Forced to choose between pocket screws and dowels on a big kitchen job last week

I had to do 30 cabinet doors for a high end kitchen in Portland and picked pocket screws because they were faster. Ended up with three doors where the screws split the miter joints and had to redo them. Would dowels have been more forgiving or was I just rushing the setup?

2 comments

2 Comments

victorbutler17d ago

Did you test your drill speed and screw depth on scrap first? @angelas78 is right that setup matters a lot but I'd also say dowels can be a little more forgiving if your alignment is slightly off. Pocket screws are fine for production but you gotta dial in that clutch setting or you'll keep splitting miters.

angelas7817d ago

Pocket screws need a perfect setup to avoid splitting, rushing just makes it worse.