Learn How To Make Your Own Cabinet Doors & Drawer Faces

After this class you too can make these doors.

raw-doors

open-doors

finished-doors

I have been approached by numerous members over the last couple of years inquiring about cabinet classes. I have taught enough classes now that I feel comfortable enough taking this on. A nice starting point is doors & drawer faces, In reality they are mostly the same, but of different sizes.

In my experience as a cabinet maker, the Shaker Panel design is a great place to start. It illustrates the basics of door design and construction. It currently holds a 80% place in the normal market and most other designs share its fundamental design as a starting point. This class will illustrates the basics of door design and construction.

This objective of the class would-be to cover design, material and hardware considerations, some material prep, along with production assembly techniques( i.e. doors don’t require being clamped up for hours, but they must be square).

I would present the why & how, and each student would actually build their own door. Materials will be provided. These are not the fake Shaker Panel doors that are routed out of a slab of MDF and popular at the big box stores. We are talking about real hardwood rails and stiles, along with a solid MDF panel.

Since it is assumed you would already know how to mill lumber, the hands on portion would focus on rail and style processing and assembly techniques. You would be provided with the lumber blanks milled to size, but then you would learn how to process from there.

We would include two different construction techniques; the traditional router based tongue and groove on one side, along with using the Festool Domino based joints on the other side.

You will leave understanding how to configure both the router table and the Festool Domino machine to achieve professional level results.

After this class you would be able to replace all the doors on your kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities while saving thousands of dollars. You could even make and install them a few at a time.

Who this class is for:

  1. Property Flippers
  2. Home Improvement Folks
  3. Professionals wanting to add this service to their business

Tools and techniques you will learn:

  1. Matched router bit sets for doors
  2. Router table techniques for milling doors
  3. Festool domino jig based joinery(100% repeatable)
  4. How to glue up professionally.
  5. How to clamp doors
  6. Quick clamping technique
  7. Proper sanding techniques (these will be paint ready for the painter)
  8. What overlay means
  9. Hinge cup set backs
  10. Hinge cup drilling with pro level equipment
  11. The basics of professional door installation (overlay, not inset)

Please keep in mind that this process is repeatable and very specific, as these doors could be part of a $40K kitchen. This is a class that will teach you a professional level of quality, not a hobbyist or handy person level of quality.

The class would be held on a Saturday. I expect we would follow a schedule along the lines of 9am - 4pm, with a short break for lunch.

If you have ever attended any of my classes you can expect the same generous time allowance. I expect most people can complete their door with in the time allocated, but you aren’t required to do so. Plus you will have a great time learning this very valuable skill.

Class size:
Max 5 members, possibly 4 depending on skill levels

Date:
Possibly Next Saturday 8/31

Price inclusive of materials:
$110 - $130

Future classes would be:

  1. Making a raised panel door
  2. Making a lower cabinet box
  3. Making and installing a drawer for the cabinet

If you have an interest please let me know in the thread.

doors-ready

indside-corner

vanity

6 Likes

Id love to take the class.

1 Like

I have interest, but i am out of town for labor day weekend.

Hi Adair,
I will probably have at least one more of these door classes, assuming there is a demand.
My goal is to go through the whole cabinet process one item at a time.
Have a great day,
B

2 Likes

I’d interested.

1 Like

I’m interested and available that day

Super interested! Working weekends, scheduling would be tricky for me but I’m on vaca the week of Sat 9/14.

Interested.

I am interested in taking this class.

i am interested in this class

Interested (very). Would attend on 8/31 or any of the first few weekends in September.

1 Like

I would be very interested, but unfortunately I am out of town next weekend.If the class is any other weekend, I will be down to attend.

1 Like

Hi Adair, very interested as well but as others have stated Im unavailable this weekend. Hoping you’ll offer another class in the next few weekends.

1 Like

I would be interested and available 8/31

I am interested as I need to build a vanity now and kitchen cabinets in October. I am available on 8-31-24

1 Like

Both Friday and Saturday classes are full

The next class will be held on either Saturday September 7th, or Saturday September the 14th. The date will depend on everyones schedules.

If you an interest please let me know.

1 Like

I’m on vaca the Sept 10th - 20th and very interested!

I would be very interested in the class will be available September 7th.
We are just starting with the interior of our van conversion and the cabinets making class is a perfect starting point.

Either days work for me.

Hi all,
I am attempting to go by by the order of inquiry. It looks like the next door class will be held on Sunday the 8th, then again on Saturday the 14th. I will be contacting everyone that has reached out so far.

Last weekends results

1 Like