Label your face frame parts first
Build the Cabinets, Buy the Doors
Building kitchen cabinet doors is doable but can be tricky. It sometimes requires powerful and expensive wood-shaping equipment. And if you have a bunch to build, you’ll need a lot of clamps and even more space. Unless you have unlimited free time, consider building your cabinets but buying your doors. You’ll find many door makers online (search for “buy cabinet doors”). Cabinet doors can be ordered in a variety of styles and in increments as small as 1/16 in. It’s always nice to be able to see and touch, so check out your local cabinet shop as well.
Video: How to Cut a Rabbet Joint with a Table Saw
Assemble the face frame with pocket screws
Leave off the back until you apply finish
Trim some face frames flush
Gang up on your components
Leave the end stile off to scribe
Leave one end stile off when you install cabinets that butt against walls at both ends. With a complete face frame, you won’t be able to push the cabinet into place or scribe and adjust the stile to fit. Cut that last stile a bit oversize to leave room for scribing, and rip a 45-degree back bevel for easier planing to your scribed line. The bevel also makes it easier to twist the stile into place.
Nail the face frame to the boxes
Build face frames larger
Don’t cut rabbets if they’re not needed
Don’t Settle For What’s in the Home Center
Home centers and lumberyards typically have only a few cabinet- grade plywood options in stock, but almost all of them can order what you need. You can order sheets with more plies for stability; pick the orientation of the wood grain; buy sheets with hardwood on one side and melamine on the other; choose marine-grade plywood for outdoor projects … the options go on and on.
It takes a little planning ahead, and ask about minimum orders, but don’t limit yourself to oak if you really want cherry.
Build a separate base
Most factory-built cabinets have a recessed “toe-kick” that’s typically about 4 in. high and deep. But you can also make a separate base that’s the total length of the cabinet assembly and build shorter cabinets to make up the difference. With this method, you won’t have to mess around with figuring out and cutting toe-kick profiles on your cabinets.
This is also a handy technique when you have an uneven floor because you need to level and shim only one base instead of several individual cabinets.
Build individual boxes
Cap end cabinets
For more on learning how to build your own custom kitchen cabinets without the custom price – check out How to Build Kitchen Cabinets taught by Steve Maxwell!
Required Tools for this How to Build Kitchen Cabinets Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
- Air compressor
- Air hose
- Brad nail gun
- Caulk gun
- Circular saw
- Clamps
- Cordless drill
- Framing square
- Hearing protection
- Level
- Miter saw
- Orbital sander
- Planer
- Pocket hole jig
- Router
- Safety glasses
- Scribing tool
- Table saw
- Wood glue
Required Materials for this How to Build a Cabinet Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
- 1/4-in. hardwood plywood
- 2" screws
- 2” brads
- 2x4 lumber for bases
- 3/4-in. hardwood for face frames
- 3/4-in. hardwood plywood
- Construction adhesive
- Finish
- Wood filler