I am going to weigh in here with a slightly different view. While I agree most of the kreg stuff excluding the pocket hole jigs ( I have the k 4 and foremen ) a lot of there stuff is not of the highest quality but would I say they are worthless ??? Not even close in my opinion.over covid I was batching out cabinets for my kitchen and basement remodel and a lot of those cuts were made with the acu rip and acu cut the concealed hinge jig and shelf pin jig . Are there higher quality tool out there that might have made the job easier , of course. But the kreg stuff was perfectly adiquate. To discourage new hobbest by saying you need a real 400$ track saw from a big brand when they could grab 65$ accucut and start making projects ?? Respectfully I can't get behind that
Agreed, You don't need CNC machining for a jig that makes it easier to line up holes to drill for you knobs on your cabinets. The idea that these jigs should be of higher quality ( for 20$) is absurd.
I love the Acu Cut...as that is the product that convinced me to get a Festool track saw. The Acu Cut was really difficult to fix my Hitachi saw to, but the thing that got me to return the product was the extreme side to side play in the track.
I'm an amateur at best, but I did manage to make some big cabinets for the loft out of mdf 18mm sheets. It helped me a lot! I used to do it with straight edge and clamps, which took 3 times longer (probably more) and if you have repeating cuts and you don't change the jig it is consistent. The only problem I encountered is that it at the end of the cut it will often deviate, especially if you, like me, work in a very confined space and you have to keep to many things in mind not to happen (e.g. hit your head on the ceiling). It's not perfect but for £50 I was very happy with it. For me a more appropriate price would be ~£30 and maybe £50 if it was all aluminum, but given the lack of options out there I think it's good. Definitely cheaper than buying a track saw 😂
I was 40 years old and had never took on a home improvenent project. I just figured there was a "handy" gene and i didn't have it. Not too long ago i watched a video on kreg jigs and that gave me enough confidence to buy a few tools. Since then ive done closet builds, chicken coupe builds, and many more. I use some sort of Kreg product in everything I build. They may be cheap, but they gave me the drive and confidence to create with my own hands. Im proud to be a simple DIY guy with a cabinet of Kreg tools. ✌️
I just finished making my first three cabinets ever. When the subcontractor my daughter was using to order and install her granite top saw them he was amazed at the work. He thought a professional cabinet builder had done them. I did all of it with my keg jigs. The pocket hole jig I have is just like the one you showed and I do agree that one sucks but it is their low end model. I love my rip cut jig. The adjustment is a little difficult but not as bad as you made it look. Kreg jigs make it possible for the average guy to make nice projects.
What one needs to remember is that Kreg tools are not intended for the professional, at least I don't think so. They are intended for the DIYer who wants to save and produce quality work at the same time. I have the Rip Cut, which is wayyyyy cheaper than a table saw and has allowed me to produce some impressive furniture in my craft room along with one of their pocket hole jigs. The rip cut just needs to be used with patience, but once you have it set, you're good. Too many people expect professional grade stuff at dirt cheap costs and I think Kreg has balanced the two perfectly. It's easy to nick-pick anything and show how much 'trouble' you are having with it just like a before and after infomercial. Sure the Rip Cut requires a little finesse but it beats trying to hold a perfectly straight line over eight feet with a circular saw. I don't have the Accu-cut but I plan to get one. One more thing...Kreg with its products will introduce many to the satisfying world of wood working and when they do decide to stick with it, then will be the time to upgrade your tools. But for the Do it yourself one time project that may be the first and last, they gets my vote.
I completely agree with this, very well said! I believe they are perfect for DIY and probably light commercial use even. Some of their stuff like the K4 I still like, not even a crack in the plastic after 12 years and a few drops on the floor :)
just because you can't get them to work or have some sort of bone to pick with them doesn't mean that other people don't use them. I have no issues with the kreg stuff. It's more than likely user error than it is a problem with the tool seeing as how popular they are.
They are very well marketed and influenced on RUclips (for compensation), as well as available at any big box store. So people in a hurry doing a DIY gravitate toward that instead of waiting 2 days for a Massca pocket hole jig from Amazon. I just think people should know there are options that may be the same price.
It sounds like you have buyers remorse just because something didn't work for you it doesn't mean that other people don't know how to use them and it works for them
@@HuntsWorkshop No.....you just bought it and couldn't figure it out so you decided to "give people options" which is just another way of saying you had to cry and whine about how bad it is because you didn't have the intelligence to make it work. Why the hell would anyone want to wait for the Massca......IT'S LITERALLY THE SAME THING AS THE KREG! pull your head out your arse.
I’ve had the pocket hole jig, tracksaw thing and a few other Kreg jigs and have had zero issue with them, especially the pocket hole jig and dust collection. In fact, I just used it the other day building some cabinets for a friend and I forgot just how incredibly easy the thing is. Pulled it out, blew the dust off it, clamped it down, turned on the vacuum and went to work. Zero issue. I think some of these gripes are truly petty and potentially user error, but that’s simply my opinion.
Why would you need dust collection for the pocket hole jig? just cleanup after. Those of us in the real world out in the field don't have time to worry about dust collection.
I use a 5 gallon cyclone on job sites all the time. We use it from planex drywall sanding to pocket holes. The biggest reason is it keeps the bit cleaner and cooler. Avoids dulling and gives a better cut with less pressure on the drill. All equates to healthier and more productive employees in the end.
@@HuntsWorkshop I always use the vac for sanding and anytime i'm setup inside i use it on my saw's, nobody likes breathing the fine dust. Pocket holes I let the flutes do the work and never force the drill in, I just never saw the point to using the vac with it. can you recommend a good 5gal cyclone separator? That's my only complaint with my festool vac is that it doesn't like big chips.
I love my Kreg pocket hole jig. I have it mounted to a three foot long piece of MDF, which I hang on the wall. True, I needed to build a jig, but then again, I build things anyway! I have looked at other Kreg "stuff" and came to the opinion that it is built too cheaply.
Have to ask, if all their stuff is garbage how did you end up buying so much of it, surely you discovered it was poor quality after one or two items ? I’ve never used any of their stuff
I just didn't want to buy the festool track saw so I kept trying straight edges and guides thinking they have to be ok if I baby them ... but per usual, just suck it up and buy the right tool and I would have saved time and money.
Well 20 years ago I purchase one of the first Kreg pocket hole Kits. Cost me $129 in 2004. Today almost 20 years to the date iam still using that same kit with no problems. Iam actually using the original square bit that came with it. Have used the shorter extension but I prefer the longer one. I also have the cabinet hardware jig. It works great never had a problem with that either. Oh and the jig for drilling holes for pins that works great to. So I guess you have to look at the tools a little closer before you purchase.
This was a really well done video and I will watch more of your productions. I agree and disagree with your conclusion. When I first started woodworking about 7 years ago, Kreg tools were inexpensive and did a lot to replace the skills I did not have. Pocket holes were a simple way of constructing face frames, The track saw thing was much less expensive than a Festool. I really learned a lot using them. Now, I use them less and less. I bought a good, actual track saw (Bosch) and it is miles above the Kreg system. I use pocket screws rarely and Kreg works pretty well so I am not likely ot replace with another system. I use dowels more frequently and get a better result. The drawer slide jig was a bust and I never did get it working as well as a scrap of wood cut to specs. I still use the hinge install guide and the shelf pin jig. I think, overall Kreg is a good company and a good place for newbies to start. You are right that for any production work, spend the money and get a grown-up tool.
Appreciate the feedback! I have to agree completely with you. It’s the best some of us needed or wanted to pay for and a lot of it worked if you’re patient with it. I love the K4 pocket hole jig, still use it daily.
I agree when I was a beginning woodworker I had to earn the hard way about Kreg tools. When I use pocket holes nowadays I have a massca jig it's solid. Rockler makes solid jigs that can replace just about everything Keeg makes. Just curious what are some of your favorite Kreg alternatives?
I bought the Kreg crosscut years ago. After "practicing" with it on some junk wood, I thought I had it down. Then I used it on my $70 piece of plywood. Long story short, I had better luck with a 4ft aluminum rule and some clamps.
@@danmaxwell7719 all these months later, he wasn’t far off the mark. I’ve since used many of these. Do they work, are they cheap in comparison, yes. BUT they aren’t that good! This goes to the “buy once cry once” if this is all you can afford, then they will work but if you can afford better, most definitely buy the better. My time to build and quality went up drastically when switching out some of these tool. What works for you may not work for others. Keep your joints tight!
Kreg's prices are high for what they are. I used the crosscut sled withy circular saw and had trouble keeping it square and consistent. It kept readjusting, no matter how much I would tighten it. It looks like it should work, but it doesn't. There is a YT'r I follow who uses it all the time to make her cabinets. She doesn't seem to have a problem with it. I thought it was just me not understanding how to use it correctly but your video has helped me to see that it's the product. I do use their pocket hole jig, and it works OK, but screwing in the screw w/out the boards moving is a challenge. You absolutely have to clamp everything.
Curiosity - did you ever consider wax on the track to get it to slide in/out? I realize there’s no hope for the clamping (locking) mechanism on there, but if you were to wax the track IMO you’d be able to slide it in 1/8” increments. 🤷🏻♂️ just a thought.
@@HuntsWorkshop silicon spray might help. Wax sounds like a good idea as long as you don’t get crap adhering to the wax. If all else fails, blow the sawdust and debris out and sprinkle in some corn starch.
Thank you! I am vetting out some new products, but have only used them for about four months. Need to use them for a while before I put my name next to them :-)
Military grade. I was going to buy them, but I thought they were fairly expensive for junk plastic. Thanks for the video. Coffee is good no matter what
They are not made for constant "contractor grade" use. Well made for their market i.e. contractors who need to use them periodically or home owners/weekend warriors. They are made for a certain market. Go and buy a Ferrari and be the big "I am" then pay the cost to keep it on the road. Ryobi, Worx, Kreg good tools at great prices. Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch, Makita great tools at twice-three times the cost. Name is not everything, research and use good judgement. there are a lot of good tools/accessories out there that will fit your needs and budget. I use Kreg and am completely satisfied.
Yeah Kreg pocket hole jig is great, some of the other stuff is occasional use like you said. I’ve never used ryobi or worx, but I would imagine they work for light use as well. My grandma swears by ryobi.
The Kreg and Wen track saw are economical ones that will give perfectly straight cuts. They would work for most homeowners and DIY. Contractors would probably step up to the Makita at a minimum.
