POWERTEC 71653 SHELF JIG
VALUE PRICED, EASY TO USE
TOP PICK: POWERTEC 71653
IN THIS GUIDE:
› PROS PICK: ROCKLER SHELF JIG
› BUDGET OPTION: MILESCRAFT 1316
› MOST COMPACT: KREG KMA3200
› ALL ALUMINUM: GOINGMAKE
From bookcases to cabinets, one of the best shelf pin jigs will help you quickly and accurately drill a long series of holes. And, versus manual methods, perfectly centered.
Woodworkers know the option of laying out the holes, and drilling by hand can be done. But without a jig, this manual method will inevitably lead to tippy shelves.
So, looking for a jig with the following features will save time and improve the quality of your next project:
- At least ten guide holes for speed
- Index holes to enable shifting the jig for long hole runs
- Dual rails for drilling front and back at the same time
- Standard-size holes for use with spring-loaded drill bits
Lastly, while most of these jigs are constructed of clear plastic, a few use a metal bushing that is the size of the pin.
Page Contents
Our Experience
After building thousands of cabinet boxes and drilling countless holes, our preference for this style of jig features clear plastic, inexpensive, and has an optional dual-rail assembly, which is why I use the EZ Align Jig in my shop.
However, not all jigs are made the same, and we know woodworkers may choose:
- A dual-rail shelf jig for quickly drilling bookshelves
- Compact single-row jigs for tight spaces
- Inexpensive jigs for small projects
Shelf Jig Features
A shelf pin jig is a handy tool that allows you to drill precise holes for shelf pins in your shelving projects. The jig typically comes with a set of removable bushings that allow you to adjust the spacing of the holes, so you can customize the jig to fit your specific needs.
Additionally, most shelf pin jigs are designed to work with a standard drill, which makes them easy to use and accessible for DIY enthusiasts of all skill levels.
With a shelf pin jig, you can achieve professional-looking results every time you tackle a shelving project.
Key features:
- Single or dual-rails
- Alignment holes for indexing long lengths of pin holes
- Clamping surface
- Metal bushings for durability
- See-thru plastic for visibility
Best Shelf Pin Jigs
The right shelf pin jig for a woodworker is sometimes different from project-to-project. For example, drilling a bookcase is best down with a dual-row jig allowing single placement and drilling speed. However, a compact cabinet or furniture may call for a single-row, compact jig that lets you place it where you need it. And, of course, some professional woodworkers want the portability of a smaller jig that easily fits in their toolbox.
1. Rockler Shelf Pin Jig (Best Overall)
See on Amazon: Rockler Drill Jig
Top Features
- 1-1/4 inch spacing
- Works with 5mm or 1/4″ drill bits
- Two sets of indexing pins
Overview
The Rockler shelf pin template is a heavy-duty jig built for long lines of cabinet pins in anything from cabinets to tall bookshelves. A heavy-duty Phenolic construction supporting both imperial and metric holes will make quick work of your pin drilling.
The only downside? You’ll need to buy a guided bit like this 1/4-inch Snappy bit .
Pros
- Dual rails for front/back drilling
- Long run of holes
- Standard 3/8″ holes
Cons
- Price
- Guide bit not included
2. EZ Align Dual Rail Pin Jig (Best Value)
See on Amazon: EZ Align Dual Rail
Top Features
- 1-1/4 inch spacing
- Works with 5mm or 1/4″ drill bits
- Includes indexing pins
- Drill bits included
Overview
Almost every shelf requires two rows of shelf pins. So why not have a jig that can do both simultaneously?
The EZ Align team thought so and invented this dual-row jig. Key features:
- Eliminate rocking shelves with single-placement drilling
- Easy to advance indexing system
- Supports both 1/4″ and 5mm holes
- Finally, as a bonus, this jig includes two quality self-guided bits (one of 1/4″ and 5mm).
Pros
- Dual rails
- Value price
- Includes guide bits
Cons
- Plastic guides vs. Kreg steel bushings
3.Milescraft 1316 CabinetMate (Budget Pick)
See on Amazon: Milescraft Jig
Top Features
- 11 holes at one time
- Storage compartment for drill bits and pins
- 1/4 and 5mm index pins
- Includes drill bit
- 32mm hole spacing (1-1/4)
Overview
For DIY’ers and construction professionals, this compact, budget-friendly jig has several features of more expensive jigs. But at a fraction of the cost.
This jig is best for:
- Small projects where you won’t be moving from cabinet to cabinet
- Portable to job sites
- One-time projects
A major drawback is not being able to see behind the plastic – significant when lining up holes to pencil marks or comparing to adjacent rows of holes.
Pros
- Budget
- Storage for bits
- Includes one drill bit
Cons
- Single row drilling
- Lacks index pins
4.Kreg KMA3200 Shelf Pin Jig (Compact)
See on Amazon: Kreg KMA3200
Top Features
- New or add-on for existing cabinets
- Dual position fence
- Built-in storage
- 1/4″ drill bit included
- 32mm spacing
Overview
The first reason to like the jig is its simple drill bit that isn’t spring-loaded. After drilling thousands of shelf pin jigs with spring-loaded mechanisms, the freedom of a bit and collar is welcome.
