Lesson 1Screws, bolts and anchors: self-tapping wood screws, confirmat screws, drywall anchors, masonry anchors, toggle bolts and recommended diametersSelect screws, bolts, and anchors that match cabinet loads and wall types. We cover pilot holes, diameters, and embedment so fasteners hold securely in wood, drywall, masonry, and hollow walls without splitting or pullout.
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 treatments: solid wood lipping, veneer edge banding, thermofoil vs matching veneerExplore edge treatment options that protect panels and improve appearance. Compare solid lipping, veneer banding, and thermofoil, and learn how each affects durability, machining, finishing, and long-term repairability.
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 choices and structural behaviour: plywood vs MDF with veneer — pros, cons, and typical gradesCompare plywood and MDF with veneer for cabinet carcasses, doors, and shelves. You will weigh stiffness, weight, machinability, and edge quality, and learn which grades and cores suit paint, clear finishes, 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 shelf pins, euro-shelf clips, heavy-duty metal brackets and spacingLearn how to choose and place shelf supports for different loads and materials. We compare pins, clips, and brackets, cover drilling patterns, spacing rules, and show how to avoid sagging, racking, and tear-out 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 reinforcement options: thicker panels, solid front rails, plywood sandwich shelves, metal supportsLearn how to stiffen shelves that would otherwise sag under load. We compare thicker panels, front rails, sandwich construction, and metal stiffeners, and show how to choose the lightest option that still meets deflection limits.
Calculating shelf span and expected sagUsing thicker panels to increase stiffnessSolid wood front rails and glue areaPlywood sandwich shelf construction stepsAdding steel or aluminium stiffeners discreetlyLesson 6Handles and pull options: edge pulls, bar pulls — spacing and screw lengthsChoose handles and pulls that fit cabinet style, hand clearance, and door size. Learn spacing rules, screw lengths, and drilling jigs so hardware lines up consistently and resists loosening during everyday use.
Bar pulls vs edge pulls: use casesStandard centre-to-centre pull dimensionsHandle placement on doors and drawersScrew length selection for panel thicknessDrilling jigs for repeatable hardware layoutLesson 7Recommended panel thicknesses for carcass sides/top/bottom, backs, doors and shelves with rationaleDetermine panel thicknesses for sides, tops, bottoms, backs, doors, and shelves. Learn how span, load, and material type affect stiffness, fastener holding, and durability so you can specify safe, efficient cabinet sections.
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 systems and fixings: French cleats, hanging rail systems, through-cleat vs cleat-screw strategiesUnderstand wall-hanging strategies for cabinets in different wall types. Compare French cleats and rails, choose fasteners, and plan screw patterns so loads transfer safely without racking, sagging, or pulling from the wall.
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 9Hardware selection: concealed soft-close hinges types and mounting plate heightsExplore concealed hinge types, overlay styles, and soft-close options. You will size doors, pick mounting plates, and set drilling patterns so reveals stay even, doors align cleanly, and motion feels smooth and controlled.
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
