Obviously this is somewhat of a copy of The Kreg system.
The drill bit looks the same.
The angle of the drill, the jig for stopping the depth and the special Kreg screws are a proven system.
If the HF jig is a good copy it should work fine. I’ve never tried it. I have a Kreg.

 

I buy a lot of harbor freight tools. I find the majority of their tools as good as anyone's. Then where other stores make it as difficult as they can to return a lemon harbor freight will take them back with no questions asked.

 

I like high quality tools like everyone else but I’ve been satisfied with most things I’ve bought at HF. As a hobbyist my tools aren’t used 40 hours a week. It’s hard to go into a HF and come out empty handed.

 

" I know most of harbor freights tools are of poor quality"

Just how do you know this.? Have you personally tried most of their tools?

Generic statements like this, without substantial backup proof, do not reflect well on the poster.

George

 

Cool - I've been looking at getting the Kreg, but now I'll take a closer look at the HF one.

Thanks for this - could save me lots of money I could use elsewhere!

 

I was talked into buying the Kreq a few years ago and I only used it once. I wasn’t impressed with the strength of joint. As much as I plan on using it, I would have been much better off with cheaper HF.

 

When I was remodeling a kitchen I tore apart the old cabinets. The face frames impressed me with their strength. They were made on a Kreg type system approximately 20 years earlier. I liked it so much I bought a Kreg system.
In production shops they have foot operated screw machines which do basically the same operation as the Kreg system. (Drills two holes and drives in the screws). With a good glue, it’s a proven joint for cabinetry.

 

IMOH the Castle system, although more expensive, is a much better system than the Kreg. I have the Kreg and don't use it anymore because it's hard to keep the joint from moving when you screw it together unless you have everything clamped. The Castle system has only an 6° angle on the screw, instead of 15° on the Kreg and makes the joint much easier to screw together without movement, I think it looks better also. I have a Domino now but If I were doing much pocket hole joinery I would get the Castle setup. I have looked at the HF setup and I think it would be just as good, if not better, than the Kreg, if you want to stay with the 15° Kreg style system.

 

#1 Castle isn't under $100
#2 A Domino is another type tool. Nothing to do with the subject....

 

I've long been of the opinion that for the most part, HF tools are just as good as their entry-level name brand equivalents for cheaper. The difference in price comes from quality control, or the lack thereof. Probably also the reason HF has such a lenient return policy, they realize that a significantly higher portion of their tools are likely to be lemons and make it easier on the consumer to get a good one. Better customer service than any other brand, that's for sure.

Course, that's for the most part, some of their tools are straight up lemons

 

I got a generic pocket hole set at Home Depot. Works OK. If I buy anything from HF, I first check the reviews. I take this as a "sort of" guide post. One person can buy an item and have it fall apart the first time it is used. Another person can have the same thing for years. Sort of like cars, you know.
FWIW, have you noticed that many HF items have multiple stock numbers? I figure this might be due to items being made in different factories.

 

FWIW, have you noticed that many HF items have multiple stock numbers? I figure this might be due to items being made in different factories.

I read somewhere that the different stock numbers just refer to warehouse locations.

 

I have no experience with any pocket hole jigs.

I have had mixed results with Harbor Freight tools in general. Sometimes they work out great, other times they are really terrible. I recently had bad results with the following and do not recommend them:

* Random Orbital Sander - Did a good job on sanding, BUT: The rectangular slide-on dust collection bag would not stay on, it leaked dust everywhere, and I could not find a way to attach the dust collection hose to it. It also vibrated a lot. I replaced it with the Ridgid brand ROS.

* Combination Square set: The price was too good to be true. (pun intended) I struggled with it in actual use until I tried the "flip-over" test and realized that it wasn't close to square. I bought a very nice Starrett combination square set on eBay and never looked back.

I have had good luck with other Harbor Freight tools. I like Harbor Freight's return policy, which allows me to risk trying a Harbor Freight tool, and return it if it doesn't work out.

 

The joint below is not exactly where I have a problem, but I can see that it might be OK in the middle of a board. My problem is when the joint is at the edge and the screws are pointed out toward the edges.
Video is not the most impressive test setup, but I guess it works LOL.

 

Woodcraft now has another brand besides Kreg.

 

I have a Kreg K4 and I pretty much like the system, I never work with any soft woods so I think the joints would be quite a bit stronger, have never had one fail yet, but they are a quick way to assemble face frames

The main reason I got the Kreg was the price,I had a bunch of Amazon points built up, I think it cost me about $35, not counting the $5000 I spent to get the points LOL

 

For sure their squares are terrible. Once I showed my son the difference, I paired up several in the store and everyone of them were off from each other.

 

canoer, could be. It is interesting that some items have four or five numbers.

 

Wait..... I Domino and still prefer Kreg>...

 

Not a production shop, but I have built at least 75 cabinets, and numerous other projects, over the past few years. Never had any problems with the Kreg jig. And yes, I clamp my joints when applying the screws to face frame joints.

Also, since I was doing quiet a few, I got tired of having to reach around larger pieces like the sides of base cabinets. So, I modified mine with a pneumatic piston, and off we go. It works great.

Note: I have never had any problems out of the "Plastic" Kreg jig. The holes are sleeved metal and they haven't worn out.

 

Clearly the OP wanted a comparison. I only have the Kreg tool. I am a DIYer. I have used it for a handfull of projects. I use it. I like it. I clamp all the joints. I do spend the time lining up the joint and clamping it properly before driving the screw. If I take the time, I am always satisfied.

I doubt that this is really a plug for the Kreg tool. I expect all the tools that make a pocket hole really are pretty similar. It is more an acceptance of the pocket hole joint. I believe it is a satisfactory joint within it's limitations.

 

Good information. For as little as I need pocket holes, I think I will get the HF jig.

 

You can make one for about $150 and be much faster and less tiring..

 

When I saw the Kreg commercials, I decided I wanted a Kreg. I got the Kreg 4 system. It has been a good system in my opinion. However, I did break a new drill bit and the Nut driver set seems to start rounding after screwing screws. I just message Kreg, and they are sending me some replacements. Easy to deal with as well. I have some Harbor Freight stuff (snap ring pliers,clamps,pulley remover Set). Honestly, you get what you pay for. All brands aren't perfect these days.

 

Those who have doubt about Kreg, this is what they did for me. All because I contacted them and be honest, had a very pleasant experience. How people handle things depends on the outcome. I have seen the ones sold by harbor Freight, something tells me it would be a lot of work.

Jayson :vs_cool:

 

I've used both the Kreg and HF pocket hole jigs, and the Kreg is a far superior jig. I noticed a lot more tear out with the HF. End results seemed to be ok, just required a few more steps in the finishing process to clean up. 9/10 times you get what you pay for.

 

I have a Kreg that I've used several times with good results. What I find interesting about the HF model is that it appears the drill guides are adjustable which could be useful.
Unfortunately there are no Harbor Freight stores here.

 

"I have seen the ones sold by harbor Freight, something tells me it would be a lot of work."

You have "seen" one but actually have never used. Boy, just what I like, a review by some one who has thoroughly investigated the subject. NOT!

George

 

I modified mine several years ago. It works great.

Works as a pecan cracker also. :surprise2::grin:

 

The links below show a single hole Kreg jig that I have been using for years for only $20. And a Harbor Freight vise Grip C-Clamp with swivel for $6. BAM...Fast and easy set up and works like a champ.

https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/647096/647096232115.jpg

https://shop.harborfreight.com/medi...alog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_23505.jpg