[kwolfe]

Some I an new to here and woodworking all together. Over the past two weeks, I have been trying to get my new "shop" together and organized and have been making a laundry list of things I would like to build.

I was looking to get a doweling jig and pocket hole jig and these two things look like they would really come in handy. As far as pocket hole jigs, I looked at the Kreg Mini but after thinking about it, the Kreg Jr looks like it might come in hand for more situations (ability to screw it to a surface).

As far as doweling jigs, I am lost. I saw a good review here about the Wolfcraft jig and it can be had for $30 on Amazon. I also saw someone post that without spending a ton of cash, they like the old Stanley No 59 which looks like they can be had on ebay for about $25-$40. I don't have a drill press so have the jig as a guid seems like a big plus.

Also looking to get a set of Brad points for cleaner holes. Any advice, help, words of wisdom?

 

[Dave Paine]

I have this dowel jig which I like and have used many times.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32250&cat=1,180,42311,42319&ap=1

Cannot help with the pocket jig. I am not a fan of pocket joints.

 

[ctwiggs1]

I am in the middle of a project right now using that exact dowel jig that Dave just posted. I love it. Honestly I could teach a 10 year old how to accurately do dowels with that jig.

 

[Greg in Maryland]

I would not purchase either one. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you need this tool or that jig, or that saw or, or, or. Otherwise you will end up purchasing a lot of junk you do not use.

Instead only get tools that you need to complete a project you are currently working on. For example, if you are working on a table and need a dowel jig, get it. However if the table does not require dowles, no sense spending the money on something you may or may not use.

Greg

 

[ctwiggs1]

Greg's advice is very good advice. I have to admit that's been my strategy and so far so good: I don't have a single unused tool.

 

[Manco247]

I bought the kreg jr jig a couple of years ago and used it several times. I really wasn't a big fan of pocketholes because of their sub par holding strength. I used it on my wifes kitchen table last christmas, and after all of the abuse it's taken, its still holding up well. I also made 32 adirondack chairs, 12 matching tables, and 9 ottomans all using pockethole screws with no complaints.
I would recommend having one in your shop. You just might find it handy and dandy.

 

[Brian T.]

Go ahead, buy a dowel jig of some sort.

You say that you don't have a drill press. Find one. Very enduring, versatile and valuable shop tool.
Some stones, some sanding drums & a crepe rubber stick, you can carve and shape slate stone!
My power miter saw gives me cuts at predictable angles. My drill press always gives me the right hole, in the right place, at the right angle to the stock. No matter what I attempt to build, those two are a combo that's hard to beat.

 

[Priusjames]

I'm gonna suggest something bigger than you're thinking, just for kicks and grins.

I'm a Shopsmith guy...horizontal and/or vertical drill press, lathe, tablesaw, disc sander all standard. Common accessory attachments like bandsaw (which is a nice one, for sure), jigsaw, jointer, belt sander, strip sander are often included with the sale of used units. Some people (generally those who don't own one) think/say it's a pain to swap the accessories, others and I find it takes less than a minute to switch from any one to another and well worth the effort.

$5k or more new, used Mark V models with accessories can be had for a couple of hundred bucks(!) if you watch craigslist a while...I have two extra Mk V's in parts in the shed that I got for $100 each just for the accessories they came with.

The design hasn't changed since the '50s, almost all parts are inter changeable with my 520 model from 1990 and with a brand new $5,000 unit! If you're randomly close by (SoCal), I can hook you up quite reasonably...I'd love to pass the stuff I'm not using to somebody new.

That's the heart of my shop, I can build all kinds of jigs with it...I buy what I need when I need it for specific projects.

That's how I rolled when I wanted to do woodworking, remembered using my grandfather's SS when I was about 11...was easy to find great deals on CL (even eBay models can go really cheap if the person isn't willing to ship and you're close enough to pick it up.

There are my .02 cents...james

P.s. The HFT brad drill index was a good place for me to start...as bits dull, I replace with higher quality. Can't tell a big difference when I do.

Good luck, enjoy the hobby!

 

[Noek]

Dowelmax, a bit pricey but I love it.