Kreg 720 Pro vs K5 Pocket Hole Jig Comparison & Detailed Review 1 Year On

12 months ago I was given the new Kreg 720 Pro Pockethole Jig to take a look at by Kreg Australia. Now after a year of use and testing, I can answer the ultimate questions "Will the 720 pro replace my beloved K5 Master System?" and "Which Kreg Jig should I buy today?"
This is not a sponsored video and my opinions are my own.
In this video, I deep dive into both tools' strengths and weaknesses, show off their features and share a few tips I've picked up along the way.
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00:00 Plywood Base for Kreg Jigs
02:13 Storage Wings
03:06 Dust Extraction
04:38 Repeatable Stop
06:03 Clamping Function & Capacity
10:31 Pockey Hole Large Sheets
13:34 Drilling Options
15:26 Which Kreg Jig to Buy?

[@JesperMakes]

It's weird, I have yet to drill my first pocket hole. But I know a lot about how to do it thanks to you!

[@FixitFingers]

Hahaha not your style of joinery I think mate, stick to the tenon cutter! 😂

[@JKAW]

Does this mean you're not a real woodworker?

[@FixitFingers]

Me or Jesper? ;) I as #faketradie as they come... Jesper just skipped Pocket Holes and went direct to river tables 😂

[@JKAW]

@@FixitFingers directed towards Jesper, jokingly of course. Great review on both jigs by the way

[@JesperMakes]

@@FixitFingers yeah I guess I'll never be a pocket-hole-guy. I like my tenon cutter, my chainsaw and my axe too much

[@MikeC19100]

This was a very nice and detailed comparison between these two models. I also have both but have never used the 720 Pro yet. My K5 is also attached to a board similar to your setup and it has worked very well for me on several projects. I just got the 720 pro in the summer of 2023 and it included the Kreg® Pocket-Hole Jig 310 (one hole) which does make it somewhat portable to drill holes where the 720 won't work. I will be using the 720 this week and am looking forward to using it more over time. I'll keep my K5 too just in case I need to switch between board sizes for a specific project and it will keep me from needing to readjust the stop collar on the drill bit too.

[@FixitFingers]

Keeping both! Luxury 😊 clever marketing on their part bundling them. I have no regrets, what's it been 2 years or so, and I've actually not needed to exceed the capacity of the 720, despite Kreg Australia sending me out the XL jig 😅 I've also been sent the minijig by Armor Tool which I've needed twice in over a year I think. So all in all the 720 has served me very well despite those few small gripes. Cheers!

Hi James, These are beautiful tools. good comparison. Thanks for sharing the details. I wish you a nice new week. (nice, albeit a belated review :-) )

[@FixitFingers]

I did a first impressions review 12 months ago ;) Having given it a good usage I think most of my original thoughts hold, even with the few small annoyances 😊

@@FixitFingers Your original thoughts are always valid. Now you are a good woodworker. I appreciate your experiences. Stay healthy and happy. Cheers James

[@stirlingwoodcraft]

16:45 hey that’s me😂, Great video mate, and thank you once again for the k5, look forward to it 👍

[@FixitFingers]

hahaha No problem 👍 It should hopefully be there in a day or two if the mail service to the middle of nowhere works ;)

[@stirlingwoodcraft]

@@FixitFingers unless you’re hand delivering it😂, we never get parcels within 3 weeks delivered to whoop whoop

[@DownUnderWoodWorks]

Great video James and as the recipient of your old K4, very good of you to pass on the K5 to young Thomas 👍🏻

[@FixitFingers]

The K4 is the only one I bought, so Im happy to pass on the karma to others, especially young upcoming tubers like you and Thomas 🤣

[@sumosprojects]

Chuck an Armor Tool clamp on it for extra sized materials mate as you can drill into 2 sides on 45mm timber

[@Nedswoodworks]

Well done James…a great insight to the K5and 720! My K4 is still going strong 💪 cheers mate.

[@FixitFingers]

Yeah Kreg have painted themselves into a bit of a hole as their old gear is so good and lasts so long no one needs to change... how dare they make quality products! 😂

[@Nedswoodworks]

@@FixitFingers mate I had my K4 I bought in the States at Lowes I think it was and didn’t use it for like 4years. True story. I was baffled by it but I think I seen your clips and haven’t looked back.

[@briansbuildsandoutdoors4936]

Good vid James. I still use the k4. It also has a couple of extra holes in it that weren't there when I bought if. It suits my needs at the moment so I probably won't upgrade any time soon. Anyway mate keep up the good work. All the best.

[@FixitFingers]

I did that to my K4... and my K5... just reducing the weight, makes it lighter and easier to use 😂 The old units were built to last, probably hurts their sales of the new ones, but that's why you are paying a bit extra for Kreg gear, despite people's complaints they are plastic, they are very durable.

[@longsplinter-paul]

Thanks for a great review. You’ve sold me on keeping my trusty but upgraded K4. It’s almost a K5, just need to add storage to it.

[@FixitFingers]

Yes with the wings the K4 will keep on powering on. Simple and solid unit that one, unless you drill too many holes in it will last a very long time ;)

[@Thom4123]

I just picked up the 720 ( haven’t used it yet) I took it out to check everything and the only thing is that little clamp to attach it to the bench, no big deal I’ll work around that with the video you did mounting it to plywood. I had the K4 and absolutely loved it but me being me I lend my neighbor’s friend and it’s gone and was done asking for it back and upgraded. Side note my neighbor will pay when the snow starts flying because I would snow blow his sidewalk and others and we live on a main street and after the plow trucks come through it’s basically use a snowblower or spend all day clearing to make a footpath compared to the whole sidewalk. Never lend your tools out unless it’s your personal friend or family and even with my family members I’ve had to harass them to return my tools. Sorry for the rant. But Thank You for your ideas and review. Take Care my friend

[@FixitFingers]

Odd, I replied to this the other day and now it's gone.... Short version was: Never tick off the guy who blows your snow😂

[@possumheadcarpentry]

I have the single pocket hole jig, its got me out of trouble many times on site, excellent video

[@FixitFingers]

Yeah that's what I will likely get to replace the K3 block. Only rarely need it, but when you do it's a get-out-of-jail free card!

[@lincolngock791]

Great honest review! I have the same issue with the round plastic grey hooks. It’s the most annoying thing ever! No complaints otherwise.

[@FixitFingers]

It's a great hobbiest tool that takes out some of the thinking and speeds up the pocket hole process over the K5. It's copped a luke-warm reception at best generally, but I have great fun with mine overall.

[@realprojecttools3543]

i have the k5 kit and its amazing. iveput it on a fixed position and use it as dedicated tool on a corner

[@FixitFingers]

The K5 is such a solid unit and many people's favourite. While the 720 has a few cool tricks and quality of life improvements, they are not enough that I'd recommend an upgrade if your have a K5 already :) .

[@realprojecttools3543]

@@FixitFingers yes its a solid professional tool! kreg did it superb. i wonder if kreg will ever release new tools but made out of aluminum.

[@FixitFingers]

I don't know if there is much point. People like to whinge that it is 'just plastic'... but how many people out of the millions of Kreg jigs sold have ever had one break? I had the K4 for a few years, then the K5, and now the 720, plus most of the other tools they have released and I've never cracked a piece of their blue plastic. They have however just release an all metal jig for the first time, the Cabinet Hardware Pro. So, I am wondering if this is the start of a "Kreg Pro" range of their other tools... will be interesting!

[@realprojecttools3543]

@@FixitFingers having aluminum made jig is fantastic. it has a premium feel and looks high end but very affordable made in china. like having a woodpecker tools but only 0.5/10 of its price. anyway, im very happy with my K5

[@paulley636]

I use K5 without any problem adjusting for the different thickness. The technique is first lever up, second move the black board fence to the wood, third push the grey top, fourth push down on lever until you get one click, fifth let go grey top, sixth and final push down the lever all the way. You will get a perfect press every time.

[@FixitFingers]

I had no complaints about the K5 clamp at all. It's only a few seconds to adjust and you're not usually jumping between thicknesses often. It's a good, system, the 720 is just that bit simpler.

[@DesignsbyLinTin]

they discontinued K5. what a shame

[@FixitFingers]

​@@DesignsbyLinTin yeah it was a very good design. They still exist out there but are hard to find new ones now. So far the 720 is holding up well and I've had it over 18 months now, nearly 2 years I think. Apart from the little clips popping off, I've had no issues with it (and haven't managed to put a hole in the bottom unlike both my K4 and K5 with a wrongly set drill bit! 😅)

[@DesignsbyLinTin]

@@FixitFingers I have a k4. Not knowing they would discontinue them this year, I recently also bought the plug cutter jig compatible with k4 and 5. Since k4 is a hassle with different thicknesses. I'm looking for a k5 for setting up a dedicated plug cutting unit on the drill press. They are going for some crazy prices on ebay used. lol . Glad to hear what you said about 720. I have a new one still in the box. Haven't taken out and tried it !

[@FixitFingers]

@@DesignsbyLinTin they are slowly bringing out accessories for it, but their answer to the capacity issue has been to release an XL portable jig. They sent me one, will hopefully have a video on it out soon 😉

[@sumosprojects]

Grouse review mate, I’d go 720 any day but not the pro because the fold out wings on the standard are fantastic especially mounted on a base. K4 with the Armor Tool clamp is also well worth having because you can pocket hole 45mm stock on both sides easily 🇦🇺🇦🇺🍻🍻🍻👍👍👍

[@FixitFingers]

I think Kreg regret removing the K4 from the line up, such a solid unit and at a cheaper price point

[@beetleb1801]

Hi James. It would be interesting to see you do a comparison between the Kreg 720 Vs the Armor Tool Auto Jig. Other vids I've seen comparing these two invariably favour the Auto Jig. It will auto adjust everything in one step - drill guide height, clamping force AND drill depth collar all in one go. It also has a handy-dandy guide (that also self adjusts) to tell you the correct length screw to use for the thickness of the material. BTW - the Armor Tool pocket screws are colour coded so you simply can't stuff it up! Dust extraction is easily as good as the 720. I'm definitely going for the Auto Jig when I wish to upgrade my current pocket hole jig.

[@FixitFingers]

I've also heard good things about the Armor jig, though I've not played with one yet. Kreg really revived interest in and dominated the market in PH joinery for a long time and Armor took very careful notes and seem to have come out with a solid product. Competition in the space is great, it will see faster and better improvements for folks. In fact if you watch this space there might be something in the works to interest you in the near future... ;)

[@beetleb1801]

@@FixitFingers thanks for the prompt reply mate. I will certainly be watching this space...

[@samsboringchannel]

Nice comparison mate! Hopefully kreg take notes and make the next one the nuts of both, and name it after you haha

[@FixitFingers]

Hahahah The Kreg KFF? It's been a pretty radical design change. All the previous ones were a similar format, this is something totally new and will only get better in the next design iteration Im sure.

[@JohntheSchreiner]

Looks good for sure, but like you said, unless mine breaks I don't really see the point in upgrading. But good to know either way!

[@FixitFingers]

Bells and whistles are nice, but as long as you've got an angled hole without much fuss you're already good to go.

[@AustNRail]

Big material you would use the portable plus clamp.

[@FixitFingers]

Yep it's come out now, the new HD jig. It's got HUGE screws. Carbatec sent me one, will have a video on it soon ;)

[@AustNRail]

@@FixitFingers looking forward to seeing that video

[@ElizabethHernandez-cm2is]

Thank you for the information. I just purchased the new pocket hole jig for my 1st diy project that I will be starting in Nov to surprise my mom. Glad I do not have to return it so ty for that too. My question is, how do I figure out the distance between each pocket hole on different size width and length plywood and how to determine which pocket hole size and screw?

[@FixitFingers]

Hey Elizabeth, Ok the the easy part is the spacing... it doesn't really matter and it only depends on how fussy you want to be as usually most of the holes won't be seen. For plywood, a good rule of thumb is to put one hole at each end about 5cm (2") from each corner, then about every 20-25cm (8 to 10"). Exact spacing is not essential. Screw length is a little trickier as you need to get it right. You can use this handy tool (www.kregtool.com/screw-selector) but honestly, 90% of the time you'll be using 32mm (1 1/4") screws. They are the ones for 19mm (3/4") stock which I find I use nearly all the time. If ever in doubt because you are using odd thickness materials, drill a test hole in some scrap, put in a screw (without the mating board) and hold the test piece next to the bit you want to attach it to. The screw should go at least halfway into the mating piece. Best of luck on the build! I've got several builds which should help you see how to attach both plywood and thinner boards using pocketholes in this playlist :) kzbin.info/aero/PLfJXcxjEOb3KFVGEgFmylg33K4kAtbmFi

[@tassie7325]

13:38 is the obvious solution to the problem with the K5 that you identified at 10:38 I think I will stick with my K5 and save a tonne of money.

