The debate on pocket hole joinery versus traditional mortise and tenon

I just finished two identical oak cabinets, one with pocket holes and the other with mortise and tenon joints. The pocket hole build took me about 4 hours, while the traditional joinery took nearly 2 full days. The strength seems similar for now, but my old boss always said 'the glue does the work, the joint just holds it in place.' Which method do you think holds up better over 20 years in a humid garage?

4 comments

4 Comments

king.eric2mo ago

Honestly, your old boss was mostly right about glue, but wood movement in humidity will test pocket holes way more.

marydavis2mo ago

Tbh it's like that with so many stuff people build to last. They forget the world isn't a controlled room, it's always changing. You see it with decks swelling in summer or even cheap furniture cracking in dry winter air. Makes you wonder how many shortcuts are just waiting for the right season to fail.

sanchez.mary12d ago

Ha! You're making me look at my own Ikea furniture sideways right now. I'm half expecting a bookshelf to just give up one humid August afternoon.

ryanm602mo ago

Spot on about wood movement being the real test. I'd just add that a proper mortise and tenon actually allows for a tiny bit of movement within the joint itself, while pocket screws lock everything in one place. That internal stress from swelling wood is what can eventually pop a pocket screw joint loose over many seasons.