With the exception of the pocket hole jig, Hunt is right. Kreg does make worthless junk and yes, I was suckered in, too. There is one area that really disappoints me with Kreg and that is their hardware, specifically their screws. Square or Robertson drive screws suck. They require the long drive bit to be perfectly aligned to the screw or the drive will damage the screw, or as Hunt pointed out, damage the drive. Milescraft make a Torx or Star drive screws for pocket holes which are much more forgiving with the alignment issue. The only downside with Milescraft's screws is that the screws are only offerred in small quantities, which raises the cost per screw quite a bit.
Yeah my k4 pocket hole jig has lasted well over 10 years. And a little tape on the dust port it catches all the dust. I’d have to say for $100 it’s more than paid for itself :)
@@kgeganjrify I've heard that argument before and if the tool you are using is of reasonable quality, it's probably true. I have a Kreg pocket hole jig and it gives precise, repeatable results. It's a pleasure to use. After that experience I bought an accu rip (Accu cut)? And the experience is the exact opposite. The parts don't fit together well, the saw can't be properly secured in it's base and it's impossible to get the saw blade parallel to the line of cut. I may be able to reconfigure it to make it square but it's so flimsy that I couldn't be bothered. I consider it a relatively inexpensive lesson.
The track itself is good. The sled to attach to the saw could be a little more beefy, and easier to slide into the track. The handle could be a little wider on the accu cut, so it grabs on to the edge better, they do have T Track clamps, and I have them but they're small and can be clumsy at times. I've also use spring clamps to hold it down. Someone will think of a better one.
My second pocket hole jig was one from Milescraft. It's inexpensive but we'll made and it came with some screws from the brand. First time I used those screws I was convinced the pocket hole screws from Kreg are poorly designed with those square heads. With a Torx drive screw like the Milescraft ones you never have problems aligning them, specially on tight spaces. I got the 700 screws box and it's a great deal compared to Kreg.
Thank you for your honest insight on the Accu-cut. I was about to buy one, but it looked so cheap I figured I'd better have a closer look. You just saved me a c-note I can put into something better.
I use the Kreg clamps, TrackHorse and Project center constantly. I think they are well built SOLID tools. I love the TrackHorse & Project center combo and the way you can use their clamps across the board. I am very leary of the over use of plastic on their jigs and such. I have all three of their circular saw set-ups. The Accu-Cut works very well when you learn how to use it. I don’t own any of their jigs so I cant comment. If you are looking at their storage cabinets or portable table gear it is very solid tooling. So don’t slam the company. Kreg has many fine products and killer customer service. That counts big in my shop. I don’t use the plastic jigs so I cannot comment on them. The clamps are GOLDEN as are many of their other tools!
The "pocket hole clamp". I guess you can use it the way you described, but it is a right angle clamp. For attaching perpendicular pieces, like maybe a back panel to the sides. It works well for that. Drill two holes side by side in a few places - clamp goes in one, screw in the other to get it set.
Yeah, every time I tried using the right angle in one and put the screw in the other it wants to move. I put a parallel clamp on the whole workpiece and drive the screws in now. Seems to work better (for me at least).
I know this is old, BUT. I agree with the cross cut jig, it does suck. However, the Pocket Hole Jig WORKS, as does the dust collection for it. I use my 1 1/4" shop vac for it. It does good but it depends on the user! Now the driver bits they have do suck and the "name brand" screws are $1 to $2 more than an off brand. As for that cross cut jig, I bought a cordless 6 1/2" saw just for it, and it still didn't do well. Luckily, H.D. took it back for full refund. The cabinet jig for the pulls does work also. I did 10 of my sister in laws new cabinets using that jig.
if your a professional carpenter I can see your point but Kreg tools are for DIYERS that's the point I've built I cant tell you how many drawers and cabinets with my KREG pocket hole jig and it works great . Its quick and strong that's all I really care about. Enough said. Also I think you put that on utube just to get a reaction which you did so congrats on that.
I personally think most U tube woodworking videos are worthless and redundant. I think most of you U tubers are looking for some kind of celebrityness. I think I counted one time 147 videos on applying shellac. I have some Kreg tools. The ones I have work fine and I'm happy I didn't have to pay more.
I’ll probably end up doing a video on some of the other options. I have only had some of them for 6 months to a year so I’m nervous to endorse them yet even though I think they will make it decades.
The Kreg cross cut, I could not get my Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-1/2 inch circular saw to sit correctly on that thing. The little arms would not clamp evenly or level to hold the saw down. I'm a DIY'er. Maybe I just don't know how. Plus the one I got, the red arrow pointer was even crooked. After much frustration, without even getting to try it, just returned it. Now I'm searching for a long straight edge guide. I've been watching some Kreg Straight Edge Guide XL videos, and sounds promising. Thanks for your honest opinions.
Same story for me. That Kreg Accu-cut product was a joke and a waste of my time, effort and money. In the end I shelled out for a track saw anyway and I'm much happier now. I'll probably never buy anything branded Kreg again. They are the Fisher-Price of woodworking tools.
I built several kitchens with my kreg jig, just the basic pocket hole. I bought it 10 years ago and actually made a tutorial on RUclips for it, it's still up after nine years. I still use the same jig to this day.. Haven't really had any interest in their other products because they do look flimsy to me. It's funny that you showed that track saw track, because I literally just saw one of those an hour ago when I was at the Rebuilding Center. Still in the box and everything. The only other product I have from them is a featherboard for my table saw, and it works very well. But hey, it's just a featherboard
You can get a lot of use out of plastic tools if you use them with finesse, they are great for diy. Where I always have trouble is I need to move at a modern pace and then the plastic or aluminum kind of binds. I ended up just getting a real track saw and it really sped things up.
the pocket hole jig is a good tool. mine has the clamping mechanism on the front so you don't have to reach around behind the material you are drilling. occasionally, the vac attachment will come off, more likely than not because i have hit the hose. i did have to drill a hole in the top of it because my vacuum had too much vacuum pressure going on. i put some inserts in my work bench so that when i need this i can just screw the jig to my work top. yes, you can't adjust the depth with this in place, but that is not a problem. you aren't moving this thing every 2 or 3 pieces. i have had some of their drill jigs, but was not happy with those and returned them.
I agree with you as far as trusting the words of others. I was recently burned on a Rigid purchase that I was weary but overwhelmed with pressure, price, and a free tool. The only thing better than sucks is the free tool. Go figure. Thanks
I was looking for some sort of a saw guide to be a step up from two clamps and a board, and briefly considered a kreg accucut, and also their straight edge guide. I grabbed a Bora NGX 50 instead. Not their plastic saw plate. If I need a track saw, I'll buy a real track saw. Even a $95 Wen and $120 for two 55" Powertec of whatever tracks looks like it's waaay better than dedicating a circular saw to being a fake track saw with no plunge or easy scoring cut capability. I use Kreg pocket hole jigs K5 and 320, and I like their clamps too.
Yeah any track saw from wen to Kreg to makita or festool is amazing. The biggest thing on a track saw is the cam on the saw base that allows it you to tighten on the track and have zero side to side play. Thank You for watching!
The cross cut sled is too tight. Loosens that up, it will work better and add some slider lubricant. Also use a smaller blade skill saw. I use the Rockwell 4.5” saw, it works perfect.
Interesting! Maybe there are some quick tricks to make it work better. I’ve got 2 track saws now, they have been so much more consistent. I see Kreg makes a track saw now too, but I went with Makita and Festool.
Man i feel all of this. I haven't bought as many as you, but everything i bought from them I remember thinking, "I would pay the extra for them to make this better (out of metal with tighter tolerances)"
I love my pocket hole jig... my accu cut kit I couldn't get it to work right the one time I tried it said f it and went freehand with my laser all turned out well so my accu cut kit is collecting dust until I mess with it again which will probably be never as I got a new table saw finally moved to my forever location so I could get one
@@HuntsWorkshop that's how communities work in theory... if none of us thousands of makers share our experiences to help newcomers and be honest and not just brand fanboys then it's hard for newbies to step up and not make the same mistakes we did... if we want woodworking to be better for future generations we can't let the big corporations produce garbage just because they used to be amazing... although after seeing the armor auto adjust pocket hole jig I'm saving some pennies for one of them lol
I bought the pocket hole jig several years back and have used it many times when building corn hole boards. I also bought the Kreg box joint jig and that was the last tool I bought from Kreg. It was garbage, made of MDF and plastic and I was unpleasantly surprised that I paid around $50 for that, if I recall. I used it once and not successfully, it's been on a shelf under my workbench for years.
Okay... solid review of the pros and cons but am I to surmise that your main issue with Kreg is that there are better options out there??? Isn't that true of basically everything in life? My question is are the better options that you elude to at the same price point as Kreg? Cause I have been using Kreg pocket hole jigs, clamps and saw guides successfully for years and never lost or broke anything... *I do agree about the pocket hole driver wearing out quickly though, but other than that no problems.
The K4 and K5 were very solid units, I use mine daily. However the massca is the same price for much higher quality. Aluminum construction and dust port is attached with hardware.
I really enjoy videos like these. It's almost like the people that buy these tools feel like they have to say it's good simply because they bought them. I bought some tools Stumpy recommended and all the tools I purchased were spot on. I did the diy dust collection, epic failure. My hats off to you. I am subscribing to your channel. Thanks Timothy.
Sounds like operator error to me. I have some other of the items you’re bad mouthing and I love them. I started wood working 45 years ago and had no money. Kreg tools are affordable and at the time there was no other options and since it was way before the internet I had to rely on catalogs without RUclips. Use your work bench to demonstrate rather than freehand in front of the camera.
I wasn't sure what you were doing with your rip-cut (cross-cut) to get it to bind up like that, as mine glides like a dream. So I just tried it out again to see what the problem could be and it comes down to physics. You are holding the sole plate vertically and pushing on one side. This is causing the top part to rotate in the guide track causing it to bind up. If it is laid flat and is pushed without twisting, you should have no problems (unless you have faulty or damaged equipment).
Yeah my guess was it comes down to finesse or maybe even dry lube on the aluminum may help? Idk, but we just got track saw and it was such a time savings.
@@HuntsWorkshop Its nothing about finesse. Its like trying to drive your Ford ute with the park brake on then blaming Fiord for the poor performance of the vehicle. There is little doubt that track saws are the best option if they are to be used regularly. But the price cannot be justified for the occasional user on a budget where time is not an issue. Horses for courses.
I was interested in their pocket hole jig. But after I saw it was just plastic, I went on Amazon and bought the Chinese knockoff. And the body frame and dust collection are all anodized aluminum. I still had to build The jig to keep it stable, but the amount of money I saved was enough to buy black walnut as a base.
