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Pocket screws

I called ACE Hardware today and asked if they carried pocket screws. The guys said no. I'm brand new at woodworking but that seems a little odd. Is pocket screw a nickname for some kind of generic scew or did this guy not know his head from a bar of soap?

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General Getting Started Questions

Alyxvictoria

Fri, 10/11/2013 - 13:40

That's not surprising. They are a Kreg product which is a brand not carried in all hardware stores. Lowe's has them and you can order them online at the kreg website.

JeremyFox

Tue, 10/15/2013 - 05:43

Hi,
You can use any type of screw as a pocket screw, it's the "pocket hole" that gives the screw its name; there really isn't any single product called a pocket screw. The Kreg screws are good quality though and the underside of the screw head is flat so it sits better in the hole (sorry it's a little hard to explain in text). The main advantage of the Kreg product is the guide (or "jig") and drill bit used to drill the "pocket hole". A pocket hole is just a hole drilled at a steep angle into the wood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket-hole_joinery) and the jig helps you drill the hole.
You don't have to buy the Kreg jig as there are several makes of pocket hole jig out there (for example - http://www.toolexperts.com/pocket-hole-jig-kit-ez-pro-deluxe.html), although I think Kreg pretty much cornered the market in the US.
Let me know if you want any more guidance - happy to help :-)
Cheers,
Jeremy

Lady Goats

Wed, 10/16/2013 - 08:37

The Kreg brand is great, but you can use any type of self-tapping screw. Lowe's and Home Depot both have other brands of self-tapping screws that I've used in place of Kreg screws with no problem. It's best to ask for "self-tapping screws" - and I'm sure they have them. You could use regular wood screws, but there's a chance that you would crack the wood. Self-tapping screws are ideal because you are only pre-drilling one piece of stock when you use pocket holes, so the second piece may crack. If all else fails, amazon is amazing ;-)

Jake

Wed, 10/16/2013 - 11:07

I beg to differ with other writers. Pocket hole screws are screws with an integrated washer head. Lowes carries the Kreg brand as well as another brand which I like also. You can also go to McFeeleys web site and find the screws. It is not unusual that a clerk at HD or Lowes is not familiar with the term.