Saw a guy in Boise using pocket screws for a whole face frame

Everyone at the shop said it was a hack job, but his joints were still tight after a year in a dry climate. Made me rethink my rule about only using mortise and tenon for anything visible. Anyone else seen a 'wrong' method hold up surprisingly well?

3 comments

3 Comments

roseb472mo ago

Yeah, the "tight after a year" part is what matters. If the climate's stable and the wood is dry, pocket screws can hold just fine for a lot of stuff. I've seen plenty of "wrong" methods outlast the "right" ones because the basics were done right.

jason5622mo ago

My dad's 20 year old deck uses them. Still solid.

barbararamirez16d ago

Totally agree. Had a build where the customer insisted on pocket screws for a cabinet face frame in a dry, climate-controlled house. That was five years ago, still looks perfect. The real trick is getting the screw angle right and not overtightening. Crack the wood or strip the hole and it doesn't matter what method you used. Also predrilling for the screw tip in hardwoods is key, saves a ton of headaches.