Personally, I think pocket screws are great for specific tasks. I never use them as a primary joinery system but there have been numerous times when they solved a specific problem for me. But I know many folks who have used pocket screws on an entire project and with great success. To each his/her own, of course.
A funny observation about pocket screws is that many folks see it as an all or none situation. Either you love pocket screws or you abhor them. Is there no room for a middle ground? They are just screws, right? And even folks who prefer wooden joinery can still find a need for a mechanical fastener now and then. So I am of the opinion that a full shop setup isn’t complete without at least some version of a pocket screw jig. Someday it just may save your butt!
This poll was created by Tom Iovino of TomsWorkbench.com.
So I am pretty sure that this comment will generate a lot of hate responses from the Festool Fan Club, but the latest issue of FWW, put joints to the test…and “pocket joinery” beat out Festool Domino for strength of joint by almost 25%. I don’t use them for everything, as I prefer mortise and tenon or dovetails, but I use them often for face frames and other 90 degree assembly and the are quick, easy and hold very well.
Has it been 4 years already? Time for another joint test I guess. :)
I’m a newbie… Started about 7 years ago but had to give it up until recently. The first thing I did was a large workbench. I didn’t know any “real” joinery so I used pocket screws. The table came out great. Square. Level. Solid as a rock. After two moves it is still all those things. Someday I’ll pretty it up. When I do I’ll simply insert some flush cut dowels (and drawers and a big old maple top. I certainly wouldn’t use them in a piece of fine furniture but I won’t hesitate to use them in any sort of practical type projects. And really, any number of renowned builders put contrasting dowel plugs in their furniture… they didn’t do anything but look nice. Why can’t pocket screws do serve the same purpose, except also hold things together?
I have made several project with this method and it is great for weekend projects or almost any project. It does take a little more time to design a project to hide all the screws but it is a time saver. I made a blanket chest for my daughter and when I lined the chest with cedar it hid all the screws . She thinks it is wonderful (That is what counts)
I use pocket screws on face frames for cabinets and one on the underside of a table top. As others have said said great solution in the right situation.
Nice and easy when building face frames. I built over 60 ft. of cabinet face frames in a fraction of the time it takes to do “simple” joinery. Also have built some boxes and such, but I’ll only use them if they can be hidden. A wood working purist that I know laughs at me, but when he sees my work he can’t see the screws and he until I tell him I used pocket screws he doesn’t find any faults…I’ll convert him eventually.
Good for some applications like when I recently built some sliding shelves for my new kitchen cabinets that would have cost a great deal more and ended up being the cost of the slides using scrap wood.
In addition for those wanting to make there own plugs that match the current wood you are using there is a nice video on the Kregg site that one of the members posted. If you cannot find the video let me know.
And Marc congrats on your new son.
Pocket screws definitely have their place. I used to dowel my face frames together – what a pain. They are great for attaching face frames to the cabinet box instead of finish nails or screwing and plugging. Great for pre-assembling finish trim before applying it. I use them extensively for these more commercial applications where the client wouldn’t want to pay for fine (unnecessary) joinery.
For furniture or where strength in all directions is a must I almost always use traditional joinery techniques. It’s just another tool in the tool chest.
I’ve experimented using a pocket jig to build some outdoor furniture out of cedar. Worked great for what I needed. Used a little glue to help secure the joints. Overall, I’m happy with the product.
It’s interesting that no one has mentioned the fact that they can take the place of clamps when gluing up a project. Sometimes you just don’t want to bother with parallel clamps or you don’t have enough clamps so using pocket screws is a quick way to draw everything nice and tight while the glue dries.
I for one, have used this joinery in many applications, it always seems to work..
Just wish the hole wasn’t so raggedity, too bad they don’t make a forstner-bit that would fit the guide-bushing..
WWRD – What Would Roy (Underhill) Do?
Seriousl, I would rather use a buscuit or dowel joint – harder to get right – but IMHO it gives a stronger joint.
I never used pocket screws, but i do use screws ;c) , and it works great so until now I can’t really justify the cost of the jig+special bit kit.
