This article was submitted by Stephen Parsons
A couple of people had questions about sourcing the pocket hole jig (and plans for the workstation) I showed at the February meeting. The unit I have is not the Kreg system, but one built by VEVOR and available via Amazon. The model I demonstrated is no longer available. The bronze color is not in the VEVOR line anymore, they are now using a powder blue color for their jigs. There are three or four different models available, but the closest to the one I showed is the one linked below:
Since they launched this line, there are a few nice upgrades that are really valuable including improved thumbscrews for tightening the device into proper depth and the inclusion of a couple of extension rods useful for non-clamped applications. Both the new and old ones have some features I really like – including the handy dust chute collar and removable jig for portable application. As with all PH Jigs, it includes a clamping system for the wood, a precision 15 degree drilling guide, a stepped drill bit for Kreg-type pocket hole screws, and a stop collar for perfect drilling every time. The jig is adjustable for various thicknesses of wood material. Unlike the Kreg system, it doesn’t have a handy stop guide imprinted along the body – you have to set it up using the guide itself (I use a small steel ruler under the jig to get perfect depth settings). Given that this unit is aluminum rather than plastic and at a price of roughly half a comparable Kreg jig, I think it is a great value. I paid just under $100 for mine on an Amazon sale. It certainly seems solid, stable and of good construction.
As for the workstation itself, there is a great video on building the unit on Woodsmith website along with FREE downloadable plans there. Their plans are for a regular Kreg system and assumes several boxes to insert in the storage space. I changed my plans to the width needed for the VEVOR system, and one single box of bits, screws, etc. I found it easy to modify the plans. I used 1/2″ (and a little 3/4″) 2SG plywood for my unit, the main systems taking up only a quarter sheet of 1/2″ baltic birch or similar. Here’s the link:
Finally, the Dewalt organizer I built my system around is available at Busy Bee for about $25 and in my opinion is a much better solution than having several boxes as presented in the Woodsmith article. It does mean a wider (12″) tabletop but I like these dimensions.
If there is interest, at a future meeting I will do a demo of alternate joinery systems including dowel, pocket hole, and biscuit joinery if anyone is interested in seeing that. I might also include the lock joint router bit as another mechanical joinery process.
Stephen
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