"Joe Barta" wrote in message

And even if things don't actually split, is it fair to say that the
joint is somewhat weak because the screw AND most the displaced wood
bits are crammed in the hole?

Nope ... not fair to say. While pocket hole screws are not and overall
replacement for other joinery methods, they do have their place/application
where they are "strong enough" to do the required job. Fame frames is one of
those applications ... pocket screws add the necessary joint strength to get
the job done, without going overboard.

I suppose with a soft wood everything can be compressed and all is
well. But what about oak? That stuff is pretty damn hard.

I use them almost exclusively in oak, and while I have had a few stiles on
oak FF's split, the percentage is so small as to be not worth worrying
about.

Is there a reason why such jigs and drills are NOT made the whole
screw length?

CW answered that above ...

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