Timber framed for them carcass for me

I recently completed building my kitchen styled on the American face frame style cabinets and raised panel doors. I used the book - Building kitchen cabinets by Udo Schmidt (Taunton press). He guides you step by step. Quite easy though and far superior in strength - although the strength of the Euro style cabinets is sufficient. I also used plywood for the base cabinets (Austral 19mm AC - excellent quality tho expensive). Having said all this, it was for myself and I would not do this for someone else due to the time taken. Nobody will pay you for the time taken to build this style of kitchen.
Regards
Les

As said above a book would be he best way to learn, unless you can find a tradesmen who was about in the seventies when this type of construction was the norm

Thanks Arms, Lesmeyer, Master Splinter, China for the references. The term face framing is new to me and I checked out the links however this isn't quite what I'm looking for. (although I will have a good read and maybe switch to this method if I can convince the guys)

I actually mean building the frame out of timber and applying panels to the frame (and hingeing doors). When you open the doors on a row of cabinets and look inside you will see the framework. (Doesn't have to be concealed)

Also not individual cabinet frames but one whole frame for what would appear on the outside to be a series of connected cabinets. (Done on site, by the way)

Even the shelving would be built in.

Perhaps I can't find info on this as it is possibly not done this way? Any reasons why or why not?

I guess I'm looking for standards and methods of joining, etc to go by.

If it was up to me, I'd say go carcass style and have all the pieces cut on CNC machine and assemble and install them but they don't want this and are cool about me taking time and using less perfect methods of cutting panels - circular saw, router etc.

Tell me I'm crazy.

Originally Posted by China

As said above a book would be he best way to learn, unless you can find a tradesmen who was about in the seventies when this type of construction was the norm

Maybe I should go look at some old kitchens. Door knock. "Excuse me, mind if I take a look in your kitchen cupboards?" He He. No, seriously, there must be some about somewhere. I'll try that if I can't find any references. Not strangers kitchens of course.

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Have a look at this - http://www.renovateforum.com/f176/my...tml#post779584 - that's got some photos of how they built 'em back in the good old days (well, the late 60's at least). Make sure you use that old style chipboard that's both too thin for the job as well as being really good at sucking in grease as the shelving, for the full effect!

Nice post. read the whole thing and yes checked out the framework of kitchen cabinets. That's what i'm looking for, thank you.

I'd be tempted to knock up a standard carcase and make it look frame-like by adding mouldings to it and see if it is the look that they want, or if they have some weird belief that they were 'buildn' 'em better back then'!

I think they think it'll be cheaper hmmm

Maybe they just like being able to see the entire length of the cabinet run when they open one door???? If so, that could be done with some sort of bastardised mix of (big) standard carcase and framing elements at the doors.

I told them that they would have that view when opening doors and they could divide sections but they were happy with one long run.
I'll probably find a blend of methods (bastardisation) to suit the situation.

One of the biggest problems is lack of some equipments so method will be dictated by this to an extent. If I could convince them to get it all cut by CNC, it would be a breeze but the more hands on of constructing is kinda appealing.

Wish I had an extra couple of days in the week as I'm also renovating our 1890s miners cottage to look modernish inside. Also working full time in a physical job that is typically bloke-land (oh, didn't mention, I'm a female not that that makes any difference).

At the end of the day, I'm happy to be so busy and have such great projects happening.

Also thanks for the other link Arms. I found that all very awesome and wish I had equipment like that and someone to show me how to use it all and the time to learn. Perhaps down the track sometime.

For now, I'll use the basic skills I have and do it all with hand tools mostly. circular saws, drop saws, trimmer, router, chisels, etc.

Takes longer but gets results and I won't be charging them top rates. I figure that I gain knowledge as well as $ at the end. They seem to be happy with giving me a go and like to support the little person. I'll do my best for them.