Finally tested pocket screws vs. domino joinery on a set of face frames

Did a side by side on two identical cabinet doors last week and the domino joints were way stronger in the twist test. The pocket screws held fine but that loose tenon just felt solid. Anyone else switched over and noticed a big difference?

2 comments

2 Comments

shane65525d ago

Are you just comparing raw twist strength or did you also test how much racking the frames take after a few months of humidity changes? I've heard domino joints hold up better through seasonal movement, but pocket screws are way easier to adjust if something shifts. Also, what kind of bit did you run for the domino - the standard or the sipo? I'm curious if the type of tenon matters for face frames since they're not taking the same load as a table.

lisaf3825d agoOG Member

Honestly @shane655, the racking test is where it gets real. I ran a batch of face frames through a full summer in my unheated shop and the domino joints held tight but pocket screws let me tweak a couple spots that shifted maybe 1/32nd. For the bit I used the standard five millimeter tenon, the sipo seemed overkill for face frames since you're mostly fighting twist not load. Just make sure your domino depth matches the frame thickness close or you'll have a gap issue later.