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How To Make Kitchen Cabinets: Build, Upgrade, and Install Your Own with the Experts at American Woodworker (Fox Chapel Publishing)

How To Make Kitchen Cabinets: A Comprehensive Review

If you are looking for a practical and inspiring guide on how to make your own kitchen cabinets, you might want to check out How To Make Kitchen Cabinets: Build, Upgrade, and Install Your Own with the Experts at American Woodworker by Randy Johnson. This book is a collection of 35 articles from the popular magazine American Woodworker, covering everything from cabinet construction, door and drawer making, hardware selection, countertop installation, and more. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced woodworker, you will find valuable tips and tricks to help you create your dream kitchen.

What You Will Learn From This Book

This book is divided into four main sections: Cabinet Basics, Cabinet Construction, Doors and Drawers, and Installation and Upgrades. Each section contains several articles that cover a specific topic or project related to kitchen cabinets. Here are some of the things you will learn from this book:

  • How to design and plan your kitchen layout, including how to measure, sketch, and budget your project.
  • How to choose the best materials and tools for your cabinet making, such as plywood, solid wood, hinges, slides, knobs, and pulls.
  • How to build sturdy and durable cabinet boxes, frames, and face frames using various methods such as dadoes, biscuits, pocket screws, and dowels.
  • How to make different styles of cabinet doors, such as flat panel, raised panel, cathedral, shaker, and glass panel, using techniques such as cope and stick, tongue and groove, and mortise and tenon.
  • How to make and install drawers, including how to cut and assemble drawer boxes, how to install drawer slides, and how to make drawer fronts and false fronts.
  • How to install your cabinets, including how to level, shim, scribe, and fasten them to the wall and floor.
  • How to make and edge laminate countertops, including how to cut, glue, trim, and rout the laminate and how to install sinks and faucets.
  • How to upgrade and customize your kitchen, including how to add crown molding, light rails, toe kicks, pullouts, spice racks, appliance garages, kitchen stools, and freestanding pantries.

What We Liked About This Book

There are many things to like about this book, but here are some of the highlights:

  • The book is very well-organized and easy to follow. Each article has a clear title, a brief introduction, a list of materials and tools, step-by-step instructions, helpful photos and diagrams, and a summary of key points.
  • The book is very comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics and projects related to kitchen cabinets. You will find something for every skill level and taste, from simple upgrades to complete cabinet making.
  • The book is very informative and practical. You will learn not only how to make kitchen cabinets, but also why and how to do it the right way. You will also learn from the experts’ tips and tricks, such as how to avoid common mistakes, how to save time and money, and how to achieve professional results.
  • The book is very inspiring and motivating. You will see many examples of beautiful and functional kitchens that were made by the authors and other woodworkers. You will also get a sense of satisfaction and pride from creating your own kitchen cabinets.

What We Didn’t Like About This Book

There is not much to dislike about this book, but here are some minor drawbacks:

  • The book is a bit dated and some of the information and products may not be available or relevant anymore. For example, some of the articles were written in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and some of the hardware and materials may have changed or improved since then.
  • The book is a bit repetitive and some of the information and projects may overlap or contradict each other. For example, some of the articles cover similar topics or techniques, such as how to make cabinet doors or drawers, and some of the articles may have different opinions or preferences, such as how to join cabinet parts or how to finish cabinet surfaces.
  • The book is a bit expensive and may not be affordable for everyone. The book costs around $20 on Amazon, which is not cheap for a paperback book. However, considering the amount and quality of information and projects in the book, it may be worth the investment.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for anyone who wants to learn how to make their own kitchen cabinets, or who wants to improve their existing kitchen cabinets. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned woodworker, you will find something useful and interesting in this book. You will also enjoy this book if you are a fan of American Woodworker magazine, or if you appreciate the craftsmanship and style of custom-made cabinets.

Final Verdict

How To Make Kitchen Cabinets: Build, Upgrade, and Install Your Own with the Experts at American Woodworker is a great book for anyone who wants to create their own kitchen cabinets. It is a comprehensive, informative, practical, and inspiring guide that covers everything from cabinet design and planning, to cabinet construction and installation, to cabinet upgrades and customization. It is a valuable resource for any woodworker who wants to take their kitchen to the next level.

We highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in kitchen cabinet making, and we give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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