Raised panels with Kreg.

[thetoolnut]

I've got twelve cabinet doors plus face frames to build for a customer and because my workshop space, clamps and time are limited i was thinking of joining the boards for the panels with pocket screws. Has anyone used this technique on raised panels? and have they had an failures? I have used pocket hole joinery to join boards before but that was for a toolbox, it turned out fine but i'm a bit worried about trying it out on the cabinet doors. The doors and face frames wiil be made from popular. Any advice?

[Robert J Guidry Sr]

If you are talking about the panels themselves, I did not use it for doors, but did use pocket holes for large drawer fronts that I had to glue panels together that I finished the edges with a raised panel bit. They are holding up good now for a year. Just make sure you do not place any screws any closer than 2" from the edge. Shore beat having to glue all those with biscuits and clamps. Did also use glue on the joints. The only problem with using it on doors is that you will have to use plugs on the inside.

If you are talking about the styles and rails, I have never used pocket holes to glue them. I did try some samples and you had to clamp them first because of the way that they made and the joints did not pull together properly, and I decided it was just as easy to go ahead and clamp them and not have to worry about filling the holes.

Bob

[thetoolnut]

Robert J Guidry Sr said:

If you are talking about the panels themselves, I did not use it for doors, but did use pocket holes for large drawer fronts that I had to glue panels together that I finished the edges with a raised panel bit. They are holding up good now for a year. Just make sure you do not place any screws any closer than 2" from the edge. Shore beat having to glue all those with biscuits and clamps. Did also use glue on the joints. The only problem with using it on doors is that you will have to use plugs on the inside.

If you are talking about the styles and rails, I have never used pocket holes to glue them. I did try some samples and you had to clamp them first because of the way that they made and the joints did not pull together properly, and I decided it was just as easy to go ahead and clamp them and not have to worry about filling the holes.

Bob

Thanks for your advice, the rails and stiles will be joined with cope and stick joints on the router table. The problem is that Kreg don't make popular plugs for pocket holes, so i'm having doubts about using pocket hole joinery to join the boards for the panels. Could you suggest a plug that would be a close match for popular?

[Robert J Guidry Sr]

The only way I know to get poplar plugs is to cut them with a 3/8" plug cutter. You could use some of your scrap and cut them on the end grain, must be a long plug cutter.

Bob



thetoolnut said:

Robert J Guidry Sr said:

If you are talking about the panels themselves, I did not use it for doors, but did use pocket holes for large drawer fronts that I had to glue panels together that I finished the edges with a raised panel bit. They are holding up good now for a year. Just make sure you do not place any screws any closer than 2" from the edge. Shore beat having to glue all those with biscuits and clamps. Did also use glue on the joints. The only problem with using it on doors is that you will have to use plugs on the inside.

If you are talking about the styles and rails, I have never used pocket holes to glue them. I did try some samples and you had to clamp them first because of the way that they made and the joints did not pull together properly, and I decided it was just as easy to go ahead and clamp them and not have to worry about filling the holes.

Bob

Thanks for your advice, the rails and stiles will be joined with cope and stick joints on the router table. The problem is that Kreg don't make popular plugs for pocket holes, so i'm having doubts about using pocket hole joinery to join the boards for the panels. Could you suggest a plug that would be a close match for popular?

[ray vile]

woodworkers supply sells a pocket hole plug cutter item #151-439 there web site is woodworker.com
Robert J Guidry Sr said:

The only way I know to get poplar plugs is to cut them with a 3/8" plug cutter. You could use some of your scrap and cut them on the end grain, must be a long plug cutter.

Bob



thetoolnut said:

Robert J Guidry Sr said:

If you are talking about the panels themselves, I did not use it for doors, but did use pocket holes for large drawer fronts that I had to glue panels together that I finished the edges with a raised panel bit. They are holding up good now for a year. Just make sure you do not place any screws any closer than 2" from the edge. Shore beat having to glue all those with biscuits and clamps. Did also use glue on the joints. The only problem with using it on doors is that you will have to use plugs on the inside.

If you are talking about the styles and rails, I have never used pocket holes to glue them. I did try some samples and you had to clamp them first because of the way that they made and the joints did not pull together properly, and I decided it was just as easy to go ahead and clamp them and not have to worry about filling the holes.