Exactly. You get it! I’m still vetting some of the knock offs here for Kreg, woodpeckers, etc., and making sure they stand up for a while, but for everyone asking what I recommend this is your answer :)
I bought the Kreg 90-degree corner clamps ($40 each) and after using them for a year they quit working. I called Kreg and was immediately connected to a technician. He asked me to try and make some adjustments which I did. The adjustments didn't help. The technician then sent me a new pair of clamps for free by express mail and didn't ask me to return the old ones. He said that when the clamps are not in use to leave them unclamped.
If you have more patience than money Kreg is the way to go. Can get very accurate, high quality cuts with the Rip-Cut if you take your time and learn how to use it…
I was in a tool store the other day and there was a huge display of Kreg tools, I was in sticker shock. cool ideas but do I need them, no. For the most part it was a fix for something I was all ready doing already and without a jig. I break down plywood with a straight edge made from high impact plastic and a couple of c clamps. I have been doing it this way for years. I don't have best tools in my shop but what i do have, I can rely on. most of tools I do have I have been using for more than 3 decades. I prefer to make my own jigs, if they don't work fine but at least i have learned something along the way. relying of jigs built by someone else may get the job done but that is all you get. woodworking is a journey not a destination.
This is so true! My first track saw was a plywood track and an old circular saw. It’s not about brand, price, etc. it’s about knowing what to expect and sometimes one of us with 11 years of Kreg experience can give a better review than someone that did a single project with one. Great job making your own and I bet it outlasts the store bought straight edge by years.
I have a bunch of Kreg Tools. I haven't had a issue with any of the tools. The sled for the accu-cut, and the Rip Cut, it never sagged on me. You have to remember, the tool is as good as the person who uses it.
I agree! If you have the time to fuss with it and you get the results you need, then it’s the right tool for you. For me a track saw makes more money in less time. It’s just a strategic investment we felt we had to make.
@@HuntsWorkshop I get that. I'm a hobbyists and a DIYer, When I first got the Rip Cut and Accu-Cut it seemed a little clumsy. When I got everything dialed in and found T-Track clamps for the Accu-Cut then it was a breeze after that. But I always found that be it a Router, or a certain type of jig that the setup always takes longer than the actual cut. One of these days I'll invest in a tracksaw, but the one I want (Talking quietly so.my wife don't hear me) Festool is a bit to much right now.
A lot of the stuff advertised today, usually at outrageous prices, is over-hyped nonsense. Good example is Inca rulers. They're just rulers. Woodpeckers is getting into the game too with their $140 rulers. Don't know why people keep buying this stuff. Seems a can of shiny red or blue paint can sell anything.
So true, but full disclosure I do love the Incra tiny T that’s like $15. If you need a line right at a 64th it’s so handy bc of the index slots. The expensive stuff though, I agree!!
I did pretty well with the Rip-Cut kit. I screw the back fingers to the circular saw base plate. Maybe not something you'd do if your circular saw is precious and you can't bear to put a few small holes in it. I used it for a lot of fast rip cuts, it avoids all the guide setting and clamping I'd have to do with every cut. I don't pretend it's a pro grade piece of kit, but I don't expect that when the whole kit was $40. I still haven't lost my brass pin to the Mitre Gauge. I think mine did have a detent. Seems daft they'd get rid of it. I do hate their pocket hole stuff. And Kreg's pocket hole screws don't fit snugly with my square drive bits.
Thank you for the feedback! That’s a good idea fix the blue sled right to the saw. A few small deburred holes won’t hurt anything with or without sled later. I think the Kreg jigs like the old K4 and K5 are pretty solid. The newer 720 I broke the side containers. It seems like they have gotten a little cheap on the plastic now. They are all great DIY tools though, no doubt.
@@HuntsWorkshop I forgot to update but I checked my miter gauge's brass pin and it does not have a detent. I also noticed there's no place to put the pin if you're not using one of the angles without a pin hole. If I were to do it over again I'd probably get a miter gauge from the Incra line. I don't remember why I didn't buy one in the first place.
I’ve got some cheap Chinese solutions off Amazon and some expensive options. Just vetting them out for a few months before I put my name on any of the low price stuff. Seems high quality so far though!
I just bought the accu cut track saw and i could not agree more. I honestly thought i did something wrong setting it up because of how much slop there was between the sled and track, come to find out thats just the way it works. Unbelievable.
Totally agree and appreciate your honesty despite most people's arguments. Kreg is in love with their blue plastic more than making a quality product. Their tools are a terrible value. There is always something better available if you look. One example is the cnc'd aluminum pocket hole jig from Enjoywood which is a pleasure to use and is such a better tool compared to the same priced Kreg product. The accucut and rip cut are such garbage quality as well as any pocket hole jig they make that's less than $150. Precision plastic? Give me a break Kreg.
Some of their products are fantastic, like pocket hole jigs, but others like the rip cut and the precision mitre gauge are not good. Sometimes it’s what we’ve used and what we know. Perspective is incredible!
I have to admit, after seeing a number of very positive reviews on the Kreg track saw and ACS system, I kind of wonder if the whole reason they produce the Accu-Cut is as a way to get people interested in the idea, then upsell them to something that actually works once they get frustrated with this.
I've had a lot of luck with my saw track I've had it about a year and a half and the rubber on bottom still grabs good. You are correct about the starting block that came with it that thing is useless. I bought the cross cut thing because I had a project that needed several plywood rips the same width, it worked but that was the only time I ever used it. I wish I could find the track sold without the shed. I think I might be ready to upgrade to a plunging track saw. I have been eyeing the Kraig model because of my experience with there track. If you have any experience with that a video review would be appreciated.
I haven’t tried their track saw, but 731 woodworks did here on RUclips. Matt reviewed the wen, Kreg, and Festool. He liked the Kreg if I remember right.
Yeah, So Im pretty sure you are not taking the time to set up these tools properly. I used that Accu-cut system LOTS with a standard circular saw and it works exactly as it should, my saw never fell out as you describe and the traction is still as good as the day I bought it. I still use it even though I just bought the Kreg Adaptive cutting system which by the way is amazing and half the price of that other brand!! Maybe try taking your time and reading the instructions to do your initial set up.
@@danmaxwell7719 you definitely have one skill I hope to never posses and that is rationalizing marginal tools. I am not interested in making garbage work at the cost of my time. Time is a finite resource in life and business.
I came to the conclusion many years ago that Kreg tools were great ideas sometimes poorly (mainly cheaply) executed. With that said, most aren't nearly as bad as this video vid makes them out to be. I say that as a full time home remodeling pro and an after-hours woodworker who has used all but two of the tools referenced (the missing ones being the rip guide and drawer slide jig). The accu-cut worked well for a few uses, but my issue was that my saw came loose after use and would not stay tight to the guide. My newest Kreg purchase is their band saw fence and it's solid as can be expected for the money.
Some have been good and some have been bad, but we acquired most of them bc we needed a tool quick and Menards had Kreg in stock. Haste makes waste as they say :)
I bought the 520 Pro pocket hole jig. It came with a long, square driver and a face clamp that were both junk. the driver bit rounded out after a short time. The clamp looks similar to the one you showed, but much, much lower quality. You'd think they'd want you to see how good their clamps are by putting in one good clamp. (thinking John Belushi) But NOOOOOOO... they had to put in a crappy version. And, if you are careful, the plastic pocket hole jig will slide sideways with with a twist. I'm sure you can figure out what you pocket hole would look like when that happens.
Going by my many years of using the pocket hole jig there has been no issues whatsoever. Granted, my jig is over 15 years old. It was made at a time when there wasn't any dust collecting port. But I can truly say that even with the lack of this feature I haven't had any issues. I have it screwed down on a piece of plywood. I clamp it down to my bench and I'm good to go. The results have been very accurate. I use regular washer head screws which are half the price of the Kreg brand. There is no law saying that you have to use Kreg screws. Finally, the clamps you speak of work very well for me in most situations. Could it be that the quality of this jig has gone down over the years?
I like the pocket hole jig, my only complaint is it’s dust collection. Like you said they last forever, my K4 is maybe 10-12 years old too! The new accucut and rip cut are junk though!
I only have one tool from Kreg, and this is the multi mark. It is mostly made out of plastic, yes - but it is very functional. As a professional woodworker myself, it is sturdy and took many beatings but still works. I am using it on a daily basis for over 3 years now - and for 17 EUR it is worth every "penny".
Yeah they have a few diamonds in the rough like that. I like my K4 as well, just not the dust collection. All in all though, I wish they would just wait to bring things like ripcut to market when they get them smooth and reliable haha
To add to this - in Australia Kreg stuff seems to be more expensive, putting the accu-cut around the same price as an entry level track saw, or higher than the price difference between a low cost Ryobi 18v circular saw and a Metabo 18v circular saw that will run on tracks. In fact, the XL kit is $310 and the lower prices Metabo saw that works with rails is $299, and off-brand or used rails can be bought inexpensively. That’s why mine is gathering dust, I guess!
That’s great to know! Here their stuff has been going up in price so it will likely be the same soon! Metabo is so underrated. I had hitachi drills that lasted 15 years and donated them to the high school they still ran great.
Absolutely spot on analysis. I had some of the same issues with Kreg and then some. All these cheap plastic parts end up rattling, breaking, total waste of money. Better invest in quality made tools.
I really am not sure why you say "DIY at best" as if it s a bad thing - That is the market they are aimed at! They help people do a better job than they would other wise do.
That’s a fair point! What drives me nuts is they refine the product 5 times and keep you buying a new one, where a Makita track was pretty awesome in version 1. I feel like it’s a perpetual upgrade they setup on purpose.
😅 I just don't understand why he has so many different kreg things and complaints. Maybe he did a huge purchase of everything and just can't use them. I did notice in the video he has shakey hands. 🤷♂️
I always stick around till the end most channels have some crazy antics going on.And I’m so glad I have never bought kreg gear I’ve heard to many complaints. Have a look at hooked on wood Dennis gives an honest review on tools and he’s content is always great
It would have been nice to provide comparable alternatives that, for cost and repeatable cuts, is just as good and if not better. People can't afford high quality tools for the weekend DIYer.
I’ve been working on vetting out the cheap tools from Amazon, but some of them are knockoffs of more expensive tools which wouldn’t be right for me to recommend from an ethical and legal standpoint.
@@HuntsWorkshop I have several kreg items and agree with your assessment. Most of them are trash if used heavily. After using them for about a year I do not want to buy any more. There are some RUclipsrs that promote kreg, however, I can't trust their assessment. Festool is way too expensive for the weekend workshopper. I would like comparable items that have been tested that can last for a decade. Appreciate any future videos with your assessment and analysis. Like your channel
have used only a few of the kreg tools but found they worked fine. Also watching the video of how you treat your tools its no surprise you dont like them. No tool is perfect out of the box and if you take the time to adjust a align your tools you can make almost and tool work. i watched you pound on the cross cut tool which i dont have but i never strike my tools like that . maybe patience is what the person needs to make the tools work.
