For those people who are into woodworking, and want to save some money and don’t want to call a professional for shelving, a shelf pin jig is what you can use to do it on your own. So, as it can be slightly complicated for you to find the best shelf pin jig, we have already picked up some of the best options to save your time. However, before you pick any shelf pin jig from our list, make sure to check for a few things like:
- Hole Spacing: Shelf pin jigs are well-designed templates used to make holes at exactly the same spacing between them. As you go through various jig options, you will find that some templates come with 25.4 mm spacing, while others provide you with 32 mm hole spacing. So, you can pick whichever jig suits your requirements.
- Hole Size: The next thing that you should consider checking on a shelf pin jig is the hole size. The standard hole size that you will find on most of the shelf jig options is 1/4 inches. Thus, it should not be a hard decision for anyone to make.
- Size: In case you are a professional woodworker, you should go with a jig that offers you more holes. Otherwise, if you want to have a jig for casual use, you can even go with the compact ones as they are easy to store and handle.
These are some of the factors that any customer can consider checking before picking the best shelf pin jig for themselves. Apart from that, we have also included a Buying Guide where everything about shelf pin jigs is explained briefly, so you can also take help from it if needed.
Best Shelf Pin Jig 2024:List
| Best Shelf Pin Jig | Hole Spacing | Hole Size | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KREG Shelf Pin Jig | 32 mm | 1/4 inches | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| Milescraft Shelf Pin Jig | 32 mm | 1/4 inches | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| Peachtree Woodworking Supply Shelf Pin Jig | 32 mm | 1/4 inches | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| Woodhaven Shelf Pin Jig | 25.4 mm | 1/4 inches | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| Wooddriver Shelf Pin Jig | 25.4 mm | 1/4 inches | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| Fockety Shelf Pin Jig | 32 mm | 1/4 inches | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
Best Shelf Pin Jig Reviews
1. KREG Shelf Pin Jig
If you ask the professionals out there, they will definitely recommend you KREG as it has a brilliant reputation in the market and is well-known for offering high-end woodworking tools.
Looking at this shelf pin jig, it’s almost 6mm long, which is quite compact, hence, easy to store and handle. However, it also comes with an attachment that allows you to join two similar templates for larger projects.
Along with the template, the package includes a shelf-pin jig, 1/4-inch drill bit, stop collar, and sample pack of 1/4-inch shelf pins.
Best Features:
- Hole size is 1/4 inches
- Hole spacing is 32 mm
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
Pros:
- Compact structure
- Innovative design
- Solid build quality
Cons:
- Size might seem small to some people
2. Milescraft Shelf Pin Jig
Next up, if you are looking for an affordable shelf pin jig out there, Milescraft is quite a good brand to consider as it’s pretty famous for offering budget-friendly tools.
The design of the template is pretty simple, and long enough, so it’ll be a viable choice to use in larger projects. There are two rows of 11 holes provided on this template with a spacing of 32mm while each hole has a diameter of 1/4 inches.
If you are concerned about the offset distance, you can make holes at a distance of 37mm and 64mm using this jig. Hence, it can be used for all standard applications and works with all euro-style hinges. Along with that, a high-end drill bit is also provided in the package which you can use with this jig.
Best Features:
- Hole size is 1/4 inches
- Hole spacing is 32 mm
- Provides 11 regularly-spaced holes in one row
- Offset distance is 37 mm, and 64 mm
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
Pros:
- Offers dual offsets
- Budget-friendly
- Package includes an additional drill bit
Cons:
- Build quality is quite average
3. Peachtree Woodworking Supply Shelf Pin Jig
In case you are a professional woodworker and want a high-end shelf pin jig for your workspace, EZ Align offers one of the best high-end jigs in the market for professionals.
The design of this shelf pin jig is quite unique as compared to other options as you can freely move the template and make holes at your convenience. Moreover, it even offers 37mm and 50mm offset choices so you can freely work on any size of cabinets or shelves.
