Hiding Pocket Holes with Pocket Hole Plugs
George VondriskaScrew pockets are a great way to put projects together, but are unsightly. If the pocket holes on your project are going to show when it’s done, there’s a great (and easy) way to hide them. All it takes is glue, dowels and some hand tools. You can even turn pocket holes into a decorative accent.
Can you tell me name of saw again? Wasn’t able to find one that flexible. Keep up great work. Love your videos.
Hello Karl,
Thank you for contacting us. Something like this works great: https://amzn.to/3aTYeyF
Thanks,
Sarah
Has anyone tried the tool sold as a pocket hole plug cutter? If so, what kind of results were achieved?
Castle 6 degree low angle pockets are much nicer looking than drilled pockets.
Why yous screws at all? Dowel joints are very stron.
Interesting! It also looks like you can use the dowel waste as a pre-cut plug.
I am building my grandson a desk with 4 drawers running horizontal. I was pondering different ways to build the case work for the drawers, when I came across this video. I’ve got it figured out. Thanks- John
I made a fixture to pre-cut the dowels on my band saw. Insert the dowel, cut on the plus side (1/32) and then, because the dowel has the same angled cut, cut the dowel straight across. This leaves two fillers for pocket holes. Re-insert the dowel, and cut again. Use a fine tooth band saw blade. Anyone interested in pictures of the jig, email me at: Papamelj@cox.net.
There are dowels and there are dowels. The dowels I used in this video were hardwood (red oak) dowels, ordered from Rockler. I’ve found that the dowels sold at home centers are the ones that are typically undersized.
George is a total boss!
I use pocket holes from time to time. For a computer desk I made which was rather large, I used no glue joining the parts using pocket holes. The reason, was that the desk needed to be able to be disassembled in the shop and reassembled in the office. If it needs to be moved again it can be disassembled again. I didn’t hide the holes, line of sight did that for me. I do thank you for your tip however. I may use it on a headboard I am planning.
The problem is that the 3/8″ dowel, and the plugs that Kreg sells are both too small. The diameter is anywhere from 1/16″ to an 1/8″ smaller than the (pocket) hole. You can’t get a tight fit…
Great video! This approach would also allow using species for which Kreg plugs aren’t available, either buying dowels or making your own (for more unusual species).
Why bother to use dowels when you can buy plugs from Kreg?
Becuz dowels are cheaper.