Hello all
I am a amateur hobbyist and have built a few things so not that new I guess lol. I am in the process of designing a kitchen buffet I will be building soon and need input on how to join the top portion to the bottom. I have attached pictures for reference.
The full view image is exactly what the cabinet would look like.
The top no counter image is just the top portion.
My intent was to attach the counter top to the bottom portion of the cabinet with some tenons along its perimeter. But then I realized how would I attach the top portion since the sides are aligned with the bottom sides as well. The I thought reverse, if I attach the counter top to the top portion, how would I attach it to the bottom cabinet? I would like to be able to have them separate in case of moving since it would be nearly 8′ tall.
Any suggestions and ideas would be great to learn from and apply in future projects. Thanks in advance!
Replies
One important question is if all is solid wood, or if some of the structure is plywood. In particular, if the counter top is solid wood, and the lower cabinet is plywood with wood edging, or solid wood. If all is solid wood, you shouldn't have any problems with differential wood expansion and contraction with changes in humidity. If plywood is involved, you will need to either use all edged plywood, or compensate for the differential movement.
Now, as to how to attach:
One option is to screw the countertop to the bottom of the upper cabinet from below, and then attach that unit to the lower cabinet either using screws thru short blocks glued to the inside tops of the lower unit (solid wood case) or long strips glued there if the case is plywood. Or in either case you can use table top attaching clips that screw to the bottom of the countertop and fit in a groove in the insides of the base cabinet. These systems are possible because they can be hidden inside the lower cabinet, and move the attaching point away from the top edge of the cabinet sides. Let me know if you have any questions.
Harvey
Yes, the main cabinets are plywood based, and all facing, trim and countertops are solid wood. As to the clips I thank you. I completely 100% forgot about clips like Z-clips. lololol
I would not attach the top to the bottom at all. Rather, I would affix both to the wall. This is going to be a good idea for stability anyway. It also leaves you with no gaps to fill in if you later decide to separate the parts permanently.
You could use a metal plate to join the top to the bottom at the back but there is little value in so doing. If you absolutely must join the two in a way that can be separated but that is otherwise invisible then you could use sliding dovetails.
If a little hole might be acceptable then the Lamello Clamex would be an option (backed up with that metal plate behind) https://www.lamello.com/product/lamello-system-verbinder/clamex-s-18/
It is also possible to use threaded inserts in the bottom of your uprights and run bolts into them through the top - this requires pockets routed inside the bottom piece to allow the bolts to be turned.
Still, it is better just to use the wall. Safer and much easier.
Thank you for the idea but I completely do not want these to be separated permanently. Only if they are to be moved. As for attaching to the wall I will have a safety cable on the top of the cabinet attached to the wall for safety reasons, but do not want anything screwing through it. As for the Lamello, I would love to own it but I'm still a noob and do not have $1k to drop on those types of tools at the moment lolol. Hopefully soon in the future.
I'm with JHarveyB: Fasten the counter to the uppers with screws from below. Put blocks inside the lower cabinets and screw through them into the desktop.
Yeah, I'm definitely with Harvey as well on this one. It made perfect sense once he reminded me of the choice. Thank you for the second vote though, it is well appreciated!
Screws, glues, and clips with grooves are some options. Glue could stick the portions together but it would be difficult taking them apart if you need to move them. Here, using clips with grooves will help fit the portions together, stronger. Plus, you can remove them to dismantle and reassemble them during a move.
I would use Z clips or wood cleats to tie the solid countertop to the plywood frame thus allowing for the different expansion/contraction in width of both the solid wood and plywood. For the top portion, I would use locating pins to align the four uprights in the top and use steel backing plates screwed from behind between the uprights and the counter top.
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