How We Make Drawer Box for Your Kitchen Cabinets? (Part 1)

drawer box for your kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are the essential components when constructing or renewing custom kitchens for developing aesthetic interior designs. These products contain various elements that complete their functionality. The drawer box is one of the crucial parts of the kitchen cabinets that allow occupants to use their storing products more functionally. Manufacturers utilize various standard methods for developing the drawer box. However, the construction procedure can seem daunting for non-experts. But there are only a few straightforward measurements to take for getting the correct dimensions. We utilize pocket holes joinery, MDF panel materials, and suitable hardware to make a drawer box for your kitchen cabinets more accessible.

Materials and Tools

Most kitchen cabinets are made from wood products such as MDF panels and plywood. We use the primary material for the sides of the drawer box. Additionally, using tempered hardwood or MDF material is suitable for the bottoms. When making a drawer box for your kitchen cabinets, we usually utilize eight pocket hole screws per box. However, the number of pocket hole screws varies depending on the size of the kitchen cabinets our customers demand.

The equipment is almost similar to the tools needed for making a cabinet.

We utilize the standard carpentry tools and modern devices such as CNC routers for cutting cabinets. However, the primary equipment required for making drawer box are as followed:

  • Table saw, or circular saw featured with a guide for cutting the MDF panel.
  • Router, circular saw, or table saw with directions for cutting dados.
  • Miter box or power miter saw for cutting to length (table saws are also suitable for the purpose).
  • Jig for creating pocket holes
  • Mechanical or Electrical drill
  • Simple tape measure
  • Straight edge

Kitchen Cabinets Drawer Box Construction Overview

Before getting into the drawer box making details, it is essential to know the typical kitchen cabinets drawer construction. There are various methods of building these products for the kitchen, and some require special equipment and skills while others feature simple processes and are not very attractive. Using pocket hole joinery creates a balance between appearance, cost, ease of build, and strength for the products. Thus, most carpenters and kitchen cabinet manufacturers utilize this specific method.

The kitchen cabinets drawer box consists of six primary components: the box sides, front and back, bottom, and exposed drawer front and pull. We utilize two wood screws for securing the drawer box front to the frame, and two machine screws hold the product pull in place. The eight pocket holes and screws which attach the front and back to the sides are not visible. Furthermore, the bottom section is placed in a groove (dado) cut into the sides, back, and front areas.

Choosing Wood Material for Kitchen Cabinets Drawer Box

Before starting the creating process, we determine the type of wood the cabinet design will require for the drawer box sides and bottoms. There are different suitable wood materials for the purpose: solid wood boards, MDF panels, melamine coated particle boards, and veneered plywood. Due to the drawer’s abusive tendency, using MDF panels for kitchen cabinet construction is better as they are durable and versatile. Solid woods are also very durable, but they are much more expensive than other materials. Using tight, closed grain, and light color materials are trendy in 2021 for kitchen cabinets.

We choose the box side thickness equivalent to the strength needed for the customer’s use. For making the bottom area, solid wood panels are not commonly used due to their price. MDF panels and boards are good enough for most kitchen cabinets drawer boxes. However, tempered hardboards are also practical and come in a dark brown hue but are not as attractive as modern MDF or plywood. This particular wood material is strong enough for bottom sections and is easy to find at a lower price than MDF panels or plywood.

Drawer Box Width and Height for Kitchen Cabinets

We use two primary factors to determine the outside width of the drawer box: the width of the opening for installing the box in and the side clearance for slides. It is better to measure the space after constructing the kitchen cabinet carcass. We calculate the front and back for knowing the tolerance of the slides. Then, for determining the outside dimension, we take the inside opening dimensions and subtract two times the clearance at the sides.

When the height of the opening is constrained, we measure the actual dimensions after the carcass is ready. Additionally, we calculate both sides and allow proper clearance for the top and bottom of the drawer slide. On the other hand, for non-constrained height, we use a shorter box height than the front section. For cases in which we need to install drawers into a kitchen cabinet with no separate opening for individual boxes, such as the bottom area of a European raised panel cabinet, we use this technique.

In part two of this article, we will get into more details of constructing drawer boxes for kitchen cabinets.

Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets (Part II)

Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets is a popular carpentry process for creating practical products for the interior. These products have modern, functional, and European style designs that can improve the house’s aesthetics and interior decoration. However, their design’s main functionality is for the kitchen. Manufacturers and carpenters produce these modern works with various wood materials, including MDF panels and Plywood.

Constructing frameless kitchen cabinets requires years of practice and experience. However, many people want to create their kitchen cabinets with MDF of other wood materials without hiring professionals. Thus, we decided to provide the required information for constructing frameless kitchen cabinets for such people. In part 1 of producing frameless kitchen cabinets, we discussed the basics of the carcass of the cabinets and the base options that the product can have. Thus, this part will provide more information about the process, including the frameless kitchen cabinets back options, tools for making them, and precise steps to complete the production of these functional materials.

Kitchen Cabinets Back Options

When constructing frameless kitchen cabinets, the cabinetmaker has some practical options for creating the back section of the product. Each method and option have exceptional stability and functionality.

  • Full Back: Carpenter can choose to make a full back with the same MDF panels or Plywood used for the kitchen cabinet. This configuration will provide an enclosed product with excellent strength, which is essential when installing heavy countertops or supporting heavy appliances. However, this method can be costly, but the carpenter can lower the expenditure by precisely planning the cutting method with a CNC router.
  • Nailed Back: Some people don’t mind if their cabinets have a back part or not. The nailed back option is the best for saving more MDF panels and other materials. Instead of having a full back, this method features creating two nailing strips out of the MDF panels for the top and bottom of the back, so there is a point to affix the kitchen cabinet to the wall and provide strength and rigidity to the product.
  • Economic Nailed Back: In some cases, people prefer to have an enclosed back system, but they also want to save money. Thus, it is better to use nailery as the previous method and utilize a piece of MDF panel on the back of the kitchen cabinet to provide a finished look. In addition to the lower cost of this method, it also provides a lighter product.

Tools and Materials Needed for Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Like producing any other products, some essential tools and materials should be available for constructing frameless kitchen cabinets.

Tools: There are various tools available for making a cabinet that carpenters should have. However, the essential ones are table saw or circular saw while having a guide for making accurate cuts in the material. Other tools that can be practical are jig types and combination squares.

Materials: Experts always recommend using MDF panels or Plywood materials for both interior doors and kitchen cabinets. These materials come with different appearance grades and can accept various finishes. When using MDF panels, it is better to glue the joints and utilize appropriate pocket screws.

Steps of Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Constructing frameless kitchen cabinets for different trendy layouts requires some essential steps. These steps will help cabinetmakers to achieve the best results for their kitchen cabinets.

  1. Calculating Kitchen Cabinet and Component Dimensions: The dimension that the cabinet maker needs for creating kitchen cabinets is the height, depth, width, component dimensions, bottom dimensions, shelf size, back and back dimensions, stretchers and sub toe kick measurements. The application determines the product’s height, and the depth has standard numbers, including the kitchen cabinets door. The cabinet depth is also equivalent to the preferences. The other dimensions are all depending on the first measurements. However, it is better to consult with professional cabinetmakers for better measures.
  2. Attaching Side To Back: This step starts with applying edge banding to the front of both kitchen cabinets sides. Then drilling pocket holes around the top and sides of the product’s back is necessary to attach it to one side.
  3. Attaching Bottom: Next step involves applying edge banding to the front of the bottom section and drilling pocket screw holes for connecting the bottom to the side and back section of the cabinet. Using a square is essential to make sure the alignments are appropriate.
  4. Fixing Other Side: Now it is time to settle and attach the other side to the cabinet assembly utilizing the previously drilled pocket holes.
  5. Stretchers Attachment: Attach the edge banding precisely to the front section of the two stretchers and then drill pockets holes for attaching them to the cabinet. For the first drawer, the bottom stretcher on the front is utilized.
  6. Installing Sub Toe Kick: The sub toe kick helps support the kitchen cabinet and adds rigidity to the finished kickboard after the installation process.
  7. Drilling Shelf Pin Holes: The last step is to drill holes with a jig in the back and front of each side of the kitchen cabinet for shelf pins. After drilling, install the shelf by applying edge banding to the front of the frame and inserting its hooks in the appropriate locations.

