How to Build a

Cabinet Box

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Cut the plywood pieces to size

I prefer to use a track saw to break down the larger sheets into the rough size needed for each cabinet part.

Cut the grooves for the back panel

I prefer to cut a groove for the panel to slide into. It's quick and easy to do at the table saw, and it hides the nailer strips.

Apply edge banding to the front edges.

If you're making frameless cabinets, you'll need to apply edge banding to all the front edges to hide the plywood layers. This includes the bottom, sides and front stretcher pieces.

The bottom, stretchers and nailer strips all require pocket holes along the ends. These pocket holes should be drilled in the opposite side from the groove, making sure you don't drill through it.

Drill pocket holes.

Start by attaching the bottom to the sides with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws. Make sure that all the edge banded sides are facing the same direction, and the grooves line up all the way around.

Attach the bottom to the sides

With the cabinet box facing down on the workbench, clamp the front stretcher between the two sides. Attach the front stretcher to the sides with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

Attach the front stretcher

The 1/4" back panel should slide smoothly into the grooves in the back. Remember that the "good" side of the plywood should face into the cabinet!

Insert the back panel

The nailer strips give you a solid board to screw through when attaching the cabinet box to the studs in the wall.

Attach nailer strips

This step is optional. The drawer support is made the same way as the front stretcher. Cut it to fit inside the cabinet, with edge banding across the front and pocket holes on both ends.

Add drawer supports

Congratulations!  You have built a cabinet.  You can now build new cabinets for your entire kitchen!