Kreg recently announced the new Kreg Edge Loose Tenon Joiner, and I had a chance to spend some hands-on time with it at Woodcraft’s vendor sales conference. While this isn’t a full review, since I only had about 20 minutes with a pre-production unit, I’ve used the Festool Domino for nearly 20 years, so it didn’t take long to get a feel for what Kreg is trying to do here.
The Edge is clearly aimed at the same type of joinery as the Domino. The cutter rotates and oscillates to create a mortise, and it uses loose tenons to create strong, hidden joinery. It will be available as a cordless 20V tool, with 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm cutter and tenon compatibility. Kreg is listing the Edge at $499 for the kit and $449 for the bare tool, which puts it in a completely different price category than the Domino.
So is it a Domino killer? No, and I don’t think Kreg is trying to make it one. If you already own a Domino, I don’t see this as a reason to sell it or switch platforms. But for the woodworker who has always wanted fast loose tenon joinery and couldn’t justify the Domino price tag, this could be a very compelling option.
Kreg did add a few thoughtful changes. The fence is a little wider, which should give users more support. There are dust ejection ports underneath, allowing the tool to be used without dust collection, something Kreg knows many of their customers may appreciate. The micro-adjustable fence height is probably my favorite feature, because that’s something I’ve wished my Domino had for years. The Edge also includes onboard wrench storage, a stability base, and a narrow stock guide with a center-finding feature.
In use, the plunge felt smooth, but slower than my corded Domino. That makes sense given that the Edge is cordless and runs at a lower RPM. The tenon fit was acceptable, though a little looser than I typically get with my Domino. But the testing setup wasn’t ideal, the bench was too high, and with a tool like this, body position and technique matter a lot. I’ll reserve final judgment until I can test one properly in my own shop.
My early conclusion is that Kreg seems to have accomplished its goal. This probably won’t change the game for current Domino owners, but it could open the door for a lot more woodworkers to use fast, all-wood loose tenon joinery at a much lower price.
Learn more about the Kreg Edge here!
Check out the latest episode of Wood Talk where we discuss the Kreg Edge further.
The post The Kreg Edge is not a Domino Killer, and that’s the point! appeared first on The Wood Whisperer.
from The Wood Whisperer https://ift.tt/Im80Ytl
via IFTTT
