Shaker furniture is usually identified as being simple and minimalist. With its innovative joinery, quality and functionality, it continues to be a popular design for furniture and cabinetry today. Custom-made Shaker cabinets can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars per cabinet, and manufactured Shaker-style cabinets often do not have the quality that many homeowners are looking for. With the right knowledge and tools, you can design and build your own custom Shaker cabinets. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Building the carcass
1. Measure the cabinet opening (height, depth and width) to determine the overall cabinet size. Subtract 3/4 of an inch from the depth measurement to accommodate the face frame. Subtract 1.5 inches from the width measurement to accommodate the sides.
2. Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch hardwood plywood to the height and depth measurements on the table saw. These will be your sides.
3. Assemble the carcass using wood glue and bar clamps. Ensure the bottom piece of your cabinet is raised up 2 inches from the bottom edge of your side pieces to accommodate the face frame.
Adding the Face Frame
4. Cut four pieces of 3/4-inch hardwood lumber to 2 inches in width using the table saw.
5. Determine the front side of your cabinet and glue and clamp two pieces of 2-inch width hardwood lumber along the left and right face of your cabinet. These pieces are called stiles.
6. Cut the remaining two pieces to fit snugly between the stiles. These pieces are called rails.
7. Glue and clamp the rails to the cabinet.
8. Measure and cut a piece of 1/4-inch hardwood plywood to cover the back. Glue it in place.
Making a Shaker Door
9. Measure the vertical and horizontal opening between your stiles and rails. Add an additional 1 inch to each measurement.
10. Cut two, 2-inch-wide pieces of 3/4-inch hardwood lumber to your vertical measurement. These will be the stiles for your door.
11. Subtract 4 inches from your horizontal measurement and cut two 2-inch-wide pieces of 3/4-inch hardwood lumber to this measurement. These will be the rails for your door.
12. Using a router with Shaker-style stile and rail router bits, cut each stile and rail.
13. Dry-fit the stiles and rails together and measure the opening for the Shaker-style panel.
14. Cut 1/4-inch hardwood plywood to fit the stile and rail opening.
15. Assemble the door and glue it together. Secure with bar clamps.
16. Attach the door to the cabinet with a hinge.
Tags: 4-inch hardwood, hardwood lumber, pieces 4-inch, pieces 4-inch hardwood, 4-inch hardwood lumber, 4-inch hardwood plywood, hardwood plywood