Familiar company, new offerings
Kreg Tools has been a leader for years in jigs related to pocket-hole joinery. Running the gamut from a small, single-hole clamp-on drill guide to elaborate bench-based and stationary systems, the…
Kreg Tools has been a leader for years in jigs related to pocket-hole joinery. Running the gamut from a small, single-hole clamp-on drill guide to elaborate bench-based and stationary systems, the Kreg jigs have been a regular staple of woodshops both hobby and pro. All you need is a hand drill, and their systems do the rest for churning out pocket holes by the hundreds.
Now, the company has taken the next logical step and introduced their own 20-volt cordless drills, a cordless pocket-hole machine and even a cordless track saw system.
These aren’t the first power tools Kreg has offered, or course. The company introduced a corded track saw a couple years ago, as well as several larger corded pocket-hole joiners some years ago – but this is their first big push into the cordless field. And, since their true claim to fame is their extensive line of pocket hole joinery systems, it’s no real surprise that a power tool dedicated to pocket holes would be a natural follow-up.
The lineup includes a compact 1/2" drill driver with two speeds and 20-position clutch, and a compact 1/4" impact driver with three speeds and a quick-connect hex chuck. These are standalone tools, but the company undoubtedly hopes customers will pair them with their line of pocket-hole jigs.
The 6-1/2" track saw has a six-speed brushless motor, riving knife, electronic break and anti-kickback. Cutting depth capacity is 2-1/8" at 90 degrees, and 1-1/2" at 45 degrees. The saw uses a 62" track.
The most interesting of the bunch is the Kreg Rebel Ionic Drive pocket-hole joiner. Beefy but still portable, the 2,800-rpm unit is self-contained with its own brushless motor, tool-free setup, a plunge handle for drilling, and integrated dust collection and vacuum attachment.
All four of these tools roll out in October, but it looks like there will be more to follow. While there are no dedicated pages for them yet on the Kreg website, look closely in tool photography and you can get a glimpse of a few other tools that share the battery platform. No idea when they’ll be out, but expect a jigsaw, random orbit sander, router, oscillating tool and a couple more.
A.J. Hamler is the former editor of Woodshop News and Woodcraft Magazine. He's currently a freelance woodworking writer/editor, which is another way of stating self-employed. When he's not writing or in the shop, he enjoys science fiction, gourmet cooking and Civil War reenacting, but not at the same time.