How to build ANY small cabinet out of MDF!

[@bigutubefan2738]

This is a nostalgic trip back to the pre-Covid golden era of Gosforth Handyman videos.

[@k.hussain360]

Every time I paint MDF, I refer back to your original videos. So far there's like 5 or 6 projects and the finish has been spot on each time. Zinsserr 123 as a primer is spot on.

[@Skandoro]

That's my go-to MDF primer too! Does gum up the sandpaper of medium/fine grit though

[@GosforthHandyman]

Fantastic stuff! Once you've cracked the fluffy edge problem you can make anything. 👍😁

[@k.hussain360]

@@GosforthHandyman definitely. Got a cabinet I need to build at some point soon as well. Currently in the process of over engineering I mean designing it 😂

[@Liverpool1ne]

Love a bit of Leyland acrylic primer and undercoat 👍🏻

[@prodical666]

Brilliant video. Even cabinet guru Peter Millard would be proud of that quality

[@geraldwatson732]

Thank you for taking the time to explain and provide these videos.. They really do help us ..

[@1x3dil]

Hi Andy was you tempted to make it a bit wider to accommodate that armer cable on the right side . But as a retired electrical contractor I might have tried to make the cable fall closer to disruption board . By probably drilling at an angle to get closer , but I’m just an old fuss pot . And having in the past trying to get at a dis boards that have been covered up to the point , you can’t even remove a cover to gain access to fuse boards . It’s a breath of fresh air to see you doing it properly for any future electrical work . Great work as always Best wishes and kind regards as always 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

As the back door is quite close it would get in the road if it was any wider. So it was kinda trunking vs painting the cable... and I had the paint out. 😁👍

[@nigel4425]

Hey Andy - if you have any spare, run the skirting around the plinth. With such a low profile unit, it really helps to blend it in. DOH!! just got to the end. Nice work!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Don't have any spare unfortunately - cheers! 😁

[@freespirit906]

Fantastic finish to the project and the Mrs has done a great job with the paint. Thanks again for another insightful video, btw the new property is very nice too 😊

[@MK-yo4jn]

Yay a video from Andy. Great to see some new content 😊

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!!

[@MK-yo4jn]

@@GosforthHandyman you have an excellent way of explaining how to do various pieces of DIY. It's very empowering 😃 Looking forward to more content. But no pressure if you're busy. I don't mind going back and rewatching. The Reno time lapse has nearly 1M views. Well done Mrs Mac as well

[@andyc972]

Nice one Andy, this is exactly the type of real world woodworking project I like to see, plenty of useful tips, work-arounds and alternatives considered in your voice-over which is great ! We defo need to see more truncheons used in woodwork assembly ! 🤣 As always Mrs Mac did a grand job on the finishing and the final result looks perfect in it's setting ! I made something similar under our stairs to enclose all the meters etc when we moved in here, I designed it with doors but never bothered with the doors in the end as hidden away anyway. Ours is much less tightly packed with equipment so with a few internal shelves added it's the ideal place to keep a torch, spare bulbs, fuses etc. Btw, nice choices of unobtrusive music, beautifully well balanced with background noises from the construction - top work !

[@GosforthHandyman]

Fantastic stuff - good tip on keeping a torch in there! I'm going to add that. 👍👍

[@pinkplonker8776]

Great video as usual, thanks. I made a cabinet to cover my consumer unit recently which was wall mounted. I have found that if you need to use screws where the heads need filling then the “Lost Tite” and “Tongue Tite” type of screws leave a tiny hole that is easier to fill. I use the acrylic primer which is good. I have also used sanding sealer which is easier to apply. With sanding sealer, I also enjoy the smell of it in a slightly pervy way 😀😀.

[@lfcloyal8284]

Great Job Andy lad 👏👍

[@garrywalker8714]

That looks shop bought Andy! I've never really used MDF but would definitely consider it now, it looks class with that really good finish.

