Warning: pocket hole screws vs. domino joinery - a cabinet door war in my shop last week

I built an oak cabinet for a kitchen remodel in Fort Worth last month, doors all done with pocket holes like I always do. Then a buddy of mine, he's been doing this 20 years, stopped by and said I was wasting time and making weak joints. He swears by domino joinery for doors, says pocket screws are only good for face frames. I stood there looking at a door I'd just finished and wondered if he had a point. Three days later I tried his method on a small set of doors and honestly, the alignment was dead on and it felt solid. But here's the thing - I had to buy the damn domino machine and it cost me $1,100 I didn't plan on spending. Now I'm torn: stick with pocket screws for speed and cost or go full domino for strength? What do you all do for cabinet doors?

2 comments

2 Comments

jakegarcia15d ago

Man, that domino machine price tag stings every time I think about it. I had almost the exact same moment when a guy I subcontract for told me my pocket hole doors were going to sag in a year, so I dropped the cash on the Domino DF500 and it hurt to swipe that card. Once I used it on a set of white oak shaker doors the alignment blew my mind and I never looked back. I still use pocket screws for face frames and quick stuff, but for doors that domino joint is just way too clean to ignore. You sticking with it or you think you might sell the machine and go back?

holly89815d ago

How long have you had the DF500 now? I keep going back and forth on whether I should grab one or just stick with my router and a tenoning jig for doors. The alignment thing sounds nice but I wonder if it's really that much faster once you factor in setup time. Most people I know who bought one say they never regret it but that price tag keeps me hesitating.