What's the general consensus on this technique? I always thought it was a no no but with the oversized shank hole I can't see why not.
Attachment 392734
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What's the general consensus on this technique? I always thought it was a no no but with the oversized shank hole I can't see why not.
Attachment 392734
Don't see a problem as long as you used a domed head screw with a flat face and the head had room to move as well as the shank.
I do this sort of thing often enough. If I have made a side table or similar which has a draw directly under the top, I will more often than not have some diagonal corner braces connecting the side apron to the front upper rail. I then just drill a hole straight up through the brace and into the top. Remove the top and ream out the upper portion of the hole in the brace so that the screw shank can move side to side. I only use such a method when I estimate less than 3mm expansion or contraction. I wouldn't use such a method for any wide panels such a dining table.
In the picture, the width of the table top seems narrow enough to be safe.
If it were me I would approach it a bit differently and perhaps easier.
In the center of each end, glue 2 to 3 cm of the top to the aprons of the table. This effectively makes the wood movement that you have to deal with about half of that expected but on each side. If the table top is 12 inches wide, the total wood movement that you'll have to deal with is about 1/8". (30 cm and 3 mm respectively) Then glue a couple cleats to the inside of the apron. Drill oversize holes in the cleats and put your screws Through the cleat and into the table top. If you are expecting more than 1/8" movement, total, drill larger holes and put a fender washer under the screw head.
The kreg step drill bit drills a 4mm shrank hole with a counter bore hole of 9.5mm. Kreg screws are #7's which are 4mm diameter. If you oversize the shrank hole to 5mm, that should take care of small table up to 300mm wide. The pocket holes at the ends of the table should be normal size though.
Definitely a accepted technique Cabinet makers have been doing this for hundreds of years long before Kreg made jig to to make simpler