A Faster Easier Approach to Custom Cabinets
JCorry
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I recently read Mike Maines‘ article “A Faster Easier Approach to Custom Cabinets“. I noticed that the cabinet had a drawer and door on each side of a middle partition. Since the cabinets were constructed using a hybrid approach (i.e., a face frame that was flush with the cabinet box interior), I wonder how Mike used a 1 1/2″ stile for the middle partition. The plywood I use is less than 3/4″ thick, and two pieces provide thickness that is about 1 7/16”.
Replies
You can see in the picture on the article that he doubles up the ply at the center stile. Maybe you already knew that? I'm not sure what his technique to keep it flush would be as the ply would be undersized. Its possible he could have forseen the issue and cut the stile 1/16 undersized.
It says he hides a kreg screw behind where the door hinge goes so he didn't use any biscuits to line the panels up. Hard telling...
I have a biscuit joiner but only pull it out when really necessary--which is rarely. Brad nails and drywall screws are my friends (except when it comes to load-bearing situations). Where I work now we have a real cabinet shop and incredible precision, but I still like my low-tech, un-fussy approach.
Any other questions, let me know.
Hi JCorry,
I allow the face frames to overhang the plywood by 1/64" to 1/32". This small overhang does not interfere with the operation of inset drawers or doors, and it allow for a bit less precision than would be necessary for a perfectly flush installation.
If you'd like things to be perfectly flush, plane your stiles to whatever dimension you want--there aren't any hard-and-fast rules!
-Mike
Face frames shouldn't be flush with the material behind it - that's just poor design since it not only forces more precision with the face frame, but also the box and divider. A simple overhang/reveal allows variation and saves time without changing the apparent quality of the end product. Honestly I haven't read the article, but I'm guessing he has a slight reveal and uses european hinges that allow a slight reveal.
Don
Most face frames I've come in contact with all have base plates that mount to the stiles-no need for a flush panel to the face frame and no allowance necessary.