The only downside to this Kreg jig? You can extend this jig to longer lengths but at double the cost.
Pros
- Compact for portability
- Metal bushings
- Doesn’t require a spring-loaded bit
- Kreg brand and warranty
Cons
- Single row drilling
- Only has six holes and requires constant movement
5. GOINGMAKE Aluminum Shelving Jig
See on Amazon: GOINGMAKE
Top Features
- Aluminum build
- Seven holes
- Indexing pins
- Sits above wood for chip clearance
- 1-1/4 inch hole-to-hole distance
Overview
One of the significant challenges of a plastic jig is the drill requires a chip-clearing bit. This, along with the Kreg jig, makes solutions like this attractive, as you need a simple drill bit with a depth-adjustable collar.
Beyond its no-frills design, this heavy-duty aluminum jig is a simple solution to drill small to large projects quickly
Pros
- Compact for portability
- Metal bushings
- Doesn’t require a spring-loaded bit
- Sits above the work piece
Cons
- Single row drilling
- Only has seven holes and requires constant movement
- Off-brand
How to Drill Shelf Pin Holes
With a jig, there isn’t much to consider other than a classic question: do I drill the holes before assembling the cabinet?
Most woodworkers prefer to drill first and avoid the hassle of drilling holes after assembly.
Steps to Drill Shelf Pins
- Determine the lowest and highest positions of your shelving
- Mark off these locations with blue tape with an arrow indicating up (more later)
- Position the jig on the side piece
- Double check direction of the jig and side piece
- Verify the hole location is set far enough back to clear any shelving “lips.”
- Drill the first set of holes using the appropriate-sized self-centering drill bit
- If additional holes are needed, slide the jig up the side and use the supplied indexing pin to lock the jig in place
Every jig is unique, so you’ll want to follow the instructions.
How Do I Set Shelf Pin Spacing?
The best part of the jigs is it determines the spacing of the shelf pin holes for you.
However, you can customize a few things:
- Bottom and Top Holes: I don’t always start with the lowest possible hole if I know the shelving won’t start at 8″. So, adjust upwards (and down at the top) based on your shelving.
- High Visibility: But for a project with high visibility to the inside of the cabinet, you can skip holes if you have a good feel for where the shelves will go.
- Just One Hole: Of course, you can specifically target holes and drill precisely where you want
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a shelf pin jig?
While most professionals prefer a factory jig for both the precision and ease of use, it’s possible to make your jig by using a strip of aluminum or heavy gauge phenolic; start with a drill press, make your first hole, and then slide the jig forward at a precise spacing (typically 1 to 1.5 inches).
How deep should shelf pins be?
Drilling a test hole is the best way to determine how deep your shelf pins should be. Most are prepared to about 3/8 inches, deep enough for the pin to be inserted into its shoulder. But not deep enough; the hole will go through a 1/2-inch plywood side.
How do you make sure the shelves don't wobble?
First, always orient the shelf pin jig in a consistent direction. Most woodworkers will use a piece of tape or other prominent visual cue to ensure the top is always the top. Then, and this is easy to do, ensure the jig isn’t sitting on top of any wood chips, as this will raise that corner of the shelf.
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Summary
While the best shelf pin jig is different by project, with many options available for under $75, there is a top-quality jig that will reduce manual measurements and errors.
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
Great article. Have you ever heard of a 3/16″ shelf pin jig? The cabinets in my house were custom made and the trim carpenter used 3/16″ shelf pins. I want to add a few holes here and there but I cant see anything other than 1/4″ and 5mm for jigs / self centering drill bits. Would love some insight… Again, thanks for this article!
Hi Scott, appreciate the question. 3/16″ is a rare size in a shelf pin! I have only seen a 7/32″ shelf pin drill bit, and a more common 5mm bit is slightly smaller and closer to that 3/16″.
You have a few options:
1. Your best bet with a standard jig would be with a 5mm bit that is 0.2″ vs. the 0.1875″ of a 3/16″. The hole size will be similar to the eye, and if you can match the pins in 5mm you’ll know where they are as they won’t fit in the 3/16″ holes.
2. Another option if you are drilling a number of holes would be to mark the hole center with a jig and bit, then use a brad point drill bit with a depth collar set to the right depth to finish the hole.
3. Or, you can use the existing holes to mark your hole location centers, measure and use a brad point with a depth collar (skip the jig). Cheapest for just a few holes, just more time in layout.
Best,
Eric
I’m looking for a simple jig to use to add hole to an existing cabinet. Am I able to attach the jig to existing holes to establish correct alignment?
Thank you.
Hi Trudy,
Yes – shelf pin jigs have an “indexing pin” that inserts into the existing holes.
Good luck!
Eric T