Hot take: I think pocket hole joinery is getting overused on visible furniture

Last week in my Denver shop, I built a simple pine bookshelf and used dowels for the shelves, which took me about 2 hours longer than pocket screws would have. My apprentice said I was being stubborn and that the Kreg jig is faster and strong enough for most jobs. Where do you all stand on using pocket holes for stuff people will actually see?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_drew3mo ago

That 2 hour difference is real. What's the longest you've seen pocket holes hold up on a daily use piece?

martin.riley3mo ago

My kid's pine toy box from 2015 is still solid, and that thing gets climbed on daily. I used pocket screws and glue. The finish is wrecked, but the joints haven't budged. I built a simple console table for the entryway around the same time, and it's holding books and keys without a wobble. They get a bad rap, but with the right glue and not pushing the weight limit, they last.

leehall3mo ago

Built a set of kitchen cabinets for a rental unit back in 2010. They've survived three different families and their kids, still hanging in there.

carter.joseph1mo ago

Honestly, how many of these things are actually gonna survive a full decade of real life abuse? Tbh, that 2010 rental unit story is wild. Three families and kids means those cabinets saw everything from slammed doors to juice drips and probably a few hot pans set on the counter. I bet the screws are still holding tight, even if the laminate or paint is shot. Ngl, that's the test that really matters.