Tools Needed for Making a Cabinet (Part II)

Making a Cabinet part 2

Making a cabinet is a process for creating aesthetic and functional products for different residence portions, such as kitchens, chambers, and bathrooms, which requires some essential tools. Experts and experienced carpenters do the job in the fastest and most precise way possible by utilizing these tools. However, making a cabinet with these types of equipment is also possible for individuals who tend to go for the DIY process. In the Tools Needed for Making a Cabinet (Part I) article, we discussed two must-have tools for creating these practical products. In this section, we will introduce other beneficial tools that can be handy for the purpose.

Miter Saw for Making a Cabinet

Miter Saw is a must-have cabinetmaking tool for cutting different wood materials such as MDF. The table saw sits rigidly in its appropriate place while needing feeding woodwork in the blade. It brings the edge down to the working material for the process. However, this tool design is not for ripping the fabric, but they bring the cutting tool down onto the fixed piece, and they help the process. The word miter refers to making cuts with angles for specific joints on trim or frame material. This tool is available in various models, including Standard, Compound, and Sliding Miter Saw. The first model features a fixed swing arm that can be adjusted from 0 to 45 degrees. This type is a simple tool, but most carpenters opt for its more complicated systems for making a cabinet. Compound type can also create 45- and 90-degrees angle cut. However, by utilizing this tool, the cabinetmaker can cross-angle the working piece for creating more aesthetic kitchen cabinets. The sliding miter saw feature arms that allow it to cut much wider stock than the other types

Having High-Quality Saw Blades is Essential

Having sharp and precise saw blades make a substantial difference in making cleaner cuts without frays. Crosscut saw edges are perfect for cutting engineered woods and are suitable for across-the-grain fabrication on trim. On the other hand, for ripping with wood grain, the most practical tool is the Rip Saw Blade. They work at a fast pace and provide safety and efficiency. However, it is possible to get the best of both ripping and crosscut by utilizing combination blades.

Use Drilling Jig for Making a Cabinet

Drilling jigs are designed to help the carpenter make accurate, reliable and repeatable holes in the working piece. Some artisans prefer to construct their unique tool. The particular advantage of the drilling jig is that it can serve as both guides and clamps for creating holes in an exact location with a suitable angle. Most of the drilling jigs are adjustable for achieving customized spots equivalent to the needs. This tool is available in various materials such as wood, plastic and metal.

Scribe Tools

This tool is a piece of must-have equipment for making a cabinet that allows carpenter mark wood or other materials for having a clear pattern of cutting, drilling and other operations. It is perfect for transferring a pre-defined way to a surface destined to bond with it. Experts regularly utilize this tool to trace and transfer irregular shapes to a new cabinet design and counter joints. Most scribes are made from metal materials, and they feature a sharp point to inscribe pattern into a new surface.

High-Speed Hinge Placement Tool

Hing placement on the kitchen cabinet doors must be precise for excellent finish and fit. Shop-made jigs or commercial scribes can slow down the process of making a cabinet. Thus, it is essential to have a tool for fast and accurate hinge placement. The high-speed hinge placement tool works well with various hinges. Some of them feature three spring-loaded punches for transferring drill points at a higher pace.

Self-Centering Bits are Beneficial for Making a Cabinet

Another tool that is practical for both making cabinets and various interior doors is the self-centering bit. It is prepared to many extents and quality standards and comes from different sources. The best bits are often made from hard carbon steel guide barrels while having a tungsten or carbide internal section. The guide barrels align the bit with a fastener or hinge and then line the bit to make a perfectly centered hole. Another essential advantage of these tools is that there will be no bit slippage across a tight grain or error in hinge creep when the carpenter makes self-centering bits.

Dado Set with a Thin Kerf

Making a cabinet requires much more delicate cuts than other typical construction work. For building a high-quality kitchen cabinet, even the most diminutive dimensions make a considerable difference. This is especially true when cabinet making process needs dados and precise cut kerfs. Kerfs are the channels created by a saw blade that is not set to sever the wood material severely. Thus, using a dado blade can help the cabinetmaker adjust the kerf widths. There are unique dado blades that are designed to allow experts to create thin kerfs.