I'm not really into pocket screws to be honest - yes they are fast and yes the joint is strong. But you sure do hog out a lot of wood making the pocket some of which will show and looks like someone when crazy with a drill bit. Don't get me wrong pocket screws have their place in wood working, I just don't like them much when it comes to furniture.
My first preference for case joinery is the good old mortise and tendon, completely invisible when done right, lots of glue surface, strong as heck. Only down side is they are time consuming to make. But a couple of quickly made router templates, a router, template bushing and a straight bit and your off to the races.
My Second preference is the good old stand by hardwood dowel. Easy, fast, lots of glue surface and fairly strong - self centering dowel jig, drill bit drill a few packs of dowel centers and a depth stop colar for the drill bits are all that''s really needed - all of those are cheap. Along these same lines comes the "biscuit" albeit I would rather eat a biscuit it to has it's place in wood working. With the right "biscuit jointer" setup you can whip through case construction but does require special tools and screws - that are rather expensive in comparison to wood dowels.
Another option is screw and wood plugs - fast easy strong and if done right hardly noticeable all that's required are standard run of the mill wood screws, standard drill bits and the right size plug cutter.
My least desirable option is a brads either by hand or with a nail gun - sure is fast and easy, not very strong, just seems kind of "tacky" if you know what I mean.
Thanks
