Learn how to use a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720. This quick start guide highlights the time-saving features and how to use the 720 to drill pocket holes.
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720
The Pocket Hole Jig 720 is the newest addition to the Kreg family of pocket hole jigs. The 720 is loaded with foolproof settings and time-saving features. It’s the perfect solution for building small and large projects including those made with plywood.
Thank you to my friends at Kreg Tool for sending me the 720 Pocket Hole Jig. I received this tool in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Table of Contents
What is a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720?
The Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720 is the newest addition to the Kreg family of pocket hole jigs. What sets it apart from its pocket hole predecessors is its sleek design, time-saving features, and foolproof settings.
The 720 looks completely different than any of the previous Kreg jigs. Gone are the straight lines and square corners. This version has gentle curves and rounded edges.
The engineers at Kreg Tool stepped up their game when they designed this new pocket hole jig. The simple settings of the 720 make drilling pocket holes effortless and nearly goof-proof.
Back to Table of ContentsWhat is Included With the 720?
- 720 Pocket Hole Jig
- Drill bit and stop collar
- Material thickness gauge/hex wrench
- 3″ and 6″ driver bits
- Sample package of pocket screws
- Dust collection port
- 720 PRO also includes
- Pocket Hole Jig Clamp
- Two material support wings
What is Different About the 720?
The 720 is loaded with helpful features. Here are a few that set it apart from previous Kreg pocket hole jigs.
Drill Guide
The biggest difference between the 720 and the previous Kreg pocket hole jigs is the drill guide. The drill guide on the 720 automatically adjusts to the thickness of the material.
That means you can switch from ¾” material to a 2×4 to a ½” plywood without making any adjustments to the drill guide.
Put the material in the jig, push the handle down and the guide instantly adjusts to the thickness.
Related: Beginner’s Guide to Wood Sizes
The drill guide also has some helpful marks. Like other Kreg Jigs, it has marks indicating the center of each pocket hole. But it also has marks that indicate the center of common width boards like 1×2s, 1×3s, and 1×4s.
Center a 1×2, 1×3, or 1×4 on the appropriate mark and then drill the pocket holes exactly where they need to be.
Related: Which Holes Do I Use in the Jig?
The drill guide can also be removed and swapped for two optional drill guides. An optional micro drill guide and a plug cutting drill guide are available.
Related: How to Make Pocket Hole Plugs
Drill Bit and Stop Collar
The 720 takes the guesswork out of setting the depth of the drill bit. The drill bit is engraved with common thicknesses like ½”, ¾”, and 1-½”. I first noticed this handy design on the Kreg Jig 320.
All we have to do is slide the window in the stop collar over the thickness measurement on the bit and tighten the hex screw. Goof-proof!
The onboard storage area has a chart with even more thickness settings.
Onboard Tool Storage
The 720 has an onboard tool storage area that keeps all of the most-used tools at our fingertips. This area has storage for the drill bit, material thickness gauge, and driver bits.
Material Stop
The 720 PRO has a material stop that attaches to the material support wings. The material stop allows you to precisely drill pocket holes in the same spot on multiple workpieces.
How to Set Up a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 720
Adjust Clamping Pressure
The drill guide automatically adjusts to the thickness of the material. If needed, the clamping pressure can be adjusted using the knob on the side of the jig. Turn to the right for more pressure and turn to the left for less pressure.
Extension Wings
There are two extension wings built into the body of the jig.
The wings can be extended to provide extra support for workpieces.
Material Support Wings
The PRO version includes two material support wings. The wings snap into place and can be removed if necessary.
The wings fold and lock into place when not in use.
Dust Collection Port
The dust collection port can be mounted on either the left or right side. It can also be removed if necessary.
Pocket Hole Jig Clamp
The clamp securely attaches the jig to our workbench or work surface.
How to Drill Pocket Holes with the 720
Step 1. Measure the Material Thickness
The first step to setting up a 720 is to determine the thickness of the wood we want to join. All we have to do is place the material thickness gauge on the side of our board. We’ll use this measurement to set up the drill bit.
Step 2. Set the Stop Collar
Next, we’ll set the stop collar. All we have to do is match the thickness from the material thickness gauge to the thickness engraved on the drill bit.