You have to remember these are garbage to us, they get treated that way. Festool and Woodpeckers always go back in their case, because we respect tools that work. Well, they’re too expensive not to honestly.
@@HuntsWorkshop "Garbage tools" So says the man that can afford to by many, many, many tools that cost several hundred dollars apiece ! One man's garbage tools are another man's beginer tools ! For your information Mr. Hunt, not all wood- workers can start of with a shop with 5-10K$ (or more) worth of tools ! !
Garbage VS good isn’t always a price though. A Massca pocket hole jig is the same price as a K4. A good DIY plywood track saw is cheaper than an accu-cut. I like some Kreg stuff, like their aluminum height setup jigs and clamps :)
I despise the Kreg drawer hardware jig. It's an absolute POS with way too much play and total painful misery to adjust the hole spacing. It does the job for the price but had I known, would have bought something better designed. Like why are the hole spacing (gray plastic circles) designed so poorly for adjustment?? They frickin hurt to tighten down, jam up, and then still have play in them. I have the older k4 pocket hole jig like you showed and I find it works quite well. As you said the dust collection is excellent and I don't find any tape necessary (not sure why you do) but it does absolutely suck that isn't at the very least reversible so you can collect dust from either side and of course, it's clearly meant to not enable adjustment after being placed on, which is dumb, but slightly understandable because typically, you're setting it all up to start and then placing the dust collection on...however, I wish I could leave it on. I also have no idea why it has a down position...how the heck did they expect that to work as it buts into the base of the jig? Not sure if they addressed that on the latest model. I didn't understand your criticism with movement on it. It conveniently takes 4 pocket hole screws and you can screw it down in 10 seconds to whatever you'd like or leave it setup that way. Mine specifically pisses me off because the width of wood to be drilled markings are slightly off, making adjustment unnecessarily tedious. I also find the face needs to be smoothed because it tends to mark the pocket hole side after clamping. The Rip-cut was given to me and I found it so tedious to setup that I gave up on it. It sucks. The T isn't even squared so I need to adjust the screws just to even use it as T square. More recently I've been buying Milescraft jigs for cabinets and many are far superior to the Kreg options.
Nobody is blaming Kreg. They are good at marketing and duping people. I just clamp a straight edge and make a perfect cut. It really doesn’t require all these finicky plastic “tools”.
I made the mistake of purchasing a Kreg router table about 6 months ago ($600+ for just the table, no router) thinking it must be the best choice. I did read countless reviews on it and others beforehand, but wish I'd read more. My main issue I guess is the fence lock downs, the one on the right flexes when you go to release it. Once released the fence is all over the place and you have to measure it out to get it square every time you adjust it, instead of just adjusting it and locking it back down. Maybe I'm being picky but that my take on it.
Thank you for your feedback! I’ve never used that specific table, but that sounds like a huge waste of time. I would be extremely upset at that price point!
I bought the Kreg router table also along with their lift. The fence is squirrelly. As you said, too much tension and it flexes, not enough and it can move. I went the Kreg rout thinking I wouldn’t use it much. Wrong. Since I use it quite a bit I wish I would have gone with the infinity or Rockler router table.
The truth is that a lot of cheap jigs (not just Kreg) bring a lot of hidden frustration and time wasting that aren’t accurately reflected in people’s reviews/promotions. In some cases woodworkers will make other videos about how to overcome generic problems (there’s probably a hundred videos on pocket hole pitfalls). Anyway, I bought into the Bora track system, and it has similar problems to the Kreg system, notably the play (although the play on the Kreg looks worse). The heavy duty base goes on pretty securely, however. The play isn’t too bad if one is careful. It doesn’t have the cut guide, however. There’s an adjustable index on the saw. Generally, I just measure an extra 1 7/8th” to compensate for the space between blade and track instead of futzing with the index. I mostly use it when I need to break down sheet goods. I wish I could afford a fancy track saw, but it’s not something I use a lot. Maybe I’ll get the Wen, which looks alright for a budget model. The one thing that I like is the Kreg square cut guide, which is good for right angle cuts on boards up to 12” wide. It’s something one could make from scraps, however. I just looked it up on Amazon and the price went up (or maybe I got it on sale). Yeah, just make your own.
Boy it is great to see someone telling the truth . I am a photographer and you see these you tubers getting free filters from Kase they make a round magnetic filter that is supposed to stay on a screw on filter holder well they do not the filters are of good quality but it ends there.
True … A good straight edge like that is better than any hybrid “track adapter” imo. Never as great as a track saw, but I used a straight edge for years.
I got the Accu-Cut a couple of days ago to cut some butcher block. It made the cuts pretty accurate but I was defiantly disappointed. I won’t be using it for much.
Pocket hole jig which I’ve outgrown and never use, is an essential tool. Again, I do everything in my power to never use, I go with tenons or beadlocks or any rabbet or whatever joinery. That said, pocket hole jig is essential. Because you’ll use it at first and it opens doors and occasionally you find yourself in a dumb pickle and it’s the answer. Rip cut jig is nice but not accurate accurate. I use it to break down plywood on the ground. I always cut an inch larger if possible and breaks down on the table saw once it’s manageable. The cabinet door hinge thing is essential. Mainly because to buy the 35mm hinge drill bit, it’s the same cost as the kreg jig that comes with it. So that’s a wonderful tool. And I guess the door jig. To line up holes. It saves time. All their tools are wonky plastic I don’t trust. Very flimsy. I don’t know if I’ll ever buy anything else other than the things listed, but they are great. Also I have the cheap…. 2 hole kreg pocket hole jig. It was $40. I don’t know another the huge ones. I don’t see a point in them. I bring the jig to the piece, not the piece to the jig.
Dude! Did a Smurf piss in your Cheerios this morning? If you buy plastic tools you should expect some limitations in their use and application. I don’t disagree with your assessment on most of those tools, but that doesn’t mean they don’t or won’t work. You can make some very nice things with Kreg tools. Are they going to perform like their equivalent made by Woodpecker? No, and if your expectations were that they would, then maybe that’s on you? I own all of the tools you demonstrated in the video. They work fine in a home shop. There isn’t much of a place for them in a production cabinet shop, but there is an operational standard for both, and the Kreg tools are fine for most home, small shops. My suggestion would be this; If these tools do not meet your needs, then sell them and go out and buy commercial grade tools that will meet your needs. Make your own jigs. Nothing wrong in doing either. No need to condemn a good woodworking product in public just because you are not happy or unable to adapt your skills in ways that result in successful projects.
I tried to be fair and say they are DIY grade. Pocket hole and face clamps probably even light pro use. What I think people should know though is you can buy brands like Massca, Armor, Harrell, etc. that are aluminum and the same or lower price. I’ve used my K4 for 12+ years and still use it today :) the rip cut really teed me off though haha
I am going to weigh in here with a slightly different view. While I agree most of the kreg stuff excluding the pocket hole jigs ( I have the k 4 and foremen ) a lot of there stuff is not of the highest quality but would I say they are worthless ??? Not even close in my opinion.over covid I was batching out cabinets for my kitchen and basement remodel and a lot of those cuts were made with the acu rip and acu cut the concealed hinge jig and shelf pin jig . Are there higher quality tool out there that might have made the job easier , of course. But the kreg stuff was perfectly adiquate. To discourage new hobbest by saying you need a real 400$ track saw from a big brand when they could grab 65$ accucut and start making projects ?? Respectfully I can't get behind that
You have valid points for sure! It all comes down to budget and how much you use them. I wish my track saw was only $400 :)
Agreed, You don't need CNC machining for a jig that makes it easier to line up holes to drill for you knobs on your cabinets. The idea that these jigs should be of higher quality ( for 20$) is absurd.
I love the Acu Cut...as that is the product that convinced me to get a Festool track saw.
The Acu Cut was really difficult to fix my Hitachi saw to, but the thing that got me to return the product was the extreme side to side play in the track.
Totally agree with you.
Yeah I’m not into bashing something and then not even show what I think is better. It’s pointless.
I love my Kreg tools, and use them everyday. 40 yrs plus carpenter,builder,cabinet maker.
Thank you Kreg tools.
In their defense I love my K4 pocket hole, not as cheap and flimsy as the new 720 pro. But the rip-cut honestly put me over the edge that day :)
I'm an amateur at best, but I did manage to make some big cabinets for the loft out of mdf 18mm sheets. It helped me a lot! I used to do it with straight edge and clamps, which took 3 times longer (probably more) and if you have repeating cuts and you don't change the jig it is consistent. The only problem I encountered is that it at the end of the cut it will often deviate, especially if you, like me, work in a very confined space and you have to keep to many things in mind not to happen (e.g. hit your head on the ceiling).
It's not perfect but for £50 I was very happy with it. For me a more appropriate price would be ~£30 and maybe £50 if it was all aluminum, but given the lack of options out there I think it's good. Definitely cheaper than buying a track saw 😂
I was 40 years old and had never took on a home improvenent project. I just figured there was a "handy" gene and i didn't have it. Not too long ago i watched a video on kreg jigs and that gave me enough confidence to buy a few tools. Since then ive done closet builds, chicken coupe builds, and many more. I use some sort of Kreg product in everything I build. They may be cheap, but they gave me the drive and confidence to create with my own hands. Im proud to be a simple DIY guy with a cabinet of Kreg tools. ✌️
I just finished making my first three cabinets ever. When the subcontractor my daughter was using to order and install her granite top saw them he was amazed at the work. He thought a professional cabinet builder had done them. I did all of it with my keg jigs. The pocket hole jig I have is just like the one you showed and I do agree that one sucks but it is their low end model. I love my rip cut jig. The adjustment is a little difficult but not as bad as you made it look. Kreg jigs make it possible for the average guy to make nice projects.
What one needs to remember is that Kreg tools are not intended for the professional, at least I don't think so. They are intended for the DIYer who wants to save and produce quality work at the same time. I have the Rip Cut, which is wayyyyy cheaper than a table saw and has allowed me to produce some impressive furniture in my craft room along with one of their pocket hole jigs. The rip cut just needs to be used with patience, but once you have it set, you're good.
Too many people expect professional grade stuff at dirt cheap costs and I think Kreg has balanced the two perfectly.
It's easy to nick-pick anything and show how much 'trouble' you are having with it just like a before and after infomercial. Sure the Rip Cut requires a little finesse but it beats trying to hold a perfectly straight line over eight feet with a circular saw.
I don't have the Accu-cut but I plan to get one.