[@rodgerq]

Really nice job! I never get great results going straight into MDF edges with water based primer. I tend to do a coat of shellac based first then the acrylic with a sand in between. Painting that cable on the outside really helped take the look away from it.

[@normanboyes4983]

Nice job Andy, looks absolutely spiffy. My only observation (and all design is a compromise) is it does not allow much room for future growth in terms of electrical equipment.Great tips on finishing MDF.😀👍

[@blondeenigma3882]

Fab job ! I've got a very similar white wooden meter cupboard in my hallway, made with the house in 1953. Got to say they are very well constructed, and it closes beautifully, as do the full length cupboard doors in my kitchen. It's an ex council house, and the joinery is very good.

[@GosforthHandyman]

It'll be solid if it's ex-council! 😊💪

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Andy, nice unit for the electrics, a great build with a great finish good job😁MDF is made 12 miles away from me in Kronospan in Chirk, Wrexham my brother works there. I was quite lucky with my electrics they are in the top left corner in the kitchen, the kitchen units hide the electrics fuse board and meter.As always full of good tips and ideas and a great video catch you soon Take care👍

[@chevyimp5857]

Shellac sanding sealer works great on MDF edges

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Nice little project, Andy. Makes it all tidy. Good note for those adding doors with hinges, just like you did, make sure you space them the same from the top and bottom edge so you can flip them. Good call. I like the soft-close attachments. I just added one of those to a bathroom vanity cabinet yesterday. I did my whole kitchen, in our last house, with those. Makes all the difference and they are very inexpensive, compared to the soft-close hinges.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I was determined to just use 'scraps' for this project. It was a challenge finding 4 matching hinges!! 😂😂

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

@@GosforthHandyman I could sense your determination looking through the bin of hinges!

[@stevewood7884]

I've always had good results with mdf edges by sealing with pva glue mixed with a touch of water, the key is sanding with each coat of paint.

[@GosforthHandyman]

PVA works! 👍 I find this primer dries quicker and is even easier to sand.

[@kevgreathead1886]

Hi Andy, general question on wardrobe finishing. Would you rather build a wardrobe then paint it OR paint all individual panels and build? Thanks for all of your tips over the years, helped me out loads 👍🏻

[@raydriver7300]

Hi Andy. Another great job completed with excellent voice over as always. I made a cabinet in England to cover my Son’s electrics in France and it was interesting as I was working from his measurements! I also have a box of hinges very similar to yours. Give my best to your family and let’s be nice to each other 🌞

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you Ray - can never have enough spare hinges!! 😂👍😎

[@raydriver7300]

@@GosforthHandyman Hey, Andy. Just to let you know a message has appeared asking me to telegram (you!) saying can we talk private. I’m not responding but thought you should be informed. Let me know if you want more information and how I can get it to you. Regards Ray 🌞

[@jamiebrazier2023]

Love the way you explain your methods 👏 more of these types of vids please!

[@sylviagreybe672]

That is a GORGEOUS cupboard!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you - it's cute! 😊

[@weetecguy97]

Love it ! Ours badly needs a face lift, after watching this I think I'll just build our own 😁 Nothing to brag about but it also gave me an excuse to pickup some Parkside tools, as Lidi launched the tool line today. Have a few branded tools, DeWalt is usually my go-to, but today I added a Parkside jigsaw and plunge saw, as well as a wet and dry vac just because 😅 I figure if I get enough use out of them, that warrants purchasing dewalt branded ones. Cheers Andy !

[@armyofcats]

Really good advice, cheers Andy! Your whole renovation project has been inspiring to follow allong with. As someone who's just finishing a kitchen design for our own home renovation, I recognised that DIY Kitchens planner screen. Spent hours playing around in there!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Their planner is excellent! Good luck with yours!

