Can we talk about fancy pocket screws coming loose over time...

I built a set of kitchen cabinets for my sister in Tulsa about 2 years ago. Used all the high end Kreg jig stuff, the coated screws, the whole deal. Fast forward to last weekend and I'm helping her move a fridge and I notice a cabinet door is sagging bad. Pulled it off and half the pocket screw joints had wiggled loose, like the threads stripped out of the particle board. I reinforced everything with some actual wood glue and clamped it back up, but man it bugged me. Everyone acts like pocket holes are the answer to everything, but in my experience they just don't hold up over time in high stress spots. Has anyone else had trouble with pocket screws letting go after a couple years?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan_gibson842d ago

Yeah that "threads stripped out of the particle board" part is the whole problem right there. Particle board just can't hold those screws tight no matter how fancy the coating is, always better to use real plywood or add glue from the start.

dakotawood1d ago

Real plywood" can warp too though, depends on the glue you use (or don't use).