How to Build Basic Cabinets–Using ONLY PLYWOOD!
How to Build Basic Cabinets–Using ONLY PLYWOOD!
In this video, I’m sharing how to build basic pantry and base cabinets and how I used them to add storage to this blank wall in my workshop!
You can grab the dimensions and details for this project here:
This video was sponsored by @KregToolCompany and Kreg Academy.
Kreg not only makes building furniture and cabinets easy with their TOOLS, but they also provide helpful educational resources to help you get started building with Kreg Academy.
Check out the 40+ foundational skills videos, step by step expert led project videos, skilled support, and everything else Kreg Academy has to offer here:
http://bit.ly/3jSQIWw
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Guides, Posts, and Helpful Resources for this project:
How to cut plywood sheets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/cut-down-plywood-sheets-with-circular-saw/
How to apply edge banding: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-cover-plywood-edges/
How to use a pocket hole jig: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig/
Which pocket hole jig do you need?: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/which-pocket-hole-jig-should-you-buy/
How to build and install drawers: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/theres-no-wrong-way-to-make-a-drawer/
How to measure and build cabinet doors: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-make-diy-cabinet-doors/
How to use concealed hinges: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-install-concealed-hinges-cabinet-hardware/
How to finish raw wood furniture and cabinets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-finish-raw-wood-furniture-without-a-sprayer/
10 tools you need for cabinet & furniture building: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/must-have-tools-for-cabinet-furniture-making/
How I built my kitchen cabinets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-build-your-own-diy-kitchen-cabinets-2/
Tools and Materials:
*affiliate links below
Tools:
Circular Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/AooaYx
Cutting Guides: https://amzn.to/3x7fDLq
Jig Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/Gjj912
Drill/Driver: https://homedepot.sjv.io/Aoo6Ya
Pocket Hole Jig: https://amzn.to/3qUEZem
Concealed Hinge Jig: https://amzn.to/3x5fGqL
Shelf Pin Jig: https://amzn.to/3CwdABr
Stud Finder: https://homedepot.sjv.io/N36jO
Nail gun (optional): https://homedepot.sjv.io/vn2RJv
Materials:
3/4″ PureBond birch plywood (for cabinet boxes and painted doors): https://homedepot.sjv.io/9rR95
3/4″ PureBond hickory 2×4 plywood panels (for wood cabinet doors): https://homedepot.sjv.io/Z3kgk
1/4″ plywood for drawer bottoms and cabinet backs: https://homedepot.sjv.io/3vVYr
Edge banding: https://amzn.to/3HCnmpw
1 1/4″ pocket hole screws: https://amzn.to/3Fv9ICG
2 1/2″ wood screws (to secure cabinets to wall studs)
Shims
Wood Glue
Concealed Overlay Hinges: https://amzn.to/3oN9L62
Drawer Slides (I used 22″ and 16″ slides): https://amzn.to/3FoDusO & https://amzn.to/3kT8fOu
Shelf Pins: https://amzn.to/3crNViV
Drawer/Door pulls: https://amzn.to/3HCrB4q
Best cabinet build that I’ve seen….and I’ve seen a lot. Can’t wait to use the info you provided to build my own. Thanks for sharing.
The toe kick is there to make sure you get as close to the counter as you can so your posture can be as correct as possible while using the counters. Your back doesn’t bend as much when chopping veggies and things.
I haven’t seen many videos like this. I made a kids table with storage I saw you make, but my skills are somewhat lacking. I’d like to give this a go at some stage if I can get hold of those rails or similar. Very hard to get kregg tools here .
Thanks for the great instructions
Wow, I’m so impressed with your skills! You make it so easy with your logic and the tools being used.
The toe kicks are so you don’t have to bend your back while working at the sink or countertop
Of all the dozen DIY videos I have watched regarding cabinets, you are the only one who explained what a toe kick is. You got me subscribed after watching your video!
This is a setup I need my my basement craft area .
Great video, and I am saving it for when I build my new shelves. That said though, the best part has to be the dog!
Thanks for posting this. I want to build my own because I just want to and am not that experienced.
I built a pantry like yours for the garage it came out great, I would love it if you showed how you built the 4 door pantry next to your refrigerator in your kitchen, you have given plenty of step-by-step and even measurements on everything but that pantry would be my luck, i have been building everything using your exact measurements that way i wouldn’t ruin any wood as expensive as it is these days and our kitchen is coming together awesome thanks to your videos your the best…..
what was the total cost?
Fantastic Job! Such an inspiration!
Are you using the 6 1/2 or the 7 1/4 saw?
