pocket holes or biscuit joints?

[kingcod]

Whats best for joints that have to take a load such as shelving? I guess with pocket holes there is some flexibility to dismantle and rebuild?

Also as an entry into using pocket holes can I just use a mini jig such as this?

http://www.powertooldirect.co.uk/kreg-m ... 79082.html

or would you recommend buying a full jig? These are going to be quite big shelves.

 

[steveakam]

you could try one of these its cheaper than the on your linked to and postage is £1.99

https://www.toolshopdirect.co.uk/item.php/sn/868549

 

[dibs]

I have one of these jigs, absolute rubbish!I might find a use for the bushes though. Rick.

 

[RogerS]

I bought the Kreg kit that had the jig you mention as well as the fullblown jig. I use the fullblown jig all the time. The one time that I used the jig (where something ws already assembled and I needed to add another hole, I used the one you mention. The results were underwhelming. It's very fiddly to clamp up everytime in the right place and to keep it from moving as you drill.

I also have a biscuit machine. Rarely used now I have the Kreg.

 

[matt]

I'd go for the complete Kreg system, although I'm not sure I could recommend pocket hole joints for what you're describing, partly because I'm not clear on the design you have in mind and where you're anticipating using the joint.

If it's a bookcase then I'd have glued joints on the main structure (glue and pocket hole, biscuit, whatever...) and use a shelving system or simple metal pegs in holes for the shelves. This way they can be adjusted.

 

[wizer]

I built a bookcase last year with PH screws. It's now full with books and it's been fine since. I think biscuits would have been fine too.

 

[matt]

I built a bookcase last year with PH screws. It's now full with books and it's been fine since. I think biscuits would have been fine too.

Glued or not? I'm not convinced un-glued pocket hole joints would be sturdy enough over time.

 

[wizer]

unglued

 

[gidon]

I built a bookcase last year with PH screws. It's now full with books and it's been fine since. I think biscuits would have been fine too.

Glued or not? I'm not convinced un-glued pocket hole joints would be sturdy enough over time.

Yikes - a lot my Ikea furniture is in trouble then!

Cheers

Gidon

 

[matt]

I built a bookcase last year with PH screws. It's now full with books and it's been fine since. I think biscuits would have been fine too.

Glued or not? I'm not convinced un-glued pocket hole joints would be sturdy enough over time.

Yikes - a lot my Ikea furniture is in trouble then!

Cheers

Gidon

I rest my case... :lol:

 

[Oryxdesign]

I would say both, pocket hole screws to hold it together and biscuits for location.

 

[RogerS]

I would say both, pocket hole screws to hold it together and biscuits for location.

Curious that you recommend biscuits for location. My experience is that there is too much slop in the biscuits (there has to be surely in order for them to expand with the glue) for accurate location.

 

[Oryxdesign]

I would say both, pocket hole screws to hold it together and biscuits for location.

Curious that you recommend biscuits for location. My experience is that there is too much slop in the biscuits (there has to be surely in order for them to expand with the glue) for accurate location.

Really? Actually I use dominos but whenever I sing their praises everybody always goes on about how much money they cost and a biscuit would be fine?

 

[matt]

Very few of my biscuits go in without reasonable persuasion. Perhaps they've got a little damp over time.

 

[woodbloke]

Very few of my biscuits go in without reasonable persuasion. Perhaps they've got a little damp over time.

Matt - keep your biscuits in a sealed jar (old coffee jar is fine) with a slack hanfull of rice at the bottom or alternatively a sachet of that silica gel thingie stuff what absorbs moisture...no more tight biscuits :wink: - Rob

 

[JonnyD]

The problem with using pocket screws is filling the holes that are produced and getting a reasonable grain match. I use pocket screws in places which arent seen but not on an open shelving unit. I would prefer to use either a domino or biscuit joint glued and clamped or simple glued housing joint. If its a large unit I normally fix a shelf in the middle and use adjustable pegs for the other shelves.


Jon

 

[big soft moose]

I've just finished a load of bookcasing where i used the inelegant but simple method of drilling through the sides and screwing it all together with 40mm screws - no messing about with biscuits or jigs - just two dewalt rechargeables (one to drill and one to drive) - sorted.

the bookcasing is all wall to wall so the screw heads dont show anyway.