soft wood splitting

[Tony DellAqula]

I've had to make new cabinet doors for a rental unit.  I used vg hemlock for stiles and rails with a 1/8" x 1/4" deep slot for plywood. When screwing (coarse screws) splitting occured. Somehow the screws should be offset so they don't enter the wood on the same plane.  Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? I used glue so hopefully the joints will hold.

Thanks, Tony

[Tony DellAqula]

Wood is 3/4. Jig is set 3/4", the Bit set to 3/4" and the jig is screwed to table, screw length is 1 1/4". I had to clamp two ways to stop some of the splitting. A bar clamp across the door and the kreg clamp clamping the joint to table when screwing. The bar clamp stopped about 50% of the splitting. splitting occured about 50% of the time so the bar clamp stopped total splitting about 25% of the time.

James Waller said:

Here are a few common questions that most times will solve the problem.


1. What size is the wood you using for the stiles and rails?

2. Is the jig set up properly for the size wood you using?

3. Are you using the right length screw?

4. Is the work clamped down so no movement is involved during joinery?

[Tony DellAqula]

I joined the rails to the stiles with two screws. The mat'l is 1x3.
I think the problem is that I ran the grooves all the way through the stiles which makes the screw go through the groove where it splits. I guess I'll have to start and stop the groove on the stile to stop the splitting. That's a pain in the a.. Other than that I really like the Kreg Jig.


James Waller said:

Here are a few common questions that most times will solve the problem.


1. What size is the wood you using for the stiles and rails?

2. Is the jig set up properly for the size wood you using?

3. Are you using the right length screw?

4. Is the work clamped down so no movement is involved during joinery?

[joe vallender]

Tony DellAqula said:

I joined the rails to the stiles with two screws. The mat'l is 1x3.
I think the problem is that I ran the grooves all the way through the stiles which makes the screw go through the groove where it splits. I guess I'll have to start and stop the groove on the stile to stop the splitting. That's a pain in the a.. Other than that I really like the Kreg Jig.


James Waller said:

Here are a few common questions that most times will solve the problem.


1. What size is the wood you using for the stiles and rails?

2. Is the jig set up properly for the size wood you using?

3. Are you using the right length screw?

4. Is the work clamped down so no movement is involved during joinery?

[joe vallender]

You might try to extend the pilot hole with a small drill, one that is as small as the solid shank of the screw, this should ease the screw entry into the wood.

[Larwyn]

As unpopular as this solution may be on this forum, if the wood is too prone to splitting when you drive a screw into it, it just might be time to consider a different method of joinery for that particular portion of the project. I am a big fan of pocket hole joinery but I see no reason to limit myself to one way of doing things, especially if the alternative might give better results.

[Tony DellAqula]

I agree, but using glue seemed to solve the probem. Even after splitting the joint is strong. I made up a scrap section with a split and let the glued and screwed joing set twenty four hours and I'm satisfied with the strength for cabinet doors. The system is so fast I think I'd change material instead of methods. These cabinet doors are on an "afordable rental' house we own, they look good and were fast and cheap to make.
Thanks for your response,
Tony

[Tony DellAqula]

Great idea! I'm definetly going to try that. Now I'm wondering why I didn't think of that.
Thanks,
Tony

joe vallender said:

You might try to extend the pilot hole with a small drill, one that is as small as the solid shank of the screw, this should ease the screw entry into the wood.

[KregRep]

6 Tips to Prevent Wood Splitting
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=285233479901

[Tony DellAqula]

Thank you, I'll try all these suggestions. They all sound like they'd be helpful and easy to do.

KregRep said:

6 Tips to Prevent Wood Splitting
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=285233479901