One more thing...Kreg with its products will introduce many to the satisfying world of wood working and when they do decide to stick with it, then will be the time to upgrade your tools. But for the Do it yourself one time project that may be the first and last, they gets my vote.
I completely agree with this, very well said! I believe they are perfect for DIY and probably light commercial use even. Some of their stuff like the K4 I still like, not even a crack in the plastic after 12 years and a few drops on the floor :)
just because you can't get them to work or have some sort of bone to pick with them doesn't mean that other people don't use them. I have no issues with the kreg stuff. It's more than likely user error than it is a problem with the tool seeing as how popular they are.
They are very well marketed and influenced on RUclips (for compensation), as well as available at any big box store. So people in a hurry doing a DIY gravitate toward that instead of waiting 2 days for a Massca pocket hole jig from Amazon. I just think people should know there are options that may be the same price.
It sounds like you have buyers remorse just because something didn't work for you it doesn't mean that other people don't know how to use them and it works for them
@@HuntsWorkshop No.....you just bought it and couldn't figure it out so you decided to "give people options" which is just another way of saying you had to cry and whine about how bad it is because you didn't have the intelligence to make it work.
Why the hell would anyone want to wait for the Massca......IT'S LITERALLY THE SAME THING AS THE KREG! pull your head out your arse.
I’ve had the pocket hole jig, tracksaw thing and a few other Kreg jigs and have had zero issue with them, especially the pocket hole jig and dust collection. In fact, I just used it the other day building some cabinets for a friend and I forgot just how incredibly easy the thing is. Pulled it out, blew the dust off it, clamped it down, turned on the vacuum and went to work. Zero issue. I think some of these gripes are truly petty and potentially user error, but that’s simply my opinion.
If you like DIY tools and you keep them stored enough you had to get them out, you have the correct brand.
@@HuntsWorkshop Hang most of then on the wall...
I agree the way he is trying to put it in and snap is ridiculous. This guy is garbage. special clamp for pocket holes??
@@carasmussen27 yeah, gonna have to agree with you on that one. Pretty sure that’s why his video got absolutely ratioed into oblivion.
@@BP-dc6ps yeah the only thing he was right about was the flimsy plastic and the side to side play on the kreg accu cut
Where’s the link to show the better stuff
All over RUclips.
Why would you need dust collection for the pocket hole jig? just cleanup after. Those of us in the real world out in the field don't have time to worry about dust collection.
I use a 5 gallon cyclone on job sites all the time. We use it from planex drywall sanding to pocket holes. The biggest reason is it keeps the bit cleaner and cooler. Avoids dulling and gives a better cut with less pressure on the drill. All equates to healthier and more productive employees in the end.
@@HuntsWorkshop I always use the vac for sanding and anytime i'm setup inside i use it on my saw's, nobody likes breathing the fine dust. Pocket holes I let the flutes do the work and never force the drill in, I just never saw the point to using the vac with it. can you recommend a good 5gal cyclone separator? That's my only complaint with my festool vac is that it doesn't like big chips.
@@dandeflavis7004 I’ve just been using the dust deputy the last 5 years. Nothing to write home about, but it does work. Probably better options idk?
What better quality alternative do you suggest?
I love my Kreg pocket hole jig. I have it mounted to a three foot long piece of MDF, which I hang on the wall. True, I needed to build a jig, but then again, I build things anyway! I have looked at other Kreg "stuff" and came to the opinion that it is built too cheaply.
Literally about the same here. Small jig for my K4, it’s used daily, and the clamps. The rest just never panned out. Glad to hear your experience!
Have to ask, if all their stuff is garbage how did you end up buying so much of it, surely you discovered it was poor quality after one or two items ? I’ve never used any of their stuff
I just didn't want to buy the festool track saw so I kept trying straight edges and guides thinking they have to be ok if I baby them ... but per usual, just suck it up and buy the right tool and I would have saved time and money.
@@HuntsWorkshop buy cheap, buy twice as they say
Well 20 years ago I purchase one of the first Kreg pocket hole Kits. Cost me $129 in 2004. Today almost 20 years to the date iam still using that same kit with no problems. Iam actually using the original square bit that came with it. Have used the shorter extension but I prefer the longer one. I also have the cabinet hardware jig. It works great never had a problem with that either. Oh and the jig for drilling holes for pins that works great to. So I guess you have to look at the tools a little closer before you purchase.
This was a really well done video and I will watch more of your productions. I agree and disagree with your conclusion. When I first started woodworking about 7 years ago, Kreg tools were inexpensive and did a lot to replace the skills I did not have. Pocket holes were a simple way of constructing face frames, The track saw thing was much less expensive than a Festool. I really learned a lot using them. Now, I use them less and less. I bought a good, actual track saw (Bosch) and it is miles above the Kreg system. I use pocket screws rarely and Kreg works pretty well so I am not likely ot replace with another system. I use dowels more frequently and get a better result. The drawer slide jig was a bust and I never did get it working as well as a scrap of wood cut to specs. I still use the hinge install guide and the shelf pin jig. I think, overall Kreg is a good company and a good place for newbies to start. You are right that for any production work, spend the money and get a grown-up tool.
Appreciate the feedback! I have to agree completely with you. It’s the best some of us needed or wanted to pay for and a lot of it worked if you’re patient with it. I love the K4 pocket hole jig, still use it daily.
I agree when I was a beginning woodworker I had to earn the hard way about Kreg tools. When I use pocket holes nowadays I have a massca jig it's solid. Rockler makes solid jigs that can replace just about everything Keeg makes. Just curious what are some of your favorite Kreg alternatives?
I bought the Kreg crosscut years ago. After "practicing" with it on some junk wood, I thought I had it down. Then I used it on my $70 piece of plywood. Long story short, I had better luck with a 4ft aluminum rule and some clamps.
Literally the worst tool ever made haha thank you for watching!
Then you weren't using it right. The only problem I ever had was when I didn't use it right.
@@davidcurtis5398 If you know how to use it right why would you use it wrong then? 🙃
@@BigBadWolf1st How did you miss the past tense they used?
@@vids595 How did you miss the point of my question?
I just came across this video and I appreciate the honesty. Videos like this help people like me (new to woodworking) choose or not choose products.
Don't believe everything your see on the internet lol. Kreg makes some really great tools and they make them at a price that doesn't brake the bank.
@@danmaxwell7719 all these months later, he wasn’t far off the mark. I’ve since used many of these. Do they work, are they cheap in comparison, yes. BUT they aren’t that good! This goes to the “buy once cry once” if this is all you can afford, then they will work but if you can afford better, most definitely buy the better. My time to build and quality went up drastically when switching out some of these tool. What works for you may not work for others. Keep your joints tight!
Kreg's prices are high for what they are. I used the crosscut sled withy circular saw and had trouble keeping it square and consistent. It kept readjusting, no matter how much I would tighten it. It looks like it should work, but it doesn't. There is a YT'r I follow who uses it all the time to make her cabinets. She doesn't seem to have a problem with it. I thought it was just me not understanding how to use it correctly but your video has helped me to see that it's the product. I do use their pocket hole jig, and it works OK, but screwing in the screw w/out the boards moving is a challenge. You absolutely have to clamp everything.
Curiosity - did you ever consider wax on the track to get it to slide in/out? I realize there’s no hope for the clamping (locking) mechanism on there, but if you were to wax the track IMO you’d be able to slide it in 1/8” increments. 🤷🏻♂️ just a thought.
I didn’t try that, but it’s a good idea!
@@HuntsWorkshop silicon spray might help. Wax sounds like a good idea as long as you don’t get crap adhering to the wax. If all else fails, blow the sawdust and debris out and sprinkle in some corn starch.
Agree, what are your preferred alternatives
Thank you! I am vetting out some new products, but have only used them for about four months. Need to use them for a while before I put my name next to them :-)
what is the best replacement of these garbages?
All depends on the tool. You can make a plywood “track saw” that will far outperform an accu-cut for example!
Military grade. I was going to buy them, but I thought they were fairly expensive for junk plastic. Thanks for the video. Coffee is good no matter what
They are. If they were the same designs but made with higher quality materials, they’d be great. They’re overpriced for the crappy plastic they use.
They are not made for constant "contractor grade" use. Well made for their market i.e. contractors who need to use them periodically or home owners/weekend warriors. They are made for a certain market. Go and buy a Ferrari and be the big "I am" then pay the cost to keep it on the road. Ryobi, Worx, Kreg good tools at great prices. Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch, Makita great tools at twice-three times the cost. Name is not everything, research and use good judgement. there are a lot of good tools/accessories out there that will fit your needs and budget. I use Kreg and am completely satisfied.
Yeah Kreg pocket hole jig is great, some of the other stuff is occasional use like you said. I’ve never used ryobi or worx, but I would imagine they work for light use as well. My grandma swears by ryobi.
Exactly
What items would you recommend instead of the Accu-Cut or Rip-Cut that offers the same solutions to cutting?
The Kreg and Wen track saw are economical ones that will give perfectly straight cuts. They would work for most homeowners and DIY. Contractors would probably step up to the Makita at a minimum.
With the exception of the pocket hole jig, Hunt is right. Kreg does make worthless junk and yes, I was suckered in, too. There is one area that really disappoints me with Kreg and that is their hardware, specifically their screws. Square or Robertson drive screws suck. They require the long drive bit to be perfectly aligned to the screw or the drive will damage the screw, or as Hunt pointed out, damage the drive. Milescraft make a Torx or Star drive screws for pocket holes which are much more forgiving with the alignment issue. The only downside with Milescraft's screws is that the screws are only offerred in small quantities, which raises the cost per screw quite a bit.
Yeah my k4 pocket hole jig has lasted well over 10 years. And a little tape on the dust port it catches all the dust. I’d have to say for $100 it’s more than paid for itself :)
The tools is as good as the person who uses it
@@kgeganjrify I've heard that argument before and if the tool you are using is of reasonable quality, it's probably true. I have a Kreg pocket hole jig and it gives precise, repeatable results. It's a pleasure to use. After that experience I bought an accu rip (Accu cut)? And the experience is the exact opposite. The parts don't fit together well, the saw can't be properly secured in it's base and it's impossible to get the saw blade parallel to the line of cut. I may be able to reconfigure it to make it square but it's so flimsy that I couldn't be bothered. I consider it a relatively inexpensive lesson.
The track itself is good. The sled to attach to the saw could be a little more beefy, and easier to slide into the track. The handle could be a little wider on the accu cut, so it grabs on to the edge better, they do have T Track clamps, and I have them but they're small and can be clumsy at times. I've also use spring clamps to hold it down. Someone will think of a better one.
