[OP]
Member
Guys I have about a 6' section of wainscoting to build which about 3' high. Since HD has MDF 1x6's already primed I was thinking about using MDF. But I have never tried pocket holes on MDF before, I also going to use glue to help hold it together till nail it to wall. No raise panels just a 1/4 birch plywood for the back panel. Not wanting to invest a lot into this just kinda pretty it up little to put house on market I hope next year.
Contributor
I’ve used pocket hole joinery on some mdf cabinets in my laundry room and it worked fine. Used coarse screws and be careful not to strip them.
Steve Jenkins, McKinney, TX. 469 742-9694
Always use the word "impossible" with extreme caution
Contributor
Pocket holes are illegal in canada
Here too. A few tests to get a good clutch setting on your driver speeds things along.Originally Posted by Steve Jenkins
And I thought California was the king of oddball restrictions ;-)
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Moderator
Coarse pocket hole screws and don't over-drive them. Works fine.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Contributor
Should I be concerned that the RCMP will be raiding my shop?
Contributor
yes
these are the men and woman that will visit your shop, They came here and tried to find a Kreg jig. After and hour they gave up then started to look for a domino machine then they realized I was a dinasour and they left.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXd3gWi93DA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCrnDkE5A-I
Last edited by Warren Lake; 12-12-2021 at 12:58 AM.
[OP]
Member
Lots of good answers and some humor, thanks guys coarse screws and don't drive them to much.
SMC is best
Member
Pocket holes are great.
They’ll work just fine - just use the others’ advice.
BUT - I’d recommend rabbets on rails and stiles. Easier to cover the panels and compensate for any variances by just gluing everything down.
MAYBE - use pocket screws on the rails where they meet the stiles.
REASON - pocket screws can really make it easy to introduce “pulling” if they’re used in different contradictory directions.
It’s made even worse because it’s very rare for walls to be straight/square/plumb/even, whether drywall or plaster.
Rabbets will let you compensate for a multitude of processing/assembly/installation sins in relation to the inevitable variances your walls will exhibit.
PLUS - way less work and will be easier to install.
Last edited by Howard Rosenberg; 12-13-2021 at 3:14 PM.
Moderator
Relative to some of the things that Howard mentions, clamping properly and securely is really important with pocket screw joinery, especially with systems that have a higher angle (the popular "portable" or small pocket hole jigs/systems) as compared to a more industrial pocket cutting machine that provides a very low, nearly horizontal screw path.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Contributor
If 1/4” mdf is available that might be a cheaper option for the panels too. I find that it’s easier to get a better paint finish faster with MDF than ply.
Contributor
Dont run your spacing too tight or near edges. The mdf will split
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