Kreg Jig?

Kreg has a great selection of pocket screw tools, especially their various portable ones.  I have used them for years with prefect success.

I used it in a few areas of upper roadbed where I could not have a support. I have made non train related items such as picture frames (actually a control panel frame),kids stools (also could be train related)  and radiator covers. It comes in handy.

I did not use it for my main benchwork.  But adding pieces and parts later, yes.  Great for adding risers on top of flat bench work with a little glue.

http://www.kregtool.com/Kreg-J...g-Mini-Prodview.html

Dan

I've used the Kreg jig for years now both in my woodworking hobby and the layout.  I love the jig because it provides a method for consistent and strong joints.  It is a huge improvement for the woodworking/furniture building side of things. 

That is always my goto "joint when the joint is not seen.

Ed

I just read that last line again and doesn't sound quite right but you know what I mean  

Never heard of if before, John. How did you hapen to get interested in it? Is it something we all should consider?

Art

Go to Youtube and search for Kreg Jig.  It seems very uesful in my opinion.

How do you use it to join risers to plywood tops?

Not really what it's designed for. As Ed said, it's really for situations when you want to hide fasteners in furniture building.

While it produces nice joints, it is not really necessary for the simple carpentry involved in benchwork. If you are a woodworker and would use it on other projects, by all means try it out.

But, it would just add an unnecessary level of complexity to otherwise simple benchwork construction.

Jim

John,
I think in your case of first time layout and first time build your better off with bench work from someone like Mian(hope I spelled that right) You give them your dimensions  and they give you bolt together bench work.
Your risers or cross piece's should be on center like 12,16,24 or 30 inches?

You can draw a line from one side to the other and knowing your center draw another parallel line next to it. Then you just put in your screws for your top going straight down into the riser. You continue to draw lines from one end of the layout to the other.  You don't need a jig for this.

You can predrill the plywood for your screws or use drywall screws and forgo predrilling .The shape of the drywall screw heads will also mean you don't have to countersink them as they'll do that on their own.


David

My layout is open grid with cookie cutter plywood sub-roadbed supporting the track. I use a Kreg jig to attach the risers to the underside of the plywood sub-roadbed: I clamp the Kreg jig to the riser, touching the underside of the plywood and then place a 25 lb barbell plate on the sub-roadbed to hold it in place and insert the Kreg screws. I don't use glue in case the riser has to be moved.

Allan 

I used the Kreg tool to build all of the benchwork in my attic. In my opinion, it is excellent. I'll need to post pictures, but I also drilled holes for attaching the tops.

If you have a good quality power miter saw, a Kreg tool is a good addition to the tool box. I compared Kreg screws to the quarter-turn fasteners supplied with prefabricated benchwork. I prefer the Kreg screws. For Butt joints, I use the fine thread screws. For attachment to plywood tops, I use the coarse thread screws.  In building my benchwork I used top of the line lumber; all my joints are glued (Gorilla Glue) and screwed.

IF you want to build your own benchwork, I'd say buy a Kreg tool. If you want prefabricated benchwork, there are two excellent choices.

Gilly

And yes, I use it on the legs too.

Porter-Cable makes an excellent pocket screw jig system.

I have been using the Porter Cable pocket screw system for at least 15 years in my shop. It is a good asset to have when building a layout, quick, strong and neat.

I wish this had been posted 5 years ago.  It would have saved me from having to fill 46 holes per module times 10 modules!

Jan