Porter Cable’s new QUIKJIG TM system (model 560) is designed to make pocket hole joinery quicker and easier than ever. The QUIKJIG is a heavy-duty bench-top tool that includes a slew of revolutionary features, including an auto-adjusting depth and thickness gauge.
The QUIKJIG’s automatic depth adjustment is controlled by an innovative “feeler gauge” that self-adjusts when a board is placed in the tool. A user first sets a width stop, clamps a workpiece in the jig, and they’re ready to drill the pocket hole.
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Several other new features ensure that woodworkers will fall in love the QUIKJIG rather quickly. Most appealing to me is its all-metal construction. Not that there’s anything terribly wrong with high impact plastic, but metal construction will always be more robust and durable. The QUIKJIG also features an extra tall casting to help support long workpieces, and has a 1-1/2 inch thick base that allows a 2×4 to be used for outrigger support of longer workpieces.
The QUIKJIG’s base is pre-drilled for easy mounting to a workbench, but it can also be clamped to portable work surfaces. A built-in clamp handle enables quick and repeatable clamping, even when dealing with material of varying thickness. It’s also equipped with a removable rear-mounted dust collection port that can be used with or without a vacuum for easy cleanup. Lastly, the jig has an on-board screw gauge that indicates which screw size you’re going to need.
The QUIKJIG system includes everything you need to get started right away: 6-inch square drive bit, 3-inch square drive bit, one drill bit, a drill bit depth collar, 6-inch clamp, hex key for the collar set screw and 100 starter screws.
The QUIKJIG is priced at around $230, and is now available at specialty woodworking dealers.
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Product Info via Porter Cable
fred
Intresting post. This will probably appeal to small shops that don’t do production face-frame construction and seems to fall in between the Kreg portable units that find their way to jobsites – and the big production boring machines and assembly tables like those made by Castle. Fragile drill bits are sometimes the bane of production work – that’s why some production machines opt for more robust boring end mills.
JeffD
I’ve been using my Kreg Jig for a couple years now. It’s simple and easy to adjust. This Porter Cable jig seems very stout and can probably hold up to some serious abuse.
dave
It is a nice piece for production shop…but…I am putting together a great home shop with the EZ Pro Products from General Tools.
Pocket Hole jig, Dovetailer jig and now Mortise and Tenon jig. I can do pro joints for all and the gear cost less that $200 all together. Nice
uthscsaedu
Woodcraft has the #811111 Kreg K2 on clearance for $45.
(free shipping too)
I need toolguyd advice here.
Now that dave mentions the General Tools stuff, I’m even more conflicted.
Home Depot has the pocket kit for only $30
Stuart
You cannot go wrong with Kreg. The K2 looks alright and $45 is a great price, but it is also an older model. Ignoring the K2 for a moment, I usually recommend the Kreg R3 kit ($40) for pocket hole beginners. Even if you eventually upgrade, the R3 jig would still likely come in handy.
If the choice is between the General Tools or the Kreg K2, I would lean towards the K2 hands down. Take a look at the clamping mechanism of the General Tools models – it’s a smallish key-screw.
Regarding both the General Tools and Kreg K2 model, how would you use that on a large piece of plywood? That’s why I recommend the R3.
uthscsaedu
I decided against the General Tools brand because it really isn’t portable. You can’t disassemble it and use it for repairs on already assembled furniture, at least I don’t see any way that can be done.
I am amazed at the consistently positive reviews on basically ALL Kreg products on Amazon, BUT…..
I looked at the harbor freight jig in person. It is surprisingly versatile.
http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-pocket-hole-jig-kit-96264.html
I like that it is made of aluminum, and you can actually change the distance between the holes, unlike the Kreg. The toggle clamp is very fast too. You can even change the angle of the drilled holes.
uthscsaedu
I have a $15 Amazon card, so $25 for the Kreg R3 kit is tempting too…
Stuart
That Harbor Freight model does look pretty decent. I wonder why I haven’t ever seen it mentioned before.
With that unit you would again run into a portability issue – it doesn’t look like it can be disassembled for use on sheet goods or repairs.
JeffD
I mounted my Kreg Jig to make it easier for longer stock and portability. I also added magnets to keep the drill bits and hex key on the jig while storing.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f220/SharkinRN/Home/DSC_0279.jpg