Armor Tool Auto-Jig Pocket Hole System
Overview
- System includes jig, drill bit, #2 square driver bit (not shown), 6" auto-adjust face clamp, and 50-screw assortment (10 each size), for $149.99.
- Color-coded screws suitable for exterior use.
- 100-count screws cost $3.69 - $5.19.
- 750-Piece Color-Coat Screw Set (1, 1 1⁄4, 1 1⁄2, 2, and 2 1⁄2") available for $35.11.
Pocket screws aren’t the right choice for every project, but there’s no arguing that they are here to stay. By enabling woodworkers at any skill level to quickly create strong joints with a drill, clamp, and a few screws, pocket screw joinery has earned a spot in many workshops. With a little practice, most jigs are easy to use, but the Auto-Jig Pocket Hole System from Armor Tool makes setting the jig and selecting the right screw fool-proof. Seriously, after using the jig once, you can trash the manual. You won’t need it.
The heart/brain of this new tool is its patented Auto-Adjust Clamp. To use, insert the drill bit into the jig as shown in the photo, set a workpiece against the guide block, pull the handle until the clamping jaw touches the stock, and then press the lever. As the jaw grabs the board, the action simultaneously positions the stop collar on the bit and sets the height on the guide block. Now, tighten the stop collar, insert the bit in the guide block, and start drilling.
Selecting the correct screw length is a no-brainer, thanks to the chart printed on the guide block. In addition to simplifying screw selection, the coating on Armor’s color-coded (Color-CoatTM) screws provide corrosion protection, making these fasteners suitable for both interior and exterior use.
Another nice feature: The base provides built-in storage for drill and driver bits and the collar wrench so that you won’t waste time searching for them at the start of the next job.
—Tester, Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk
onlineEXTRA
To see this jig in action, check out this video:
