Pocket Dowel Joint?

[smorgasbord]

Interesting short video from Nick Engler:


Basically, use a long ⅜" bit in your pocket hole jig, glue in a long dowel, cut and sand flush.

 

[Packard]

It seems silly.

I can drill 4 dowel holes using any of a number of jigs, but probably the Rockler jig, in less time than it takes to drill two pocket holes, drive in two dowels, trim and sand.

With the dowel jig, it is drill 4 holes.  Use any of the manufactured dowels.  Glue and clamp.  No sawing to size.  No sanding smooth.  No visible joinery. I don’t see it.

I have the Rockler in 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” sizes.  The operation is identical for all of the sizes, only the dowel diameter changes.

I would agree, however that the dowel adds more structure than the pocket screw does.

 

[smorgasbord]

It seems silly.

Not if you don't have a dowel jig and/or the pieces are of different thicknesses, and even then misalignment can occur, especially for beginners that might reference off the wrong face on the second piece. Drilling holes into the "assembled" pieces is a easy way to be sure you're not messing up alignment.

I agree that I'd never do it, but perhaps it's a bridge from pocket screws to other forms of joinery for some beginners?

 

[Packard]

If you are willing to let the dowels show, a much stronger joint would be just through doweling.  You don’t even need a jig.  Just a dead aim to drill straight.  Alignment is guaranteed if you are clamping prior to drilling as shown.

I’ve done quite a bit of through doweling where the entry point of the dowels do not show.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

If you are willing to let the dowels show, a much stronger joint would be just through doweling.  You don’t even need a jig.  Just a dead aim to drill straight.  Alignment is guaranteed if you are clamping prior to drilling as shown.

I’ve done quite a bit of through doweling where the entry point of the dowels do not show.

I have done the same with Dominos.

 

[Packard]

If you are willing to let the dowels show, a much stronger joint would be just through doweling.  You don’t even need a jig.  Just a dead aim to drill straight.  Alignment is guaranteed if you are clamping prior to drilling as shown.

I’ve done quite a bit of through doweling where the entry point of the dowels do not show.

I have done the same with Dominos.

On base cabinets (mostly), I’ve used through dowels plus Confirmats (so I don’t need clamps.  Very robust construction is possible with no real investment in equipment.  The same would hold true for Dominoes. 

The advantage of using Confirmats is that it allows you to pre-assemble and then knock down for transport.  At the site, you can add glue and be assured the the fit will be good and the construction will be robust. 

I especially like that unlike other systems almost no thinking is involved.  Just draw a guide line and drill (or mill mortise for the Dominoes. 

When I use a dowel jig, I have to keep track of banking off the front edge or the rear edge, alignment, etc.  So less thinking. 

 

[Vondawg]

Yes Smorasbord I think it’s fine to share something different without getting shut down…some think their way is the only best way

 

[woodferret]

I actually liked the technique.  Thanks for sharing.

I will admit that there have been instances where I needed a pocket hole, but didn't want metal in there.  It's a cute way of doing edge-edge joining... how talk deviated to 90'deg butt joints is beyond me.

 

[smorgasbord]

Yes Smorasbord I think it’s fine to share something different without getting shut down…some think their way is the only best way

It’s all good- I thought it was an interesting idea and appreciate the discussion.

 

[FestitaMakool]

I like it just as well.
Have used dowels like this before, and for many many years ago too.
If I’m glueing parts together, I use dowels, either ready use ones or from a round stick and cut off instead of screws. Screws can come loose, tenons/dowels glued in, not…
Placed right it can look good on some materials even with clear finish.
(I’ve done all on fir/spruce though)
When painting, its ready in one go after sanding instead of plugging screw holes.