Submitted by Ana White on Fri, 2011-12-30 20:00
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
Printer-friendly versionSend to friend- ‹ previous
- 13 of 62
- next ›
When we built our home years ago, before I started building furniture, I asked my husband if we could save money and build our own kitchen cabinets.
The Ram has experience with traditional woodworking and knows all about biscuit joints and planers and joiners, and his response was "by the time we buy all the special tools, set up our shop, and build the cabinets, it would be cheaper and easier to just buy the cabinets."
Dozens of trips, 100 miles each way, with a newborn baby crying on my back, I sorted through standard cabinet options to come up with a kitchen that would work for my space, spent $8000 that we did not have on cabinets for a 10x10 kitchen, and waited two months for the cabinets to arrive. We then of course had to go get the cabinets, install them, and add crown moulding and light rail. By the way, our light rail ran over $200 for an eight foot stick. (Light rail is just moulding that goes under the wall cabinets to hide undercabinet lighting and trim out bottom edge of wall cabinets).
And guess what?
My kitchen cabinets are put together with discreetly located pocket holes.
We didn't need expensive tools or a full service wood shop to build our cabinets. We just needed a few basic tools and an understanding of how cabinets are built.
We just finished building our first base cabinet, and it is serisously one of the easiest pieces we've ever put together. I'll be providing plans to you next week after we get the drawers rolling - pun intended - but first, let's go through the tools that we are using.
Drill - $50 to $200
If you don't live with your parents who will lend you their drill, you need your own drill. It's a life necessity. Up there with a vacuum cleaner, but costing as low as a curling iron, the drill will help you do everything from hang curtain rods to fixing your kids toys. I even know a bachelor who uses his drill to mix giant batches of cookies up.
The drill on kitchen cabinets will be used for drilling and driving pocket hole joints. Shown here is my drill, the 18 volt used primarily for drilling pocket holes. I also have a 12 volt that I use for driving screws so I'm not switching bits constantly - but having two drills is a luxury, not a necessity.
You'll need the drill whether you build your own cabinets, assemble flat pack cabinets, or buy and install fully assembled cabinets. Even if you have your cabinets installed, you'll need a drill at some point for adjusting hinges or adding accessories.
Pocket Hole Jig - $150
The drill pairs nicely with a pocket hole jig to create joints. We will be using the Kreg Jig for most of the joints in the cabinets. We like the ease, precision, and strength of pocket holes for joints. If you are planning an entire kitchen of cabinets, plan to spend $100-$150 on a jig including clamps for those very perfect joints.
NOTE: This post is not sponsored by any company, but do work with the Kreg Tool Company and have chosen to use the Kreg Jig independent of endorsement.
Table Saw - $500 and Up
For years, and for hundreds of projects, for building multiple houses, we've gotten by with occasional table saw use, using an $89 table saw with a tiny deck. I never complained, it was better than no table saw.
But kitchen cabinets are wider in width, so we knew we needed a table saw with a wider deck - preferably with a fence that adjusts to 31" wide. And with the money we knew we would be saving by building two kitchens instead of buying for the Momplex, we decided to upgrade to a better table saw. We went in with a $500 budget, ended up spending a little more ... but check out what this saw does ...
Pretty cool, eh? It's called the Saw Stop and we bought it for it's safety features, love it because it makes beautiful cuts.
NOTE: This post is not sponsored and SawStop has probably never heard of us.
Of course I don't expect most people to be able to afford an expensive table saw. I myself have been building for years hoping that maybe next year we can buy a good tablesaw. But for kitchen cabinets, unless the nice man at the lumber store will make precise rip cuts for you, I highly recommend somehow acquiring a table saw. There are other options than buying outright:
Rent - Rent a table saw from a tool rental company or a hardware store. Rent it over a weekend or holiday, and make all your rip cuts in a few days. When I post plans, you'll see that the main cuts are just ripping full sheets of plywood down to a cabinet depth width, and these cuts can be made quickly and easily.
Buy and Resell - A good table saw used a few times will hold it's value quite well. We actually looked for a slightly used table saw before purchasing a new one but could not find one. Warning - you may not be able to part with your table saw.
Woodshop - find a local wood shop that will make your cuts for you or allow you to use their table saw for a few hours (usually for a fee) to make all of your rip cuts.
Hand Tools - $100
Things like tape measures, levels, drill bits, utility knife, work gloves, hammer or mallet and squares you'll want to keep handy for a variety of uses throughout the cabinet building process.
Router - Optional Starts at $70
A router is a power tool used to remove wood from boards to create decorative or functional elements to a project. Some examples might be adding decorative or rounded edges to tabletops, routeing out a panel for glass doors, or even with the right bit set, building cabinet doors.
For the most basic cabinets, using just a plywood slab for the doors (can we get a oh-yeah from the modern crowd?) a router is not necessary. You could even build basic frame and panel cabinets with a 1/4" inset panel using a table saw.
But for adding a little touch of fancy to your kitchen cabinets, a router might be a good addition to your toolbox. Be aware - the router will be relatively affordable. But the bits could be very expensive.