[@Monkeh616]

I do the same with the endgrain of most woods. People just want to slap a coat of paint on with a brush and be done, but there's a process to everything.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Defo! Skip a step and it all goes wrong. 😁

[@michaeltreadwell777]

Excellent job - well done. Some good tips too. I would have had to box in that stray cable to the side too though ! Thanks and take care 🙂

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! It was trunking vs paint and I had the paint to hand. 😁

[@petercampbe11]

great video - i wouldnt like to drill into the wall so close to the electrics though

[@badrinath6059]

Excellent work,dewalt mitter saw what is the model number,is it DW714

[@r.d.1991]

What a neat little job. Perfect! 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Does the job! 😊

[@SalC007]

Great job Andy. Would love to see you make fitted wardrobes or do an IKEA Pax wardrobes hack.

[@briannewton3535]

MDF is a pain in the arse at times. I remember trying to apply iron on oak veneer strip to oak faced MDF. After failing to adhere, I learned the hard way that MDF edges need sealing prior to doing this.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup, if in doubt seal it! 👍

[@maggiemurray8522]

Well done 🇨🇦

[@markhannan4712]

Excellent job and thanks for the painting tips .

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers and no worries!

[@Puremaintenances]

Got to say I love this cabinet you given me ideas for a similar project what top coat did miss Mac use looks kind of like a gloss great video your one of my favorite wood worker/ KZbinr that i enjoy watching

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great stuff - thank you!

[@BritishRosie-es3zr]

I have a cupboard to build, this has been hugely helpful! Would a track saw be just as good as the table saw? There are some inexpensive ones in our local shop

[@JenOooo]

I'm excited for the next project! 👏 Want to build a shallow wall mounted cabinet for my tiny hall to house my vacuum. I've never built anything other than IKEA stuff 😂😂 Doesn't even need a back, I've a power outlet on the wall to recharge the little dust monster 😂 So I want to create a big wall hung box I think 🤔

[@cherylholasek2193]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing all your helpful tips with us. 😊😊

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers - no worries!

[@stevewood7884]

Nice job there Andy, 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you!

[@Quaker521]

Great job and a great video. Thanks.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!

[@excossack]

Nice work. I seem to struggle to get the right combo of screw size / right size plugs. Any tips?

[@davetay44]

Not watched it yet but I already know this is going to be a big help. I have this exact job to do in the next few weeks. So thanks Andy! Edit: now after watching it, of course I was right and as usual a very informative video, Thanks! The one I plan to make, is in our hallway and roughly the same height as yours (give or take) and I was planning on taking the unit all the way to the ceiling and adding shelves and cubbies above the electric meter for hats, gloves, scarves etc, maybe the odd pair of shoes - what are biscuit joints like for strength - do you think it would be sufficient for that application? I guess I could use normal shelf pins for the cubbies 🤔 but I do love an excuse to buy another tool!

[@dbat3291]

A another good one well explained. With ordering the doors, did you have to cross check the colour, not all whites are the same I mean?

[@cricalix]

Nice video Andy, thanks. Would you trust 4 small fixings like that for a slightly bigger cabinet that's up on a wall with no floor to support it, or would you aim for 6 or 8 of them? Or even a batten on the wall? Ireland is a bit different - our meter etc has to live outside (and it's tagged etc), and a feed is brought in to the consumer unit. I've got routers etc in the same area, but it's also ~1.6 metres off the ground, so a cabinet around all the gubbins will need to be wall mounted, not floor-standing. Wall itself is 50mm insulated plasterboard on breezeblock or similar.

[@mikebashford8198]

Fantastic job!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!

[@charvais]

I haven't read other comments, but you could have made the top surface to cover the complete area even with a couple of mil overhang !

[@MarcusT86]

Beautiful work!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!

[@TechOne7671]

Nice job Andy. I have watched you renovate that house and it’s a cracking job start to finish but as a spark, I have got to ask, what is the sidewinder cable doing coming out the side for ? Could you not have buried it in the wall ?? All the best.