One of the best parts about this jig is that it is transparent so you can clearly see through it. In fact, since there are 13 holes of 1/4 inches diameter in one row, you can finish the job quickly without making many adjustments. Apart from that, there are 2 drill bits included in the package, and it also comes with a 1 year long warranty.
Best Features:
- Hole size is 1/4 inches
- Hole spacing is 32 mm
- Provides 13 regularly-spaced holes in each row
- Offset distance is 37mm and 50mm
- Comes with a 1 year long warranty
Pros:
- Highly versatile
- Highly accurate
- Easy to use
Cons:
- A little costly
4. Woodhaven Shelf Pin Jig
If you like doing DIY projects, Woodhaven offers one of the best shelf jigs in the market which is super easy to use and does not make things complicated for new users.
The Woodhaven 781 Shelf Pin Jig is one of the simplest-looking shelf pin jigs that you will find in the entire market. Since it has an array of 15 holes, you can even use it for drilling holes in larger cabinets and shelves.
Although markings are not provided on the jig, it offers a 37mm offset from one side and a 50mm offset from the other side. Meanwhile, the spacing between two consecutive holes is 25.4 mm or 1 inch which is good enough. In fact, the size of each hole is 1/4 inches, so you won’t find any difficulty using any kind of hinges.
Best Features:
- Hole size is 1/4 inches
- Hole spacing is 32 mm
- Provides 15 regularly-spaced holes
- Offset distance is 37mm and 50 mm
- Comes with a 1 year long warranty
Pros:
- Simple design
- Value for money
- Decent build quality
Cons:
- No markings are provided on the jig
5. Wooddriver Shelf Pin Jig
For casual household jobs, you can consider buying a new shelf pin jig from Wooddriver as it offers a wide range of tools that are both budget-friendly and user-friendly.
Speaking of this shelf pin jig here, it comes with an array of 15 holes, where all the holes are spaced by a distance of 25.4 mm and have a diameter of 1/4 inches. However, since there are two rows given on the template, the offset distance for the rows is 37mm and 64 mm respectively.
Talking about its design and build quality, the template is transparent and comes with pretty clean markings mentioned as well. Moreover, the quality of the template is very satisfactory and feels very sturdy in hand.
Best Features:
- Hole size is 1/4 inches
- Hole spacing is 32 mm
- Provides 15 regularly-spaced holes
- Offset distance is 37mm and 64mm
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
Pros:
- Transparent
- Ideal for beginners
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Does not offer 50 mm offset
6. Fockety Shelf Pin Jig
Lastly, we have the Shelf Pin Drilling Jig which is offered by Fockety, one of the most renowned and well-known brands out there that you can go with.
Starting with the design, the template comes with a transparent finish, so it’s easier for beginner users to work using this jig. In fact, the size of the template is quite decent as it offers about 11 holes of 1/4 inch diameter.
And, since there are two rows of holes available on this jig, one offers an offset distance of standard 37mm while the other one offers 64mm offset distance. The jig is designed to be highly practical, and it even comes with a high-end 1/4 inches drill bit as well.
Best Features:
- Hole size is 1/4 inches
- Hole spacing is 32 mm
- Provides 11 regularly-spaced holes
- Offset distance is 37mm and 64mm
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly
- Lightweight
- Package includes a 1/4 inches drill bit
Cons:
- Not meant for 50mm offset
Buying Guide for the Best Shelf Pin Jig
If you are in the market looking for a new shelf pin jig for your next woodworking project, there are high chances that you will find it hard to pick one as there are so many options to choose from.
One of the biggest challenges most people face is that they struggle to pick the best one because they don’t know what factors to consider or check. To help you with that, we have come up with this buying guide which you should definitely consider reading if you are buying a shelf pin jig for the first time.
1. Size of the Template
First of all, when you begin your search for the right shelf pin jig, you must understand that they come in a variety of sizes. Some templates might have more holes as compared to other ones. Thus, if you are a professional woodworker who frequently needs to work on bigger projects, you can save your working time by picking a larger shelf pin jig. On the other hand, if you want a jig for a DIY project, a smaller one will be easier to handle for you, also it will come for a cheaper price as well.
