I am building a cabinet that is way too big for my clamps, and doesn't have parallel sides anyhow; so gluing the shelves in dados would be difficult.
When assembling the shelves, I would like to put in a few biscuits to make sure the alignment is correct, and use pocket screws to actually hold it together. I have had problems in the past getting things perfectly even with just pocket screws, but the biscuits ought to fix that.
Any reason this is a bad idea? (other than the obvious one that pocket screws are inherently improper)
is: a) machined aluminum alloy (vs. molded plastic), b) nearly dead-on square (vs. having a nodding acquaintance with square), and c) the _same_price_ as Rockler's inaccurate Clamp-Its if you buy it at the Woodworking Show.
Rockler charges $12 ea ($10 ea for four or more); Jevons charges $50 for a set of four, and show pricing is $40.
Only if you have a very relaxed definition of "square"...
If you think they're ideal, you must not have ever checked them. I bought a pair, got them home, and checked them by setting them up thus _| |_ on the table saw (closest thing to a dead-flat surface I have). With the "squares" touching at the bottom, I measured a 0.018" gap at the top.
Took them back to Rockler to exchange them... and found that I had actually gotten one of the "better" sets they had; most of the others were much worse. Left with a refund instead of an exchange. And bought the Jevons squares at the next woodworking show.
[Disclaimer - no connection at all to Jevons Tool Co except as an *extremely* satisfied customer - fabulous product.]
I did a bathroom vanity with twin tenons and pocket screws. The screws were useful during test assemblies (to substitute for glue) and acted as clamps during the final glue-up.
Biscuits and pocket-screws have worked great for me, for just the reasons you suggest. As others suggest, neither, nor both, are a panacea. Especially if you want really precise locating, it takes care and attention.
Location and number of screws is also important, depending on the materials being joined, to get a tight joint. At least, unlike the famous "brads while the glue dries", the screws can be removed, and reused.
Inherently, pocket screws are quite proper. :') IMHO.
0.018" gap is relaxed enough for me :) Never had a problem using them on any woodworking tasks.
That kind of accuracy is not going to be easily visible on shelf alignments at least. I use them all time on box and drawer construction and never had any noticeable problems, but as you say, we all have different ideas of how "square", square needs to be :) The item you have menioned looks like a worthy alternative however.
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