Troubleshooting Finish Failure
prep, site conditions, materials, or technique? February 26, 2005

Tooling up for Euro-style cabinets
When considering a switch to the 32mm system, there are two choices: Get your feet wet, or dive right in. 1998.

Upper Cabinets Adjacent to a Microwave
A 14-inch deep microwave stands a little proud of the nearby 12-inch upper cabs. Here are some design suggestions for deeper cabinets to bring the faces flush. April 18, 2006

Under-Mounting a Top-Mount Sink
Installer gets advice on mounting a new-fangled "hybrid-mounting" sink. June 17, 2005

Installing Framed Cabinets
Save time with careful layout and the right tools. February 9, 2001

Installation ... but we've never done it -- like that before!
Jon Elvrum discusses the biggest obstacle in learning to install frameless cabinets: Old habits. 1998.

Face-frame joinery techniques
Cabinetmakers discuss various techniques for joining cabinet face frames. October 31, 2000

Refrigerator Fit Issues
"Counter-depth" refrigerators don't provide a true built-in look: the sides are exposed, as this cabinetmaker learned to his (and his customer's) dismay. November 2, 2010


Making Interlocking Shelves
Constructing sets of shelves with fitted parts. October 20, 2004

Matching stain to existing work
Techniques for matching the finish of new work to that of the existing cabinets in a cherry kitchen. November 7, 2000

Face frame alignment
Getting good alignment with mortise and tenon joinery in face frames. December 6, 2000

Refrigerator Cabinet Installation Details
Pros share tips and tricks. May 4, 2005

Minimum Walking Space for Kitchens
In a tight kitchen, how much space do you have to allow between a wall counter and an island?April 18, 2006

Making painted desk tops durable
Creating tough surfaces for office furniture. October 31, 2000

Problem with ball catches
Are ball catches appropriate for use on kitchen cabinets? March 20, 2001

Glass Doors and Remote Controls
Will a glass door on an entertainment center block the TV remote? Apparently not. December 14, 2005

Kitchen island height
What is the standard height for a kitchen island countertop? June 24, 2001

Building Low-End Cabinets
Cabinetmakers discuss how to build inexpensive cabinets for the builder market. April 18, 2006

Cabinet Installation: Preventing Problems
Careful preparation and knowledge of the site make cabinet installation much easier. February 9, 2001

Conversion varnish basics
The pros agree: conversion varnish is best for kitchen cabinets. April 20, 2001

Case construction practices
A look at various methods of case joinery for kitchen cabinets. September 6, 2000

Drawer-Style Dishwashers and Frameless Cabinets
Tips on fitting drawer-type dishwashers into frameless cabinets. December 7, 2008

Corner Cabinet Height Puzzle
When the corner cabinet is higher than the wall cabs, how do you detail the transition? Pros share tips. June 12, 2005

Cabinet Dimensions for Sub Zero Appliances
Sub Zero refrigerators and freezers require you to build deeper cabinets if you want the fronts to be flush. January 19, 2011

Dowel case assembly
Shop owners sing the praises of dowel case construction. September 6, 2000

Blind Corner Pullout Choices
Big supplier salespeople weigh in on this informative thread about choosing and installing pullout shelving for blind corner cabinets. August 31, 2010

Caster Hardware for a Mobile Kitchen Island
Heavy-duty industrial casters are recommended, but nylon slides may also work. November 22, 2005

Upper cabinet install jig
A sampling of shop-built setups used by the pros. October 16, 2003

Sink cutouts in post form tops
Woodworkers share their favorite methods. April 3, 2002

Thirty-Inch Deep Base Cabinets
Extra depth brings cabinet faces out flush with a standard refrigerator, but it introduces other complications. In this discussion, cabinetmakers share techniques for building 30-inch deep cabinets that work. December 28, 2005

Scribe Rails -- Why Not?
Why are custom shops not including scribe material on backs? August 26, 2004

Toekick Drawers
Construction details and images for toekick drawers. January 14, 2004

Scribing in Difficult Situations
Techniques and tactics for problematic scribing. September 9, 2004

To dado or not to dado?
The pros and cons of dadoing melamine cabinet boxes. November 22, 2003

- What makes a cabinet "custom"?
Is there a specific standard that qualifies a cabinet as custom? June 24, 2002

Tall Cabinet Calculations For Ceiling Clearance
Formulas for figuring how tall a cabinet will be at its longest point. March 14, 2004

Why Build Face Frame?
Reasons the face-frame tradition survives. September 9, 2004

Wainscot with toe kick
Notching and other ideas for integrating a toe kick with wainscot. January 3, 2003

Where Doors and Panels Meet
How various cabinetmakers deal with the relationsihp between overlay doors and the adjacent edges of finished end panels. January 24, 2005

Supporting Overhanging Granite
Building a structurally sound kitchen island. November 22, 2004

Shop-Built Cabinet Lift Photos
Detailed images of a jack designed to help with cabinet installation. December 21, 2008

TV cabinets
Designs for large, small and flat screens. April 9, 2003

Trimming real wood edgeband
Tricks for avoiding tears. April 17, 2002

Splitting stiles with pocket screws
Suggestions are offered on how to overcome the problem. July 24, 2002

Strong face frame assembly
Methods for attaching face frames to cabinets. September 25, 2002

Sloppy-Fitting Biscuits
A primer on what's too loose, too tight, and just right. February 25, 2005

Square-trimming face frame stock
Woodworkers share their secrets for getting dead-square cuts on the ends of face frame members.

