Lesson 1Screws, bolts and anchors: self-tapping wood screws, confirmat screws, plasterboard anchors, block anchors, toggle bolts and suggested sizesPick screws, bolts, and anchors that match cupboard loads and wall types. We cover starter holes, sizes, and depths so fasteners grip tight in timber, plasterboard, blocks, and hollow walls without cracks or pulls.
Wood screw types and pilot hole sizingUsing confirmat screws in panel productsDrywall anchors and their load limitsMasonry anchors and proper drilling stepsToggle bolts for hollow walls and ceilingsLesson 2Edge finishes: solid timber lipping, veneer edge tape, heat-wrap vs matching veneerCheck edge finish choices that guard panels and boost looks. Compare solid lipping, veneer tape, and heat-wrap, and see how each hits toughness, cutting, finishing, and fixes down the line.
Solid wood lipping thickness and profilesIron-on vs pre-glued veneer edge bandingUsing edge banding machines and trimmersThermofoil edges vs matching real veneerSanding and finishing banded panel edgesLesson 3Panel picks and strength behaviour: ply vs MDF with veneer — goods, bads, and usual gradesCompare ply and MDF with veneer for cupboard boxes, doors, and shelves. You'll weigh firmness, weight, cutting ease, and edge finish, and pick grades and cores for paint, clear coats, or laminates.
Plywood cores, plies, and common cabinet gradesMDF density, machining, and edge qualityMoisture resistance and dimensional stabilityPanel choice for paint vs clear finishesCost, weight, and handling considerationsLesson 4Shelf supports: adjustable pins, euro clips, heavy metal brackets and spacingLearn to pick and place shelf supports for loads and materials. We compare pins, clips, brackets, cover drill patterns, spacing, and avoid bends, twists, and rips in daily use.
Load ratings for pins, clips, and bracketsRecommended shelf pin diameters and lengthsSystem 32 hole spacing and layout tipsSupport placement to limit shelf deflectionFastening heavy-duty angle brackets safelyLesson 5Shelf strengthening choices: thicker panels, solid front rails, ply sandwich shelves, metal bracesLearn to firm up shelves that sag under weight. We compare thicker panels, front rails, sandwich builds, metal braces, and pick the lightest that holds bend limits.
Calculating shelf span and expected sagUsing thicker panels to increase stiffnessSolid wood front rails and glue areaPlywood sandwich shelf construction stepsAdding steel or aluminum stiffeners discreetlyLesson 6Handles and pull choices: edge pulls, bar pulls — spacing and screw lengthsPick handles and pulls that suit cupboard style, hand space, and door size. Learn spacing rules, screw lengths, and drill guides so fittings line up steady and hold against daily pulls.
Bar pulls vs edge pulls: use casesStandard center-to-center pull dimensionsHandle placement on doors and drawersScrew length selection for panel thicknessDrilling jigs for repeatable hardware layoutLesson 7Suggested panel thicknesses for box sides/top/bottom, backs, doors and shelves with reasonsSet panel thicknesses for sides, tops, bottoms, backs, doors, shelves. Learn how span, load, material hit firmness, screw grip, toughness so you spec safe, smart cupboard parts.
Typical thicknesses for carcass sidesTop and bottom panel thickness guidelinesBack panel thickness and fixing methodsDoor thickness vs hinge and hardware limitsShelf span, thickness, and load tablesLesson 8Wall hanging setups and fixings: French cleats, rail systems, through-cleat vs cleat-screw waysGet wall hanging plans for cupboards on varied walls. Compare French cleats, rails, pick fasteners, plan screw patterns so loads shift safe without twists, drops, or wall pulls.
French cleat sizing and bevel angle choicesContinuous hanging rails vs discrete bracketsFastener selection for studs and masonryCleat-screw patterns for load distributionLocating studs and verifying wall conditionsLesson 9Fitting picks: hidden soft-close hinge types and mount plate heightsCheck hidden hinge types, overlay styles, soft-close picks. You'll size doors, pick mount plates, set drill patterns so edges stay even, doors line clean, motion smooth and steady.
Full, half overlay and inset hinge choicesSoft-close vs standard hinge mechanismsCup drilling diameters and setback distancesMounting plate heights and door reveal controlAdjusting hinges for alignment and clearance