Amazing job, love your in depth and simple explanations!
Thanks for inspiring! I built (a version of) this project over about a week of here/there work. I’ve never done anything like it, but it turned out awesome!
I really like how you mainly used hand tools. really gives me hope I can do it!!
birch vs maple plywood?
I love watching your videos. You make it look so simple and break it down into very basic steps. I also appreciate that you are willing to admit where you mess up. It helps me feel like I can do this as I know I will have to ‘full disclosure’ to myself. Thanks for sharing your skills and mistakes.
I made a deep narrow cabinet; 12” wide and 40” deep. How can I build it NEXT TIME where I can get to the back portion to screw the top to the carcass? It’s too narrow to crawl in and the backing is already in and the top goes all the way to the back so I can’t remove the backing. Any ideas are appreciated.
The toe kick keeps one’s back from aching while working at the cabinet. Try blocking your’s off one time while you are working and it will only take a couple minutes before you really feel it.
This is the American home DIY version of the UK’s home baking Fitwaffle. The sisters we never asked for, nor do we deserve but we all needed 🙌
Plywood cabinets are the best, compared to manufactured wood cabinets.
Can you give a rough cost for this?
Trying to decide if it’s worth DIYing, or just raiding an Ikea.
It’d be by far the biggest project I’ve ever attempted and I don’t have half the fancy tools used. Most of all the giant table and table saw.
Awesome to see someone use their head to work smarter not harder
With installing the drawer slides on the work bench not on your knees
Excellent work
you are awesome and inspirational
Wow! You are an amazing builder. My sister was just talking about how much she needs her kitchen redone, so I will probably be watching this video another 100 times plus all the other tutorials you mentioned. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and abilities. Women with power tools rock.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Interesting mix of premium and cheap power tools. Excelent technics & knowledge , One of the greatest video narratives. Impressed !!
Can i aply for cabinet maker.. i actually do it for 10 years..
Golden hands, wow!
Great video. Thank you for showing that even an experienced woodworker can goof sometimes!
Good evening from Auckland, New Zealand. Happy Easter! Great Skills…
Very impressive. Great job and great video!!!
😮😮😮art
Always appreciate a woman who respects herself in diy videos
For not having to flaunt their skin just for views
Great video I enjoyed watching this and informative
Do you think it would be ok to build out of 1/2? Im trying to keep weight down since its going in a trailer
As far as why there are toe kicks if you’ve ever tried to stand at a counter that did not have them you understand why you need them. There is just something about that extra two or three inches for your toes to recess into the make it so much more comfortable and natural to stand at not making you bend over and hurting your back. They are not common in some other countries that I’ve visited and I had back pains after standing at a counter without them for just a few minutes. It’s amazing how you take these little things for granted and don’t even think about them.
Solid tutorial! I’ll be using it to build a custom 3D printer cabinet!
Great job girl…!!! Lots of help for my project. Thanks a bunch..!
I’m glad you showed us that this can be done using a track saw. My table saw is small and unstable. In other vids, folks are using track saws for their rough cuts, then switching to heavy table saws for the final cuts.
After watching your vid, I’m confident I can build my kitchen cabinets using a track saw and a router.
Awesome build and tutorial!! I don’t usually last 20 mins. on that kind of video but it is great. Cabinets look awesome!
Thanks for giving an approachable view into cabinetry. It can get a little overwhelming watching other channels where guys have the full shop, table and tools. Nice alternative, and great results!
what do you mean build a kitchen with only plywood !!!!!! Whats wrong with plywood !!!!! its a lot better that that chipboard rubbish in the stores
this is my DREAM
So when she made this video the birch plywood was around $80ish a sheet? Would it be acceptable to only use the birch on sections that you can see?
I just stumbled across this video when searching for built-in bench tutorials and I automatically subscribed to your channel! I am still somewhat of a novice woodworker and have spent an exhausting amount of time watching tutorials but generally am left with many unanswered questions. Your videos are thorough and easy to follow.
Great job. Can’t wait to see more🤙
Hi Shara… I followed your guide to build some cabinets (media wall), everything is turning out well however I cut my cabinet doors about 1/4" short. I am using full overlay frameless. Is there any way to fix this? Can I add a 1/4" under the hinge on the cabinet frame. If i do that I know I might get some exposure of the frame on the sides but at least that will not leave a huge space between 2 doors. Your help is much appreciated.
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I was looking all over youtube on how to build a kitchen cabinet for my home and this is by far the simplest and easiest tutorial I’ve seen so far and the cabinet looks amazing 👏 👍