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IWF Alert: Porter-Cable jig makes pocket screws faster and easier

Asa Christiana, editor, Fine Woodworking magazine

36 users recommend

This jig looks complicated, but it is a snap to use, turning out accurate pocket-screw holes in seconds. Note the drill-collar setup gauge on the side, plus the gauge that uses the stock thickness to suggest an optimal screw length. Nothing is left to chance.

An adjustable stop sets the location of the workpiece.

It takes a second or two to pop a piece in the jig and press down the quick clamp. The drilling is the slowest part!

This jig looks complicated, but it is a snap to use, turning out accurate pocket-screw holes in seconds. Note the drill-collar setup gauge on the side, plus the gauge that uses the stock thickness to suggest an optimal screw length. Nothing is left to chance.

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Even without this amazing new jig, pocket screws were already the fastest way to build cabinetry. But Porter-Cable's new QuikJig makes the job even faster and easier. You slap a piece of wood in it, and the jig adjusts automatically for its thickness as it clamps it solidly in place. Built in stops allow endlessly repeatable work. Because of the design of the jig, one drill and one drill-collar depth setting work for every workpiece. 

Nice touches include a drill-collar setup gauge on the side of the jig, excellent dust collection, plus an indicator that reads the thickness of the piece and suggests the optimal screw length.

The whole jig flips forward to allow tall pieces to lay flat on the bench, if necessary, and the unit handles stock up to 1-1/2-in.-thick (the size of a 2x4, and as big as you'll likely need).

More on Pocket Screw Tech • Pocket Screw Drilling Jig  • Built-in Cabinetry Tips & Techniques

Bottom line, you can walk up to this jig with any workpiece in hand, and have the pocket screw holes done in seconds. Due to an extra-quick clamp at the back, subsequent workpieces change out even faster. And the holes were dead-on every time, at least in the demo I saw at the show. Pretty amazing for a suggested price of $230, which includes a bit, a stop collar, and a the Vise-Grip style clamp you'll need to hold workpieces togther while driving the screws.

Read about other great tool finds at IWF 2010

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Comments (8)

vhoth writes: This article is like a Porter-Cable sales brochure, with no direct comparison to a leading product. Have you actually used it? If not, this review is pointless.
"Company reps said that if you attach a hose, the thing is almost dust free." Duh, try it and find out!
company Reps- one of the biggest inherent problems of the tool industry.
Why do we need membership to view marketing data? Yeah, we know how to visit the Dewalt website.
Lets keep articles within the useful realm of an actual "review", and better the craft.
Posted: 10:26 am on December 21st

fshanno writes: Am trying but I just can't get excited by those stills. Where does the hose attach? Where's the video?
Posted: 7:06 pm on August 28th

AsaC writes: Camdenken--
1-1/2 in. is the thickness limit. So anything bigger than a 2x4 won't work.
Posted: 3:38 pm on August 27th

AsaC writes: It definitely has dust collection (I added a note about that in the original blog). I should have mentioned it. Company reps said that if you attach a hose, the thing is almost dust free.
One other thing, this was designed by the same engineers that did Porter-Cable's latest dovetail jigs, and those were great in our tests.
Posted: 3:37 pm on August 27th

ejkovach writes: This is the jig Batman uses to make his pocket holes.
Posted: 10:51 am on August 27th

bobfarmerbob writes: Seems awful complicated even though you say it isn't. What does it do better than the Kreg Jig Master? It costs $100 more! Does it has a portable feature like the K3? Dust collect? Carrying case?
Posted: 10:16 pm on August 26th

camdenken writes: I had to reposition(modify) my old Kreg jig to pocket hole the edge of a 1 x 4(3/4 x 3 1/2). Does this jig have depth capacity beyond the 1 1/2 noted in the desciption
Posted: 7:20 pm on August 26th

Aroonstock writes: Asa,
Looks like a winner except for the one killer feature of the K3 jig. Does it have dust collection?
Posted: 4:03 pm on August 26th

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