Kreg R2 Rocket Pockethole System

 (33 customer reviews)

I bought one of these little jigs to see if pocket screw construction really was as great as the advertisements say- and I'm here to tell you it's even better. I'd used biscuits in the past to build cabinets, but pocket screws can be set up faster and require no clamping when gluing. The only downside is that pocket screws, unlike biscuits, aren't totally hidden from view- but the holes can be hidden in a lot of built in construction or filled with oak or maple plugs available from Kreg.This little Kreg jig has a plastic body, but it's a very high density synthetic and should last a long time. The kit has everything you need to get started, including screws, but you'll probably want to get a bag of another 1000 if you plan on doing more than a few boxes.If you're planning on gearing up for even limited production, or building an entire kitchen, consider getting the all-metal Kreg with built in clamp. For about twice the cost (once you buy the accesories already...Read more

I build cabinetry and prior to getting my Kreg I used a mix of T&G, dowels, and biscuits to join boards and frames together. For your basic furniture construction this device is simply amazing. Attach the jig to one face to be joined, run the special drill bit (included) down one or both fixed metal ferules, unclamp and use the Kreg screws to attach the two parts. I can now build furniture, test for fit in the shop, take it apart, apply finish and rebuild on site. On the downside it leaves a rather gaping hole on one side of the joint so it is not the preferred method for joining boards that are visible on both sides. They sell wooden plugs (in different wood species), but I am not impressed with them as they take a lot of fiddling to get them in and flush. I also have not used it for joining boards into panels (table tops or cabinet sides) because I prefer an old school biscuit joint with good clamping technique for a flush surface. However like I said earlier. This...Read more

Like DJ said, the ProPack is nice, but this is the kit that you will mainly use. Spend the money instead on this kit and one or two right angle clamps, maybe a bench clamp too. The Kreg clamps have yet to make a mark in the wood that I have used (mainly oak). The key to making this system work well is TIGHT clamping when the screw is passing from the drilled piece into the second piece. Hand clamps don't always do the job well and you can get movement, resulting in suboptimal alignment. Also be careful with MDF & melamine - these can split easily with this system. Get both the fine and coarse thread screws that are self tapping.

Bottom line is that when done right, this is much faster, cheaper, less messy, and more precise than biscuit joinery.