[@FixitFingers]

Oh that's exactly what the portable block is for, it's just not as fast or easy as being able to use the jig in its normal mode. Yep I'm with you, if you've already got the K5 I can't see an argument to update to the 720. It's a very good system already

[@tassie7325]

@@FixitFingers But you are not using the 720 in its normal mode. You have to first remove the wings which would be no quicker than taking the block out of the K5

[@FixitFingers]

@@tassie7325 you know, hadn't thought of it that way! The K5 is still an excellent system. Shame they stopped making it

[@jamesparker8317]

I have pocket holed a lot of 45mm timber, I have a K4 and Id still like a K5 because I think it would be more versatile for my purposes.

[@FixitFingers]

Yes that was certainly my biggest dissapointment. I think as Americans use mostly 2x4s (which are actually 1.5x3.5s) they made the capasity 1.75. Stay with what you got in that case!

[@julietphillips1991]

James, you compared it all! Kreg Australia should let you have a gifted sampling of the Foreman to review and breakdown its ups and downs. Kind of you to pass on the K5.

[@FixitFingers]

Hahaha @DaveStanton does a good video on the foreman - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaLCZIx7btejkJI - It wouldn't really be on-brand for my little hobby shop, that thing is tooled for commercial cabinet makers an the like :) Gotta pass on the good Karma, you never know what you'll get in return...

[@thefrankperspective4247]

So I guess the K5 with be set to 1.75" as the default, and the 720 knocks out everything else?

[@FixitFingers]

Yep the little extra board width and the removable drill guide that allows you (with the Master system attachment) to portable drill holes are the big pluses for the K5. It also feels a little more solid, as with the clever auto-adjust on the 720 more moving parts do mean more things can go wrong. Having said that I've used it for over a year with no issues. Kreg also just released the reason they restircted the 720 to 1.5" ...so they can sell you the Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig XL, which will drill up to a 4x4"! ;) They've just given me one, I'll look at it soon and get a video up on it.

[@HewAndAwe]

Someone got their shit mixed up at Kreg, if the user buys the above they're using it 24-7 and no need for all the BS - it would have its own station like the mitre saw... I dont get it mate, I've seen older Kreg jigs that make way more sense and I see in pro workshops being used. I dont se anyone I know changing for the above any time soon.

[@FixitFingers]

Yeah the 'Pro' term is not well chosen, just marketing spin. Anyone who makes things like cabinents professionally and use pocketholes on a daily would have a Foreman or above, not this hobbiest device. It is targeted at small workshop weekend warriors. Having used the K4 for a year, the K5 for 2 years and now this for 1 year, for the stuff I build if I had no jig at all and my own coin, I'd still go the 720 (or a second hand K5 if you wanted to save some coin). If you already own a K5 I wouldn't trade in for the new one.

[@troyc333]

"Oh it's made out of plastic, it's rubbish - BULLSHI*!" LMAO!

[@FixitFingers]

I mean, I am hoping that type of person goes through their place and gets rid of any tools with plastic components. I love those old 1970s Black'n'Decker solid metal drills that weigh half a tonne 😆

[@abyss5978]

sell me the k5

[@FixitFingers]

Hi! Sorry it got donated after I finished this review to a young woodworker I know :)

[@jackchapo2011]

Like tobacco, I think there should be an ever increasing tax on these terrible things. Plus, they should be restricted to olive drab and packaged with pictures of once sane Aussie tradies sitting bound rocking in a corner of a mental health facility. Now. I need to ask my ten year old how to unsubscribe.

[@FixitFingers]

Love the passion Jack, but I always fail to understand the source when it comes to pocket hole dislike. They are super fast, easy, strong and allow anyone to make cool things. They've been around for hundreds of years and your 10 year old could certainly do them and probably find it fun. What are the massive negatives I am missing?

[@jackchapo2011]

​@FixitFingers Hello, This is Jack, I am actually 11. My dad steals my you tube because he cannot work his phone properly. So he should not be arguing with you about drilling holes.

[@FixitFingers]

Hahaha that's all good Jack, Different people like different ways of joining bits of wood together. I learned to love pocket holes as a beginner woodworker and they have their uses in the workshop. Your dad is not alone in not liking them, I just find it interesting to learn why some people seem to dislike them so much. Thanks for letting me know! - James@@jackchapo2011

[@waynebooker498]

I bought the R3 for portable work. I love my 720.

[@FixitFingers]

I was thinking about doing that... but I've just been sent a slightly different colour option to check out ;) Not sure how it will go in my blue workshop 😅