All,

I have been asked to make a wood planter out of cedar. The plans call
for using the legs as styles, a top and bottom rail are connected to the
legs (stiles) using pocket screws. The 1-in. cedar boards are used as
panels. To see an example, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Cedarlooks-31.../dp/B000IXL364

Here are my questions:
1. Are pocket screws a good choice to use on outdoor projects? They
will attach the rails to the legs (stiles), the top frame to the box,
and are used inside to create a bottom. M & T joints are better I'm
sure, but take longer. Comments?

2. Is it wise to use rail & stile outdoors since moisture will collect
in the bottom rail with no good way to get rid of it? I suppose weep
holes could be drilled in the bottom rails, but I really doubt the
effectiveness of that, not to mention the time. Comments?

Another cedar planter design that may not have the moisture/rotting
problem is at:
https://www.hardwarestore.com/127287...14-1-2-sp17861
However, it was not the choice...

Thanks,
Dave

Just a couple of thoughts. Depending on where you put the screws, they will be of little or no value. If you put them parallel to the ground and suspend the planter box on the legs using the screws, likely the screws will fail. Pocket screws are not known for their weight bearing compression strength.

Unless you buy stainless screws, they will fail quickly from staying wet. The normal screws are not made to be used in construction that causes them to be constantly wet. They will rust out.

There is a reason that mortise and tenon is used in this kind of project. The wood literally has to rot out for the structure to fail.

I have made decorative planters before, and I lined the planters made for a commercial decorative accents with aluminum with joints of the liner sealed with elastomeric caulk. The ones used at the house were lined with heavy duty plastic.

Liners keep the wood protected. Don't over water and you won't have to worry about weep holes.

Robert

On Tue, 23 May 2017 09:48:01 -0400, Dave wrote:

All,

I have been asked to make a wood planter out of cedar. The plans call
for using the legs as styles, a top and bottom rail are connected to the
legs (stiles) using pocket screws. The 1-in. cedar boards are used as
panels. To see an example, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Cedarlooks-31.../dp/B000IXL364

Here are my questions:
1. Are pocket screws a good choice to use on outdoor projects? They
will attach the rails to the legs (stiles), the top frame to the box,
and are used inside to create a bottom. M & T joints are better I'm
sure, but take longer. Comments?

2. Is it wise to use rail & stile outdoors since moisture will collect
in the bottom rail with no good way to get rid of it? I suppose weep
holes could be drilled in the bottom rails, but I really doubt the
effectiveness of that, not to mention the time. Comments?

Another cedar planter design that may not have the moisture/rotting
problem is at:
https://www.hardwarestore.com/127287...14-1-2-sp17861
However, it was not the choice...

Thanks,
Dave


What size planter are you building ?
the second example you linked - is only 14.5 in. square
John T.

On Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 8:48:04 AM UTC-5, Dave wrote:

I have been asked to make a wood planter out of cedar. To see an example, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Cedarlooks-31.../dp/B000IXL364

Here are my questions:
1. Are pocket screws a good choice

1) If you are to fill the planter with dirt, then no.
2) If you are to place a potted plant (container) inside the planter box (having a floor or not), then probably pocket screws would suffice for several seasons. Screws would accommodate easily changing the bottom rail, if/when need be; if/when it rots.

As to #2 above: If you opt to screw things together, you can seal the whole of each board, including inside the pocket-screw holes, prior to assembly, if you are to seal the planter, at all. Sealing, this way, may help extend the pot life (sic), a bit longer.

Sonny

On 5/23/2017 9:48 AM, Dave wrote:
All,

I have been asked to make a wood planter out of cedar. The plans call
for using the legs as styles, a top and bottom rail are connected to the
legs (stiles) using pocket screws. The 1-in. cedar boards are used as
panels. To see an example, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Cedarlooks-31.../dp/B000IXL364

Here are my questions:
1. Are pocket screws a good choice to use on outdoor projects? They
will attach the rails to the legs (stiles), the top frame to the box,
and are used inside to create a bottom. M & T joints are better I'm
sure, but take longer. Comments?

I would use pocket screws, but would put wood rails around the bottom
screwed to the posts to hold the weight of the dirt. The pocket screws
would easily hold all the rails as the horizontal pressure of the dirt
would be nil.

2. Is it wise to use rail & stile outdoors since moisture will collect
in the bottom rail with no good way to get rid of it? I suppose weep
holes could be drilled in the bottom rails, but I really doubt the
effectiveness of that, not to mention the time. Comments?

I would use hardware cloth stapled to the wood rails around the bottom
of the bottom of the planter if filling with dirt. Put a layer of
leaves, then compost, then dirt.

If using pocket screws for the rails, plug the holes with putty or calk,
or get stainless screws. If using mortise and tenon, use water proof glue.

--
Jack
Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.
http://jbstein.com

On Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 8:48:04 AM UTC-5, Dave wrote:
All,

I have been asked to make a wood planter out of cedar. The plans call
for using the legs as styles, a top and bottom rail are connected to the
legs (stiles) using pocket screws. The 1-in. cedar boards are used as
panels. To see an example, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Cedarlooks-31.../dp/B000IXL364

Here are my questions:
1. Are pocket screws a good choice to use on outdoor projects? They
will attach the rails to the legs (stiles), the top frame to the box,
and are used inside to create a bottom. M & T joints are better I'm
sure, but take longer. Comments?

2. Is it wise to use rail & stile outdoors since moisture will collect
in the bottom rail with no good way to get rid of it? I suppose weep
holes could be drilled in the bottom rails, but I really doubt the
effectiveness of that, not to mention the time. Comments?

Another cedar planter design that may not have the moisture/rotting
problem is at:
https://www.hardwarestore.com/127287...14-1-2-sp17861
However, it was not the choice...

Thanks,
Dave

#1 - NO
#2 - YES

Pocket screws in something as soft as cedar, especially in an exterior setting, is just asking for failure.
Rails and Stiles are fine, since you are using a rather weather resistant wood. I would make the joints mortise and tenon and put a very good exterior oil on the whole thing.

You will want some form of drain, merely spacing the bottom boards would be sufficient.