Kreg Foreman?

[david mcintyre]

Was thinking about getting one and saw that they used to make a pneumatic version. Anyone know why they discontinued? Was it any better than the electric?
Sincerely, Dave.

[Ben Rivel]

Probably because not everyone has air in their shop or at a job site to dedicate to a pneumatic hold down and the new toggle clamps out there work very well.

[Justin Ludwig]

Use a Kreg jig and make your own pneumatic clamp for about $75 in parts. It's easy and a fun project. I have a small cabinet shop and wouldn't waste my money on a pocket machine unless I get so busy I need more employees. Even then, my systems drills 75% as fast a Castle single spindle.

[Ben Rivel]

Use a Kreg jig and make your own pneumatic clamp for about $75 in parts. It's easy and a fun project. I have a small cabinet shop and wouldn't waste my money on a pocket machine unless I get so busy I need more employees. Even then, my systems drills 75% as fast a Castle single spindle.Know any good links or videos on how to make one?

[Dan Rude]

Just enter a search in You-tube. Also, Izzy Swan made a drill operated one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_j_e_apxZc Dan

[Justin Ludwig]

Know any good links or videos on how to make one?

It's about as simple as can be. The hardest part for me was figuring out was what to search.

My Kreg model is a discontinued but looks like this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kreg-K4-Jig-Pocket-Hole-System-Woodworking-Tool-System-Tool-/401120221169). I haven't modified one with a front lever, so keep that in mind when I give a list of parts. I'll have to post pics Monday.

4 way foot pedal (http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/290642567581?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true)
1/4 NPT muffler
(http://www.sustainablesupply.com/Speedaire-Muffler-Exhaust-1-4-NPT-9-16-dia-1A326-C1660353?CAWELAID=120205040001934855&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=46050987508&CATCI=pla-279087748550&CATARGETID=120205040004836208&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAifvEBRCVx5up6Ojgr5oBEiQALHw1Tqc9tCgw eVO51A-D8G7-cELQm2_C_sO4MJ6ipDwK8GcaAlae8P8HAQ)1.5"-2" stroke, 1.5"-2" bore non-rotating air cylinder (http://www.frightprops.com/pneumatics/cylinders.html) and the mounts.
Mettle air hose and fittings (https://www.mettleair.com/store/ptcimg) My air cylinder is 1/8" NPT and the pedal is 1/4" npt. The hose was the same size and pushes into either fitting. I bought an assortment of straight and elbow because they're cheap and I wasn't sure how I'd run my lines. If you get confused, just call them - they're great.
Last thing you'll need is a foot (http://www.frightprops.com/pneumatics/cylinder-parts/heavy-duty-rubber-rod-foot-without-shaft-0582-0162.html)to mount on the arm of the cylinder.

Most everything you need can be found at frightprops .com (no affiliation). I shopped around and saved maybe $10. Convenience would have be worth the $10 had I gone there first.

All you need after that is a little ingenuity to mount it and pipe it into your air system.

[Justin Ludwig]

Just watched Izzy's video. His machine is WAY past anything I've done. I make ugly Betty tools and jigs. I have pride in the finished product, not so much the intermediate processes. :D

Mine looks like it fell off the back of a jingle truck in a 3rd world country. Pics on Monday.

[jack duren]

A Castle pocket hole machine is a dedicated machine not to be confused with a DIY version.


If you want a quick DIY version pocket holer just make one...

[david mcintyre]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I mis-stated my question. I think everyone assumed I wanted a pneumatic one because I've gotten a bunch of replies on how to make one. I was really just asking if the discontinued pneumatic was that much better than the $400 electric one you can get now.

I have a Kreg K4 system right now and it works great. I have it set up on a board (like most). It just seems that the foreman would be so much more efficient.
Right now its:


position the workpiece
clamp
pick up drill
drill
put down drill
unclamp
move workpiece
clamp
pick up drill........


I can understand why everyone was making their own version with a $850 price tag on the pneumatic.

For those that have the new version of the electric version: Are you happy with it? Any pros/cons? Things you would change?

Sincerely, Dave.

[Martin Wasner]

It's about as simple as can be.

You need to get a castle machine. I'm looking for a second one.

[Jesse Busenitz]

David, I have the K4 and the new electric foreman, and the Forman is well worth the money in my opinion. It's probably twice as fast as the K4, your work piece is horizontal instead of vertical which is really nice on long pieces, and it has semi decent dust collection. Only con is it's a little on the light side of construction, but it's made to be portable so.... If you use pocket holes very much at all I'd highly recommend it.

[David T gray]

i have one of the newer ones i like it so much more then the k5 its gotta be 2-10x as fast depending on the size of work piece

[Neil Gaskin]

I wasn't aware it was discontinued. We have one in our shop and I really like it. If you can find a used one I would recommend it.

[Rick Potter]

I assume you are talking about the older version of the Foreman with the steel case? I have one, as well as a Castle, and like the Foreman better for my hobby needs. The Castle is great, but I need to roll it out and fire up the compressor to use it, while I have the Foreman sitting next to the RAS, in line with the height and fence of the RAS. When I need a couple pocket holes, it is ready to go. If I need a lot, it is not as fast as the Castle, but that is not much of a factor with me.

I think you will like it. I have no experience with the newer Kreg machine.

[Justin Ludwig]

You need to get a castle machine. I'm looking for a second one.
Bah. I have a lot of stuff on my list that will make my shop more efficient than a pocket machine. As I grow, I'll eventually get one - but it's way low on my list right now. I'm currently forming the pad and getting ready for concrete pour of my new shop - that is precedent over all ATM.

[Martin Wasner]

Bah. I have a lot of stuff on my list that will make my shop more efficient than a pocket machine. As I grow, I'll eventually get one - but it's way low on my list right now. I'm currently forming the pad and getting ready for concrete pour of my new shop - that is precedent over all ATM.

I hear you, it's an inexpensive tool that can save cumulatively saved a ton of time over the course of a year.

[jack duren]

I understand as well. I ran my shop out of the garage a few years before the economy crashed. The home version I suggested was as good as I could get at the time..

Now I'm trying reset the shop for more a 75/25 split leaning towards furniture when I retire. I can get Castles pretty cheap but won't leave room for other machines I'll need..

[Chris Payne]

I have a air machine may consider selling

[Justin Ludwig]

354068 354069

The foot was leaving black "foot prints" on the face of the stock. It was easily sanding off, but I decided to use a piece of 3/16 birch ply and 3M 77 spray adhesive to stick a cover over the foot. I forgot to take pics of the 4way pedal.

That Bimba is 1.5" with 2" stroke working on 120PSI through 1/8 NPT fittings from MettleAir. I can drill 2 holes in both ends of a rail before the vacuum kicks off, about 5-7 seconds total. Unless it's hickory - that takes a little extra push.

[Martin Wasner]

Oddly enough, I just bought another castle machine...