Then, we’ll slide the window in the stop collar over the thickness measurement on the bit and tighten the hex screw with the material thickness gauge.
Step 3. Position the Material
Slide the material into the jig and push down on the handle. The drill guide automatically adjusts to the thickness of the material.
Related: Which Holes Do I Use in the Jig?
The 720 can be used vertically or horizontally.
The horizontal position is handy for drilling pocket holes in plywood.
Step 4. Drill the Pocket Holes
We’ll chuck the drill bit in our drill and insert the drill bit into the guide block until it touches the wood.
Related: How to Put a Drill Bit in a Drill
Slightly raise the drill bit and bring the drill up to full speed. Then, gently lower the bit into the wood and start drilling the pocket hole.
Keep drilling until the stop collar on the drill bit touches the drill guide.
📝 NOTE: It’s not uncommon to see some black plastic shavings when drilling your first few pocket holes.
Video: Kreg Jig 720 Quick Start Guide
Watch this quick video to learn how set up and start using the Kreg Jig 720.
My Review of the 720
The 720 is loaded with helpful features. The auto-adjusting drill guide is a game-changer. Previous jigs needed to be set for each material thickness. The 720 eliminates this step. Simply put the material in the jig, push the handle down and the guide instantly adjusts to the thickness.
The onboard tool storage keeps things organized. Plus, it keeps the tools used the most at our fingertips.
Related: How to Organize Tools in a Small Workshop
The material stop might be my favorite feature. It will be a real time-saver for drilling pocket holes in the same location on multiple workpieces.
Would I buy a 720? Absolutely.
There are few nitpicky things that I would love to see in future versions of the 720.
The 720 is a little bigger than the previous Kreg Jigs. You’ll probably need two hands to move it. Maybe if there was a built-in handle it would be easier to pick up with one hand?
Sometimes, if you’re impatient (like me) you forget to completely push down the lock. Then, the lock pops off when you open the lid of the material support wing.
Fortunately, the engineers designed the lock to easily pop on and off. Maybe if there was a recessed area designed into the lid it would prevent the lock from popping off?
Again, these are just nitpicky things. It’s nothing that would prevent me from buying the 720.
Back to Table of ContentsFinal Thoughts
The Pocket Hole Jig 720 is the newest addition to the Kreg family of pocket hole jigs. The 720 is loaded with foolproof settings and time-saving features. It’s the perfect solution for building small and large projects including those made with plywood.
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Miriam Kearney says
I do think there are some improvements in the new Jig but I won’t buy it for a couple of reasons – I already have K5 and while some things are easier on the 720 they are already available. I can store my tools in the boxes of the wings on k5 which also come off so you can spread them out if you want. While I do have make a 2 step movement to change board thicknesses, the clamp does clamp automatically. I won’t go on. Just to say the change in style is significant and depending on the work you do might be important to you but there is not really a big change in functionality. The sceptic in me thinks sales were dropping of in the k5 and they wanted to rev up the market.
barbara says
All the pieces of wood are mini, can you use this on much larger cabinet builds, or longer pieces of lumber,
Scott - Saws on Skates says
Hi Barbara – I wasn’t actually building a project at the time of this review, so I used what I had on hand… some small pieces of scrap wood for demonstration purposes. The 720 can be used on nearly any length board and plywood.
Grant S says
I would love this but already spent $170 on the Kreg K4MS Jig Master System a couple of years ago. Sigh.
Paul Ritzen says
I am new to using a Kreg Jig. I get conflicting stories that you should not edge join wood for say, a Table Top because it doesn’t allow the wood to move. It can cause cracks and out right failure of the joint. I’ve seen when not to use pocket holes, but I just get more confused. Help!
Scott - Saws on Skates says
Hi Paul – Edge joining with pocket holes is not really any different than edge joining with glue, biscuits, dowels, etc. The thing that can prevent wood movement is when the table top is attached to the aprons with pocket holes. It doesn’t matter what method was used to edge join the table top, attaching a table top to the aprons with pocket holes does not allow for wood movement. To allow for wood movement, the top should be attached with table top fasteners.