Sink Tip-Out Hinge Choices
Cabinetmakers discuss hinge option for sink-front tip-out trays. June 23, 2006

Wall Cabinet Undersides
Should they match the face frames? Or be a lighter shade to reflect light? Does it even matter? Cabinetmakers discuss the options. July 9, 2005

Shop-Made Frame Assembly Table
Details on construction, including images. March 14, 2004

Sliding Breadboard Ideas
Cabinetmakers suggest options for building slide-out breadboards in limited space. September 20, 2005

2x4 Base Under Base Cabinets
Constructing ladder bases. December 26, 2004

Warming Drawer Basics
Kitchen pros discuss the details of installing a warming drawer. November 20, 2005

Upper Cabinet Heights
Suggestions for upper cabinet dimensions in a kitchen with high ceilings. May 10, 2005

Spice Racks on Doors
Tips for building spice racks into door backs. May 14, 2006

Face frame versus frameless
December 28, 2002

Melamine Carcasses
Can melamine interiors be considered high end? April 18, 2004

Frameless carcass construction
A detailed discussion of the quality of frameless cabinets. July 24, 2001

Methods of 32 mm system layout
Different interpretations on the 32mm system. (Cabinetmaking Forum) March 23, 2003

NC lacquer for kitchen cabinets
Why shouldn't this old standby be used? March 23, 2003

MDF versus particleboard
Strength and other qualities in relation to cabinet construction. (From WOODWEB's Cabinetmaking Forum) March 23, 2003

Eliminating Wood Problems -- An Industry Review: 10 Ways of Eliminating Wood Problems
Gene Wengert explains why eliminating wood problems begins and ends with monitoring and controlling the moisture content (MC) in wood -March 18, 2000

Recessed or flush cabinet backs
Which method cabinetmakers find preferable, plus materials and methods used. December 17, 2003

Kitchen Corner Cabinets
Creative solutions for this awkward space. February 10, 2004

Going from handcrafted to CNC
Discussion of P2Ps, dedicated boring, edgebanders and other equipment, software and processes. August 29, 2001

One Man, One Kitchen, How Many Days?
Solo cabinetmakers compare notes on the time it takes them to complete a basic kitchen job. April 26, 2006

Melamine Cabinet Boxes
Can melamine move in as plywood quality degrades? October 5, 2004

Low-tech panel squaring
Methods and machines for squaring that don't involve CNC equipment. April 9, 2003

Installing Rollout Shelves
Keeping rollouts clear of the hinges. March 14, 2004

Melamine Wall Cabinet Design
Sturdy construction with an unfamiliar material. July 20, 2004

Kick boxes
Building separate kicks for efficient installation. September 20, 2003

Face frame assembly
Fastening face frame members that are assembled and sanded before being applied to a cabinet. April 17, 2002

Melamine carcass construction
Methods for the small shop. October 30, 2002

How to attach a drawer front
Fine-tuning the attachment of applied drawer fronts. September 25, 2002

Hanging Cabinet Doors
The efficiency of hanging doors before or during install. January 28, 2004

Finished Outside But Not Inside
How to handle things when specs call for finished face frames but unfinished interiors. February 8, 2005

Face frame clamping options
Woodworkers discuss their clamping systems and share pictures of what works for them. July 24, 2001

Hybrid Euro/Traditional Wall Unit Details
A cabinetmaker gathers ideas for a European style wall unit - with a face frame. March 17, 2005

Gluing face frames
Is glue alone enough to attach face frames to 3/4-inch plywood cabinets? July 29, 2003

Face Frame Assembly Table
Developing a bench for fast and accurate assembly. March 14, 2004

Integrated fillers in cabinets
Using fillers, integrated or loose. April 3, 2002

Flat Faces on Shop-Built Doors
An exchange of views on lumber handling, door assembly, tolerances, and the meaning of "high end." June 18, 2005

Island Clearance
How much space around an island? Code and comfort considerations apply. April 14, 2005

Frameless Cabinets With Traditional Look
Achieving quality and style with framless construction. April 4, 2004

Fastening countertops
How to fasten a laminated particleboard countertop to cabinets. March 28, 2001

