Pocket holes

[Mark Rainey]

My wife got a chest of drawers from her grandmother 30 years ago. I assume it is at least 60 years old, and when it was given to my wife it was referred to as "rock maple". I was recently moving the chest and examined the construction. I was surprised to see the drawer blades ( dividers ) were joined to the case with pocket screws. The chest has been moved from house to house at least 10 times, and dropped by my buddy and myself at least once. It is in good shape and good working order. Impressive. Shortly afterwards I picked up a Kreg Pocket Hole jig to work on a project with my daughter.

rock maple.jpgpocket hole.jpg

[Jim Becker]

That's not an unusual technique for hidden fasteners in older furniture. The pockets were cut with a flat bottomed drill bit rather than the handy commercial jigs that we have these days early on. Theoretically, one could even chisel it out...

[johnny means]

Pocket screws were an important feature of the Arts and Crafts movement. Delivering quality furniture to the common man required the use of quick (inexpensive) techniques that didn't overly compromise build quality.

[Richard Coers]

Pocket screws were an important feature of the Arts and Crafts movement. Delivering quality furniture to the common man required the use of quick (inexpensive) techniques that didn't overly compromise build quality.

I've only seen hand chiseled triangular pockets in table aprons to hold on the top and allow movement. Where else were they featured on Arts and Crafts furniture? I've studied furniture for decades, never seen it separated out as Arts and Crafts style.

[Warren Wilson]

Is it my eyesight, or is there some squeeze-out apparent in the closeup photo?

[lowell holmes]

Here is one source for pocket screws.
https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=pocket+screws

[glenn bradley]

I find pocket hole screws to be a great problem solver. The Kreg mini gets used more than any other in my shop but, I do not use them as a primary joinery method normally. I have made a couple of sets of pocket-holed drawer boxes for shop fixtures for myself and others. They have held up well over the years of regular shop-type use.

When space is tight, here's another version.

Media Cabinet (140).jpg

Forstner bit holes. My design on paper was after a delicate, arched lower rail. It was probably fine but, I felt better adding this hidden reinforcement after the fact. See? Problem solver .

[Mark Rainey]

Is it my eyesight, or is there some squeeze-out apparent in the closeup photo?

I agree Warren, it looks like the drawer blade was glued in addition to the pocket hole.

[Mark Rainey]

Interesting Glenn, I see the pocket hole screws in a hole make by a Forstner bit. Can you describe your method in more detail for me? Thanks!

I find pocket hole screws to be a great problem solver. The Kreg mini gets used more than any other in my shop but, I do not use them as a primary joinery method normally. I have made a couple of sets of pocket-holed drawer boxes for shop fixtures for myself and others. They have held up well over the years of regular shop-type use.

When space is tight, here's another version.

Media Cabinet (140).jpg

Forstner bit holes. My design on paper was after a delicate, arched lower rail. It was probably fine but, I felt better adding this hidden reinforcement after the fact. See? Problem solver .

[Jim Becker]

Interesting Glenn, I see the pocket hole screws in a hole make by a Forstner bit. Can you describe your method in more detail for me? Thanks!

Jig to hold the workpiece at an angle in the DP and then drill. Very common method prior to the handy jigs we have today. Clean looking too.

[glenn bradley]

Interesting Glenn, I see the pocket hole screws in a hole make by a Forstner bit. Can you describe your method in more detail for me? Thanks!

In this case I just drilled 3/4" Forstner bit holes 7/16" deep in 7/8" material. Drill a starter hole for the screw using the edge of the hole as a guide.

Forstner Pocket Hole-1.JPG

Plan for hole position and screw length like any pocket hole.

Forstner Pocket Hole-3.JPGForstner Pocket Hole-2.JPG

[Mark Rainey]

Jig to hold the workpiece at an angle in the DP and then drill. Very common method prior to the handy jigs we have today. Clean looking too.

Thanks Jim!

[Mark Rainey]

In this case I just drilled 3/4" Forstner bit holes 7/16" deep in 7/8" material. Drill a starter hole for the screw using the edge of the hole as a guide.

Forstner Pocket Hole-1.JPG

Plan for hole position and screw length like any pocket hole.

Forstner Pocket Hole-3.JPGForstner Pocket Hole-2.JPG

Thanks Glenn!

[Jon Endres]

I did the Forstner bit/pocket hole trick when building a wood shed with 4x4 and 5x5 rough sawn timbers several years ago. Drilled 1" holes and then ran Timberlok lag screws through the sides of the drilled holes to attach pieces together. It worked quite well.