My second pocket hole jig was one from Milescraft. It's inexpensive but we'll made and it came with some screws from the brand. First time I used those screws I was convinced the pocket hole screws from Kreg are poorly designed with those square heads. With a Torx drive screw like the Milescraft ones you never have problems aligning them, specially on tight spaces. I got the 700 screws box and it's a great deal compared to Kreg.
What are your thoughts on Rockler?
I’ve never purchased from them, so I can’t say. Any thoughts on them I should know in case I do?
@@HuntsWorkshop New at it so not a lot of experience with them, they seem to have a lot of interesting jigs/tools, but expensive
I have lots of arthritis, looking how you pull that slide jig got me thinking about it.
PAIN!
Shoot, do you think this applies to the ACS as well or is that their “fix” for these lesser items?
I think ACS is their fix to this entry level stuff. Just be careful bc you might get a makita or other decent track saw for a similar price.
Thank you for your honest insight on the Accu-cut. I was about to buy one, but it looked so cheap I figured I'd better have a closer look. You just saved me a c-note I can put into something better.
Don’t go off of this video mine worked great when building my first cabinets. You have to be smarter than the tools.
I have one and have used it constantly for 3 years. Its awesome and half the price of others
I use the Kreg clamps, TrackHorse and Project center constantly. I think they are well built SOLID tools. I love the TrackHorse & Project center combo and the way you can use their clamps across the board. I am very leary of the over use of plastic on their jigs and such. I have all three of their circular saw set-ups. The Accu-Cut works very well when you learn how to use it. I don’t own any of their jigs so I cant comment. If you are looking at their storage cabinets or portable table gear it is very solid tooling. So don’t slam the company. Kreg has many fine products and killer customer service. That counts big in my shop. I don’t use the plastic jigs so I cannot comment on them. The clamps are GOLDEN as are many of their other tools!
lol … hey man if it’s the best you know, it’s the best you know … wink.
As far as any kind of quality goes; I'd have to give them the ole' slammeroo too!
Great review but what do you recommend insted
I’m vetting out some cheap and expensive alternatives, just need to use them a bunch so I do t out my foot in my mouth and recommend junk.
The "pocket hole clamp". I guess you can use it the way you described, but it is a right angle clamp. For attaching perpendicular pieces, like maybe a back panel to the sides. It works well for that. Drill two holes side by side in a few places - clamp goes in one, screw in the other to get it set.
Yeah, every time I tried using the right angle in one and put the screw in the other it wants to move. I put a parallel clamp on the whole workpiece and drive the screws in now. Seems to work better (for me at least).
@@HuntsWorkshop That or brad nails where you can't see :)
I know this is old, BUT. I agree with the cross cut jig, it does suck. However, the Pocket Hole Jig WORKS, as does the dust collection for it. I use my 1 1/4" shop vac for it. It does good but it depends on the user! Now the driver bits they have do suck and the "name brand" screws are $1 to $2 more than an off brand. As for that cross cut jig, I bought a cordless 6 1/2" saw just for it, and it still didn't do well. Luckily, H.D. took it back for full refund. The cabinet jig for the pulls does work also. I did 10 of my sister in laws new cabinets using that jig.
if your a professional carpenter I can see your point but Kreg tools are for DIYERS that's the point I've built I cant tell you how many drawers and cabinets with my KREG pocket hole jig and it works great . Its quick and strong that's all I really care about. Enough said. Also I think you put that on utube just to get a reaction which you did so congrats on that.
Pocket hole jig is great, my only issue with it is the dust collection. It’s the other stuff that is absolutely garbage.
I personally think most U tube woodworking videos are worthless and redundant. I think most of you U tubers are looking for some kind of celebrityness. I think I counted one time 147 videos on applying shellac. I have some Kreg tools. The ones I have work fine and I'm happy I didn't have to pay more.
@@garyolsen3409 It sounds like you’d be better off to avoid RUclips if it bothers you that much :)
What do u recomend
I’ll probably end up doing a video on some of the other options. I have only had some of them for 6 months to a year so I’m nervous to endorse them yet even though I think they will make it decades.
The Kreg cross cut, I could not get my Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-1/2 inch circular saw to sit correctly on that thing. The little arms would not clamp evenly or level to hold the saw down. I'm a DIY'er. Maybe I just don't know how. Plus the one I got, the red arrow pointer was even crooked. After much frustration, without even getting to try it, just returned it. Now I'm searching for a long straight edge guide. I've been watching some Kreg Straight Edge Guide XL videos, and sounds promising. Thanks for your honest opinions.
Same story for me. That Kreg Accu-cut product was a joke and a waste of my time, effort and money. In the end I shelled out for a track saw anyway and I'm much happier now. I'll probably never buy anything branded Kreg again. They are the Fisher-Price of woodworking tools.
I built several kitchens with my kreg jig, just the basic pocket hole. I bought it 10 years ago and actually made a tutorial on RUclips for it, it's still up after nine years.
I still use the same jig to this day..
Haven't really had any interest in their other products because they do look flimsy to me.
It's funny that you showed that track saw track, because I literally just saw one of those an hour ago when I was at the Rebuilding Center. Still in the box and everything.
The only other product I have from them is a featherboard for my table saw, and it works very well.
But hey, it's just a featherboard
You can get a lot of use out of plastic tools if you use them with finesse, they are great for diy. Where I always have trouble is I need to move at a modern pace and then the plastic or aluminum kind of binds. I ended up just getting a real track saw and it really sped things up.
the pocket hole jig is a good tool. mine has the clamping mechanism on the front so you don't have to reach around behind the material you are drilling. occasionally, the vac attachment will come off, more likely than not because i have hit the hose. i did have to drill a hole in the top of it because my vacuum had too much vacuum pressure going on. i put some inserts in my work bench so that when i need this i can just screw the jig to my work top. yes, you can't adjust the depth with this in place, but that is not a problem. you aren't moving this thing every 2 or 3 pieces. i have had some of their drill jigs, but was not happy with those and returned them.
Yeah, in their defense I haven’t tried the new front clamp series or the foreman, just the older K4.
I agree with you as far as trusting the words of others. I was recently burned on a Rigid purchase that I was weary but overwhelmed with pressure, price, and a free tool. The only thing better than sucks is the free tool. Go figure. Thanks
Sorry man, that sucks! I know the feeling though. Ugggh.
I hate the rip cut sliding mechanism! It was frustrating to use but I did manage to get the project done with it without buying a track saw.
I was looking for some sort of a saw guide to be a step up from two clamps and a board, and briefly considered a kreg accucut, and also their straight edge guide. I grabbed a Bora NGX 50 instead. Not their plastic saw plate. If I need a track saw, I'll buy a real track saw. Even a $95 Wen and $120 for two 55" Powertec of whatever tracks looks like it's waaay better than dedicating a circular saw to being a fake track saw with no plunge or easy scoring cut capability.
I use Kreg pocket hole jigs K5 and 320, and I like their clamps too.
Yeah any track saw from wen to Kreg to makita or festool is amazing. The biggest thing on a track saw is the cam on the saw base that allows it you to tighten on the track and have zero side to side play. Thank You for watching!
The cross cut sled is too tight. Loosens that up, it will work better and add some slider lubricant. Also use a smaller blade skill saw. I use the Rockwell 4.5” saw, it works perfect.
Interesting! Maybe there are some quick tricks to make it work better. I’ve got 2 track saws now, they have been so much more consistent. I see Kreg makes a track saw now too, but I went with Makita and Festool.
Man i feel all of this. I haven't bought as many as you, but everything i bought from them I remember thinking, "I would pay the extra for them to make this better (out of metal with tighter tolerances)"
I get this. To be fair the kreg stuff helped me start out but I'd happily pay more for a higher tier as I do more and more projects.
I love my pocket hole jig... my accu cut kit I couldn't get it to work right the one time I tried it said f it and went freehand with my laser all turned out well so my accu cut kit is collecting dust until I mess with it again which will probably be never as I got a new table saw finally moved to my forever location so I could get one
I always love hearing feedback like this to know if others have the same problems. Thank you!
@@HuntsWorkshop that's how communities work in theory... if none of us thousands of makers share our experiences to help newcomers and be honest and not just brand fanboys then it's hard for newbies to step up and not make the same mistakes we did... if we want woodworking to be better for future generations we can't let the big corporations produce garbage just because they used to be amazing... although after seeing the armor auto adjust pocket hole jig I'm saving some pennies for one of them lol
I bought the pocket hole jig several years back and have used it many times when building corn hole boards. I also bought the Kreg box joint jig and that was the last tool I bought from Kreg. It was garbage, made of MDF and plastic and I was unpleasantly surprised that I paid around $50 for that, if I recall. I used it once and not successfully, it's been on a shelf under my workbench for years.
Okay... solid review of the pros and cons but am I to surmise that your main issue with Kreg is that there are better options out there??? Isn't that true of basically everything in life? My question is are the better options that you elude to at the same price point as Kreg? Cause I have been using Kreg pocket hole jigs, clamps and saw guides successfully for years and never lost or broke anything... *I do agree about the pocket hole driver wearing out quickly though, but other than that no problems.
The K4 and K5 were very solid units, I use mine daily. However the massca is the same price for much higher quality. Aluminum construction and dust port is attached with hardware.
I have a cheap job site table saw and the fence does the same type of thing. I spray it with pledge and it just glides. Try somw pledge on that track.
I really enjoy videos like these. It's almost like the people that buy these tools feel like they have to say it's good simply because they bought them. I bought some tools Stumpy recommended and all the tools I purchased were spot on. I did the diy dust collection, epic failure. My hats off to you. I am subscribing to your channel. Thanks Timothy.
Thank you! It’s great to hear how everyone feels, I’ve gotten a lot of support on this!
Good video...the masca pocket hole jig is awesome . It’s amazing how a company can sacrifice quality for profit .
So true! Thank You for watching!!
Sounds like operator error to me. I have some other of the items you’re bad mouthing and I love them. I started wood working 45 years ago and had no money. Kreg tools are affordable and at the time there was no other options and since it was way before the internet I had to rely on catalogs without RUclips. Use your work bench to demonstrate rather than freehand in front of the camera.
If Kreg meets your quality standards, I ain’t mad at ya. We all start somewhere.
I wasn't sure what you were doing with your rip-cut (cross-cut) to get it to bind up like that, as mine glides like a dream.
So I just tried it out again to see what the problem could be and it comes down to physics.
You are holding the sole plate vertically and pushing on one side. This is causing the top part to rotate in the guide track causing it to bind up.
If it is laid flat and is pushed without twisting, you should have no problems (unless you have faulty or damaged equipment).
Yeah my guess was it comes down to finesse or maybe even dry lube on the aluminum may help? Idk, but we just got track saw and it was such a time savings.