Compound Miter Saw - $100 - $600
When it comes time to build face frames and cabinet doors, you'll want a fixed saw for making precise cuts. These days, the price of a fixed saw has come down considerably, with deals under $100 for a sliding compound miter saw. I recommend buying the most feature rich one you can afford - you won't regret options like a slider for cutting wider widths, or double bevels, for cutting beautiful crown mouldings.
Circular Saw - Starts at $40
If you have a good table saw, you won't be doing a ton of circular saw cutting. But if you rented the table saw for the weekend, it might be handy to have one of these guys around for the occasional cross cut or cutting backs for the cabinets.
I know this looks like a ton of tools. But for most of you already building, you may already have many of these tools. And for those without, if you do invest in these tools, you will be able to make home improvements throughout your home - not just the kitchen - that will increase your home's value and functionality, and continue to save you money off furniture. Tools are not expenses, they are investments.
- ‹ previous
- 13 of 62
- next ›
Tools - Yay!
Looove my power tools!! One of the most thoughtful gifts I ever received was a power tool - the Milwaukee 12V drill. Hubby brought it home to me 1 day almost 4 yrs ago when I was undergoing chemo treatments. I was very sick at the time and too weak to build anything (although I had serious ‘buildies’). He said he knew I’d need something light and easy to hold once I got well and could build stuff again. His way of telling me he was sure I would get well. What a sweet thought, and I still fight back a tear when I think about it. I use this drill all the time, and have built everything I could since I’ve been well (May 08) and still building. Ana, your site is an inspiration. Love it! Every room in my home has something Ana inspired. :)
Let the demystification continue . . .
This keeps getting better and better. :o) Can't wait until dh reads this, and gets a better feel for how it'll be to build our own cabinets. (I wonder if he'll see this in the comments . . . lol)
Thank you!
Ummm WOW!!!
Ummm WOW!!! That saw is amazing! I watched the video of the designer sticking his finger in the path of the blade. Just amazing! And it can even be repaired afterward for about $60.
Congrats on the new tools. I can't wait to see the finished cabinets. I know they will be awesome.
Tools & Books
You can get a really good deal on Delta table saws right now if you're willing to buy used, and I've seen a few good deals on Powermatic as well. Both companies came out with new saws in the last few years, and a lot of people are upgrading. I've seen Delta cabinet saws for as little as $250. The new ones add a zero.
Absolutely buy the best table saw you can afford, and make sure it has a good fence, or buy a good aftermarket fence. I have a cheap table saw, a slight step up from Ana's, and while it's not terrible, it's nothing near as good as what a table saw can be. Having fairly easy access to my dad's good Delta saw, I feel the shortcoming.
I also recently picked up a book, Simply-Built Cabinets, by Danny Proulx. I ordered mine from shopwoodworking.com, but I saw it in Menards today as well. He even includes a section on the 32mm system Euro-style cabinets, which replaces the kreg jig with a 32mm drill template system (roughly similar cost). Beauty there is that you can order all of your hinges and other hardware that just snaps into your standard assembly holes.
I can't wait!
My husband was itching to build something so we went to the big orange store today and got some lumber to hold him over until the cabinet post is ready!!!
Thanks for all you do!
saw stop
As someone who has taken off the tip of a thumb on a table saw (oh crap that hurts!), i think if you've got the money to invest in one of those bad boys, then go for it....surely costs less than the ER and plastic surgeon...and the inability to even hear a saw run on TV with out having a panic attack...
don't worry, I recovered and an now back in the garage and using power tools with out supervision. :)
OK got to go spend money
I have everything but the kreg jig. Going to get one soon. I don't have a table saw, but I made a panel saw a long time go and now couldn't live without it. But a table saw would be REAL nice and now I have an actual need to justify buying it. WHOOOOO HOOOOO
Breaking down sheet goods
Breaking down a sheet of 4x8 3/4" ply is a challenge even on a cabinet saw without a large table and 4 hands. I think it would be a good add too you readers and yourself to build a guide rail to make the circular saw work like a track saw! Also I would add a decent circular saw is necessary as cheap ones have very wobbly arbors that produce inaccurate cuts.
New follower:)
I read the entire momplex blog and I'm subscribing:) you are an inspiration and I will definitely need this info soon. Positive vibes and blessings on this build. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Hubby and I go to a
Hubby and I go to a professional hardware show every year and we alternate who gets to pick the power tool to buy. I picked a router a couple of years ago and it has sat new-in-the-box in our garage since then because I don't know how to use it. I would love to put a decorative edge on some shelves for my kitchen remodel with it. Ana, you've shown us how to use the Kreg Jig. Maybe you could show us how to use the router? Pretty please with sugar on top...
using a router
I can help you get started using a router. Did you buy any bits when you bought the router? You're going to need at least the one bit that will cut the edge you want.
Dagerous tool
Routers are realy cool, and you can do a lot of great stuff with them, but there are plenty of ways to hurt yourself with one. Both of my parents have put the tip of a finger into them. Thankfully we had a doctor two blocks away who was able to save the fingers.