Bob

Thanks for your advice, the rails and stiles will be joined with cope and stick joints on the router table. The problem is that Kreg don't make popular plugs for pocket holes, so i'm having doubts about using pocket hole joinery to join the boards for the panels. Could you suggest a plug that would be a close match for popular?

[thetoolnut]

ray vile said:

woodworkers supply sells a pocket hole plug cutter item #151-439 there web site is woodworker.com
Robert J Guidry Sr said:

The only way I know to get poplar plugs is to cut them with a 3/8" plug cutter. You could use some of your scrap and cut them on the end grain, must be a long plug cutter.

Bob



thetoolnut said:

Robert J Guidry Sr said:

If you are talking about the panels themselves, I did not use it for doors, but did use pocket holes for large drawer fronts that I had to glue panels together that I finished the edges with a raised panel bit. They are holding up good now for a year. Just make sure you do not place any screws any closer than 2" from the edge. Shore beat having to glue all those with biscuits and clamps. Did also use glue on the joints. The only problem with using it on doors is that you will have to use plugs on the inside.

If you are talking about the styles and rails, I have never used pocket holes to glue them. I did try some samples and you had to clamp them first because of the way that they made and the joints did not pull together properly, and I decided it was just as easy to go ahead and clamp them and not have to worry about filling the holes.

Bob

Thanks for your advice, the rails and stiles will be joined with cope and stick joints on the router table. The problem is that Kreg don't make popular plugs for pocket holes, so i'm having doubts about using pocket hole joinery to join the boards for the panels. Could you suggest a plug that would be a close match for popular?

I'll check out that plug cutter, thanks Bob.

[Andy]

If I'm not mistaken, Rockler does custom plugs to cover the hole created from a pocket hole. You have to send them three samples of wood (can't remember the dimensions) and they'll cut out the elongated plugs to cover the holes. Give Rockler a call (Rockler.com).

Andy

[Jon Erikson]

I made raised panel doors for the desk I am currently building. I used pocket joints to join the style and rails. I then used a router to cut the slot for the raised panel before the panel was in place. After the slot was cut I unscrewed the styles and rails and then put the panel in place. Worked like a charm. You can check it out in my project gallery.

Also about plugs for filling the holes, I work at a hardware store that sells the Kreg Jig and we have the plugs available in Oak, Maple, Poplar, and Cherry I believe. So check your local hardware store if you know they sell the Kreg Jig.

[Paula Geihs]

My face frames are also poplar and my raised panels are birch plywood. I did not bevel the edges of the plywood but offset it instead and I have had no issues doing this. My draer fronts are made the same way.

[charles martin]

called kreg customer service they recommended paint grade plugs in poplar, thy don't sell a poplar plug.

[thetoolnut]

thetoolnut said:

ray vile said:

I had alook at that plug cutter and it looks to be exactly what i need. There's only two problems, one needs a drill press and a bandsaw to make the plugs and i have neither. I think i'll just use biscuits for the panels and gang them up in the clamps, i'll put grease proof paper between the panels to stop them from sticking to each other.

Thanks Ray.

woodworkers supply sells a pocket hole plug cutter item #151-439 there web site is woodworker.com
Robert J Guidry Sr said:

The only way I know to get poplar plugs is to cut them with a 3/8" plug cutter. You could use some of your scrap and cut them on the end grain, must be a long plug cutter.

Bob



thetoolnut said:

Robert J Guidry Sr said:

If you are talking about the panels themselves, I did not use it for doors, but did use pocket holes for large drawer fronts that I had to glue panels together that I finished the edges with a raised panel bit. They are holding up good now for a year. Just make sure you do not place any screws any closer than 2" from the edge. Shore beat having to glue all those with biscuits and clamps. Did also use glue on the joints. The only problem with using it on doors is that you will have to use plugs on the inside.

If you are talking about the styles and rails, I have never used pocket holes to glue them. I did try some samples and you had to clamp them first because of the way that they made and the joints did not pull together properly, and I decided it was just as easy to go ahead and clamp them and not have to worry about filling the holes.

Bob

Thanks for your advice, the rails and stiles will be joined with cope and stick joints on the router table. The problem is that Kreg don't make popular plugs for pocket holes, so i'm having doubts about using pocket hole joinery to join the boards for the panels. Could you suggest a plug that would be a close match for popular?

I'll check out that plug cutter, thanks Bob.