The 3 BEST pocket jigs: Complete Reviews with Comparison

A pocket jig set is a tool used to do exactly what it says, it creates pocket holes!

As I’ve started to look in to DIY projects that I am interested in doing I have regularly come across pocket holes, and using a jig to make them. I had NO IDEA what this is. When I am lacking in knowledge about something seemingly important a deep dive into the world of google I go. I am not a handy craftsman by trade, nor have I done any “serious” DIY projects and it seems like this list of tools I am going to need keeps growing. Isn’t this whole DIY thing supposed to save you money?

A couple examples for a what a Kreg Jig would be used for are:

• Joining two pieces of wood together – creates a strong joint while maintaining a clean look.
• You can use this to create panels of wood for making wider panels. You can use this to make desktops, tabletops, or shelves. These are just a couple of examples, but the world is your oyster.
• Frames. Think framing a piece of Ikea furniture or making your own cabinet door frames. This tool can be used to create a seamless smooth appearance.
• Plywood edges. In order to save money people often use plywood, but plywood doesn’t have the greatest appearance on the edges. This tool can be used to create edges that look great and is easy to conceal the pocket holes.
• Boxes. You can use this tool to create kitchen cabinet boxes, or really whatever kind of box you want to build, no judgment here!

Okay so these are just a few examples but really this tool is apparently super awesome, WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS!?!

Learning and researching this tool has made me want to get one even more! I knew I was going to have to get one prior to building an entertainment center that I have planned for this summer, since every.single. post I’ve read mentions this tool.

During my research I found pros and cons of the 3 best pocket hole jigs. Doing the research to find which tool is best can be daunting and that’s why I decided to break it down for you!

This jig might not fulfill all your needs if you are using it for complex projects or want something with a few more bells and whistles. This product will also only allow up to 1 1/2″ thick material so for any larger material a different jig would be needed. This pocket jig is very is very intuitive and allows you to rotate the handle 360 degrees making it easy to use at any angle. The handle is also very easy to use for a novice (like myself) you just give the handle a good squeeze until your material is securely clamped.

PROS:

• Ease of use, while providing a solid product anyone
• 360 degree handle rotation allowing for a comfortable grip from any angle
• Light weight, at 4.4 lbs it makes it easier to use them other heavier models
• Faster to use than other pocket jigs

CONS:

• 3 size settings that limits use for larger projects
• jig can rotate if not clamped down securely enough
• main body is made with plastic which can make the jig feel cheap
• designed to clamp 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ material, can’t use one thicker pieces of wood such as a 2×4

The Mulwark premium pocket hole kit system is a wonderful buy for someone who plans on using pocket holes sporadically. The kit comes with the jig which has two holes, a square driver bit, a Hex wrench, a Depth Stop Collar, wood plugs, and 5 sizes of screws.

If you are looking for something very inexpensive then this is a great pick! The pocket hole kit has 9 thickness settings which makes it versatile for almost any thickness. This kit is perfect for a novice to use, and due to the price it is a product that won’t break the bank. The kit does not come with a clamp, you can either purchase one, or use without (not recommended) .

PROS:

• Very affordable while providing versatility
• Comes with a case which helps house all the pieces of the kit
• Easy to use and comes with a useful instruction manual

CONS:

• Plastic cover can easily break
• Screws that come with kit break easily
• Drill bit can only withstand a few jobs before losing sharpness

This is the second Kreg jig to make the list, and for good reason! This pocket jig is the most expensive one on the list, but I’ll give you a little breakdown on why that is!

This jig has all the bells and whistles you could want, it has onboard storage (hello no more forgotten pieces), can clamp up to 3″, and one motion clamping that will have your pocket holes done with ease. This is the top of the line pocket jig, if you can afford it you won’t regret it! One of the coolest things about this pocket jig is that you can attach a vacuum to it! Getting dust and wood particles everywhere is THE WORST at the end when you have to clean up and it gets EVERYWHERE! So the ability to attach a vacuum hose to it had me sold!

PROS:

• Top of the line with onboard storage
• vacuum attachment capability
• Ease of use
• fast setup making your projects take less time (more time for enjoying them!)

CONS:

• Price point makes it a stretch for novice builders
• The bits that come with the kit have been reported to snap easily

THE VERDICT:

In the end I decided to go with the Mulwar 2. MulWark Premium Pocket Hole Jig System Kit. The pocket hole jig is not only very affordable it gave me everything I needed as I start my journey into word working. I may end up updating my pocket hole jig system in the future but for now I have everything I need.

There are other pocket hole jig brands out there, but from my research these are the best 3 options you can get. Let me know if you have a favorite Jig, I love researching new tools and breaking it down to the basics.