pocket hole plugs

[Jerry OBrien]

I was recently working on an oak computer cabinet using pocket holes to construct the cabinet. When I starting to fill the pocket holes with plugs I found out I did not have enough. I went to the two local big box stores and neither had oak plugs. So I was left with the problem of either ordering the plugs over the internet and waiting a week for them to arrive or making my own. I choose to try to make my own. I took a piece of 2 ½ X 12 inch scrap and bored 8 pocket holes in 2/3 of the board. I cut several 2 inch pieces of 3/8 oak dowel rod and placed them in the pocket holes. I took them to the band saw and cut off the excess dowel rod nearly flush. I used them to plug the holes and they worked perfectly. They required very little sanding and required little glue to keep them in place. I know have supply of oak, cherry, walnut and popular pocket hole plugs. I will never buy another pocket hole plug.

[Jens Jensen]

Yep I 've been making my own for a year .I posted a video and have about 2000 views on it. Smart ideas make money for the user. The only difference is I cut 1 at a time on my portable table for usage in field if I run out I can cut what I need instead of driving to tool store and wait gas and time.Just make sure you have some various dowels in your truck

[Jerry OBrien]

I forgot to mention I drilled a 1/4 inch hole through each pocket hole to enable getting the plug out after trimming.

James Waller said:

"If the shoe fits, wear it!" or in this case "If the plug fits, use it!".

I am sure this is a tip many on here will be trying out and perhaps save money for more screws. Good thinking, Jerry!

[Al St. Aubin]

I do basicaly the same thing, only I use my multi tool. I buy dowels of different wood and keep them on hand also. very easy to do.

[Michael Campbell]

I usually don't use plugs cause my holes are hidden,  but I will keep that tip.  Thanks for the tip Jerry

[Ken Darga]

Omit hole plugs, when it may be necessary to disassemble the project, at a later date, 

such as in moving to another site or facility.

Some projects may be too large to transport thru a doorway, or transport a long flight of stairs or multiple stairways, or it may to be too heavy to transport by one person, 

therefore, the use of ''pocket hole joinery'' is necessary, over other joinery methods.