I'm a total beginner in woodworking and I've just glued two pieces together using pocket holes. My question is, should I wait for the glue to dry completely before I drill in the screws, or is it okay to do both at the same time?
2 Answers
It's probably best to drill the screws after gluing and let them all set together at the same time. The screws aren't meant to hold the joint by themselves; they're mostly there to clamp the pieces while the glue dries.
Actually, the screws do add some mechanical strength, but mainly they help hold the pieces in place until the glue sets. For things like cabinet construction using pocket holes, they make the process faster. A well-glued and clamped joint will be stronger than the wood itself, but pocket screws can make assembly much easier, especially if you're building things quickly. Just keep in mind that while some purists may not favor pocket joints for fine work, they're perfectly fine for cabinets.
Yeah, I think it's smart to learn a variety of joints. It helps you level up your skills for future projects!
Totally agree! Pocket screws are super handy for quick builds. It's all about finding what's best for your project.