Cabinetmaker's Responsibilities Lively conversation about who should handle plumbing, electrical, etc. on kitchen/bath projects. December 9, 2004
Level Cabinets in Out-of-Whack Houses A rowdy, no-holds-barred debate on whether cabinet installers should fudge square and level when the existing house is neither. December 20, 2005
Efficient Drawer-Front Installation In this long, detailed discussion, cabinet pros swap techniques for attaching drawer fronts and discuss how to improve efficiency and accuracy of this fussy and time-consuming step. September 8, 2007
Out-of-Level Floor Problem A cabinet job for a new house with an out-of-level floor leads to a callback. Pros weigh in with views and technical advice. August 29, 2005
Setting and Leveling Base Cabinets A discussion of various methods for setting base cabs, including using a separate ladder base, using leg levelers, or using a wall cleat at the back and leg levelers in the front. March 26, 2009
Cabinet Refacing Labor Hours Making a profit on cabinet refacing depends on being productive on site. Here are some thoughts on the labor time required with various methods. May 28, 2010
When Cabinets Fail Like the poet said, "Everything falls apart." Here's a long discussion of common cabinet failures and the nature of cabinet repair work. June 28, 2007
Raised Panel Shrinkage Cabinetmakers grapple with the issues raised by installing unfinished cabinetry in an unheated house, mid-project. May 28, 2010
Installing Drawer Faces A long, detailed discussion about various ways to accurately and rapidly attach drawer fronts when installing cabinets. February 16, 2012
Vertical panel saws A comparison of speed and efficiency of vertical panel saws as opposed to sliding table saws. July 24, 2001
Adjustable Hinge Wear and Tear and Maintenance Cabinetmakers discuss the long-term performance of adjustable hinges, with tips on hardware choice, installation, and maintenance. February 13, 2009
Outsourcing Cabinet Installation There are good reasons to install your own cabinets, and good reasons to have someone else do it. Here, installers and cabinetmakers discuss the fine points of communication and cooperation among specialists. August 3, 2005
Attaching Trim to a Cabinet Top Cabinetmakers and finish carpenters discuss how to provide good nailing for large trim pieces at the top of a cabinet. June 11, 2014
On-Site Laminate Cutting Tips and Tricks Cabinet re-facing work calls for a lot of cut-and-fit laminate work. Here's a long discussion of ways to go about the task. May 6, 2007
Installing Built-Ins Over Carpet Should built-in cabinets be installed over existing carpet, or should the carpet be cut away and re-attached at the joint? Craftsmen debate the point. July 24, 2005
Scribing a Farmhouse Sink to Fit A heavy, irregularly-shaped sink needs to fit just right — the first time. The installer asks for help, and reports on his results. August 29, 2005
Refrigerator Cabinet Dimensions A discussion of the practical and esthetic choices around boxing in a refrigerator. April 29, 2012
Circular Saw Guides for Cutting Sheet Goods You can make your own straight-edge jig for cutting panels, but many cabinetmakers and installers recommend buying a specialized tool. November 20, 2008
Are Tracksaws Under-Powered? A tracksaw is handy when you need one, but it's no straight-line rip saw. February 27, 2015
Attaching Cabinets to Steel Studs Cabinet installers share tips and tricks for hanging cabs in commercial buildings where the framing is steel instead of wood. January 26, 2008
Floating Vanity Structural Attachment Here's a handful of strategies for attaching "floating" vanities to the wall so that they'll stay put, despite having no support from underneath. May 6, 2009
Whether to Re-Cut Granite in Place Does it make sense to install granite that you plan to cut later to accommodate an appliance change? December 7, 2008
Constructing and Installing Banks of Bookshelves Library jobs typically call for multiple built-in bookcases, installed shoulder to shoulder. Here are descriptions and photos of different solutions to the construction problem. April 29, 2012
Screw Choices for Cabinet Installation A discussion of screws with and without self-tapping points and nibbed heads, for installing connecting cabinets during installation. November 20, 2008
Installing an Island Over a Radiant Slab Cab installers ponder how to attach an island cabinet over a heated concrete floor, without puncturing any tubes. January 11, 2008
What Thickness of Material for Cabinet Backs? Cabinetmakers discuss whether they use 3/4-inch, 1/2-inch, or 1/4-inch plywood for cabinet backs, and the reasoning behind their preferences. July 11, 2013
