Sawdust on the Floor

If you have been following along with the posts here at Sawdust on the Floor, then I am sure that you are aware that I am a big fan of the Kreg Pocket Screw technology.  I love the ease of construction that the pocket screws provide for everything from face frames to connecting sides and bottoms of cabinets.  But as great as the product is, it does have one short fall.  When you are connecting two adjacent pieces, there is a tendency for the screws to push the pieces apart, rather than pulling them together, as the screw is inserted into the joint. 

While this a problem, it is not one without solutions.  In fact I have found three very effective ways to correct the problem.  The first is  new product just released by Rockler. They market it under the name “Rockler Pock-it hole clamp“. The idea behind this clamp is easy to understand.  You will typically drill two adjacent holes in either the rail or stile of your cabinet face.  You would then insert this clamp into one of the holes, draw the joint up tight, and then insert and tighten the screw in the other hole.   I was able to test this clamp out during a visit to one of the Rockler retailers, and found that it is a very effective product.  The only negative issue I found is that you have to back the hand screw completely out to install or remove the clamp.  But other than that it’s a neat product that really works.

The second fix for this problem may sound strange, but it involves the tool you use to tighten the screws. Up until this past Christmas, I always used a cordless screw gun for this purpose.  But that changed  thanks to my wife, who gave me a Makita 18V cordless impact driver as a gift. The difference between these two tools is amazing.  While the screw gun simply turns the screw into the wood, the impact driver taps then twists the screw into the wood. This tap and twist action, causes the screw to bite into the wood as it is driven.  The result is that it doesn’t push the joint apart, rather it actually draws it tighter.  I am so impressed with the impact driver, that it is now my tool of choice for all screws, not just the pocket screws.

My third solution for the joint separation issue was solved when I modified the extension on my table saw to include my version of the Kreg Hold down table. While Kreg does make a table, I elected to build one into my tablesaw extension.  I have found that when I clamp pieces as shown here in the picture, the problem of joint separation is negated. 

So which method do I find as the best solution, well to be honest I like all three.  I can truly see a need for the Rockler clamp, particularly when one is doing assembly work away from the shop. Of course, no matter if I am working in the shop or on site, the cordless impact driver will always be there.

For more information on or to purchase any of the products discussed in this post, please click on the highlighted links and images in the post.