TIL pocket hole jigs need the right screw length

Used a pocket hole jig for the first time on a kitchen island in Portland and had screws poking through the face. Switched from 2 inch to 1.25 inch screws for the 3/4 inch plywood and it held solid. Anyone else learn this the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

johnson.jason1mo ago

Yeah, "the right screw length" is no joke. I did basically the same thing on a bookshelf project using 1.5 inch screws on half inch plywood. Came right through the face, nice little wooden pimple. Now I keep a little cheat sheet taped to my jig's case with the recommended lengths for each thickness. For 3/4 inch, I always use 1.25 inch screws, same as you. And for anything thinner than that, I'll grab 5/8 inch or just trim down some 1 inch screws if I have to.

christopher_wells41mo ago

...I mean, is this really that big of a deal though? I've been using pocket holes for years and honestly I just eyeball it. If the screw feels like it's gonna come through I just back it off a quarter turn. Half the time the wood is a little thicker or thinner than what's printed on the side anyway, so those cheat sheets are just rough guides at best.