Working on our new Cabinets

Unfortunately there seems to be no “standard”. All of the companies want you to buy their products exclusively.

Maybe 1/2” plywood is industry standard, but I would have gone thicker. They will say that it saves space in cabinets, but mainly it just because it’s cheaper. Yes, I hate most of them.

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

For my cabinets I use 3/4” for the sides I guess you could say and 1/2” or 1/4” for the backs most of the time. Unless it’s an island like cabinet then I’ll put 3/4” on the back.

It sounds like this may be one of your first projects like this. If I were you I would probably skip the dovetails this time. Iv’e been woodworking quite some time and I haven’t done dovetails yet. BUT, if that’s what you want to do then go for it! I just think it’s overkilll for most projects.

Here is how I make my drawers.

-- Dothan, Alabama Check out my woodworking blog! http://woodworkingtrip.blogspot.com/ Also my Youtube Channel's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SailingAndSuch

here is a universal base plate

and with this set of bushings

you should be able to use any template or jig made

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

Thanks patron! Now I’m confident in getting the right sub base and bushings. And Sailor, yeah I’m still kicking myself about the plywood but I have to admit it’s turning out way more sturdy than I thought it would. Once I glued and screwed the face on I was impressed how strong the cabinet was. I had already added a fuller back for more strength and braced the sides with some oak. I’m going to try the dovetail. I consider it a challenge. However, if I find my skill too shabby I will definitely use the source you posted. I’ll use that method on my shop drawers for sure. Thanks to all.

-- Mark ~ Dixon, Kentucky "We're gonna get through this!"

Hey Mark
Don’t be afraid to ask question here before you buy other things for your cabinet job. You can make your own base for your router that will accept router guide. http://lumberjocks.com/topics/25876
The dovetail jig will take some practice to get it set up and get the good results but after that you should be able to zoom right through making dovetails. If you decide to still buy one here is a place that has good prices and free shipping. http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/routacc2.html

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Thank you…very helpful and very appreciated. You guys rock!

-- Mark ~ Dixon, Kentucky "We're gonna get through this!"

I could use some advice here guys. I have an old jointer and I’m not sure I have it set up correctly. Is it possible to make a “u” shape ever so slightly when running the wood that some of the pieces don’t glue up right? ...or is my jointer just messed up?

-- Mark ~ Dixon, Kentucky "We're gonna get through this!"

Also, I’m learning to dovetail. Some are turning out really good while I have some tear out on others. I’m using 1/2 birch ply. What wood is best for drawer a carcass?

-- Mark ~ Dixon, Kentucky "We're gonna get through this!"

Progress. This one is done all but the finish. Time to start on my 6 foot sink basin cabinet. I’ll be doing these for a while.

-- Mark ~ Dixon, Kentucky "We're gonna get through this!"