Need to cut down face frame on a cabinet in place
A customer had a double built in oven removed, and a single installed. They want to put drawers in the vacant space, The face frame on the lower cabinet section is kind of mangled. I know the right way to do it would be to make a complete new face frame, which would involve taking out the oven and the cabinet doors above and it’s a ceiling height cabinet.
The owner wondered if I could just cut the existing frame flush with the inside surface of the cabinet box, and then make drawer fronts that were wide enough to cover what’s left of the frame. That sounds a lot quicker because I have other customers waiting on me. Problem is, I’m having trouble figuring out how to cut it in place. I wish I could just take it out and put it face down on the table saw…oh well.
What would you use? Could you use a router with a long flute bit with a bushing to cut 3/4 inch material in one pass? otherwise I’m going to try to cut a straight line with a saber saw and sand it down.
Thanks, the Lady Wood Butcher (JenCar)
Replies
Perfect job for a multi tool like the fein but just as easily done with a japenese pull saw. You might stick your head in and look first though because it may surprise you how they fasten the stile to the rail. Could be a metal in the joint which would ruin a pull saw pretty quick. Saber saw probably as good as anything else especially if you cut it fat and then sand down as said.
As a side note, there is a store here locally that works in overstocks and auction lot buys. They have stacks of drawer fronts (blems of some sort but barely noticeable) some finished and some not. If you have a source like that handy or can buy the drawer fronts intended for Ready to assemble cabinets, this could be a quickly done deal.
Cutting down cabinet face frame in place
Don't have a Fein, but I probably should. Thanks for the heads up on the metal fasteners...
wouldn't want to ruin a bit or a blade!
Thank you!
I ain't seen it but......
Maybe you could rough it out with a jigsaw or sawzall and straighten it up with a router and flush trim bit using the inside of the carcase as the bearing guide.
Cutting down cabinet face frame in place
Pretty good with a sawzall, but somehow hacking away at this old cherry cabinet with a reciprocating saw is kind of sacriligious! I have a flush trim bit in my laminate trimmer, but it's not 3/4 long. Will make a run over to Tool Time before they close and get a new bit and some sharp blades for the jigsaw.
Thanks, you saved my reputation!
Jen
Jigsaw blades
BTW... Bosch now has some pretty nice new jigsaw blades that leave a nice edge, if yo want to go for a finished jigsaw cut.
Cutting down cabinet face frame in place
Thanks...I'll remember that if I ever learn to cut perfectly straight with a saber saw!
I cut it to within 1/8" with a saber saw and then finished with a trimmer bit on my little router.
Came out ok, the people seemed to like it.
Thanks again, Jen
Straight cut with a Fein
Oh...well, the saber saw will do for the rough cut, then.
Thanks again, Jen
Well, the Fein will make a much cleaner cut than your typical saber saw -- much less blade "wander", and essentially zero chip-out. It's just that it's only as straight as you can hold it, and there's no practical way to use a straight-edge with it.
I went and got a 3/8 x 1"
I went and got a 3/8 x 1" trimming bit for my router and will go the saber saw rough cut
route. Can't afford a Fein at the moment.
Was tempted to buy a little Porter Cable Lith Ion reciprocating saw while there, but
restrained myself until I can read a review. The batteries are already worn out in the Bosch
Lith Ion drills from a couple of years ago and they're $50 apiece. Cheaper to buy a new
drill
Thanks again!