The Best Pocket Hole Jigs for Woodwork
Pocket holes are important to the strength and aesthetics of fine woodworking. A pocket hole is a hole drilled at an angle that forms a "pocket" for the screw to settle into. What makes this hole precise is an accurate pocket hole jig. This tool guides the drill bit into the wood at a specific angle to produce a finely-engineered hole to house the screw head. After drilling this first hole, you can then attach the first piece to a second piece of wood with a self-tapping pocket screw attached to a square driver bit. Voilà, you have yourself a finely-crafted bit of carpentry. A good pocket hole jig combines accuracy with durability and ease-of-use, and many of these kits are as different as the woodworkers who use them. We set out to find the best of the best, and present them to you here.
Kreg K4 Pocket Hole Jig System
Pocket Perfection
This is the 4th upgrade in Kreg’s pocket hole jig system, and with each new iteration, their system gets better and better. Kreg is designed for beginners and advanced woodworkers alike, so simplicity and accuracy are key here. The Kreg Drill Guide features a hardened-steel core that shrouds the bit and supports the workpiece through 100% of the drill-stroke. This results in reduced tear-out, minimal bit deflection, and a clean, pluggable pocket hole. The 3-hole drill guide helps you create accurately-placed pocket holes in a wide variety of material widths and thicknesses. The large clamping area makes it easy to secure the Kreg to your workbench using either Kreg’s proprietary face clamps or any standard bar or C-clamp.
Pros:
- Includes a skill builder DVD and quick-start guide
- Includes a compact and durable carrying case
- A trusted brand name in woodworking
Cons:
- Cannot work with wood thicker than 1.5 inches
- Included screws are not hardened steel
General Tools All-In-One Pocket Hole Jig Kit
The Hole Kit and Kaboodle
Not only is the General Tools pocket hole jig kit easy to use, but it also comes complete with everything you need for your next DIY project. The list is long: a pocket hole jig with clamp, a 3/8-inch step drill bit, a 3/8-inch steel stop collar, a hex wrench with 6-inch square-drive bit, 24 square-drive screws, 24 fine square-drive screws, 24 wooden pocket hole plugs, and a hard plastic carrying case. Versatile and precise, the General Tools jig creates flush, corner, and angle pocket hole joints for building face frame cabinets, leg-and-rail connections, fastening picture frames, and getting screws into tight spots. Designed with a built-in clamping system, it’s built to be portable or bench-mounted.
Pros:
- Compliant with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
- Great for fastening picture frame miters
- Can fit a 2-by-4 between the clamp walls
Cons:
- Can move a bit during drilling
- The knob on the clamp is small
Massca Pro M2 Pocket Hole Jig System
Drills For Thrills
The M2 Pro jig makes it easier than ever to work with longer pieces of lumber and repeat measurements. The Massca jig comes with two lockable steel bars and supports stop-blocks that adjust laterally to the exact width of your desired measurement. This provides greater stability and versatility to each pocket-hole cut. Better still, the jig features a multiple drill-in depth dial to give you seamless connectivity when it’s time to add the screws. And this is not a small, plastic jig: Massca’s Pro M2 has a full-body aluminum frame to provide a solid support base in shops or garages.
Pros:
- You can remove the jig from the frame and clamp it to a board for added flexibility
- Dust-port system reduces particles
- Includes a T-track slot
Cons:
- The clamp may require periodic oiling
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use glue along with my pocket screws?
You don’t have to, but we recommend it. Screws by themselves make a very strong pocket-hole joint, but adding glue helps prevent a joint from opening up due to changes in the weather, which can cause shrinking and swelling.
Do I have to use pocket screws or can I use other wood screws?
You need to use pocket screws. Using another type of screw could cause the pocket hole to crack, or it could create a loose joint. Unlike wood screws, pocket screws have threads only on the lower portion of the shank. The smooth upper shank of a pocket screw allows it to slide through the pocket hole. The pocket hole could crack if the screw had threads along the entire length of the shank.
Can you join two boards together at each end with pocket holes?
No. The end grain of a piece of wood doesn’t have the structure to hold pocket screws in place. Think of the grain in a piece of wood like a box of straws all lined up the same way. If you’re drilling your pocket screw into the grain in that direction, there’s nothing to counter-weight the screw.
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