I think everyone's wrong about using pocket screws for face frames

I built cabinets for 12 years and never once used pocket screws on a face frame. There, I said it. I saw a buddy's kitchen job from 2018 where every joint started splitting after two winters, and that sealed it for me. Biscuits and glue take longer but that stuff holds rock solid in my experience. Anyone else skip the pocket hole jig and stick with traditional joinery?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor1220d ago

Respectfully disagree man, pocket screws done right hold up fine for me.

phoenix_grant3419d ago

@tylerpark is right, it's not that serious - just glue and clamp the thing.

tylerpark19d ago

You ever actually watch what happens to those joints five years down the road in a real humid kitchen? I've pulled apart enough of these jobs to know that pocket screws on face frames loosen up way faster than anyone wants to admit, especially when the wood moves with the seasons. That splitting you mentioned, I see it a lot around the end grain where the screw bites in. Biscuits and glue do take more time, but in my experience you save that time later not having to go back and fix things. Your mileage may vary, but I've had way fewer callbacks with traditional joinery.