What is the general concession on the strength and longevity of low angle pocket hole screw drawer construction method?
I usually use dados and rabbits in drawer construction, but the low angle screw method looks so much easier and faster. I use 5/8″ thick wood and the low angle screws seems good.
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I prefer the traditional methods, but if you like it go for it. Just keep in mind that because the screws go in at an angle, they tend to pull the joint sideways out of alignment. Most, I think, recommend clamping the pieces securely before starting the screws.
It depends on what your drawers are going to be used for, but a) they will be visible and potentially unsightly and b) unless you went with considerably thicker front and backs to the drawers, I don't think you would get much purchase into a 5/8" thick board. And the geometry of the joint would be such that the screws would be in tension. The alternate would be to use very thick sides to the drawers, which would look really weird. Does this make sense? Maybe you could make a trial drawer along side those made in your usual manner and see how it looks and holds up. I like dovetails, but there are several very acceptable alternatives for drawer construction.
Does anyone have any experience with using low angle pocket hole screws for drawer construction like with the Castle Machine?
I'm not a great fan of pocket holes and screws but there are times when they have their place. I bought a- I dont know who made it- pocket hole kit off the shelf somewhere and I don't believe it's a very good one but it works for me since I dont use it that often. It came with plugs to fill the holes. I usually fill the holes because,well I don't want anyone to see them, even in places that your unlikely to see them. I used up the supplied plugs pretty quickly so I made a jig to make new ones and can use the same kind of wood for the plugs to match the material. Cleverly the jig manufacturer made their system so that a standard dowel dimension does not fit. I guess I was supposed to repurchase plugs from them!
I would be dubious about building drawers with that method and particularly drawers. Drawers can be put under a great deal of stress. You might make something and think it's only for socks but you don't know it's future. Somewhere I sure someone has a drawer full of pennies and has weighed the drawer box to or way passed its max! Drawer failure is pretty common on cheaply made furniture.
I know what a pocket hole screw is. What's a low angle pocket screw?
I've used pocket screws to build kitchen drawers. Works good. Put a shallow rabbet in the sides.
If rabbiting the sides then why not screw straight in through the sides if your using screws?
I don't want them showing, bro.
Pocket screws have their uses, IMO drawers are not one of them. There are too many better ways to make a drawer.
If it’s super light duty, only used a few times / year I think you could get away with it. On the other hand, if it’s for a kitchen drawer I think it’s destined for the fireplace. I don’t think it would save much time over rabbeting the drawer front & back, especially if you intend to plug the pocket holes. If you’re making 1/2 dozen drawers I suspect rabbets are faster.