How do you make mullion cabinet doors?
I need to build eight of them for a kitchen and would like to use my rail and style bit set. Was thinking of just ripping the back off the mullions (for one large sheet of glass). But that doesn’t leave much room for glue surface. Anybody do this?
Also, can I use staples or pins to hold them while glue sets up (from behind)?
Cheers,
Nathan
Replies
You might like to check out FWW # 189, which has a cover story titled "Cabinet Doors Made Easy." These are true divided lights. I used more or less this method, and found gluing up the centre muntin awkward, mainly because it's very difficult to get tight fitting mortises in the narrow stock, and tight is desirable in this case. I don't think pinning would have helped. You pretty much have to glue and clamp rails stiles and muntins all at once on a flat surface, so you're doing a pretty fast foxtrot as it is.
You'd need a true divided light router-bit set. The one recommended is expensive at around $150, but might be worth it. I used a different (cheaper) set, and the fit between ovolo and the mating bit was not good. (Why do all of these 3-piece rail and stile sets force you to buy a rabbeting bit you probably already have?) In fact if you have an ovolo bit you might be able to work something out re. the mating bit.
There's a video on site by the author,Martin Milkovits, though it doesn't go into great detail about the doors. He uses a substitute glazing putty to finish off inside. If you wanted to use wood strips they'd have to be pretty thin using his dimensions.
Jim
I built these with a set from MLCS. Their instructions were clear and the bits set up easily enough. Just run more than you think you'll need because re-matching is time consuming. All rails/stiles are floating tenons under the cope/stick profile for strenght. Not what you're going to build, but may give you some idea. All panes are individual.
Joe
Edited 4/16/2008 1:54 pm ET by knuts
Hey Nathan,
Check out this site. He is doing just what you are asking except he is building a mission style mirror.
Harry
Following the path of least resistance makes rivers and men crooked.
Which site, Harry? Did you forget to post the link?
(Very embrassed grin) Yeah, I guess I did. Here it is.
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/cmt-sa1.htmHarry
Following the path of least resistance makes rivers and men crooked.
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