I had to get a bunch of shelf-pin holes in the current cabinet I'm building.   I used to use a piece of pegboard. a drill bit, and some masking tape.  I threw out the particle board when I moved.  So I looked into something a little more professional.   Kreg only did 5mm and I have a bunch of 1/4" supports in stock. Rockler had a bunch of options, most of which need a special self-centering / depth stops.   Well, then I found this one on half-price sale for the price of one of the drill bits.  And it works for both 5mm and 1/4" pegs.  It also seemed to make cleaner holes with my mortising bit than with the drill bits.

 

Used it today and did 140 holes, 5 at a time.

 

https://www.rockler.com/rockler-shelf-pin-routing-jig

I’ve had a Jig-it for a number of years and it does an amazing job.  That being said, the plastic was getting chipped and I made a new one (slightly longer) using the same hole pattern.  Unfortunately, I can’t reverse it.

Sometimes it just makes more sense to purchase "store bought" fixtures versus the time and effort to make your own. At half price, this certainly is one of those times.

I'd venture a guess it more than paid for itself today?

I had to decide this same thing on getting some DC ports recently.  For $4 each I got 6.  Could have made them but how much time to do so?

10 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I had to decide this same thing on getting some DC ports recently.  For $4 each I got 6.  Could have made them but how much time to do so?

It amazes me...most people shop with their wallets. To save a buck, they'll make it themselves, instead of buying the item pre-made and moving on. I make jigs all of the time. However, if it has repetitive use, then I seriously consider something more permanent.

 

Just what is your time worth? If you enjoy the making it doesn't matter. If you are doing something commercially, on a dead-line, or just plain can't be bothered then the price is worth it. It's all personal choice. In my case, if I think I'll need/use it again, then buying may be the best option. If it is a one-time only use, then I will make it.

 

I built home-made shelf pin jibs for the longest time. They wore out, got lost or repurposed, or got buried in the mess. I finally bought one of the Kreg jigs and couldn't be happier. I has its own storage case, and doesn't get misplaced, repurposed or damaged. No more scrounging materials, tools and time to make something. The time savings has more than paid for itself.

On ‎2‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 9:06 AM, schnewj said:

It amazes me...most people shop with their wallets. To save a buck, they'll make it themselves, instead of buying the item pre-made and moving on. I make jigs all of the time. However, if it has repetitive use, then I seriously consider something more permanent.

 

Just what is your time worth? If you enjoy the making it doesn't matter. If you are doing something commercially, on a dead-line, or just plain can't be bothered then the price is worth it. It's all personal choice. In my case, if I think I'll need/use it again, then buying may be the best option. If it is a one-time only use, then I will make it.

 

I built home-made shelf pin jibs for the longest time. They wore out, got lost or repurposed, or got buried in the mess. I finally bought one of the Kreg jigs and couldn't be happier. I has its own storage case, and doesn't get misplaced, repurposed or damaged. No more scrounging materials, tools and time to make something. The time savings has more than paid for itself.

Well.... there are time the store bought will work ( need flex to connect dust port to store bought) and times it wont so we make something to fit. If you want that port in the middle of a run of 4 inch PVC you will have to make it your self. 

    Now it is true that the time I spend figuring out the solution I could have just bought one and been done but where is the fun in that. And we will not even talk about the solutions that did not work so had to buy one anyway.