better but it’s much harder to create but for the money for their kit you do get a bosch router. (one of their kits uses a bosch compact to make the channel)
but I have to say the K4 isn’t that hard to use that i would want to trade out right now. but if I was to pick one I’d get the 720.
Nathan
OH did you happen to also catch their new cutting jigs.
there’s 2 cross cut devices and a new straight edge tool that honestly is sort of nifty.
Perhaps a touch overpriced but a nifty idea.
JoeM
Gotta admit, I like the idea of Kreg coming out with new systems. I already knew of a whole mess of Jigs and Push-Stick type tools they’ve released through Lee Valley… to the point that I thought, genuinely, that they simply always had hundreds of woodworking jigs and assistant tools released, and didn’t need to EVER add more.
It was either they already had every contingency covered already, or they had released so many things I couldn’t tell which tools were released in each successive year. Either way, I thought Kreg was a super innovative company that I aspired to use in some fantasy world where I got to have a workshop to do my own creations in.
Gotta say, this is a very happy surprise to me. Not only are they not sitting on their laurels with their current designs, they’re innovating on a larger scale as well. I may not get to use their stuff the way I dream of, but I genuinely love to see innovation within already-established premiere companies that are known for a specific lane of tools. Kreg is already up there with Woodpeckers and Veritas for Woodworking Jigs, Clamps, and Woodworking Tools in general, with very little to fear from either of the other companies for what they do. Yet still, they find the time to see where they can do BETTER… and that proves to be they’re still a company worth investing in, should the opportunity arise!
frampton
That is a great looking upgrade. I’ve got the K5 but it hasn’t been updated in a long time. I especially like the new auto-sizing feature. That’s a huge timesaver if you’re using materials of different thicknesses.
candrews
I have the Kreg K4 system, but it gathers dust while the Massca M2 gets used all the time.
Not sure I’ll spring for this new offering – the injection molded plastic just seems too light compared to cast aluminum.
Plain grainy
These things are really high priced, when you consider all the add ons. I have a K-5 with some add ons. i sure don’t see myself upgrading. If I don’t use it for awhile, it has a little relearning involved. I mounted mine to a piece of mdf, makes it really portable with the added grab handles. The bottom line is i think they are a really nice system. When Menards have their 15% off sale, i like to load up on pocket hole screws. Didn’t make it this year with the COVID.
Mat
Watched the video on Kreg’s site and it seems like the 520 doesn’t have any dust collection. I have a K5 and the dust collection is half-hearted at best. Even with my dust collector connected the chips tend to come up out of the drill guide when you pull out the bit. I’d love it if there were a pocket hole guide that really collected the chips.
herbsandspices
Any idea where they’re being manufactured? Kreg makes some things in USA, some things overseas.
David Funk
I’m sure they will build this in there brand new huge building being built in Ankeny Iowa, I think their goal is to move everything in house.
herbsandspices
I didn’t know they had a new manufacturing facility – very cool. I couldn’t find it stated on their website where it’s made, but who knows! Fingers crossed.
Michael
Too late… bought an armor tool jig and not looking back.
Plain grainy
I”m still impressed by Festool Domino system.
Plain grainy
I wonder if a domino system would be possible with a hand drill? Sure would bring the price down you would think.
Mat
The Beadlock gives you a floating tenon with only a drill that likely has similar strength.
https://www.rockler.com/3-8-beadlock-basic-starter-kit
The real advantage to the Domino is the speed and accuracy, especially without measuring. I’ve only used mine for a few cabinets, but it really makes lining things up very easy. The downside compared to pocket holes is that you have to clamp all the joints until the glue dries. So I sometimes end up using Dominoes for alignment and strength AND pocket holes for clamping pressure.
MoogleMan3
The domino is an amazing tool and one of the few worth the asking price from festool.
Koko The Talking Ape
I haven’t used this system. How do they prevent tear out at the entry hole, with the drill bit entering at such a shallow angle?
Nathan
bit is a stepped bit so it starts a smaller hole at angle before step. Then the step is a brad point like corner that helps cut the path.
But you can still get tear out. The key to pocket holes, IMO is to hide then from sight. I rarely plug mine either. inside of a face panel or the back of the drawer. I see no reason to plug them but I do coat the holes.
going slow with the entry helps – as does vac collection. I have the K4 and I think the vac collector works very well.
The castle system is better at cleaner work though.
MoogleMan3
3 generations later, I *still* have yet to see any compelling reason to “upgrade” from my beloved K3 jig.
Christian Mclean
My favorite was the r3. the hole spacing was good and unlike the newer ones, you could set it for any depth.
These new ones look like they are squarely aimed at the diy market.
ed ski
Just saw Stumpy’s video on the Castle Pocket cutter and it made me go, hmmmm. Sure, its double or more than the Kreg, but the point here is the results…
https://castleusa.com/
Now, I own neither and wanted the cheaper Kreg setup to make some cabintry and a murphy bed… but now, I can see making a library wall unit mostly of pocket joints.