Just had a client ask for a custom built-in, and I had to pick between pocket screws and dowels for the face frame

This was for a big library unit in a house in Madison, and the frame was maple. I've always used pocket screws for speed (you know, set up the jig and zip them in), but the client really wanted a clean look with no visible joinery on the inside. Dowels would give that, but my old doweling jig is kind of a pain and I worried about lining everything up perfectly over an 8-foot span. I went with dowels in the end, using a self-centering bit and taking my time to mark each piece. It added about half a day to the job, but the joints are super tight and look great. Honestly, I'm still not sure if the extra time was worth it for something that mostly gets covered by shelves. What's your go-to for face frames when looks really matter?

2 comments

2 Comments

noah91713d ago

You said you're still not sure if the extra time was worth it. I get that feeling. You spend all that extra effort on a detail, and then you're the only one who really knows it's there. But for a high end piece in maple, that clean interior is what the client wanted. You made the right call, even if it's a bit of a pain. A tight dowel joint just feels more solid, and that matters on a big unit.

kevin_bailey13d agoTop Commenter

It's like when you clean behind the fridge before moving out. No one will see it, but you know it's done right. That pride in hidden work is what separates good from great. You just have to be okay with being the only one who knows.