Woodworking Techniques: 5 Expert Ways for Building Cabinet Doors

Understanding all the different ways of making cabinet doors is a great way of knowing more about woodworking and understanding which doors might be more suitable for different situations.

Before you begin making the door frames, it's wise to have some kind of an idea what you will want to put as panel in the middle of the door, or, will it be a Slab door ???

Pocket Hole Doors



Many woodworkers already have a pocket hole jig of some kind of another, so it would be natural for them to think of using this jig. Here are some of the Pros and Cons of Pocket Hole Cabinet Doors

Pros
Somewhat inexpensive jig, or a jig you have on hand

Armor Pocket Hole jig (automatic) available through the Woodworkweb Amazon store

 Cons
You still need to make the slots or rabbet cuts
Pocket holes hard to disguise look of
Could be the weakest of door options
Risk of  frame cracking
Possible alignment issues

Lap Joint Cabinet Doors

Pros
Could be the strongest version for a Cabinet Door
Uses Table Saw and Router which many woodworkers own
Easier to change or replace insert panels

Cons
Takes  some time to align and get a perfect fit
Not readily suitable for "slots" or dados, better for rabbeting
Fitting a panel might take more time
May require router rabbeting bit

Freud Rabbeting Bit set available from Woodworkweb Amazon Store

Slab Cabinet Doors

Pros
Very easy to make
Lots of different types of materials can be used

Cons
Depending on materials used, may not be as attractive as others
Weight of the door might be an issue depent on materials

Mortise & Tenon Cabinet Doors (router based tool)

Pros
Probably the easiest of all methods on the router/table
Many different router bits for plain or ornate rails and stiles

Cons
Takes a while to set router bits for perfect alignment
Need to make sure bits are aligned to fence to avoid "carving" rails

Freud Adjustable Tongue and Groove Bit Set available from Woodworkweb Amazon Store
(note: Available in half inch shank only)

Dowel Joint Cabinet Doors

Pros
This version is argueably also one of the strongest door frames
Easy and precision to assemble

Cons
Cutting "slots" or dados required or can use rabbeting cut
Requires specialized doweling jig (which can also be used for MANY other things)

Note: Dowelmax available from www.rockler.com or direct from the distributer Dowelmax.com

 Copyright Colin Knecht
woodworkweb

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