[@michaeltreadwell777]

I would have had to box that in too - would drive me crazy to see that !

[@ACAIDC]

A small piece of trunking would tidy it up.

[@gwenscoble6229]

It's a utility room. There is just 1 cable which is fairly narrow, trunking will make it thicker. Trunking ends are just cut, hidy hole for spiders etc. Trunking always discolours. Personally I prefer the painted cable to the trunking.​@ACAIDC

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yeah it's a single leaf brick supporting wall so I'm not a fan of chasing in to such things and I'd rather know where the cable is for any future work being done. The room is essentially a big cupboard so all good. 👍😁

[@TechOne7671]

@@GosforthHandymanfair enough mate, I know what your saying. I had a similar thing, I renovated my house top to bottom like you, during the renovation I noticed the old small supply cable coming from next door. I notified the electricity board about this but the wouldn’t change it at the time. Then about 6 months after moving in the supply fuse melted, they did a temp repair then replaced the supply cable. This left me with a retrofitted trunking floor to ceiling in the staircase. I am still ragin about it to this day😂 as I spent a lot of time hiding services. There’s always something!! Cheers mate.

[@MarcusNailor]

Very nicely done 👏👏👏

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!

[@gashead2]

Nice job

[@OthmanAlikhan]

Thanks for the video, love the cabinet =)

[@katelocke4288]

Are there any safety considerations for the size of the cupboard? Just thinking about fire risk etc

[@chrisbradshaw7273]

Very interesting Andy, If you were doing this for a customer, how many hours labour would you charge?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Including finishing it's minimum 1.5 days so it would be difficult to turn this around for a customer for under £350. 👍

[@300Exige]

Nice job. Where to buy ready made doors ? Thx 🙏

[@jamesduffy5019]

Excellent vid mate👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! 👍

[@kassisaba]

Hi, nice job. Did you use the same 100 grit sandpaper on the end grain fluff as well or does it need to be more delicate?

[@GosforthHandyman]

100 is generally fine if you're gentle. 👍

[@soundman127]

Hi Andy! Excellent video as usual - I've not missed one for years. I need to make a meter cupboard that is about 1600 wide and 440 tall, against the ceiling. It's hard to decide what to do about doors - perhaps a single door that hinges down 180 degrees. Anyone??

[@gwenscoble6229]

What would you use to keep the door up, latched? It will swing 880mm from the ceiling, can you afford the headspace! I'd opt for 2 doors hinged at the sides. You shouldn't need to lower them much to ensure they don't scrape the ceiling.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I'd be tempted to have a removable front panel (screws or whatever) and have smaller doors for access to the meter and consumer unit perhaps?

[@soundman127]

@@gwenscoble6229I was thinking push latches. Good point about the swing down, it's a hall so it's not so much hanging down as the standing back! Two side hung would almost touch the opposite wall..

[@soundman127]

@@GosforthHandyman In my last house I made a single removable panel on magnetic catches which was great - but it was much smaller. I'm now thinking of two 800 wide doors that swing upwards like a kitchen top box. In fact, I could cheat and modify two top boxes from diy kitchens...

[@stuartday1876]

Buying a pot plant for the cable to the right? I'd have to cover that, it would drive me mad!

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍.Thanks Andy

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👍👍

[@EM-fh2tx]

I've a similar job to do, but my unit is high up & the one bit I'm not sure of is how to fix it to the wall.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Little brackets or if you can fit a back you could fix via that? 👍

[@projectrebuild908]

Great video.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you!

[@TheDoosh79]

First cabinet I made was an electric meter cabinet, I completely winged it with no knowledge whatsoever and it turned out bloody good IMO, although it was pure fluke not skill 😂

[@GosforthHandyman]

Fantastic stuff!! Most of my attempts are pure fluke. 👍😁

[@tommotube]

Hi Andy, where did you get the doors from?

