Kreg KJDECKSYS20 Deck Jig

Finished building an amazing deck on top of a mountain using treated 2x8s for the decking. So so happy with the Gig, all decks should be done with this. Didn't use their overpriced screws and used standard "side" screws from my hardware store, so easy, drill the hole, remove the gig, place the screw and in it goes, clean and easy with no wood movement so far. Every deck I make will be using this Gig. Thinking about it.... Just buy it as it works with just a bit extra work but 1000% better looking and I feel it's a better connection too.

This was the perfect tool to resurface my deck and get screw heads invisible from top view. It worked in almost every corner around deck except at wall edge which got one row of screws through top of boards. Result is excellent. Tool is plastic but sturdy lasted 1000+ drills and still fine. I own a bunch of Kreg tools and this is imo the best option if you build or resurface decking. You better have two cordless drills, one for pre drill one for screw head, to move quickly along with this approach.

I bough this Jig along with 700 of the painted screws. The Jig served its purpose, and looks like it will last for more projects. The screws didn't fit in the metal hols of the jig. So I had to drive the screws in without the Jig. Judging by the reviews of the screws, they have some real quality control issues. Next time I'll probably use the Jig to drill the holes and use GRK trim screws, since the Kreg screws don't fit through the metal guide holes anyways.Fortunately I've used about 600 of the screws and haven't rounded the bit yet.I feel like people are experiencing issues with the proprietary bit rounding quickly because they used the metal stopper that is supposed to prevent from driving the screw too deep. The idea is when the screw reaches the correct depth the bit pops out of the screw head while its still spinning. After a few hundred times I can see how this would ruin the tip of the bit. Going free hand should help mitigate this. Also filing a little bit off the tip of the bit could revive a previously ruined bit.

If you are a homeowner and want a deck essentially free of fasteners, this is a valuable tool. I have several Kreg jigs and the step-drill bits used for the pocket holes can be notoriously prone to breaking, but that was not my experience with this jig. It's time-consuming and you must be willing to put the work in to it, but the result is a surface free of screws, which means no exposed metal and no nail pops. For me, this was a deck rebuild, and I decided to go with pressure-treated wood rather than composite, as the latter required more structural support and was prone to warping, discoloration, and being hot under foot. Following the instructions, re-decking my 8X12 deck was kind of tedious yet free of surprises. In my photos, please overlook the puttied knotholes and you'll see a fastener-free surface.One caveat: the first (and maybe last) board(s) won't be this way. You can't get a good angle to install a pocket-hole screw for these, so I used counter-sunk deck screws and wood putty on top, to preserve a fastener-free look.TIPS:• An angle drill or angle attachment for a drill is super-helpful for installing those first boards or any that can't be accessed with the pocket-hole screws.• For the first several boards, I found it easier to mark first, then drill on sawhorses, replacing to install. Once I got a few feet from the house, I just drilled and screwed boards in place.• You may be able to 'correct' and straighten boards that are warped, if you use the spacer guides near your first screws, and then space while pushing in against the board as you go.•Using two drills saves much time if you are drilling and screwing as you go.NOTE: I see this is marked as a "frequently returned item." It's most useful for a handy homeowner. Commercial deck builders will either have more substantial tools, or use more efficient (but less aesthetically pleasing) methods such as pneumatic nailing. If you have the patience and can follow instructions, this is a very useful tool.In the photos, I've just finished the deck. I haven't stained it yet and don't know about the longer-term reliability of the Kreg screws, but I will update this as I see how it does over time.

Works great

Another great Kreg product. Simple to use.

I wanted a narrower gap than the spacers they ship and I paid for that with much more visible holes.I picture framed my deck and even using the 45 degree approach I heard the crackle of splitting boards at the end of every piece.The proprietary screws and soft driver bit are an awful, awful pair. Camo screws are much better but lack the flat bottom so are prone to overdrivingI started to notice my screw heads going deeper, I checked the stop against the gauge and sure enough, the stop had silently slipped on me. You're going to want to check that frequentlyI was using hardwood that had twists and crowns that I needed to use clamps to work out. You certainly are not going to use this plastic to manipulate warped wood. All that said, the size of the jig was prohibitive in many cases and in those cases I found myself reaching for my Camo.I did drop it a couple of times and it didn't break so it has some level of durability. That said I also saw some blue coming back on the drill bit so...If you really want to use it and you don't mind the gap and you have pretty straight wood I am certain you can, like many others, get great results.

This a great tool set that really does make laying decking boards as easy as 1-2-3. I love this set and I wouldn't trade it for anything.