The tool can be used safely, but read all you can and get as much instruction as you can.
I used to use a router all
I used to use a router all the time, cutting my own moulding and using it to build doors. But I agree with you Clay, it's a dangerous tool and it's expensive to use, when you factor in the cost of the bits and table. So I've resisted adding one as a necessary tool and rarely use ours. Not to mention the mess they make!
That said, I'm interested in testing the palm routers. Any suggestions about palm routers?
Ana - I'll be making
Ana -
I'll be making butcherblock countertops real soon and am thinking of using a palm router to slightly round the edges. I'll report back, with photos.
They are a lot like the "laminate trimmer" used for a Formica countertop. Less power, smaller bit choice, and fewer opportunities to take off a finger.
The full-size routers have a tendency to waltz off in whatever direction they choose :( (I can probably handle a lighter weight one with less battling.
Tablesaw
I have a table saw but for cutting sheet goods I love my Festool TS55 track saw. The cuts are super smooth and splinter free. I hook up my cheap shop vac and there is very little dust. You can place a piece of plywood on a piece of 2" EPS foam and cut any size sheet with ease. It is also super safe because the blade isn't as exposed as with a table saw. I also use their multifunction table (MFT3) with my TS55 to make super accurate and clean cross cuts.
I'm getting so excited to see
I'm getting so excited to see these kitchen cabinet plans! I really want to renovate my kitchen. I'm also very interested to see what kind of wood and finish you are planning!
Ana - are you aware that IF
Ana - are you aware that IF the SawStop safety mechanism triggers, that it usually damages the blade, and you have to install a new safety device before the saw is usable again?
Make sure you have a spare.
I have heard that damp or green lumber can make it trigger.
Yes, this is a great point!
Yes, this is a great point! We haven't had any issue with the saw locking up yet - just test our wood real quick if we are in doubt. We figure it's better to buy a new cartridge and blade - though spendy at about $100 for both - than trying to buy a new finger. And with kids running around the shop, I'd eat ramen for a month to have this saw!
SawStop
In reference to, "...just test our wood real quick if we are in doubt". Does the SawStop have "calibrate" mode where you can touch the wood to the blade to check the moisture content? Also, can you turn off the safety mechanism when you are cutting wet wood?
Yes and yes! We have had no
Yes and yes! We have had no issue yet, but then we are cutting primarily plywood and s4s boards. There is a testing mode and an override mode so you could cut bypassing the safety system.
No, there is no calibrate
No, there is no calibrate function on the SawStop. You can disengage the brake with a key that turns a lock on the power switch if you want to cut green lumber. If you wanted to test the lumber for moisture, you'd use a moisture meter.
You are right. It's either
You are right. It's either on or off.
Cabinet doors
We bought the actual cabinets minus doors at IKEA (it was cheaper than the material would have been) but they are still lacking the doors that we will make ourselves. Can't wait to see what style you go with! Hubby has all the tools but is busy building a new barn on our farm right now so our cabinets will remain doorless for a while yet.
The plan is to make the first
The plan is to make the first kitchen with simple frame and panel doors. On the second kitchen, we'll get a little more fancy!
Routers
Hi Ana,
My wife and I take delivery of a new Chocolate Labrador in two weeks. I downloaded your kennel plans and machined the timber this weekend and I am now putting it together. Thank you for your plans, I am sure the new puppy will love it. I re-use old timber and salvage it. That way this kennel has actually cost nothing but time. I demonstrate routing for Trend UK Ltd. The company has on line routing videos to download for free on http://www.trend-uk.com/ Please advise your supporters to check it out. Once again thank you. Happy New Year.
Paul
Great Tool List
Ever since finding your site and starting projects, I have slowly been acquiring and upgrading my tools. I started off with old hand me down tools, which were plenty to get started, but over the last year have bought a new circular saw, a brand name 12V drill (as a second drill), received a great miter saw for my last Birthday and just at Christmas I got a small table saw (Black Friday deal for $70) and a Kreg Jig master system! I have been using the Kreg Jig Jr. for a year now and can't wait to save a TON of time with the master system. I also have a hand me down router but still haven't learned how to use it properly yet...
Great tool list and I can't wait to get started with my new tools working on my Ana-White site "To-Do List"!
table saw
Ana --
Which model table saw is that? Is it the contractor saw?
We are getting ready to build new cabinets for our kitchen!
Festool is my favorite tool!!!!!
I bought mine today and I love it!!!! The time I save is worth the extra money!!! However, It is very expensive so it wouldn't be logical to buy for just a small project.
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=P3ogABL8nAI
Festool
I have a Festool track saw and it is a great alternative to a table saw especially if you don't have the space to store a table saw. They aren't cheap but Dewalt and Makita have slightly less expensive versions. A track saw will do most of what a table saw will do and usually easier. I also think they are a lot more comfortable and safer than a table saw, with the possible exception of a Sawstop. They make great cuts with very little chip out. Hooked up to a vacuum there is very little dust. The only real short coming I've run into is doing repetitive cuts take a little more time to set up.
Post new comment