[@GosforthHandyman]

B&Q keep these in stock 👍

[@michaeld_aus_b]

22:34 where are the noble screws ? and do these also have of house ? 😅 As usual very well done, Cheers

[@GosforthHandyman]

Just commoners in this house. 😂👍

[@michaeld_aus_b]

@@GosforthHandyman in German "noble" translates to "Edel" which is part of the word "Edelstahl" which translates to "strainless steel". So as a matter of word-punning, you surely have noble(stainless)-screws in da house. Cheers from Berlin

[@alanmullock381]

Good show Andy,top tips too! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Alan! 👍

[@georgeprout42]

Happy Boxing Day everyone!

[@GosforthHandyman]

😁😁 Barely anything from my original footage made it in to the final video!! 😭😭

[@vtbn53]

No mention of the type of MDF which is usually unobtainium

[@deancarter4109]

I’m confused did this take 3 days?

[@TheChipmunk2008]

The DNO thank you for not boxing in the cutout

[@barrydoherty636]

Where would you buy the doors?

[@GosforthHandyman]

B&Q 👍

[@SharpestBulbs]

Nice billy club.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Perfect for this!! 👍😊

[@fuzzy1dk]

to paraphrase another youtuber, who's the aboslute tunamelt that decided to use the apocalypse finish when installing that cable ;)

[@firesurfer]

Perhaps a single door would have been more practical with 180 degree hinges. Easing the edges with a cove bit or file/sandpaper would be nicer.

[@Geoffbell01]

“Cack handed” - lol

[@GosforthHandyman]

😂

[@DlStreamnet]

13:25 - just want to reiterate the washer comment. Great tip.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I should really do a vid on it at some point. 😁

[@horsetowater]

Could dowel it too

[@GosforthHandyman]

Defo! I'm not a huge fan of dowels. 👍

[@davidmcarthur1093]

I make these for customers at a lose to advertise the quality of my work.

[@maryb6074]

Do you accept any construction job?

[@Bob_Burton]

This job was made easier by using Table saw Mitre saw Jigsaw, possibly 2 ? Biscuit jointer Multi tool Sander Electric drill Impact driver SDS drill ? To me it would have been more interesting to have seen it done using hand tools

[@GosforthHandyman]

Just the one jigsaw... but I did also use my track saw to cut the in-fill panels since I couldn't be arsed getting the table saw out again. There was also the brad nailer and compressor. 😉

[@markw7997]

Only critism is you should of put the top piece of mdf to the end so you cant see the top of the vertical side pieces , will crack in time .

[@wyrdlg]

Thanks for saying Europe! Hope the UK will come back to the EU. By the way - not metric? USA, Myanmar and Liberia! Very nice cabinet. I like how you detailed the top and the bottom. Look very much like furniture. PS Did that need no vents?

[@Richardincancale]

No vents needed - nothing *should* be getting hot in there

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you! We've never left Europe! Just the EU. 👍😊

[@Elfin4]

Table saws are extremely dangerous and there is a reason why they should always be used with a saw guard no matter what cut you are doing unless you have a death wish or want to lose some digits.

[@stephenreynolds1348]

Some good tips as ever but did you count how many power tools you used - nine 😳 The idea that most people have access to so many tools is just not realistic.

[@c.a.g.1977]

MDF edges suck. Literally and figuratively. Can't get it to be as smooth as the tops. Maybe I just need to primer them more than twice?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Takes a bit of practice but depends on the MDF. Yes, perhaps try more primer. 👍

[@Monkeh616]

Maybe try sealing with something less porous than your primer - knotting solution comes to mind.

[@muhammadashraf-en2ou]

Dear iam a bricklayer 10years experience home constructions as carpenter mason steel fixer layout please give me job

[@toddz9344]

'promosm'

[@Stormin_Mike]

Where did you get the doors from please?

[@GosforthHandyman]

B&Q 👍

[@Stormin_Mike]

@@GosforthHandyman Cheers