 Cabinetmaker
BewareAlthough making your own cabinetry can be rewarding and fruitful, it
is an advanced project that is beyond the scope of this series of
articles. It is a time consuming and challenging operation that can
elevate the pride of home ownership to heavenly new levels, or end in
nightmarish disaster. It is not a project for the beginning woodworker
and is challenging enough to tax even the intermediate woodworker or
handy- man or woman’s skills and tool availability. Because of its
complexity, Rockler recommends one of the
Updating
Your Cabinetry options that is listed
in this series of articles as a time and money saving alternative.
Nonetheless, in this article we’ll take a quick look at the basic
considerations for making your own cabinetry.
Make an Assessment
"Know
yourself before deciding to install your own kitchen," recommends
Kitchen Man of kitchenman.com. "Are you all thumbs? Do you lack
visual acuity? Are you impatient?" they ask. Making an accurate
assessment of your skills and tool availability is an important
prerequisite to making your own cabinetry. If you’re a dedicated
Rockler woodworker and confidant in your skills, you may decide to move
ahead with this formidable and ambitious project. You can make your own
cabinets from scratch, including your doors, drawers and drawer fronts,
or you could simplify the job with the help of
Rockler's
custom door, drawer and drawer front program.
An affordable option that can save you lots of time, effort, and money.
The option of painting, refinishing or refacing your cabinetry may also
be a great alternative for rejuvenating your existing cabinetry and
casework.
 Hinges
Before starting your new cabinetry construction project, you’ll
want to make yourself "hinge wise" by reading our page on
Hinges.
Adding new hardware and hinges is the secret to spectacular new
cabinetry. The style of hinge you choose, however, is dependent upon the
type and style of cabinet you construct. To fit your exact need, Rockler
Woodworking and Hardware has a large and dynamic selection of styles
from which to choose. Rockler can help you add a dazzling and impressive
touch to your newly built kitchen cabinetry. To make hinge installation
easy, check out our exclusive Multi-Tool
Rail Jig-It, self-centering
drill bits, and hinge
cup drilling jigs.
 Knobs
& Pulls
New door and drawer opening hardware puts a stylish exclamation on
your home crafted cabinetry. Rockler has an exciting array of knobs and
pulls available to suite every style and whim, from traditional to
Shaker to Euro-style, decorator or Restoration. For the distinguished
look that can only come from custom crafted handiwork, consider adding
carved hardwood pulls or antique finished pulls from Rockler’s Premier
Collection. Or perhaps some Ivy Green Leaf pulls and Knobs from
Rockler’s special designer collection. Now is the time to cut loose
and have some fun. There are dozens of additional types and styles
available including:
See our page on
Knobs
and Pulls for complete information.
 Accessories
You’ll want to review our page on
Accessories
to check out Rockler’s full line of innovative systems that can turn
your kitchen into a designer showcase. Making your own cabinetry offers
a perfect opportunity to customize your kitchen with interesting and
up-to-date accessories. Whether it’s shelving accessories, low-voltage
under cabinet lighting systems, pantry organizers, tambour appliance
garages, lazy susan's, kitchen rail systems, or reverse-a-racks, all can
be perfect solutions to old storage problems. Hanging racks, glass
molding, or plate rack dowels can create storage from otherwise useless
space. Whether it’s the addition of split rope topper molding, lattice
panels, brass grilles or glass etchings, you can make your custom
kitchen a place of distinction and efficiency with simple and easy to
install extras. Consider what can be accomplished with just a few feet
of wineglass molding, fluted rosettes, or bun feet added to your custom
made cabinetry. Over sink trays, shelf lift mechanisms, and pullout
trash bins can add convenience and organization to please the most
discriminating kitchen boss.
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