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Pockethole cutter

9/25/24       
Robert

Hi all. I am going to have to replace our pocket hole machine. We currently have a Castle TSM21. Bought used and it has served its purpose but is on its last leg and we've rigged it up all we can. What's your suggestions for best replacement? Castle, Ritter, or something else? FWIW, we liked the Castle when it was working well, but don't really have experience with any others so don't know if we're missing out on something better lol. Thanks guys

9/26/24       #2: Pockethole cutter ...
RODNEY BLACKERBY Member

We have Unquie and Ritter witch is an older one that dug out of storage and order new parts, and put it back into production, I prefer it over the unquie.kind of the simple and will last the test of time. thats my 2cents.
9/26/24       #3: Pockethole cutter ...
Leo G Member

Been using the Kreg Foreman forever. Figured out how to reduce slippage and it's not an issue anymore. Simple machine and I have the pneumatic version so it'll likely outlast me as long as the oil is full.

Stop laughing......

LOL

9/26/24       #4: Pockethole cutter ...
duster

I also have been using a pnuematic Kreg machine for the last 10 years or so. It's reliable and low maintenence. Also, it has a small footprint. We built ours into one of our shop cabinets between some drawers.

9/28/24       #5: Pockethole cutter ...
Bill

I have own 2 castles and the Kreg. All three will drill lots of holes with little trouble if maintained. For what it’s worth I like the castle machines better. I like the lower angle pocket.

9/28/24       #6: Pockethole cutter ...
Robert

Thanks for the responses. I used the Kreg for years, but like Bill, I prefer the lower angle. Think we will just go back with a new model of the Castle we have.

9/30/24       #7: Pockethole cutter ...
Matt Member

Castle. We have several of them, the lower angle of the cut makes it a great system. One of ours is a very old benchtop model that we robbed an air piston from an old door drill that works as the hold-down mechanism. That was the weak point on our benchtop. That, and I think we had to mod it to fit in a new trim router at one point.

The other is the nice cabinet style floor model with the foot pedal, it's about 5 years old and well worth the cost. Cuts hundreds of pockets every day.

9/30/24       #8: Pockethole cutter ...
Matt Krig Member

Check out Safety Speed Manufacturing. We've run it side by side with the Castle and everyone chooses the the Safety Speed. Their mechanism makes a lot more sense, when you run one, you'll see that they've gone further with the innovation. I've run the Ritter and Kreg, and I can say once a person goes to a low angle system with a drill and a router bit to cut the pockets, you'll not want to go back.

https://safetyspeed.com/product-category/machines/screw-pocket-machines/

10/1/24       #9: Pockethole cutter ...
sam cohen Member

Matt Krig - what about the Safety Speed do people like better? Choosing between the benchtop models myself and was leaning toward the Castle, but it was a toss up.

10/2/24       #10: Pockethole cutter ...
Karl E Brogger  Member

Website: http://www.sogncabinets.com

The Safety Speed one looks interesting. I replaced both my Castle machines with new ones a few years ago and asked the salesman about the Safety Speed Cut and he didn't have much positive to say.

I dont know if that's because of salesman BS or it's actually inferior to the Castle.

I wish the heavier duty Castle didn't use an air drill. I'm assuming it's hard to get a little electric motor up to a high enough RPM and have it last. I just hate using air as it's an expensive way to do things.

10/2/24       #11: Pockethole cutter ...
sam cohen Member

Karl -

Checked out your videos before, appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience.

How do you use your multiple machines?

Ultimately I'd like to go for a full size unit, but would rather not spend that much at the moment. I've been thinking if I get one of the big ones in the future, the benchtop one (the TSM-12 not the drill-it-yourself diy one) would be setup for one thing and the big one for something else. Plan is to use pocket holes for cabinet construction when it applies, face frame assembly once I get a clamp table, and non-dovetail drawer boxes. Maybe one would be setup for 3/4, one for thinner drawer material.

10/4/24       #12: Pockethole cutter ...
Matt Krig Member

Bigger air line on drill on top so it doesn't bind up, and a big cam that operates the whole movement and is adjustable to prevent binding and accommodate different materials. Small improvements that add up.

10/6/24       #13: Pockethole cutter ...
Karl E Brogger  Member

Website: http://www.sogncabinets.com

Sam, we have one in the face frame area that just does hardwood.

The other is near the assembly benches it has different tooling for doing miscellaneous materials. Plywood, mdf and some solid wood.

10/8/24       #14: Pockethole cutter ...
mike

Safety Speed Cut make a nice one..the company I work for has 2..


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