2. Hole Size
Drilling holes of the same size which are evenly spaced is quite a difficult job, even for professionals. However, using a shelf pin jig allows you to finish the job perfectly. The standard hole size that you will be able to make using a jig is 1/4 inches in diameter which is universally accepted. So, in almost all the jig options, you will find hole sizes of 1/4 inches mainly. However, if you wish to make larger holes, you might have to look for a specific shelf pin jig in the market.
3. Hole Spacing
As you might already know, each shelf pin jig template is designed to help woodworkers to make holes with proper spacing. However, the spacing between the holes is not the same usually in all the templates when you start comparing the options. While some templates come with 32 mm hole spacing, which is the standard size. But, in some projects, you would require making holes with smaller spacing. That said, shelf pin jigs with 25.4 mm or 1-inch hole spacing are also available in the market which you can consider buying.
4. Offset Distance
One of the most important things that you should definitely consider checking while buying a new shelf pin jig is the offset distance. The offset distance on the template helps you determine the distance between the edge of the shelf and the hole. On smaller cabinets or shelves, the jigs offering 37mm offset distance will do a great job. However, on larger shelves and cabinets, a jig offering about 50mm offset distance will be much more ideal.
5. Warranty
Other than the technicalities and specifications, the warranty of the product is quite important to check as well. If you choose to go with brands that have a nice reputation in the market, you will definitely get a good quality product that will last for a long time. On top of that, since we have only picked shelf pin jigs from the best brands in the market, almost all of the options come with a 1-year warranty.
Shelf Pin Jig-FAQs
Ans:- To make a jig for shelf pins, follow these steps:
*Measure and mark the desired shelf pin locations on the jig.
*Drill holes at the marked points using a drill press or hand drill.
*Ensure holes are straight and evenly spaced for precise shelf placement.
*Attach the jig to your workpiece and use it as a guide for drilling shelf pin holes.
Ans:- The weight that shelf pins can hold depends on various factors, including the type of material used, the thickness of the shelf, and the design of the shelf pins. On average, well-installed shelf pins can typically support between 25 to 50 pounds per linear foot.
Ans:- For standard shelf pins, a 1/4-inch (6.35mm) drill bit is commonly used.
Ans:- To determine the right size shelf pins:
*Measure existing holes or cabinet openings.
*Check manufacturer’s recommendations.
*Consider shelf thickness.
*Review shelf pin specifications.
*Consult woodworking plans if available.
Conclusion
Shelf pin jigs do make a woodworker’s life easier to a huge extent and save a lot of time for everyone. However, the only thing that consumes time is choosing the right jig from the market, which we have already corrected for you by providing you with a list of the best shelf pin jigs already. Thus, you can simply compare the jigs and pick the one that suits the best according to your needs. And, if you are not able to find one, the buying guide will definitely make things easier for you a little bit. Otherwise, you can also consider buying one from our personal recommendations as well:
In our opinion, the KREG Shelf Pin Jig is the best option if you are looking for something reliable and compact. It offers a hole spacing of 32 mm and can be easily converted into a larger template by using a similar jig. Moreover, it has a brilliant build quality and comes with a 1 year warranty as well.
On the other hand, Milescraft Shelf Pin Jig- Shelf Pin Drilling Jig should be your pick in case you are looking for a budget-friendly option. On this jig, two rows of 11 holes are provided with an offset distance of 37mm and 64mm which makes it highly versatile. On top, it also comes covered under a 1-year warranty policy which is quite amazing.
Last but not the least, the Fockety Shelf Pin Jig is quite a good pick if you want a high-grade jig without spending much. The jig comes along with a 1/4 inches drill bit and has two rows of 11 holes with 37mm and 64mm offsets. In fact, the template is transparent which offers a huge advantage to the user. In addition, the 1 year warranty is also provided by the manufacturer.
