Am I doing something wrong, or are pocket screws just oversold nonsense?
I tried making a dishwasher cabinet, used pocket screws. More often than not, when I try them either the boards move, the screw strips out, and maybe 1 out of 100 actually grip and pull the two boards together. Am I doing something wrong?
I usually am working with pine or plywood, are they just not pocket screw friendly?
Puckdropper
On Jun 21, 2025, Puckdropper wrote (in article <%rq5Q.1621042$ snipped-for-privacy@fx18.iad):
From my experience, I would ask if you’re using an impact driver for assembly? They are too powerful for the job. If this is the case, use an adjustable clutch drill for driving pocket hole screws, and set it for the lowest setting that will do the job.
Since I switched to this method, I rarely have a failure to launch with using these screws.
Just my humble .02¢
Joe
Sorry - no personal experience here but the product description link below - refers to fine thread < hardwood > and coarse thread < softwood, plywood, particle board .. >
When I have done pocket screws in pine or plywood I will use a manual square driver. Even at low torque setting on a drill I have had problems.
Just Another Joe snipped-for-privacy@pmail.com wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@news.giganews.com:
I was using my drill/driver, but the torque setting may have been too high. I'm used to listening for the screw to tell me when to stop driving.
From your post and Markem618's post (and my experience), it sounds like pocket screws strip out very easily.
Puckdropper
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