Learn Cabinet Making

materials, tools and techniques

with wood or other materials

for building and renovating kitchens, laundries, bathrooms, shops, factories and offices.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Nature and Scope of Cabinet Making
   • Introduction
   • Design of Cabinets
   • Types of Cabinets
   • Construction Materials
   • Career Opportunities in Cabinet Making
2. The Cabinet Maker's Workshop
   • Introduction to the Workshop
   • Workshop Safety
   • Workshop Tools and Equipment
   • Hand Tools
   • Power Tools & Machinery
   • Sawing Machines
   • Other Equipment
   • Tool Care
3. Job Preparation
   • Introduction to Planning
   • Taking Measurements
   • Measurement Equipment
   • Understanding Technical Drawing
   • Types of Drawings
   • Making Drawings for Clients
   • Taking On-Site Measurements
   • Estimating Costs
4. Cabinet Construction
   • Benchtops
   • Strength in Construction
   • Frameless Construction
   • Framed Construction
   • Cabinet Making Jigs
   • Adhesives and Sealants
5. Cabinet Doors
   • Introduction to Doors
   • Cabinet Styles
   • Types of Cabinet Doors
   • How to Make Doors
   • Hanging Cabinet Doors
   • Hinge Types and Installing Hinges
   • Sliding Doors
6. Cabinet Drawers
   • Drawer Design Introduction
   • Making Drawers
   • Types of Joints
   • Drawer Fronts/Panels
   • Installing Drawers
   • Installing Kitchen Benchtops or Work Surfaces
   • Installing Wall Cabinets
   • Adjusting Fitted Units
7. Onsite Installation
   • Installing Base or Floor Cabinets
   • Installing Benchtops or Work Surfaces
   • Installing Wall Cabinets
   • Adjusting Fitted Cabinets
8. Free-Standing Cabinets
   • Versatility of Free Standing Cabinets
   • Types of Cabinets Room by Room
   • How to Make Free-Standing Cabinets
9. Finishes & Furniture
   • Surface Preparation for Finishes
   • Finishing with Paint
   • Using Stains
   • Special Finishes - Veneers
   • Natural Timbers Finishes
   • Outdoor Finishes
   • Protecting the Insides of Cabinets
   • Cabinet Furniture
10. Special Project: Build a Cabinet
    • Option A: Making a Cabinet
    • For this option the cabinet to be constructed can be a relatively simple cabinet such as a small wall cabinet/medicine cabinet for a bathroom, or it can be a free-standing cabinet like a dressing table or linen cupboard, or it can be a fitted cabinet like a built-in wardrobe, bathroom cabinet, or kitchen unit.
    • Option B: Restoring or Altering a Cabinet
    • Alternative project for those unable to make a cabinet:
    • Students must restore a cabinet or make significant alterations to a cabinet. The cabinet selected for restoration or modification can be any sort of cabinet that the student has access to.

What are Your Opportunities?

Cabinet makers may be involved in making free-standing units or built-in cabinets. Cabinet making requires different skills - technical, organisational, and craftsmanship. 

It can involve manufacturing and installing cabinets in different space such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, and in different locations such as residential properties, commercial buildings, onboard ships, or in aircraft.

Cabinet makers can work on projects in different industries like manufacturing, construction, or retail. In manufacturing, cabinet makers may work in warehouse facilities or factories. 

They may also be self-employed or establish small businesses. Self-employed cabinet makers might work from a home garage or something similar. 
Some may service the private sector only making cabinets to order for businesses and retail customers. Other opportunities can be found as subcontractors or employees of construction companies or small-scale home builders.  

Cabinet Maker’s Skills  

Some of the things that cabinet makers do include:

• Designing cabinetry and producing plans.
  
• Working to client specifications.
  
• Working from trade drawings to construct cabinets.
  
• Choosing timbers, composites, or veneered boards for specific jobs.
  
• Measuring, setting out materials, marking, cutting, and shaping wood.
  
• Making jigs or templates for production of cabinet parts.
  
• Using a range of hand tools like chisels, saws, and planes.
  
• Setting up and operating machines and power tools.
  
• Applying joinery skills to make joints.
  
• Securing joints using clamps, dowels, screws, and nails.
  
• Making door panels for cabinets and hanging them.
  
• Making and fitting shelves, drawers, and drawer fronts, and installing drawer glides.
  
• Installing fitted cabinets on-site.
  
• Making cabinet parts off-site for on-site completion.
  
• Fitting cabinet furniture like knobs, handles, hinges, and locks.
  
• Preparing surfaces and finishing cabinets using paints, varnishes, stains, etc.  
  
• Carrying out repairs and maintenance to cabinets.
  

Personal Qualities

• Cabinet makers need to be reasonably fit since it is quite hard physical work. 
  
• It also involves having a good eye for detail.
  
• Planning skills are needed to organise jobs efficiently.
  
• Good communication skills are needed when working with clients and others.
  
• Creativity is required for design. 
  
• Problem solving skills are helpful to overcome problems with construction.
  
• Patience is also something that is needed when things don’t go to plan.