@@HuntsWorkshop
Its nothing about finesse. Its like trying to drive your Ford ute with the park brake on then blaming Fiord for the poor performance of the vehicle.
There is little doubt that track saws are the best option if they are to be used regularly. But the price cannot be justified for the occasional user on a budget where time is not an issue.
Horses for courses.
I was interested in their pocket hole jig. But after I saw it was just plastic, I went on Amazon and bought the Chinese knockoff. And the body frame and dust collection are all anodized aluminum. I still had to build The jig to keep it stable, but the amount of money I saved was enough to buy black walnut as a base.
Exactly. You get it! I’m still vetting some of the knock offs here for Kreg, woodpeckers, etc., and making sure they stand up for a while, but for everyone asking what I recommend this is your answer :)
I bought the Kreg 90-degree corner clamps ($40 each) and after using them for a year they quit working. I called Kreg and was immediately connected to a technician. He asked me to try and make some adjustments which I did. The adjustments didn't help. The technician then sent me a new pair of clamps for free by express mail and didn't ask me to return the old ones. He said that when the clamps are not in use to leave them unclamped.
That’s pretty good service in my opinion! That is great to know. Thank you!!
If you have more patience than money Kreg is the way to go. Can get very accurate, high quality cuts with the Rip-Cut if you take your time and learn how to use it…
There is a lot of truth to that. I agree!
I was in a tool store the other day and there was a huge display of Kreg tools, I was in sticker shock. cool ideas but do I need them, no. For the most part it was a fix for something I was all ready doing already and without a jig. I break down plywood with a straight edge made from high impact plastic and a couple of
c clamps. I have been doing it this way for years. I don't have best tools in my shop but what i do have, I can rely on. most of tools I do have I have been using for more than 3 decades. I prefer to make my own jigs, if they don't work fine but at least i have learned something along the way. relying of jigs built by someone else may get the job done but that is all you get. woodworking is a journey not a destination.
This is so true! My first track saw was a plywood track and an old circular saw. It’s not about brand, price, etc. it’s about knowing what to expect and sometimes one of us with 11 years of Kreg experience can give a better review than someone that did a single project with one. Great job making your own and I bet it outlasts the store bought straight edge by years.
I have a bunch of Kreg Tools. I haven't had a issue with any of the tools. The sled for the accu-cut, and the Rip Cut, it never sagged on me. You have to remember, the tool is as good as the person who uses it.
I agree! If you have the time to fuss with it and you get the results you need, then it’s the right tool for you. For me a track saw makes more money in less time. It’s just a strategic investment we felt we had to make.
@@HuntsWorkshop I get that. I'm a hobbyists and a DIYer, When I first got the Rip Cut and Accu-Cut it seemed a little clumsy. When I got everything dialed in and found T-Track clamps for the Accu-Cut then it was a breeze after that. But I always found that be it a Router, or a certain type of jig that the setup always takes longer than the actual cut. One of these days I'll invest in a tracksaw, but the one I want (Talking quietly so.my wife don't hear me) Festool is a bit to much right now.
Somehow this was filtered and I just saw it. I appreciate your feedback and watching!
A lot of the stuff advertised today, usually at outrageous prices, is over-hyped nonsense. Good example is Inca rulers. They're just rulers. Woodpeckers is getting into the game too with their $140 rulers. Don't know why people keep buying this stuff. Seems a can of shiny red or blue paint can sell anything.
So true, but full disclosure I do love the Incra tiny T that’s like $15. If you need a line right at a 64th it’s so handy bc of the index slots. The expensive stuff though, I agree!!
I did pretty well with the Rip-Cut kit. I screw the back fingers to the circular saw base plate. Maybe not something you'd do if your circular saw is precious and you can't bear to put a few small holes in it. I used it for a lot of fast rip cuts, it avoids all the guide setting and clamping I'd have to do with every cut. I don't pretend it's a pro grade piece of kit, but I don't expect that when the whole kit was $40.
I still haven't lost my brass pin to the Mitre Gauge. I think mine did have a detent. Seems daft they'd get rid of it.
I do hate their pocket hole stuff. And Kreg's pocket hole screws don't fit snugly with my square drive bits.
Thank you for the feedback! That’s a good idea fix the blue sled right to the saw. A few small deburred holes won’t hurt anything with or without sled later. I think the Kreg jigs like the old K4 and K5 are pretty solid. The newer 720 I broke the side containers. It seems like they have gotten a little cheap on the plastic now. They are all great DIY tools though, no doubt.
@@HuntsWorkshop I forgot to update but I checked my miter gauge's brass pin and it does not have a detent. I also noticed there's no place to put the pin if you're not using one of the angles without a pin hole. If I were to do it over again I'd probably get a miter gauge from the Incra line. I don't remember why I didn't buy one in the first place.
And the solution??
I’ve got some cheap Chinese solutions off Amazon and some expensive options. Just vetting them out for a few months before I put my name on any of the low price stuff. Seems high quality so far though!
I have zero issues with my pocket hole jig. There clamps are nice but really expensive.
Same here ....built quite a few things using Kreg Pocket hole jig and never had a problem
You bash Kreg but what is better?
All depends on the product, accucut or rip cut I’d skip and get a track saw. Even a cheap track saw will be so much better.
I just bought the accu cut track saw and i could not agree more. I honestly thought i did something wrong setting it up because of how much slop there was between the sled and track, come to find out thats just the way it works. Unbelievable.
Wish I had seen this VDO before. One of the thing I hate most is the frustration to put them in place. Align and realign again and again and again.
Totally agree and appreciate your honesty despite most people's arguments.
Kreg is in love with their blue plastic more than making a quality product. Their tools are a terrible value. There is always something better available if you look. One example is the cnc'd aluminum pocket hole jig from Enjoywood which is a pleasure to use and is such a better tool compared to the same priced Kreg product. The accucut and rip cut are such garbage quality as well as any pocket hole jig they make that's less than $150. Precision plastic? Give me a break Kreg.
I love kreg stuff. I make a ton of money using their products
Some of their products are fantastic, like pocket hole jigs, but others like the rip cut and the precision mitre gauge are not good. Sometimes it’s what we’ve used and what we know. Perspective is incredible!
I have to admit, after seeing a number of very positive reviews on the Kreg track saw and ACS system, I kind of wonder if the whole reason they produce the Accu-Cut is as a way to get people interested in the idea, then upsell them to something that actually works once they get frustrated with this.
Yeah I think it’s a gimmick along those lines indeed.
I've had a lot of luck with my saw track I've had it about a year and a half and the rubber on bottom still grabs good. You are correct about the starting block that came with it that thing is useless. I bought the cross cut thing because I had a project that needed several plywood rips the same width, it worked but that was the only time I ever used it. I wish I could find the track sold without the shed. I think I might be ready to upgrade to a plunging track saw. I have been eyeing the Kraig model because of my experience with there track. If you have any experience with that a video review would be appreciated.
I haven’t tried their track saw, but 731 woodworks did here on RUclips. Matt reviewed the wen, Kreg, and Festool. He liked the Kreg if I remember right.
Yeah, So Im pretty sure you are not taking the time to set up these tools properly. I used that Accu-cut system LOTS with a standard circular saw and it works exactly as it should, my saw never fell out as you describe and the traction is still as good as the day I bought it. I still use it even though I just bought the Kreg Adaptive cutting system which by the way is amazing and half the price of that other brand!! Maybe try taking your time and reading the instructions to do your initial set up.
You shop by price, I shop by value and total cost of ownership. Time is money.
@@HuntsWorkshop 😂 ok, don’t blame the tools for lack of skill there bud!
@@danmaxwell7719 you definitely have one skill I hope to never posses and that is rationalizing marginal tools. I am not interested in making garbage work at the cost of my time. Time is a finite resource in life and business.
I came to the conclusion many years ago that Kreg tools were great ideas sometimes poorly (mainly cheaply) executed. With that said, most aren't nearly as bad as this video vid makes them out to be. I say that as a full time home remodeling pro and an after-hours woodworker who has used all but two of the tools referenced (the missing ones being the rip guide and drawer slide jig). The accu-cut worked well for a few uses, but my issue was that my saw came loose after use and would not stay tight to the guide.
My newest Kreg purchase is their band saw fence and it's solid as can be expected for the money.
I failed to mention... to the poster of this video: why continue to buy so many Kreg tools/jigs if you are so unhappy with the ones you have???!!!
Some have been good and some have been bad, but we acquired most of them bc we needed a tool quick and Menards had Kreg in stock. Haste makes waste as they say :)
I use the Massca Pocket Hole Jig Kit M1.
I bought the 520 Pro pocket hole jig. It came with a long, square driver and a face clamp that were both junk. the driver bit rounded out after a short time. The clamp looks similar to the one you showed, but much, much lower quality. You'd think they'd want you to see how good their clamps are by putting in one good clamp. (thinking John Belushi) But NOOOOOOO... they had to put in a crappy version. And, if you are careful, the plastic pocket hole jig will slide sideways with with a twist. I'm sure you can figure out what you pocket hole would look like when that happens.
Thanks for saving me some money! I was going to buy the Acur cut until I seen this video. I'll stick to my home made track.
Going by my many years of using the pocket hole jig there has been no issues whatsoever.
Granted, my jig is over 15 years old. It was made at a time when there wasn't any dust collecting port. But I can truly say that even with the lack of this feature I haven't had any issues. I have it screwed down on a piece of plywood. I clamp it down to my bench and I'm good to go. The results have been very accurate. I use regular washer head screws which are half the price of the Kreg brand. There is no law saying that you have to use Kreg screws. Finally, the clamps you speak of work very well for me in most situations.
Could it be that the quality of this jig has gone down over the years?
I like the pocket hole jig, my only complaint is it’s dust collection. Like you said they last forever, my K4 is maybe 10-12 years old too! The new accucut and rip cut are junk though!
Yep, my first one is now 30 years old and still working..
I only have one tool from Kreg, and this is the multi mark. It is mostly made out of plastic, yes - but it is very functional. As a professional woodworker myself, it is sturdy and took many beatings but still works. I am using it on a daily basis for over 3 years now - and for 17 EUR it is worth every "penny".
Yeah they have a few diamonds in the rough like that. I like my K4 as well, just not the dust collection. All in all though, I wish they would just wait to bring things like ripcut to market when they get them smooth and reliable haha
@@HuntsWorkshop This is probably true. Thank you for your video!
Thanks for the tip on the pocket hole clamp pliers. I had been wanting those as an alternative to clamping. You saved me $40.
