Kreg KJDECKSYS20 Deck Jig

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.

Another great Kreg product. Simple to use.

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.

I will say this, I bought this jig knowing it has some limitations. The biggest being the 1/4" spacers that are used to space the boards. If you are working with composite, 1/4" is probably fine. If you are working with green treated boards, by the time the boards dry/shrink, that gap will be way too big. You can use this jig without the spacers...I did. It changes the angle slightly, but the aesthetics and function are still just fine.I saw a lot comments about the screw head and driver design. I, too, wish they would have used a torx design. I had some reservations from the start, but I drove 1200+ screws and didn't strip the head out of a single one. When you buy the screws, they come in a box of 700 and a new driver bit is supplied. If you sway out the driver with each box, you will have no problem.Right or wrong, I stopped using the jig to predrill the holes. It just adds time to the process and I honestly don't think it improves the look or function. Again, I was working with green treated lumber and not composite, teak, ipe or the like. Predrilling may be necessary for those materials.

Works great

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.

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 have 2 other KREG tools and when I saw this, I immediately bought it as I trust the KREG name for . After assembling the tool, I tried it on a test deck board. After a few attempts, I got the hang of it. The nice part about the tool is the screw heads (while not invisible) are nicely concealed. The downside of this tool is the time it takes to install a screw. For efficiency, you will need a drill and a driver, or you will be changing bits for every screw. Once you set the stop on the drill to the correct depth, drilling the holes is a snap. Driving the screws, while easy, requires some skill as it is not difficult to drive through the bottom of the deck board. After about 6 deck boards, I stopped and pondered how much long this was going to take and if I should just drive deck screws through the boards and call it done. That night, a youtuber I regularly watch was using a different system that does not require a drill and automatically stops the screw at the correct depth. What a difference this toll made. I figure I was placing boards 4 times faster than with the KREG. I will keep the KREG as I think I will have use for it when the other tool is not appropriate. If you need a tool for a small deck and have plenty of time, the KREG tool works fine. If you have a larger deck, you may want to consider other tools.