I've been thinking of buying one also. I watched the infomercial and was impressed. I have a couple of questions though . . .'
1st . . . the holes look pretty ugly . . . but, I guess it's a matter of strategically hiding them.
2nd . . and this is my bigger question. I always read that joints in wood furniture should be made so that the matching pieces of wood can contract and expand during the seasons. Thus, you are supposed to avoid fixed metal fasteners. Am I wrong about this? Or, maybe the idea of wood joints is only for the fine furniture kind of people?
3rd . . regardless of my first two questions . . I'm ready to buy a Kreg. What and where is the best deal?
Typically, the holes are hidden on the back of the face frame, or somewhere that they won't be seen. However, there are hardwood plugs made specifically for pocket holes. They'll need to be trimed flush to the surface, but that's easy enough.
As far as wood expansion- if you're doing a face frame with hardwood, there's not that much movement in your typical 1-1/2" rail. But in classic construction, if you use a steb tennon for a door for instance, the rail is glued into the stile. That also doesn't allow for movement. So if you use a butt glued and pocket hole joint- or just the pocket holes with no glue at all- you're really not restricting movement more than a glued steb tennon and groove joint. But really, movement if more of an issue with large panels, like door and tabletops. In those cases, you can use metal fasteners, but not too many, and not in the wrong locations.
And on the last item- I haven't shopped around, but I'd reccomend buying what your budget allows. I got the R3 Rocket jig first. It was inexpensive but very useful. I had no issues with it at all. However, I trade that for the K3 MAster system when I saw the K3 on sale at Lowes for only $20 or so more than I sold my R3 and a couple of homemade clamps for. I'd say if you're going to do large panels, or just a large number of projects, go with the K3. You have the benchtop setup, AND the mobile block.
P.S- Pocket holes work well for drawers too. I used them for my built-in dresser, and I've had no issues at all.