Lesson 1Edge treat and thin wood: band choice, match thin wood way, join plan for one grainLook edge band material, thin wood kind, grain place way. Learn pick band wide, line thin wood way, plan join so cabinet face look one true grain.
PVC, ABS, and wood edge banding optionsIron-on vs hot-air vs edgebander methodsVeneer layup and grain direction planningBookmatching, slip-matching, and sequencingHiding seams and repairing veneer defectsLesson 2Light and wire ironmongery: low LED strip, driver, in-box wire pipe, hole cover and wire passLearn plan light and wire ironmongery in cabinet. Cover low LED strip, driver, dim, wire pipe, hole cover so put stay safe, fix easy, clean look inside and round cabinet.
LED strip types, color, and output selectionDrivers, dimmers, and low-voltage wiringRouting channels and in-cabinet wire chasesGrommets, pass-throughs, and strain reliefPlanning access for service and upgradesLesson 3Pick flat wood: plywood kind (Baltic birch, cabinet good hard plywood), MDF good/bad for paint or thin wood finishCompare plywood, MDF, other flat for cabinet box, door, paint or thin wood work. Check core good, face thin wood, screw hold, steady match shop tool and finish.
Baltic birch vs cabinet-grade hardwood plyCore types, voids, and face veneer qualityMDF pros, cons, and machining practicesSubstrates for paint vs veneer applicationsMoisture resistance and panel flatnessLesson 4Hard wood kind for frame face, trim, desk top: maple, white oak, cherry — nature, steady, grain tingKnow how maple, white oak, cherry do in frame face, trim, desk top. Compare hard, move, grain, color so you mill, join, finish each for steady fine result.
Maple characteristics and machining tipsWhite oak movement, rays, and finishingCherry color change and blotch controlSelecting boards for grain and stabilityJoinery choices for frames and desktopsLesson 5Pull, knob, channel pull pick for small look; magnet catch, push open choicePlan see ironmongery for small look but keep work. Compare pull, knob, channel, join magnet catch or push open with hinge slide for clean cabinet front.
Bar pulls, knobs, and edge pulls comparedChannel pulls and integrated finger railsMagnetic catches and alignment issuesPush-to-open latches and hingesHardware layout, spacing, and ergonomicsLesson 6Drawer system and slide: under vs side soft close, weight hold, box build adviceLearn drawer system kind, under and side slide differ, soft close, weight hold, box build choice touch strong, feel, long do in custom cabinet project.
Undermount vs side-mount slide mechanicsSoft-close, self-close, and hold-open optionsLoad ratings and slide length selectionDrawer box joinery and material choicesAdjusting and troubleshooting drawer slidesLesson 7Hinge and door ironmongery: hide Euro hinge kind, soft close choice, put template and screw pickStudy hide Euro hinge kind, cover, open angle. Learn soft close, put plate, screw pick, drill template work for true change cabinet door.
Full, half, and inset concealed hinge typesSoft-close mechanisms and adjustmentOverlay, reveal, and opening angle choicesMounting plates, screws, and fastener pulloutJig and template use for cup hole drillingLesson 8Finish system compare: water base lacquer vs poly vs change varnish vs oil/soap finish — good, bad, strong, smell, fix easy (at least two with good bad)Compare normal cabinet finish system, focus strong, fix, smell, put need. Learn when pick water base lacquer, poly, change varnish, oil soap for shop and customer.
Water-based lacquer uses, pros, and consOil-modified and water-based polyurethaneConversion varnish durability and risksLow-VOC oils, soaps, and hardwax finishesTouch-up, repair, and blending techniquesLesson 9Join ting and inside ironmongery: cam lock system, dado/confirmat use, pocket screw, biscuit for put togetherLook inside join and hold for cabinet put. Learn when use cam, confirmat, dado, pocket screw, biscuit balance speed, strong, take apart, true in shop and place.
Cam and knock-down connector systemsConfirmat screws and drilled dadosPocket screw layout and limitationsBiscuits, splines, and alignment aidsCombining fasteners with glue joints
