Debate: Pocket hole screws vs traditional mortise and tenon for cabinet face frames

I built a set of kitchen cabinets last month for a client in Austin. Used pocket holes on the first cabinet because it's faster, but the second one I did with traditional mortise and tenon joinery. The pocket hole cabinet had some racking when I hung the doors, plus the screws shifted a tiny bit during assembly. The mortise and tenon joint was rock solid tight. But man, the time difference was brutal - pocket holes took me 30 minutes per cabinet, the traditional joinery took 3 hours each. Do you guys think the extra time is worth it for strength?

2 comments

2 Comments

gibson.nathan1mo ago

Pocket holes work fine until they don't. Your post just convinced me to switch.

stella_shah891mo ago

Funny how most things are fine until they just aren't.