****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I've only had the jig for about four days but I've already gotten plenty of use out of it. Yes, there are some things that could be improved but, as a starter tool, it works for me. As others have mentioned, the buckles pre-installed don't seem to match any of the buckles I've bought but that's really not an issue. I can either swap out the pre-supplied buckles for my own or I can do as I have been doing, using the posts, which came with spare buckle holders, to use the type of buckle I'm using. The picture doesn't show the end posts that came installed on the jig that arrived and the directions made no mention of the change so it took me a while to figure out what it was for. I assumed the spare buckle holders were simply spares. Then it dawned on me that it was a means to quickly swap out a different buckle set-up. No screwdriver required. Just snap an end of the type of buckle you want to use into the plastic holders, slip them over the hooks, and you're ready to go. With the jig, it seems to take me longer measuring out a length of cord, fusing the ends, and threading them through the buckles than it does to weave a bracelet. I find I have no difficulty getting consistent tension on my knots but, then again, I taught myself how to knit so I'm used to such things.This gets the job done but it could have been made a little better. I have to put a small wood clamp on it after I get it adjusted to the size I want because the large screw that is supposed to keep the jig tight after adjusting it to the length of bracelet you want to make, becomes loose and the jig starts to slide shorter. I also had to change out the large size bracelet clip for a different sized bracelet clip but that was very easy to do. At least there is another hole that I can use for 3 clips at a time though I will have to find my own way of securing the clips since an extra piece of plastic was not included.I've made about 30+ paracord bracelets so far and having the jig makes weaving the patterns a lot easier than doing it free hand. It's a great idea and works well but after a little tweaking.I read the reviews on this item and other similar jigs. I took a chance on what seemed from the reviews to be a jig made from soft pine wood that had problems holding the setting and the wood compressing because it was so soft.Not so! The construction of this jig is made from hard wood, and if there is any wood compression or issues, then I would look to the user - not the jig. I did change the buckles that came with the jig because they didn't match the buckles that I have, but that is a no-brainer anyway. it was nice to get it with sample buckles to see how to install the replacements. I also added another set of metal 5/8 inch buckles that I use, and now have three different types.Working with this jig is simple and makes duplication and repeat-ability of bracelets easy. I have marked often used sizes on the wood with a pen and can duplicate these sizes by just sliding to my marks on the wood.I waited until I had the jig for a couple weeks and made about a dozen bracelets to make sure that I tested it thoroughly. I really like working with it and recommend it. If you want an inexpensive jig, that you can use to make repeatable size bracelets, then you will like this.I was going to make my own Jig for making bracelets but then saw how cheap this one was with prime shipping and figured, what's the point. For the price of materials, my time in building it, and the effort to buy all the parts of a DIY rig, I could have this one delivered to my door in 2 days for about the same cost and much less effort.For a beginner Jig you cant go wrong with this. It is easy to use, can be adapted to any buckles you may use, and is fairly tough for its size. My only major problem with it is that It doesn't fit well on my work bench and I haven't figured out a way to clamp it down sturdy in a way that is comfortable to use. I suppose most people would find it comfortable to use on their lap clamped between their legs but that doesn't work for me because It forces me to hold my head down constantly.If you can figure out a comfortable way to set it up in your home or workshop then its hard to argue with the value of this item, particularly when available for Prime shipping.I bought this jig for my 9 year old daughter for her 9th birthday. She loves creating with loom bands, and I thought she might like to expand her bracelet-making skills. For my 9 year old this works pretty well, and I've used it and like it as well. It holds everything firmly in place as you are making your bracelet. It's easy to adjust, and you can secure it easily using the wing nut on the bottom. It appease to be built well, and doesn't seam weak or wobbly. The only problem we have had with it is the buckles that came with all of our paracord, do not quite fit the buckles on this jig. That's not really a problem, because we can easily unscrew these buckles, and put a set of our buckles on there so that everything holds more firmly. I worry that if I do that though, will the screw go back into place and stay securely? We shall find out. She has had this for a couple weeks now and has been using it without problem. I would recommend this for somebody who wants to start making paracord bracelets.I bought this for my daughter, as she's started getting into making paracord bracelets. There are two "fixed" buckles at each end, one for a 3/8" buckle, and the other for a 1/2" buckle. Plus, what I didn't realize when I placed the order is that there is a hook at each end between the 3/8" and 1/2" buckles with a white buckle clip on the hook (I have no idea if that's the technical term, but you can see in the pictures, there are black buckles and white buckle clips holding the black buckles to the jig). This is so you can add buckles of other sizes to the jig without having to take anything apart. This was a great added feature because I'd purchased 5/8" buckles for my daughter to use.With this jig, you can easily make bracelets from 6" - 12". My daughter can make a bracelet in just a few minutes now that she's using the jig. She's been making them for all of her friends in the neighborhood. I'm going to go broke buying all that paracord! It's easy to use, and it works well.