I actually just finished my first piece of furniture. Having never joined wood before, I was fairly intimidated. The pocket holes really seemed to make sense to me. I couldn’t believe how tightly they pulled the boards together. The surface of the desk couldn’t look nicer for a first-timer and my family couldn’t be more impressed. I joined 6 5/4 select pine boards for an easy first try. I would def tell anybody to give it a try.
This Poll ties in with the Poll about Scott Phillips and the American Wood Shop. He uses pocket screws on just about every project. He is the reason pocket screws get a bad rap. If you have to fill the pocket screw holes with those pre-made plugs, you shouldn’t be using a pocket screw joint. They should never be seen, IMO.
I am in love with pocket hole joinery for face frames and awesome cabinetry. Also in situations where I may not want to use clamps while waiting for my glue to dry. The pocket hole joinery allows me to glue it, screw it, and move on to the next task fast, no waiting. But when it comes to my finer furniture builds, if it’s a hidden non stressed joint my pocket holes are great but if it’s noticeable, and needs lots of strength I go back to the old reliable standy bys of joinery, especially mortise and tenons.
I used this system for my kitchen cabinets I built. I can see thou if you have a project that has large timber sizes and maybe the project might be something that twist or moves during it’s use, this could not be the best method. But I love to use it in most every project I do.
Pocket screws have been sold as the solution to all woodworking problems – but I find they’re actually slower and more of a PITA then just doing some basic joinery. I think they tend to be better at “carpentry” type jobs – simple built-ins and etc. then any real hardcore woodworking tasks.
It depends on the application but I like them. Use them quite often. It all depends on what you are doing.
I think they are for case work, but that’s about the extent I have used them. Pretty ugly hole to leave exposed, but they do a great job in certain applications.
There’s a 5000-year-old boat next to the Great Pyramid at Giza. It is held together with knotted ropes and joints that look a lot like pocket screws (the fasteners are wooden dowels driven in at an angle).
I consider the pocket screw joint to be a superb way to join two pieces of wood. Its only disadvantage, as I see it, is that it’s visible on one side of the joint. But then so is a through dovetail.
I’ve found that its an perfect technique for assembling “portable” furniture for kids rooms (dorms and at home). It leaves a very strong joint, and allows me to easily break it down for transport – when not used with glue.
I hated the idea of using pocket screws, until one day when I tried multiple joints that failed each time. So I gave in and gave the pocket screws a try and was amazed to find that they worked perfectly. They were simple to cut, strong, and they just worked. I’ve only used them two other times in the past 5 years since that original test but they are always considered during my design phase. I’m converted, and proud to say so.
I’m a hobbyist, so I do things the the way that will bring me the most pleasure. Pocket screws aren’t fun, for me. Still, I’d use them on that I wanted to get done fast, so I could move on to something that I wanted to take my time with.
They are the work of Satan. Evil, evil joinery method. Go down to Hell, and you’ll see Lucifer using pocket hole jigs, pine, and Harbor Freight tools. And drinking Budweiser.
Satan also sands in an enclosed room with no ventilation and low light and stains the pine with Walnut Minwax
The two benches I made. Published on this site, under Outdoor Projects, then Doug’s Backyard Projects, are almost entirely pocket joint assembly. I would agree with most of the sentiment so far. Quick, kinda strong, and easy, for the right projects very usefull.
Like everything they have a place in woodworking . It’s a great quick way to assemble shop cabinets thats for sure .
Pocket holes are fine for cabinetry applications such as face frame and plywood boxes. Like everything else, pocket holes are not good for all applications. I would not use them in heirloom class fine furniture.
Ah pocket screws – counter-sunks odd but still cool cousin. My use of pocket screws has evolved as my knowledge of woodworking has. I used these often early on before my shop and ability were capable of producing good wooden joinery. As my shop and I have evolved, the use of pocket screws has decreased. I do still use them on the back or under my pieces for non load bearing joints, while effective, I do still hate plugging the pocket screw holes! I would say I’m in the middle ground, but may continue to use them less as my ability continues to improve.
I only use this kind of joint on face frames for cabinets but other than that, I’d use a higher strength joint.