Pocket Hole Joinery Guilt?

[Charles Andrews]

Hi everyone

Was just wondering if anyone else feels kind of guilty woodworking with the pocket hole jig.  I know it does a great job and i use mine a lot but, I also like to build the traditional way (mortise and tenon, rabbits, dados etc) and can't help but feel a little guilty when showing off a project to someone.  Some how it almost feels like cheating lol.  Any thoughts? 

[Michael R. Turner]

No guilt.  After all, I also use a CNC router to make parts.  However, my branding iron says "Crafted by..." , not "Handcrafted by....."

[Timothy Sluder]

History of Pocket-hole joinery, or pocket-screw joinery, involves drilling a hole at an angle into one workpiece, and then joining it to a second workpiece with a self-tapping screw. The technique, in addition to doweling, has its roots in ancient Egypt. Egyptians clamped two workpieces together and bored a hole at an angle from the outside workpiece into the second workpiece. They then inserted a dowel with glue, and cut it off flush with the outermost surface.

[Jay Boutwell]

Never feel bad about building something and using  technology to do it.  You have to apply the correct method to fit the project you are building.  As most of you know I build not only cabinetry but also fine furniture.  The pocket screw system that Kreg Tools put out is second to none in its speed and accuracy.  I started over 20 years ago and for thoes 20 years I have use the kreg jig for most of my cabinet work.  I have found it to be more that strong enough to hold a cabinet together and the ease of using it in making curves and angled joints is one that can not be beat.  It changed my total method of building cabinets.  When you build for a living you have to use techniques that allow you to make a secure attractive joint with speed yet be consistant with your jointery.  I use this as a guide line,  " if your are going to use a nail gun then use a screw instead."  You can usually find a method to hide a pocket screw.

I would not use the pocket screw to build the bridge to drive my buick over  but I would not use the same techniques to build a cabinet box either.   I do at times find the need of a different joint and sometimes a cabinet is build with multiple types of joints.

At the same token you must use common sense as to the amount of stress that is going to be used on the project  and what kind of project is it going to be.  If I was building some thing like a bed frame I would not use a pocket screw on the rails to post but would resort to something like a mortise and tenon but there is nothing wrong with securing the tenon with a pocket screw either especially if you can hide it. 

If I was building a piece of fine furniture then I would resort to the kind of jointery that should be applied to that type of furniture and not fill it with pocket screws.  It just does not fit, but then neither does the photo finished  or paper covered simulated wood you find in  most of todays Custom labeled cabinets either.  Now thoes are the ones whom need to feel guilty.   I would only feel guilty if I turned out a piece of sub-standard or represented it for something that it is not.  Think about it the kreg joint is fast and strong.  The nail gun is also fast but would you rather trust the joint held together with a nail or a screw.  Look at most of the high priced furniture today, if you look real close I would not be surprise to find them held together with our old buddy the duck tape method and camoflaged to look like fine veneer. 

[Adam Adolph]

The Kreg Jig has opened so many doors for me that I do not feel guilty using it.  I do not have a large work shop and all of the fancy tools that a lot of woodworkers do so I rely on my corded and cordless (mostly cordless) power tools to get my projects done.

[Timothy Dombrowski]

I dont see anyone buying rotary phones anymore ;)

[Timothy Dombrowski]

I love useless interesting knowledge. Thanks for the info ;)

Timothy Sluder said:

History of Pocket-hole joinery, or pocket-screw joinery, involves drilling a hole at an angle into one workpiece, and then joining it to a second workpiece with a self-tapping screw. The technique, in addition to doweling, has its roots in ancient Egypt. Egyptians clamped two workpieces together and bored a hole at an angle from the outside workpiece into the second workpiece. They then inserted a dowel with glue, and cut it off flush with the outermost surface.

[Michael Utterback]

 I think that Joinery has become a Hobby in itself almost separate from woodworking.  Its great for guys that have the time (mostly retirees) but for us that need things done quickly I prefer pocket holes.  Mortise and tennon, dovetail,  ect... Just take to much time and in my opinion arent much better joints.  I dont really like the way dovetails look anyways. I prefer clean straight lines, but again thats just me.   The kreg jig also gave me that push into woodworking and I am eternally greatfull for that.

[Gary Smith]

Do like I do and fill the holes, then tell anyone that you are showing off to that the joints are magic and require no special talent.  Never fess up to the pocket holes!

[raymond]

i love my kreg jig its the best thing i ever spent money on . it has allowed me to open my mind to all the things i can build . i told my brother i was going to build a cabnit for our bath room and he thought i was just going to through it together and call it a day. wrong now he looks at it and says its really nice an says i have to build something for the front room and a friend of mine wants me to build a toy box .and a dresser like thing for her  when im done with this one. my grt grandpa was a carpenter by trade and i think hed be proud of me and all becouse of the kreg jig 

[Robert Melrose]

Guilt Free

[Glen S]

I was given over 750bdft of rough lumber. I made a dining table & benches with it. I used some PH joinery on it with gorilla glue. This was my 1st real project with PH's & I just wanted to see how sturdy it would be. Works great for it's intended purpose.

On the other hand I decided to make a sofa table for the guy that gave me the wood. I didn't have a lot of spare time right then so I used PH's & glue. They have no idea how it's assembled & they were totally thrilled with it. Especially since they had no idea it was coming.

I guess all that to say never feel guilty about anything in your desire to build things in your own shop. The purists will scream & beat the drums but the ones that matter the most to you will be forever grateful of your thoughtfulness in building them a nice sturdy usable attractive piece.

[Thomas Ellis]

Who cares what they think. Keep on  having fun