Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 16, 2004 07:10am | #1

   For a run of cabs of that length, I think your job will be way easier to go frameless. Yes, you would need backs -- but 1/4" luan will do, and I would do do full overlay false fronts.

   If you have someone to help you move these things around, 4 footers will work. But again, the job of making all those cabinets would be easier if you built them in 2 ' units, even though materials cost would be higher. Use 1/4 - 1/2" spacers between each cab -- perhaps paint them black for a sharp, contrasting look no matter if they are painted or natural finished.

   I assume you know about settling on a design, then gang cutting the whole shebang -- and assembling them as your space permits.

   Kudos to you for volunteering to take on this large task. I only hope they will appreciate how much effort it will require from you.

   What do they have against particle board/MDF?

1. 
   Mikedej | Nov 16, 2004 11:57pm | #2

        These cabinets are going in a walk-out basement of sorts, and therefore they want no mdf or particleboard.  Your idea of 2 foot unit does sound alot more manageable and would only cost 2 sheets or so of ply, I may go with it.

        The only problem with the frameless is edgebanding all the ply, I will most likely will go this route though.

    

   MikeD

   Edited 11/16/2004 4:00 pm ET by MikeD

1. 
   Elcoholic | Nov 17, 2004 12:56am | #3

   Given the abuse that these cabinets will take I don't think you can go overboard on the materials.  I would go with 3/4" BB Ply and base my module for economy on a 5 x 5 sheet.  Secondly I'd go frameless but with solid wood edge banding.  Wood tape just won't hold up.  I'd use 150# Blum, Accuride or KV full extension slides.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

2. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 17, 2004 06:51am | #4

   <<"walk-out basement of sorts">>Does this mean the cabinets will be exposed to moisture?If the cabs are going to be painted, one of the beauties of MDF (aside from cost) is that you can get an acceptable finished edge without covering it.

1. 
   Mikedej | Nov 17, 2004 07:08am | #5

      The room they will be in has not had any "flooding" but it is a basement, with 2 large overhead doors in the next room, and they did have a dehumidifer running in the next room also.  This space will not be heated in the winter, so these cabinets will be subjected to a few temp swings. 

       I like the idea about BB, I may try to lay them out on a 30" module.

    

   MikeD

1. 
   BG | Nov 17, 2004 03:43pm | #6

   MikeD,

   My one experience with a large cabinet made from BB Ply did not paint up very well...the sides looked like planer snipe.  Perhaps I did not select the stock carefully enough but the sheets are so thin I'm not sure if the paint caused the issue..anyhow, thought you'd like to know 

2. 
   Floss | Nov 17, 2004 06:07pm | #7

   Mike,

   I'd go with the AC Fir plywood. It is a heck of a lot cheaper than Birch Ply and from what I can tell these cabinets are strictly utilitarian. If you brush them with a couple of coats of poly they should be able to perform for many years.

   J.P.