{"id":1757,"date":"2022-01-23T18:38:12","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T23:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/?p=1757"},"modified":"2022-04-01T16:09:31","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T20:09:31","slug":"is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/","title":{"rendered":"Is There an Alternative to Pocket Hole Screws?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Pocket hole screws aren\u2019t cheap \u2013 especially those name-brand screws manufactured by Kreg. If you\u2019re working on a project involving pocket holes, then you\u2019ve probably had the thought <em>\u201ccan you use regular screws inside pocket holes?\u201d<\/em><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Pocket hole screws feature a number of specific features that make them ideal for use in pocket holes. They\u2019re designed to work inside pocket holes to form a strong joint without causing the joint or surrounding wood to crack or break.<\/p>\n<p>This doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t use other screw types inside pocket holes in a pinch. Obviously, they won\u2019t perform as well as pocket hole screws, but if you\u2019re halfway through a woodworking project and all out of Kreg screws \u2013 there is an alternative to pocket hole screws.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll break this down further in this post, as well as give some examples of pocket hole screw alternatives.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_61 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Jump To:<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65dd9a8c0afba\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65dd9a8c0afba\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Pocket_Hole_Screw_Design\" title=\"Pocket Hole Screw Design\">Pocket Hole Screw Design<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Self-Tapping_Auger_Tip\" title=\"Self-Tapping Auger Tip\">Self-Tapping Auger Tip<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Deep_Square_Head\" title=\"Deep Square Head\">Deep Square Head<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Flat_Washer_Head\" title=\"Flat Washer Head\">Flat Washer Head<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Partially_Threaded_Screw\" title=\"Partially Threaded Screw \">Partially Threaded Screw <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Alternatives_to_Pocket_Hole_Screws\" title=\"Alternatives to Pocket Hole Screws\">Alternatives to Pocket Hole Screws<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Drywall_Screws\" title=\"Drywall Screws \">Drywall Screws <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Standard_Wood_Screws\" title=\"Standard Wood Screws\">Standard Wood Screws<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Cabinet_Screws\" title=\"Cabinet Screws\">Cabinet Screws<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Self-Drilling_Screws\" title=\"Self-Drilling Screws \">Self-Drilling Screws <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/is-there-an-alternative-to-pocket-hole-screws\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pocket_Hole_Screw_Design\"><\/span><strong>Pocket Hole Screw Design<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before looking at some viable pocket hole alternatives, we\u2019ll need to go over the design features that are specific to pocket hole screws. When choosing an alternative, you\u2019ll want to look for a screw with similar features in order to avoid poor performance.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1759\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1759\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1759 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pocket-hole-screw-diagram.png?resize=800%2C472&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"pocket hole screw diagram\" width=\"800\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pocket-hole-screw-diagram.png?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pocket-hole-screw-diagram.png?resize=300%2C177&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pocket-hole-screw-diagram.png?resize=768%2C453&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1759\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pocket hole screw features.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Self-Tapping_Auger_Tip\"><\/span><strong>Self-Tapping Auger Tip<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you take a close look at a pocket hole screw\u2019s point, you\u2019ll notice a small flute cutout in the tip. This cutout functions like a mini drill bit \u2013 effectively creating a pilot hole as you drive it into your material.<\/p>\n<p>This tip eliminates the need to drill a pilot hole all the way through your pocket hole and into the connecting wood board.<\/p>\n<p>If you examine a pocket hole drill bit, you\u2019ll notice the tip features a small pilot hole point that partially creates a pilot hole inside the board that you drill the pocket hole in. This pilot hole tip partially creates the pilot hole, while the screw does the rest of the job.<\/p>\n<p>If you use a screw without a self-tapping tip inside your pocket hole \u2013 you\u2019ll be more likely to cause the end of the connecting board to split and\/or crack.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Deep_Square_Head\"><\/span><strong>Deep Square Head<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Examine the head of a pocket hole screw and you\u2019ll notice that most of them feature a deep square \u201cRoberts\u201d head. This type of screw head is popular in a number of different applications where you need strong driver engagement and lowers the odds of the driver slipping or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/what-is-cam-out-how-can-i-avoid-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201ccam out\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This head gives you better control as you drive screws, and also helps prevent stripping the screw head rendering it useless.<\/p>\n<p>Another thing to consider is that pocket holes require a fairly long driver bit to reach inside the pole and drive the screw. In fact, the standard driver that comes with most <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/how-to-use-a-kreg-jig-r3\/\">Kreg Jigs<\/a> is 6\u201d long. If you don\u2019t have a long driver bit to match the head of your alternative screw, then you may not be able to reach inside the pocket hole to drive the screw.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flat_Washer_Head\"><\/span><strong>Flat Washer Head<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Pocket hole screws feature flat, washer-shaped bottoms designed to ensure the screw stops at the precise depth created by the pocket hole drill bit. This is one of the screw\u2019s most important features, as it prevents the screw from traveling too far into the pocket hole and damaging or breaking the hole or surrounding wood.