Plastic Laminate Cabinet Tips
Advice for a first-timer who is tackling an all-plastic-laminate kitchen job. July 3, 2006

How many confirmats?
Determining how many fasteners to use per joint in frameless cabinetry. April 2, 2002

Keeping Cabinets on the Wall
Sturdy construction and strong attachments are key safety factors. May 4, 2005

Router Bits for Raised Panels
Horizontal versus vertical bits for cutting raised panels. January 28, 2004

Installing Separate Toekicks
Methods of attaching separate kicks. January 6, 2005

Joining cabinets - at a 45 degree angle
Cabinetmakers offer illustrated tips on joining a line of cabinetry which incorporates a 45-degree-angled unit. April 3, 2002

Face Frame Efficiency
Avoiding bottlenecks in face frame construction. September 20, 2004

Flat Panel Door Material
for the job? February 25, 2005

Frameless Shelf Spans
Cabinetmakers discuss the span limits of 3/4-inch shelf material, and share tips on mid-span supports and a stiffening valance. December 28, 2005

Installing refrigerator end panels
The search for better methods. April 3, 2002

Frameless Cabinet Fastening
Attaching lower cabinet sides to deck. August 7, 2004

Raised-Panel Ends on Upper Cabs
Fast and classy construction. March 14, 2004

Kitchen Corner Cabinet Ideas
Pros share ideas, designs, and photos of Lazy Susan corner solutions. June 28, 2005

Finished end panels
How to install pre-finished end panels. April 3, 2002

Jigs for shelf pin holes
Speeding up the drilling process. March 23, 2002

Painting wood cabinets
Suggested paint-grade materials for cabinets. October 15, 2001

Oversize Frameless Cabinet Design
A newcomer to frameless construction gets advice on designing and building a large, four-bay, floor-to-ceiling closet cabinet. December 28, 2005

Pocket-screwed face frames
A time-saving method for frame assembly compared to dowels. 1998.

Hand Hewn Look for New Cabinetry
Achieving an old-fashioned look with antique and contemporary tools. May 10, 2005

Facing frameless melamine cabinets
Facing and finishing melamine carcasses to attain a high-end, traditional look without face frames. April 2, 2002

Line-boring for adjustable shelves
The full range of options for getting shelf holes in place is reviewed. 1998.

Hard maple versus soft Maple
Aesthetic and functional differences between hard and soft maple

Finished Ends With Separate Kickers
Preferred methods of construction. August 7, 2004

Oil Finishes for Food Prep Counters
Natural oils or waxes make a good finish for stable wood counter-tops in kitchens. April 30, 2006

Leg levelers vs. notches and plinths
Leg levelers are the way to go, if you're going Euro. 1998.

Metal Liners for Wood Range Hoods
Wood range hoods must have non-combustible liners. May 22, 2006

Hinge-mounting machines
Hinge insertion machines are available for European as well as traditional cabinet hinges. 1998.

Jig for beaded faceframes
Photographs of a shop-built jig. June 4, 2003

ITEMIZER - From R & R Drummond, Inc.
Use your computer to generate efficient layouts for cutting sheet material into desired sizes (a link to a demo download is provided)1998

Cabinetmaker's Responsibilities
Lively conversation about who should handle plumbing, electrical, etc. on kitchen/bath projects. December 9, 2004

Confirmat screw assembly
Troubleshooting problems with Confirmat screws. June 24, 2002

Case construction methods
Discussion of the strongest, most efficient methods of joinery. July 29, 2003

Appliance Cutouts
Standards, and a lack of, for kitchen appliace cutouts. August 7, 2004

Confirmat screws -- getting started
A discussion on drilling holes for confirmat screws dives deeper into screw and dowel construction. July 3, 2001

Chip-free dovetailing in plywood
Building dovetailed plywood drawers without chipping; European and American approaches. April 24, 2002

Cabinet construction joinery
Different joinery and construction methods. November 24, 2002

Achieving Consistent Copes
Why is it so difficult to cut copes the same every time? October 5, 2004

Drawing Units and Precision
Deciding on the level of precision needed for cabinet and millwork design. October 20, 2004

Building Separate Kicks
Different methods of building and installing toekicks. August 7, 2004

Designing entertainment centers
Important considerations when designing and building multimedia centers. August 25, 2003

Drawer runner holes in 32mm system
Placement, mounting and more. (From WOODWEB's Cabinetmaking Forum) February 12, 2003

Drawers and the Utilization of Space
Why slide-integrated drawer systems are less costly to produce and provide greater space efficiency than traditional drawer construction. 1998.

