The UK's bestPocket Hole Jigs2022 Review

Trend is a tool brand with a pedigree stretching back to 1955. They’re favoured by professional tradespeople as well as savvy DIYers for their top build quality and innovative designs.

I got hold of their PH/JIG and now think it’s one of the best pocket hole jig systems you can get. It lacks the wealth of accessories provided by the Kreg Master System, but the jig itself is incredibly well made. It has a smooth clamping action and a useful fine adjustment mechanism.

One of the things I really like about this pocket hole jig system is the metal base. The countersunk holes in the corners mean you can fix it securely to a workbench if you’re staying in one place. Or you can take it with you and use it free-standing or clamp it into place.

The accessories you get are quality bits of kit. The face clamp is all metal and the drill bit and two different length square drive bits feel like they’ll last for ages. What makes this a great starter kit is that Trend include 100 dome head screws. That’s more than enough to see you through your first few joinery projects.

Another excellent pocket-sized pocket hole jig is the 320 set from Kreg. A stripped-down version of the pocket hole system, it doesn’t come with many accessories but it’s still a comprehensive little kit.

The material thickness gauge that comes with the set is a handy little tool. It doubles up as an Allen key as well. You use this guide like a ruler to decide which thickness setting to choose. It’s a neat system that takes the guesswork out of where to put the stop collar on the drill bit as well.

What makes this one of the best pocket hole jig systems is the clever versatility that Kreg have built in. You might think you’re limited to only drilling pocket holes a certain width apart. But with a simple twist you can separate the drill guides and remove the middle spacer. Then you can drill pocket holes much closer together, or singularly wherever you want one.

My only gripe with the 320 set is the grey plastic stop tabs on the back of the jig – they’re probably going to last a long time but if anything were going to break, I’d bet it’s one of them. Otherwise, this is an excellent little set.

Germany’s Wolfcraft are famous for their quality woodworking tools. Their Undercover jig set is billed as the complete set for invisible fastenings. I’m inclined to agree with them, it’s a handy kit supplied in its own carry case that keeps everything organised and out of trouble.

On to the jig itself. Wolfcraft have come up with quite a clever way to measure the thickness of your material. Simply spin the end cap round and use the handy ruler on the side of the jig. You can then set the depth stop on the special drill bit. All by feeding it through the drill guide and finding the right measurement there.

Wolfcraft have included a few pocket screws to get you started and even a handful of wooden bungs to cover up the pocket holes you’ll make. It’s a start, but you’ll need to stock up again soon. In terms of build quality, the jig feels solid but a bit plasticky, but it seems strong enough. I’m a bit disappointed that they haven’t included any clamps, and the dust removal ports aren’t great, but for the price you can’t really complain.

Get hold of the best pocket hole jig system without emptying your wallet. The Kreg Jig Mini is easily one of my star buys. If you want to try out using the pocket hole method, this little kit is an affordable way to get started.

This pocket hole jig kit is comprised of a simple jig in Kreg’s recognisable tough blue plastic. You also get a proprietary HSS drill bit, drill collar, and Allen key. There’s not a lot there, but still enough to create seriously solid joinery.

Even though this is Kreg’s Mini Jig, it’s brilliantly versatile. You can fit the little guide into tight spaces where other guides would struggle. And because it’s fenceless you can work on any thickness of material you like.

For this price, you can’t really expect to get much more than the jig and a drill bit. However, if you want to do any woodworking with it, you’ll need to go out and get some decent “F” clamps.

The Kreg K4 Jig is probably the best pocket hole jig on the UK market because it’s the original joinery system, it’s easy to use and the dust collection port actually works.

US tool brand Kreg started the pocket-hole joinery revolution back in 1989 with their brand new system for attaching boards together without needing any real woodworking skills. The K4 Jig allows you to make boxes, cabinets, and just about anything else quickly, easily, and accurately.

The set itself is made from tough blue plastic, and Kreg have thrown in a few of their own screws for you to use.

It might look complicated at first glance, but the jig system is really easy to follow. It all but guarantees strong joinery between two pieces of wood. The included manual is excellent and will help guide you through your first few projects, but it won’t take long to master it. Plus, if you use the same thicknesses of timber most of the time, you won’t have to adjust any of the depth settings. I love it.

Another one of the best doweling jigs I’ve come across is the Yours Bath 41 piece woodworking kit. It’s just about as simple as drilling jigs come, but it gets the job done without costing you much money at all.

The simple blue plastic device is straightforward enough to work out without needing any special instructions. This is fortunate because it’s not supplied with any.

You can choose from three drill guides that match common dowel sizes. Pick from 6, 8, and 10 mm and use the moveable fence to drill perpendicular holes into the ends of boards. Adjusting the size of the fence is easy enough and just takes two screws. There are measurements on the underside to help you get centred on the workpiece.

Overall, this is a simple tool that will suit light DIY use rather than a professional site carpenter. The included drill bits should get you started, but if you plan on doing a lot of drilling, I’d upgrade them. A handful of different size dowels are included for practising on.

While technically not a pocket hole jig, the Dübelprofi is an excellent dowel drill guide from German tool brand KWB. It’s an excellent bit of kit that will transform your DIY capabilities.

Creating a solid join between two pieces of timber with dowels and glue is an effective joinery method. But drilling accurate perpendicular holes is difficult without a guide like the Dübelprofi. It takes out all the guesswork when it comes to sizing as well.

It’s rather easy to use once you’ve tried it out a few times. Simply rotate the drilling guide to fit the drill bit size you’re using. Then line up the “0” measurement exactly halfway across the end section you want to drill into. Tighten the locking screw to hold the fence in place and you’ll always drill precisely straight.

It’s not just useful for making holes in boards for dowels. It also solves the age-old problem of drilling perfect 90° holes in just about anything. The next time you need to drill holes in a wall you can guarantee a horizontal hole if you use this guide. I wish I had one years ago.