Making Concrete Countertops Fabricating concrete countertops is not rocket science, but it takes practice — and it isn't cheap. March 26, 2007
Farm Sink Mounting Details For a custom kitchen, confusion arises over how the farmhouse sink is intended to be mounted. Learn more here about farm sinks and how they fit in. April 9, 2008
Sub-Zero Fridge Installation Putting in a Sub-Zero? Cabinet installers feel your pain. But the big, heavy units have their defenders too. February 27, 2013
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
Laser Level Accuracy Issues Laser levels can be knocked out of whack, and old-school water levels can have issues of their own. The watchword is "trust, but verify." October 19, 2014
Cutting a Post-Formed Laminate Countertop Hiring the job out to a well-equipped countertop shop is your best bet — but here's how to do it with an installer's toolkit. February 8, 2008
Cabinet Levelers: Worth It? Opinions vary about whether cabinet leveling hardware is worth buying. April 29, 2012
Scribing Baseboard for an Uneven Floor Here are some good tips on how to scribe base shoe molding to an uneven tile floor around the toe kicks of kitchen cabinets. October 27, 2011
Installing cabinets over tile Tying kicks to a tile floor, and the complications presented by floor-integrated radiant heating. February 19, 2002
Face Frames: Re-face Versus Replace Here's an interesting thread about the advantages of replacing just a cabinet face frame, instead of refacing the cabinet or replacing it altogether. June 11, 2014
Fastening countertops How to fasten a laminated particleboard countertop to cabinets. March 28, 2001
In Search of Lightweight Shelving After struggling with inch-and-a-quarter laminated MDF panels, an installer looks for a better way. March 3, 2009
Drilling Through Ceramic Tile A discussion of power tools and bits for effective drilling into hard ceramic tile. May 2, 2011
Cabinet Leveler Success Stories Is a new, more expensive cabinet leveler worth the up-charge? For some cabinet installers who think it works better, the answer is yes. April 18, 2011
Checking for Face Twist when Installing Cabinets Advice for installers on how to make sure the face of a built-in cabinet isn't being pushed out of flatness by irregular, out-of-plumb house walls. November 5, 2013
Refacing a Rounded Face Frame Tips for how to reface cabinets with round corners, and some general comments on the cabinet-refacing market. February 28, 2006
Cutting "Edge-Installed" Crown This "stand up" crown requires some adaptations to "normal" installation procedures. February 8, 2005
Cabinets and Heating Vents When a new cabinet covers an existing heating or cooling register, warm air needs a new path. Here are tips on installing toe-kick vents for those situations. August 8, 2006
Trash Pullout Install Hassles Advice on making the necessary minor tweaks and adjustments to get a trash pullout operating correctly. August 31, 2009
Flat-Screen TV Over the Fireplace? Some people hate the idea, but some customers are asking for it. Here, cabinetmakers discuss solutions (and personal taste). August 11, 2009
Leg Levelers 101 A beginner learns the basics about adjustable cabinet leg hardware. August 3, 2005
Fitting Cabinets to Bowed Walls Cabinet-hanging and scribing tips for installations in kitchens with irregular wall surfaces. April 18, 2006
Tweaking Island Height A cabinetmaker gets advice on raising an already installed island by two inches. September 23, 2006
Cabinet Install: Before or After Tile? Installers have various views about whether to schedule the cabinet install before ceramic floor tiles are set, or after. August 31, 2009
Making Your Own Cabinet Jack Whether you buy one or go to the trouble of making your own, a nice cabinet jack will make you wonder how you used to get along without it. September 10, 2008
Veneering a Curved Cabinet in Place Advice on a very tricky veneering problem: applying veneer to a half-completed cabinet with a curved face, on site. August 23, 2006
Cabinets Over a "Floating" Floor Can cabinets be installed directly on a floating floor, or should the flooring be cut away? August 29, 2005
Installing Cabinets On Top of a Floating Floor There are at least two ways to do it so that the floor is free to expand and contract. However, water damage to flooring is still a risk to consider. November 19, 2005
Fridge Panel Head-Scratcher When a cabinetmaker is asked to make refrigerator panels without ever seeing the appliance — for a job that's a long drive away — he feels the need for some advice. January 26, 2008
Fitting Drawers to a Racked Euro-Cab The frameless cabinets were put in place twisted, so now the drawers don't fit properly. What to do? June 11, 2014