To add to this - in Australia Kreg stuff seems to be more expensive, putting the accu-cut around the same price as an entry level track saw, or higher than the price difference between a low cost Ryobi 18v circular saw and a Metabo 18v circular saw that will run on tracks. In fact, the XL kit is $310 and the lower prices Metabo saw that works with rails is $299, and off-brand or used rails can be bought inexpensively.
That’s why mine is gathering dust, I guess!
That’s great to know! Here their stuff has been going up in price so it will likely be the same soon! Metabo is so underrated. I had hitachi drills that lasted 15 years and donated them to the high school they still ran great.
You mentioned on some of these, there are better options. It would have been nice to hear what you think those options are, and the cost difference.
Thank you! I can do a video on some alternatives. I appreciate the idea!
Absolutely spot on analysis. I had some of the same issues with Kreg and then some. All these cheap plastic parts end up rattling, breaking, total waste of money. Better invest in quality made tools.
I have that thing for the circular saw also...don't use it but I use the T square a lot
I have the Kreg rip-cut tool and it's painful each time to adjust as desired. couldn't agree more with you on it.
I really am not sure why you say "DIY at best" as if it s a bad thing - That is the market they are aimed at! They help people do a better job than they would other wise do.
That’s a fair point! What drives me nuts is they refine the product 5 times and keep you buying a new one, where a Makita track was pretty awesome in version 1. I feel like it’s a perpetual upgrade they setup on purpose.
Great video but I think it would’ve been better if you could’ve shown what you have replaced all of the kreg tools with
Thank You! Appreciate the feedback!
Actually you should stop buying tools altogether.🇨🇦
😅 I just don't understand why he has so many different kreg things and complaints. Maybe he did a huge purchase of everything and just can't use them. I did notice in the video he has shakey hands. 🤷♂️
I always stick around till the end most channels have some crazy antics going on.And I’m so glad I have never bought kreg gear I’ve heard to many complaints. Have a look at hooked on wood Dennis gives an honest review on tools and he’s content is always great
Thank You for the comment! I will have to check that channel out!
It would have been nice to provide comparable alternatives that, for cost and repeatable cuts, is just as good and if not better. People can't afford high quality tools for the weekend DIYer.
I’ve been working on vetting out the cheap tools from Amazon, but some of them are knockoffs of more expensive tools which wouldn’t be right for me to recommend from an ethical and legal standpoint.
@@HuntsWorkshop I have several kreg items and agree with your assessment. Most of them are trash if used heavily. After using them for about a year I do not want to buy any more. There are some RUclipsrs that promote kreg, however, I can't trust their assessment. Festool is way too expensive for the weekend workshopper. I would like comparable items that have been tested that can last for a decade. Appreciate any future videos with your assessment and analysis. Like your channel
have used only a few of the kreg tools but found they worked fine. Also watching the video of how you treat your tools its no surprise you dont like them. No tool is perfect out of the box and if you take the time to adjust a align your tools you can make almost and tool work. i watched you pound on the cross cut tool which i dont have but i never strike my tools like that . maybe patience is what the person needs to make the tools work.
You have to remember these are garbage to us, they get treated that way. Festool and Woodpeckers always go back in their case, because we respect tools that work. Well, they’re too expensive not to honestly.
@@HuntsWorkshop
"Garbage tools"
So says the man that can afford to by many, many, many tools that cost several hundred dollars apiece !
One man's garbage tools are another man's beginer tools !
For your information Mr. Hunt, not all wood- workers can start of with a shop with 5-10K$ (or more) worth of tools ! !
Garbage VS good isn’t always a price though. A Massca pocket hole jig is the same price as a K4. A good DIY plywood track saw is cheaper than an accu-cut. I like some Kreg stuff, like their aluminum height setup jigs and clamps :)
Speaking as a professional this is a legit video, we do however use kreg pocket hole jigs on install sites in a pinch and they work pretty well.
Agreed the pocket hole jig is pretty good all in all!
I despise the Kreg drawer hardware jig. It's an absolute POS with way too much play and total painful misery to adjust the hole spacing. It does the job for the price but had I known, would have bought something better designed. Like why are the hole spacing (gray plastic circles) designed so poorly for adjustment?? They frickin hurt to tighten down, jam up, and then still have play in them. I have the older k4 pocket hole jig like you showed and I find it works quite well. As you said the dust collection is excellent and I don't find any tape necessary (not sure why you do) but it does absolutely suck that isn't at the very least reversible so you can collect dust from either side and of course, it's clearly meant to not enable adjustment after being placed on, which is dumb, but slightly understandable because typically, you're setting it all up to start and then placing the dust collection on...however, I wish I could leave it on. I also have no idea why it has a down position...how the heck did they expect that to work as it buts into the base of the jig? Not sure if they addressed that on the latest model. I didn't understand your criticism with movement on it. It conveniently takes 4 pocket hole screws and you can screw it down in 10 seconds to whatever you'd like or leave it setup that way. Mine specifically pisses me off because the width of wood to be drilled markings are slightly off, making adjustment unnecessarily tedious. I also find the face needs to be smoothed because it tends to mark the pocket hole side after clamping. The Rip-cut was given to me and I found it so tedious to setup that I gave up on it. It sucks. The T isn't even squared so I need to adjust the screws just to even use it as T square.
More recently I've been buying Milescraft jigs for cabinets and many are far superior to the Kreg options.
Wish he had of told us which of Kregs competitors he works for!
I don’t have any sponsorship or any free products. I just give honest reviews. Some videos praise certain tools and some let you know what’s garbage.
What is a bad carpenter to blame?
Nobody is blaming Kreg. They are good at marketing and duping people. I just clamp a straight edge and make a perfect cut. It really doesn’t require all these finicky plastic “tools”.
Finally someone said it. In my opinion, Armory makes better clamps and pocket hole jigs.
I made the mistake of purchasing a Kreg router table about 6 months ago ($600+ for just the table, no router) thinking it must be the best choice. I did read countless reviews on it and others beforehand, but wish I'd read more. My main issue I guess is the fence lock downs, the one on the right flexes when you go to release it. Once released the fence is all over the place and you have to measure it out to get it square every time you adjust it, instead of just adjusting it and locking it back down. Maybe I'm being picky but that my take on it.
Thank you for your feedback! I’ve never used that specific table, but that sounds like a huge waste of time. I would be extremely upset at that price point!
I bought the Kreg router table also along with their lift. The fence is squirrelly. As you said, too much tension and it flexes, not enough and it can move. I went the Kreg rout thinking I wouldn’t use it much. Wrong. Since I use it quite a bit I wish I would have gone with the infinity or Rockler router table.
@@rw7532 this is good to know! I’m usually in that same boat. What can I get by with for how much I use it, but then I buy twice uggh!
The truth is that a lot of cheap jigs (not just Kreg) bring a lot of hidden frustration and time wasting that aren’t accurately reflected in people’s reviews/promotions. In some cases woodworkers will make other videos about how to overcome generic problems (there’s probably a hundred videos on pocket hole pitfalls).
Anyway, I bought into the Bora track system, and it has similar problems to the Kreg system, notably the play (although the play on the Kreg looks worse). The heavy duty base goes on pretty securely, however. The play isn’t too bad if one is careful. It doesn’t have the cut guide, however. There’s an adjustable index on the saw. Generally, I just measure an extra 1 7/8th” to compensate for the space between blade and track instead of futzing with the index.
I mostly use it when I need to break down sheet goods. I wish I could afford a fancy track saw, but it’s not something I use a lot. Maybe I’ll get the Wen, which looks alright for a budget model.
The one thing that I like is the Kreg square cut guide, which is good for right angle cuts on boards up to 12” wide. It’s something one could make from scraps, however. I just looked it up on Amazon and the price went up (or maybe I got it on sale). Yeah, just make your own.
Boy it is great to see someone telling the truth . I am a photographer and you see these you tubers getting free filters from Kase they make a round magnetic filter that is supposed to stay on a screw on filter holder well they do not the filters are of good quality but it ends there.
My saw track is so useless that I had to learn freehand cutting in addition to using angle iron as a fence
True … A good straight edge like that is better than any hybrid “track adapter” imo. Never as great as a track saw, but I used a straight edge for years.
I got the Accu-Cut a couple of days ago to cut some butcher block. It made the cuts pretty accurate but I was defiantly disappointed. I won’t be using it for much.
Yeah, it’s definitely one of those … meh, it kinda worked things. I ended up having to buy track saws.
Pocket hole jig which I’ve outgrown and never use, is an essential tool. Again, I do everything in my power to never use, I go with tenons or beadlocks or any rabbet or whatever joinery. That said, pocket hole jig is essential. Because you’ll use it at first and it opens doors and occasionally you find yourself in a dumb pickle and it’s the answer. Rip cut jig is nice but not accurate accurate. I use it to break down plywood on the ground. I always cut an inch larger if possible and breaks down on the table saw once it’s manageable.
The cabinet door hinge thing is essential. Mainly because to buy the 35mm hinge drill bit, it’s the same cost as the kreg jig that comes with it. So that’s a wonderful tool. And I guess the door jig. To line up holes. It saves time.
All their tools are wonky plastic I don’t trust. Very flimsy. I don’t know if I’ll ever buy anything else other than the things listed, but they are great. Also I have the cheap…. 2 hole kreg pocket hole jig. It was $40. I don’t know another the huge ones. I don’t see a point in them. I bring the jig to the piece, not the piece to the jig.
Appreciate your feedback! They definitely make a few things that are good in theory. It’s nice to hear about the ones I haven’t tried!
I have the kreg rip cut and the grey clip broke, you need to be super careful handling that damn clip 😅🥲
I’m glad you said that, bc so many people tell me it’s not that bad lol. Thank you!
Dude! Did a Smurf piss in your Cheerios this morning? If you buy plastic tools you should expect some limitations in their use and application. I don’t disagree with your assessment on most of those tools, but that doesn’t mean they don’t or won’t work. You can make some very nice things with Kreg tools. Are they going to perform like their equivalent made by Woodpecker? No, and if your expectations were that they would, then maybe that’s on you? I own all of the tools you demonstrated in the video. They work fine in a home shop. There isn’t much of a place for them in a production cabinet shop, but there is an operational standard for both, and the Kreg tools are fine for most home, small shops. My suggestion would be this; If these tools do not meet your needs, then sell them and go out and buy commercial grade tools that will meet your needs. Make your own jigs. Nothing wrong in doing either. No need to condemn a good woodworking product in public just because you are not happy or unable to adapt your skills in ways that result in successful projects.
I tried to be fair and say they are DIY grade. Pocket hole and face clamps probably even light pro use. What I think people should know though is you can buy brands like Massca, Armor, Harrell, etc. that are aluminum and the same or lower price. I’ve used my K4 for 12+ years and still use it today :) the rip cut really teed me off though haha