<\/p>\n<p>Most construction, drywall, and wood screws feature some type of tapered head bottom designed to drive the screw head flat into the material. This is a big no-no when it comes to pocket holes, as this type of screw is likely to over-drive, causing damage to the wood and rendering the joint useless.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Partially_Threaded_Screw\"><\/span><strong>Partially Threaded Screw <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Pocket hole screws feature threads that only go about halfway up the shaft, with the upper portion of the shaft being smooth and unthreaded. This actually causes the threaded portion of the screw to pull the head of the screw into the joint \u2013 creating a stronger joint than a fully threaded screw would.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll find this type of partially threaded screw in many other applications where additional strength and shear resistance is needed including <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/will-deck-screws-rust\/\">deck screws<\/a>, structural screws, <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/how-to-use-lag-bolts-screws\/\">lag bolts<\/a>, and many others.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alternatives_to_Pocket_Hole_Screws\"><\/span><strong>Alternatives to Pocket Hole Screws<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you reach into your toolbox and find you\u2019re all out-of-pocket hole screws, what are some viable alternatives you can use?<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drywall_Screws\"><\/span><strong>Drywall Screws <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1763 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/drywall-screw.png?resize=300%2C217&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"drywall screw\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/drywall-screw.png?resize=300%2C217&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/drywall-screw.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Drywall screws are one of the most common screw types, so you\u2019re bound to have some lying around. That being said, they\u2019re a pretty poor choice and far being the best pocket hole screw alternative out there.<\/p>\n<p>Drywall screws typically have tapered bugle-shaped heads that are designed to do drive the screw head flat with the material. This is likely to lead to splitting the wood and ruining your pocket hole joint.<\/p>\n<p>If you insist on using drywall screws, then you\u2019ll want to be <strong>really careful <\/strong>when approaching the end of the pocket hole to avoid splitting the wood.<\/p>\n<p>Also, keep in mind that pocket hole screws are manufactured to be tougher than run-of-mill screws. Drywall screws on the other hand are made from hard, brittle steel and are prone to snapping during installation \u2013 so they\u2019re not likely to hold up over time.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Standard_Wood_Screws\"><\/span><strong>Standard Wood Screws<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regular wood screws are a better alternative than drywall screws but still have some drawbacks. They often have self-tapping tips, partial threads, but lack the flat washer heads of pocket screws.<\/p>\n<p>Once again, you\u2019ll need to be careful when fastening these screws in pocket hole joints, as they can easily split the wood if you over drive.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cabinet_Screws\"><\/span><strong>Cabinet Screws<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1764\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/cabinet-screws.jpg?resize=250%2C245&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"cabinet screw\" width=\"250\" height=\"245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/cabinet-screws.jpg?resize=300%2C294&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/cabinet-screws.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Cabinet screws are very similar to pocket hole screws and have nearly all of the same design features including wide washer heads, self-tapping tips, and partial threads.<\/p>\n<p>These screws are designed for cabinetry, light-duty structural applications, and general remodeling use.<\/p>\n<p>If you happen to have some of these screws lying around then they\u2019d make an excellent pocket hole screw alternative, but they\u2019re not exactly cheap, so purchasing Kreg screws would cost you about the same.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Self-Drilling_Screws\"><\/span><strong>Self-Drilling Screws <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1767 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/self-drilling-screw.png?resize=300%2C184&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"self drilling screws\" width=\"300\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/self-drilling-screw.png?resize=300%2C184&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/self-drilling-screw.png?w=399&amp;ssl=1 399w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Self-drilling screws are another strong alternative to pocket hole screws and share many of the same design characteristics.<\/p>\n<p>They often have flat washer heads and have self-drilling tips that are similar to the self-tapping tips found on pocket hole screws.<\/p>\n<p>You can find them at relatively cheap prices, so they\u2019re a good low-cost alternative to most pocket hole screws.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hopefully, you now have a strong understanding of how pocket hole screws work and why they\u2019re designed the way they are. They have a number of different features that make them the ideal option to use with pocket hole joinery, but there are some alternatives that can work in a pinch.<\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, you\u2019re better off using pocket hole screws than other screw types, but if you can pinpoint a screw that shares many of the same features then it can work as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pocket hole screws aren\u2019t cheap \u2013 especially those name-brand screws manufactured by Kreg. If you\u2019re working on a project involving pocket holes, then you\u2019ve probably had the thought \u201ccan you use regular screws inside pocket holes?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Is There an Alternative to Pocket Hole Screws? - Home Improvement Scout<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pocket hole screws feature a number of specific features that make them ideal for use in pocket holes. 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