Flooring First, or Cabinets? Cabinet installers discuss whether they'd rather set base cabs before or after the tile flooring is laid. October 25, 2006
Installing Cabinets When Carpet Has Been Laid Thoughts on how to handle the business and technical problems raised when a GC asks the cabinet installer to follow the carpet installer in the job sequence. August 31, 2009
Face-Frame Bookcase Assembly on Site Here are several suggestions for how to assemble a built-in bookshelf cabinet on site, focusing on face frame issues.July 29, 2014
Installing Drawer-Type Dishwashers Drawer-style dishwasher units don't always require a cabinet, but attaching the faces and installing controls can be tricky. April 18, 2006
Cutting Out Oven Cabinet Openings Oven cabinets come with small openings that need to be enlarged to fit the brand of oven selected. Here, installers share their methods for making a clean, precise cut. December 14, 2005
Re-Configuring Existing Cabinets Five out of five doctors agree: tearing out and reassembling existing cabinets is just not worth it. September 23, 2006
Laser Layout for Out-of-Whack Rooms Here's a good description of how to use a laser level to set benchmark plumb and level layout lines on a room that's not built square, plumb, level, or true. July 12, 2008
Wall Nailing Hard Spot Mystery Sometimes it takes a little detective work to figure out why fasteners won't penetrate at one particular spot. January 11, 2008
Upper Cabinet Height Standard Conventions and codes for upper cab height have changed over the years, with some practical implications. July 28, 2012
Fixes for Stripped Screw Holes Ways to make screws fit tight and hold permanently, even after the screw hole is damaged. July 5, 2011
Upper Cabinet Height Quandary A homeowner found the upper cabs too high — after they were installed. So the cabinetmaker lowered them, but now he needs to make it look right. "It's a lesson for us all," says one pro. November 11, 2005
Laying Out Sink Base Cabinets for Plumbing Stubs Creative cosmetics, advanced math, and inspired guesswork are all it may take for you to punch perfect plumbing holes every time. November 19, 2008
Running Frameless Cabinets to the Ceiling The ceiling joint is a tricky detail for full-height frameless upper cabinets. Here, pros suggest ways to handle it. August 29, 2005
Door Choices for an Appliance Garage A cabinetmaker explores the options for doors that will get out of the way to allow access to appliances in the cupboard. May 15, 2014
Cutting Installed Chair Rail With the right tools, surgically removing existing trim before setting a new cab can be the simplest course. September 30, 2010
Toilet-to-Cabinet Allowable Clearance Tolerances Cabinet makers and installers discuss the allowable distance between a toilet and a bathroom vanity, and consider how to make adjustments when the space gets tight. November 19, 2005
Crown Moulding on Frameless Cabinets Full-overlay doors on frameless upper cabinets make it tricky to apply crown molding at the ceiling. October 9, 2006
Cabinet Floor-Platform Terminology Most cabinetmakers are familiar with the idea of a ladder-shaped platform for mounting base cabinets in certain situations. But what do you call the pieces of that assembly? July 29, 2007
Flexible Countertop Templating Material With plastic material you can roll up after the template is built, transporting the template is easier. September 30, 2009
Attaching Wall Cabinets to Steel Studs Steel wall framing poses a particular challenge when it's time to hang upper cabinets. Here are a few installation tips. November 19, 2005
Lift-Up Pocket Doors for Appliance Garages A discussion of how to design and make a cabinet door that lifts up and slides back into the cabinet like a garage door.November 5, 2013
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
Scribing to Cultured Stone This situation should have been avoided with prior planning — but since it was not, here's advice on scribing cabinetry to a rough stone wall.August 15, 2011
Stacking Doors That Open Together Suggestions for dowels, pins, and other methods to connect stacked cabinet doors so they will swing as a unit. June 15, 2014
Custom Coloring Cabinet Installation Screws If the colored-head screws you need don't come in the right size, here are suggestions on how to color the heads of off-the-shelf screws in the right size.November 14, 2014
Cutting Shims Fine points of a minor, but important element in cabinet installation: the lowly shim. April 14, 2010
Temporary Door-Pull Expedients Before the customer chooses knobs, you've got to use your imagination. Blue tape is just the beginning. February 20, 2008
Disclaimer for Cabinet Installation How should a cabinet installer cover himself when he notice defects in the cabinet finish before starting the installation? August 8, 2008
