Six years ago I used pocket screws for everything, now I only use them in certain spots

Back in 2018 I was building a big kitchen in Denver and used pocket screws on every face frame joint. Thought I was being smart and fast. Last month I did a similar job but used dowels and glue on the face frames instead, kept the pocket screws for the hidden stuff like toe kicks and back panels. The difference in joint strength and alignment was night and day. Took me maybe 20% longer but zero callbacks. What changed for you guys on a specific joint or technique and why did you switch?

2 comments

2 Comments

sanchez.blake27d ago

Man, I feel you on that one. I went through almost the EXACT same thing about four years ago when I switched from pocket screws to dominoes for cabinet face frames. The pocket screws always seemed fine until I had a few joints shift on me during a humid summer, nothing catastrophic but enough to make me rethink everything. Now I use the pocket screws for temporary alignment and then go back with glue and dowels, it's a little slower but I sleep better knowing those miters won't open up.

victorbutler27d ago

Wait, you went from pocket screws straight to Dominos? I gotta be honest, that sounds like a hell of a jump. I mean, I get pocket screws have their limits, but jumping into a $1,000 tool for face frames seems pretty wild. Did you try anything in between first, like just a better jig or using glue with the screws?