Transcript Slide 1

Cabinet Making 101
Julian Gonzalez
El Toro High School
Teacher-Woodworking
R S Cabinet Co
2020 Placentia Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 548-7033
I had the opportunity
to visit RS Cabinet Co.
on January 17,2011.
This company has
been in business for
over 30 years. I had
many questions going
in on how
professionals build
cabinets and the
techniques used in the
industry .
Planning
Measurements are taken
from location and drawn on
¼” grid paper. This allows
cabinet makers to plan out
and design each cabinet and
how they are positioned in
their desired location.
These drawings give valuable
information on how cabinets
are positioned, any obstacles
or special features are
needed to properly build the
cabinets.
Cut List
After cabinets are
designed, a detailed
list of all pieces
needed to construct
cabinets is drawn.
This is a list used to
give the quantity and
dimensions of pieces
need .
Material
Selection
There are a variety of
materials that can be
used in the
construction of
cabinets. Every
cabinet shop needs a
large supply of sheet
goods and hardwoods
to meet the need of
its patrons.
Tools
Basic woodshop tools
are all that are needed
in the creation of
cabinets.
What gives the edge in
building cabinets is the
creation of different
jigs that allow you to
perform a certain duty
easier and repetitively.
Carcase
The carcase is the box or body of
the cabinet. They are generally
made from plywood, MDF or
particle board.
Dimensions for carcase
construction are generally 24”
deep, With each carcase no wider
than 36” wide. Height
dimensions vary depending on
application. With cabinets
receiving counter tops set at 36”
high.
Carcase construction can be done
with the use of Dado and Rabbet
joints or the use of cleats to hold
pieces in place.
Face Frame
The Face Frame is the front of
the cabinet it helps keep the
cabinet square. It is generally
made from Hardwood . It
frames the carcase and covers
the edges of the plywood and
allows for hinges to screw
into.
The face frame generally is
made of 2” lumber which is
either joined with pocket
screws or dowel joints. They
are glued and clamed
together then attached to the
carcase with the use of
biscuits, brads, or pocket
screws.
Shelves
Shelves come in two ways either
set in the carcase or adjustable.
Stationary shelves are pieces of
plywood joined on the carcase
with either a dado joint or
supported by a cleat. Adjustable
shelves generally sit on shelf pins
or tracks and are adjustable
within the carcase.
Shelves are generally made from
plywood because they do not sag
or warp as easy as solid wood.
Shelves edges are covered by
either edge banding or strips of
hard wood to cover the edges of
the plywood.
Doors and Drawers
Both doors and drawers or made
off site. But there are a few
things that need to be taken into
consideration before they are
ordered.
There are three basic options for
doors and drawers.
-Full-Overlay: the full thickness of
the door and drawer rest on the
surface of the face frame.
-Partial-Overlay- one half of the
drawer face and door thickness
rest on the surface of the face
frame.
-Inset- Fronts of drawer face and
door rest flush with the face
frame
Doors
There are a variety of doors when
it comes to cabinet making.
First, the type and design of door
needs to be selected. Whether it
is a flat door or a raised panel
door; if the panel is square or
arched or if it is a glass door.
Next, the material needs to be
selected. Depending on the door,
plywood ,solid wood ,or particle
board can be used.
Finally hinges and hardware
needs to se selected and
mounted
At R & S raised panel and glass
doors are the norm. They use
European hinges and doors need
to have a counter bore made to
receive the hinge.
Drawers
There are a variety of ways one can build
drawers. Fist material selection needs to
be made. Next, choosing drawer joinery,
from butt joints to dovetails and all in
between. Selecting the style of Drawer
front need to be made next. And finally
Drawer slide selection needs to be made.
Once all is selected , the measurements of
the drawer opening are needed and
drawer slide specifications are needed to
construct drawers.
Drawer faces are generally attached to
drawer box with screws from the inside of
the box.
Drawer slide generally come in two pieces
one attached to drawer and the other to
the carcase.
What I learned:
Going into this I had many questions on how cabinets are
made. I wanted to see what is being used in the professional
world in comparison to what I teach in my classes.
After spending the day there, I was a able to see first hand
the methods and techniques they use . I will now be able to
take all that I learned and this presentation back to my class
and give demonstrations and teach my students how to build
cabinets and possibly start a cabinetmaking course at my
location.
Thank You
I would like to thank Casey Moir and the rest
of the staff at R&S Cabinet for their time.