Leg Leveler Lifting Capacity Use caution when adjusting leg levelers with a screwdriver from inside the cabinet. February 12, 2010
Gaps Opening Up After Cabinet Installation When base cabs seem to pull away from walls, the culprit is usually moisture-related movement of the house framing lumber. December 2, 2006
Scribing the Back of a Frameless Cabinet Scribe moulding, a filler strip, or the judicious use of caulk are the top remedies for a gap between the cabinet back and the wall. November 19, 2005
Caulking Moulding-to-Cabinet Joints Ways to get a decent color match with caulk and nail-hole filler on painted cabinet trim. September 11, 2006
Shopping for a TV Lift A little info on television lifts for cabinets, and how they work. June 12, 2014
Best Method for Leveling Base Cabinets Cabinetmakers compare installation methods for base cabs, including ledgers, ladders, and adjustable levelers. November 29, 2014
Big-Box Cabinet Installation Pay Rates Installing for the big boxes is a whole different business. Here are some rumors on how the setup works. January 26, 2008
Pricing Cabinet Installs This thread on installation pricing takes an interesting approach: Compare with what the big-box stores charge. December 2, 2006
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
Appliance Size Specifications Rant Here's a universal complain from cabinetmakers: it's dern near impossible to find out the dimensions of a kitchen appliance without measuring the actual appliance.November 27, 2012
Drawers To The Rescue An installer gets organized on site, and life is good again. January 23, 2012
Avoiding Twist when Installing Cabinets Installers share their messages for getting cabinets plumb, square, and level during the installation process. March 22, 2013
Crown Moulding Attachment Details Methods for mounting crown moulding on frameless and face-frame cabinets (with clear, useful drawings). April 13, 2010
Wrapping Cabinets for Transportation The pros and cons of bubble wrap, cardboard rolls, newsprint remainders, shipping blankets, et cetera. March 21, 2012
Fastening Scribe Stiles Cabinet installers discuss ways to attach scribe stiles to cabinets when space is tight on all sides. May 6, 2006
Formaldehyde Irritation in Work Van? An installer reports a reaction triggered possibly by panel products stored and transported in his work van. April 30, 2009
Hanging Cabinets on a Brick Wall Tips on installing to brick, including advice on trouble-free Tapcon installation and a method involving epoxy and threaded rod. August 28, 2010
Peel and Stick Edgebanding Occasional users discuss the pros and cons of peel-and-stick edgebanding. June 23, 2014
Troubleshooting a Backsplash Gap Floor framing shrinkage might cause cabinets to drop, opening a gap between the countertop and backsplash. August 7, 2006
Cabinet Catches for a Motor Home Standard hardware suppliers have hardware that will work for cabinetry in a van conversion or motor home interior, but specialty hardware is also widely available. January 2, 2012
Frameless Cabinet Connectors Fastener suggestions for connecting adjoining cabinets during installation. June 15, 2009
Screws for Joining Face Frames Together A cabinet installer finds his crews are snapping the occasional screw when connecting adjoining face frames in the field. Here's a discussion of installation methods, clamps, and fastening hardware. December 27, 2007
One-Man Installation Setup Small cabinet-shop owners explain how they organize bringing their tools and supplies to the jobsite for installations. March 9, 2008
Tool Organization for Cabinet Installers How does a cabinet installer cut back on the number of trips back and forth from the truck to the house? Pros ponder solutions. December 2, 2006
Praise for Impact Drivers It's official: installers and cabinetmakers love cordless impact drivers. July 3, 2006
Touching Up White Cabinets Advice on touching up nicks and dings in white thermofoil, vinyl, and melamine cabinet surfaces. August 7, 2006
Hanging Cabinets on Plaster Walls Cabinet installers discuss the classic old-house problem: finding some meat behind the plaster. March 18, 2006
Armoires suspendues sur murs en plâtre Les installateurs de meubles discutent du problème classique des maisons anciennes : Br trouver de la viande derrière le plâtre. 18 mars 2006
Electrical Outlets in Cabinetry Electrical code requires outlets to be installed within properly mounted electrical boxes. April 26, 2006
A Cabinet as a Shower Wall? Crazy as it sounds, this question is real: In a tight-space remodel, how to build cabinets so their back side can be tiled and serve as the wall of a shower. Read and learn. May 6, 2007
