Was dead set against using pocket screws until I tried them on that cabinet face frame

I always thought pocket screws were cheating and just used regular joinery for everything. But after fighting with loose tenons on a 6 door kitchen project in my garage last month, I borrowed my buddy's jig and gave it a shot. That face frame came together in 20 minutes flat, no gaps, and it's been solid ever since. Anyone else cave on a tool or method they swore they'd never use?

3 comments

3 Comments

sandragrant4d ago

Loose tenons are just as much "cheating" as pocket screws if you really think about it. You're still relying on a machine to cut perfect slots and hoping your glue holds. At least with pocket screws you get instant clamping pressure and you can actually take things apart later if you mess up. That kitchen project of yours with the 6 doors would've been way easier if you just drilled some holes and cranked them tight instead of wrestling with glue squeeze out and tenons. My neighbor built a whole set of built-ins with pocket screws five years ago and not one joint has budged, meanwhile I've had loose tenon joints fail because the wood moved overnight.

mason.drew4d ago

Actually loose tenons and pocket screws work pretty differently. Pocket screws pull things tight from an angle while loose tenons rely on glue surface, so they're not really interchangeable methods.

lilyt233d ago

Oh man, yeah, I was totally that person too. I swore pocket screws were just for people who didn't know how to cut a proper mortise and tenon. But then I had this project where I was face framing a bunch of cabinets in a really tight alcove, and I couldn't get clamps in there to save my life. Borrowed a Kreg jig from my brother and honestly, I've used it on every cabinet job since. I keep a little cup of the screws next to my drill station now. The real trick I learned is to use the glue AND the screws, that way you get the clamping action but also the structural bond. Just make sure you set the depth gauge right, I stripped out a few joints at first because I had the screw going in too far.