Blum hinge drilling locations
Determining the edge setback for drilling in the use of Blum hinges. March 20, 2001

Building Beaded Face Frames
Making beadmould application more efficient. January 14, 2004

Defining "Quality" in Custom Cabinet Work
Pleasing customers is about matching their expectations, not your own. Cabinet shop pros discuss how to succeed with custom work in a competitive market. August 29, 2005

Cabinet Refacing
Can it work as a business? Pros share business and tech tips. June 17, 2005

Attaching Bookcases to Countertops
Efficient methods from professional cabinetmakers. February 10, 2004

Designing for Large Pocket Doors
Choosing quality hardware for TV entertainment center. March 14, 2004

Dowel, screw, staple, confirmat construction
Efficiency and assembly with different fastening methods. March 5, 2003

Corner cabinets and out-of-plumb walls
How do you deal with the gaps inevitably caused by less-than-perfect walls? August 25, 2003

Drying racks for cabinet doors
Purchased and shop built varieties - the designs that work the best. Illustrated. (Finishing Forum) March 23, 2003

Concealing Cleats in Cabinets
Constructing cases to hide cleats. November 3, 2004

Door Panel Tolerances
Sloppy fit : Is the supplier at fault? August 7, 2004

Biscuits Or Butt Joints
High-quality, high-speed cabinet joinery techniques. October 20, 2004

Beaded Face Frame Fabrication
There's more than one way to bead a frame, as this discussion proves. January 24, 2005

Building A Raised Laminate Countertop
Building a raised 'breakfast bar' on existing cabinets. January 15, 2004

Alignment of Face Frames
The decision on making face frames flush versus leaving a reveal. February 10, 2004

Accurately Squaring Cabinet Boxes
Methods foraccurately squaring frameless cabinet carcasses. October 16, 2003

Cracks in beaded face frames
How can the crack between the bead and the frame itself be avoided? July 24, 2002

Beyond the Lazy Susan: Corner Cabinet Options
Not everyone loves the Lazy Susan cabinet. Here's a discussion of alternative ways to provide easy-reach storage in corner cabinets. December 28, 2005

Attaching Face Frames to Cabs
Preferred methods of joinery. January 28, 2004

Drawers Vs. Shelves for Kitchen Base Cabinets
Drawers can be more useful, and also a better money-maker for the cabinet builder. August 8, 2005

Cabinet Warranty In Unfinished Buildings
Covering yourself against damage caused by humidity and temperature. April 10, 2005

Crown on face-frame cabinets
An alternative to notching stiles when applying crown moulding. May 15, 2002

Coping beaded face frames
Efficient methods, plus hinge suggestions for face-frame cabinetry. January 3, 2003

Cabinet Backs and Slide Installation
What other shops are using for back material and it works with back-mounted drawer slides. February 8, 2005

Cabinet Back Options
Half-inch plywood, or quarter-inch plywood and cleats? March 17, 2005

Cabinet Hanger Cleats
Ways to install back-panel cleats for attaching cabinets to walls. June 18, 2005

Building Arched Toekicks
Descriptions and images of tested techniques. September 9, 2004

Child-Safety Drawer Catches
Advice on those child-proofing drawer and door accessories. July 5, 2006

Biscuits for face frames
A discussion of using biscuits for assembling cabinet face frames. Pros and cons of biscuits on face frames, and equipment used. November 21, 2000

A Jig for Producing Shelf Pin Holes
The search for equipment to make drilling holes simple and systematic. May 10, 2005

Drawer Slide Jigs
Pros suggest several options for quick and accurate drawer-slide installation. June 17, 2005

Antique Barn-Board Cabinets
A high-end home with cabinets made from weathered old barn siding? Craftsmen suggest ways to marry rustic and fine. June 12, 2005

Cabinet Doors: Outsource Or Build?
It's hard to beat the cost of outsourcing. April 10, 2005

Assorted Videos for Millwork Installers and Cabinetmakers
January 25, 2007

Doors for a Wide Entertainment Center
Designing doors to hide an extra-wide TV. May 10, 2005

Crown Molding With Staggered Cabinets
Making a smooth transition from cabinet to cabinet. July 20, 2004

Attaching End Panels
Methods used by the pros. January 28, 2004

Door/drawer gaps in Euro-style cabinets
Americans need to apply the looser European standards to door and drawer gaps to avoid frustration when ordering these parts from other manufacturers. October 18, 2000

Dowels: Best for frameless construction?
The case is made (no pun intended) for doweling in frameless cabinet construction. 1998.

Blum's Process 32™ Manual (PDF)
October 15, 2003

Attaching crown moulding
Methods of attaching crown moulding to frameless cabinets. March 28, 2001

Alternatives to dado cabinet construction
John Elvrum offers a practical approach to identifying viable, mechanical alternatives to traditional dado joinery of cabinet boxes. 1998.

Dowel drilling and use guidelines
A quick guide to dowel clearances and practices, including drilling depth, diameter-to-edge ratios, and dowel selection. 1998.

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