Cabinet Door Warping Problems Job-site humidity can warp cabinet doors. To reduce problems, some would recommend avoiding Poplar in favor of Maple, or even MDF. October 27, 2011
Adjusting Hinges Up and down first, or side to side first? Or does it matter? October 3, 2006
Installing Frameless Upper Cabinets Installers discuss how to keep frameless cabinets stiff, square and well aligned during installation. August 23, 2006
Restricting Euro Hinge Swing A cabinetmaker gets advice on preventing a glass door from swinging too wide and contacting an appliance. September 23, 2006
Jig for Setting Hinges and Doors Cabinet installers swap ideas for making door setting easier on the arms and joints. January 7, 2010
Hinge Mounting Tips and Tricks Low-tech and high-tech ways to quickly and accurately set adjustable Euro hinges. March 3, 2009
Installing a U-Shaped Countertop Pros study the awkward problem of installing a big, heavy laminated countertop into a space that is enclosed on three sides. September 5, 2006
Fixation des armoires aux montants en acier Les installateurs d'armoires partagent des trucs et astuces pour suspendre des armoires dans des bâtiments commerciaux où la charpente est en acier plutôt qu'en bois. 26 janvier 2008
Cabinet Refacing Can it work as a business? Pros share business and tech tips. June 17, 2005
Screw Through a Water Pipe: Whose Fault? It's a typical snafu: the cabinet installer hits a water pipe with a screw. This thread is a collection of examples, with descriptions of who covered the repair cost. August 16, 2012
Scribe Rails -- Why Not? Why are custom shops not including scribe material on backs? August 26, 2004
Kick boxes Building separate kicks for efficient installation. September 20, 2003
Crown Transitions for Corner Cabinets Several ways to deal with a tricky crown molding detail at the top of corner cabinets flanked by manufactured upper cabs. October 25, 2006
Toekick Drawers Construction details and images for toekick drawers. January 14, 2004
Gluing Up Miters in Solid Wood Countertops Here's a wealth of advice based on successful experience of several cabinetmakers building mitered solid-wood countertops. August 6, 2008
Making a Full-Height Cabinet Fit A full-ceiling-height refrigerator cabinet can be a bear to install, because you can't tip it up (the diagonal is too long). Here's a useful thread on solving that problem. January 20, 2007
Shoes Off in the House? Woodworkers discuss the practicality of working in socks, and the alternatives for protecting floors in high-end residential work. October 14, 2009
Wainscot with toe kick Notching and other ideas for integrating a toe kick with wainscot. January 3, 2003
More boxes, less time Making the process more efficient, including discussion on toekicks and finishing. May 2, 2001
Value Engineering in Custom Cabinets? Cabinetmakers discuss ways to shave costs to make and install custom cabinets in a competitive economy. December 24, 2012
Island Clearance How much space around an island? Code and comfort considerations apply. April 14, 2005
Comparing Oscillating Tools How do the original high-end oscillating cutter tools rate in comparison to the less expensive off brands? October 27, 2011
More Fun with Stud Finders No stud finder works perfectly. In this thread, pros discuss stud finding methods high tech and low. September 4, 2005
Competition for Installation Contracts A cabinetmaker complains that his installation sub started working directly for the builder. The story sets off a discussion on fair competition in the new-construction market. November 11, 2005
Shimming Cabinets Experienced installers share tips for fitting cabinets in place. April 14, 2005
Crown Moulding for Uneven Height Cabinets Alternating high and low upper cabinets create a puzzle when it's time to apply crown molding at the top. Here, installers share ideas and show finished examples. July 24, 2005
Removing Studs Without Damaging Back-Side Drywall Here are tips for surgically removing a short section of wall stud from a bathroom wall to create space for installing a medicine cabinet, without damaging the artistically painted drywall in the adjoining room behind the wall. August 15, 2011
Lazy Susan Door Fit Issues Door tolerances and operation can create problems at the time of installation with lazy Susan corner cabinets. November 13, 2009
Cantilevered Shelf Supports Practical idea for wall attachment and support for shelves that project straight out from the wall with no visible means of support. July 29, 2007
Ripping an Acute Angle For a tricky millwork installation, the woodworker needs to rip a 65-degree angle on a plywood edge. Colleagues offer solutions. November 10, 2006
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
Documenting Work Taking photos of your cabinet installs could help you out some time, in case someone else comes along and disturbs or damages things. May 11, 2011
TV cabinets Designs for large, small and flat screens. April 9, 2003
Job Site Toolbox Ideas Installers tell how they transport and organize their tools on the job. December 9, 2007
Corner Cabinet Solutions Thoughts on ways to provide access to buried inside cabinet corners. October 28, 2014
Crown Coping Tips Some advice on dealing with large, hard-to-cope crown moulding. January 26, 2008
Cabinet Details for an Apron Front Sink "Farmer's" sinks have an apron front that overhangs the cabinet face. Here, cabinetmakers discuss the difficulties that can arise, and how to address them. February 28, 2006
Cabinet Hanger Cleats Ways to install back-panel cleats for attaching cabinets to walls. June 18, 2005
Inset-door cabinets A cabinetmaker goes from frameless to face frame and seeks advice. September 19, 2001
MDF for Built-In Closet Shelving A discussion of MDF's structural suitability for closet shelves and upright shelf support frames. March 3, 2009
Managing Pesky Clients When clients are living in the home while cabinets are installed, sometimes they take a little too much interest in the work. In this thread, installers suggest tactful ways to deflect their attention eslewhere. October 22, 2005
Cabinet Pricing Versus Built-In Pricing A cabinetmaker who does mostly kitchens gets advice on pricing for a basic built-in entertainment center. February 12, 2009
Wine Cubes Experienced hands describe ways to design and assemble wine storage cabinets. June 13, 2005
Rugged Wainscoting An installer gets advice on wainscot paneling for a high-traffic commercial space.
Managing Layout for Mechanicals Who's responsible for marking the locations of pipes, wires, et cetera during a kitchen remodel? Cabinetmakers discuss the reasons that some will take on managing this problem, and others won't.February 27, 2013
Low-Odor, Quick Adhesive for Refacing Is there a fast-setting contact cement for commercial re-facing work that does not smell bad or carry health risks? February 25, 2009
Trimming Plugs Cutting and sanding wood plugs can be tedious and laborious. Here, pros discuss efficient ways to make a clean job of it. September 3, 2005
Gluing On Cabinet Trim Tips on fastener-free techniques to attach mouldings to cabinets. January 22, 2006
Cabinet warranty period What is a reasonable warranty period for a custom cabinet installation? July 24, 2001
Garage Cabinet Details Pros discuss ways to fit cabinet bottoms and kicks to the sloping concrete floor of a garage. June 12, 2005
Template Forming for Farmhouse Sinks Farmhouse sinks require cabinet frames to be scribed and fit to the sink. Here, cabinetmakers discuss ways to make a template for better accuracy and fit. November 26, 2007
Cabinet Installation and Trim Carpentry Installers discuss how trim carpenters and cabinet installers should work out the kinks where their workflows intersect. July 3, 2006
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
How to Support "Floating" Base Cabinets These cabinets are supposed to have a deeply recessed toe kick so they appear to be floating above the floor. What about the structure? November 19, 2006
Fillers on frameless cabinets Filling the space around cabinets set in uneven alcoves or against bowed walls. January 3, 2001
Fixes for a Mis-Drilled Knob Hole Moving a screw hole over less than the diameter of the hole is a pesky task. Here are a handful of tips. October 8, 2005
Curved Closet Poles Ideas for fabricating curved closet poles from wood or metal. May 28, 2010
Fabricating and Installing Curved Baseboard Suggestions for this curved baseboard situation include using flexible stock, or clamping and laying up thin layers of MDF before profiling with a router. July 12, 2012
Sharpening Vibrating-Head Saw Blades Did you know you can sharpen the blades for those vibrating-head detail-sander saws? You can also make your own replacement blades. December 6, 2006
Custom Closet Basics Entry-level info on custom closets for a cabinetmaker who is unfamiliar with that kind of work. July 28, 2012
Making a Standard Refrigerator Look Built In Wood-look panels applied to a standard refrigerator fall short of providing the appearance or useability of a true built-in model. January 1, 2012
Rolling Jobsite Tool Carts Ideas for putting your tool chest on wheels to get in an out of install sites quickly. September 27, 2008
Long Angle Cutting on a Miter Saw A nice illustration in this thread shows how you can cut a 140-degree angle (for instance) on a chopsaw. June 17, 2010
Upper Cabinet Heights Suggestions for upper cabinet dimensions in a kitchen with high ceilings. May 10, 2005
Cabinet Installation Prices A reasonable per-box rate for cabinet installation can really vary, depending on the complexity of the job. September 27, 2008
Making Odd-Angle Templates For out-of-whack shapes (like shelves for irregular closets), assembling templates with hot-melt glue does the trick. September 22, 2005
Cutting 45° Crown Moulding Info on cutting crown of various spring angles, and what to do if the walls are slightly off square. July 28, 2012
Countertop Choices for a Farmer's Sink The way farmer's sinks are installed, there's usually an exposed edge where the countertop meets the sink. For that reason, durable countertop materials are preferred. March 1, 2006
Pricing Custom Cabinets and Trim Even within one local market, prices can be all over the map. Balancing careful itemized estimating against local market conditions can help you turn a decent profit. August 23, 2006
Beating a Cabinet to Pieces You learn a lot about the strength of various joinery and installation methods when you have to tear out a cabinet and break it into pieces for disposal. July 11, 2013
Handling and Installing High-End Appliances What's the best way to get a heavy, expensive Sub-Zero or Wolf fridge or range off the truck and into the house? Short answer: pay somebody else to do it. January 23, 2014
Heavy Backs for Upper Cabinets Cabinetmakers briefly describe construction and wall attachment methods for cabinets using 1/2-inch. 5/8-inch, or even 3/4-inch prefinished plywood backs. November 12, 2005
Hanging on a Floating Shelf Here's a fun addition to the Knowledge Base collection on floating shelf attachment: a woodworker demonstrating how a small shelf will support his own weight. May 15, 2011
Pricing Cabinet Installation Work Pros discuss their differing approaches to charging for kitchen and bath cabinet installation work. January 24, 2005
Making Money on Custom Installs How can a 2-man operation stay profitable on cabinetry installations? A discussion of costs, pricing, planning, and time management for installing custom work. July 27, 2008
Taking Measurements on Site — Tape Measure or Laser Device? The new generation of laser measuring tools can improve accuracy and save time. Here, cabinetmakers describe why they made the switch and how they use the new tools. November 22, 2005
Out-of-Level Brouhaha Sparks fly when a cabinet installer goes with the out-of-level house for the sake of appearance. His story sets off a lively exchange of views. October 22, 2005
Truck, Van, or Trailer? Installation pros discuss the convenience, gas mileage, and security of various vehicle choices. October 8, 2005
Training a Cabinet Installation Crew Advice based on experience about how to teach a pair of promising shop employees how to install cabinets in the field. November 26, 2007
Tricked-Out Job Trailers An extended thread on how to customize your "shop on wheels" for convenience and efficiency. August 13, 2007
Glue Injection Techniques When laminate or veneer is lifting, you can make a slit, inject adhesive, and clamp for a clean repair. Here are some detailed tips on getting the glue where it needs to go. February 20, 2008
Cabinet Scribes Cabinet installers swap opinions on store-bought and field-rigged scribing devices. November 19, 2006
Dark Putty Ideas for blending a dark wood putty to match dark woods like cherry. July 3, 2006
Keeping Your Cell Phone Handy on Site Installers share ideas for keeping your cell phone handy on site, but safe from being dropped or lost. May 28, 2010
Gluing MDF Miter Joints MDF soaks up ordinary wood glues, compromising the bond. Here's advice on priming the joint before gluing, or using a specialized adhesive. February 25, 2009
Drilling into Hard Concrete Tips for making drill bits last when drilling for fasteners in concrete. May 6, 2007
Rebuilding Cordless-Tool Batteries The cells in a cordless tool battery pack can be replaced with aftermarket versions. But is it worth doing? May 22, 2007
Alignment of Face Frames The decision on making face frames flush versus leaving a reveal. February 10, 2004
Pin Nailers Versus 18-Gauge or 23-Gauge Nailers Installers discuss the relative usefulness of various fastener sizes and types for attaching prefinished crown moulding to cabinets. February 21, 2006
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
Crown Moulding and Ceiling Movement Here are some tips on installing crown so that it will keep looking good despite seasonal moisture-related movement of the house structure. December 26, 2007
Hanging Cabinets from the Ceiling No walls to attach to, and no backs on the cabinet — here are a few suggestions for securely mounting these custom cabs. March 25, 2007