Why don’t more people build Kitchens like this?

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Rockler Products used in this video
Rockler Deluxe Panel Clamp www.rockler.com/rockler-delux...
JIG IT® Hinge Plate Template A www.rockler.com/jig-it-reg-hi...
Rev-a-Shelf Tip-Out Tray Stainless Steel with Soft-Close Hinges www.rockler.com/rev-a-shelf-t...
Rockler Pro Lift Router Lift www.rockler.com/rockler-pro-l...
Rockler Sure-Foot® Aluminum Bar Clamps www.rockler.com/surefoot-alum...
Rockler 3-Piece Silicone Glue Application Kit www.rockler.com/rockler-3-pie...
Rockler Centerline Lifetime Soft-Close Undermount Drawer Slides www.rockler.com/centerline-li...
Rockler Bandy Clamps www.rockler.com/rockler-bandy...
Thanks to Timberland PRO for suppling my work clothes. My favorite gear from Timberland PRO
Morphix Composite Toe Work Sneaker www.timberland.com/en-us/p/ti...
Men's Timberland PRO® Hood Honcho Sport Hoodie
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Men's Timberland PRO® Core Logo T-Shirt
www.timberland.com/en-us/p/ti...
Thanks Woodworker's Source for providing the beautiful White Oak on this project. Check out all their mail order lumber here: www.woodworkerssource.com/
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Festool TS55 track saw - amzn.to/3hTyPIU
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[@MichaelAlm]

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[@giftotter]

Amazing work! One suggestion for a huge quality of life improvement regarding the trash cabinet: You can route out a small gap on the bottom of the cabinet, which will be covered by the drawer front, so it will be completely invisible. It would allow you to hook your foot behind it and open the drawer without touching it when having messy hands. I've done that in my kitchen and it became easily one of the most used features. If you want to get fancy with it, you could also achieve the same with some kind of lever mechanism, having a part of the toekick board be a secret push button.

[@MichaelAlm]

This is such a good idea!!! I'm totally going to add that in.

[@giftotter]

​@@MichaelAlm Looking forward to see your take on it! You will be wondering how you've been living like a caveman, opening trash bins by hand :) I'm having trouble posting links in comments, but I got the original idea by Homesteadonomics on YT. You can find his video of a simple lever design if you search: Cabinet Door Opener - Kick to Open

[@tylerpestell]

That is such a good idea! Will definitely be doing that in my future house!

[@williamludwick77]

I would also add something to provide odor "protection", beyond the wood divider. Maybe a way to attach removable air fresheners of some kind since it will be enclosed inside the cabinet. Could be something simple, attached to the underside of that divider.

[@olivier.gauthier]

Totally agree. Our trash cabinet is an old trash compactor with a pedal operated drawer front (came with the house when we bought it) and I'm definiteley keeping the idea for when I remodel our kitchen.

[@mikematthaus6531]

My tip would be to order some more of those handles, put them in a bag with a note saying "kitchen" and never touch them unless you have to replace one. Because more often than not after 3+ years you´ll either be unable to order them anymore or there was a design change so the new ones wouldn´t match (or even fit). Always good to have a few spare handles and grips just in case so you don´t have to redo everything if one of them breaks/bends/whatever.

[@Karaon]

that's a valid point but I would add 1 thing - hide it in the kitchen not workshop

[@keithleonard5085]

Beautiful, but I think I’d call the design “fluted” rather than “louvered”…

[@nikiley]

I came to the comments looking for this. Yes, louvers are individual slats that allow air flow to pass between them like a louvered door or to be operated in unison to open or close like a louvered window. The custom fluting details and integrated handles on these cabinet fronts are chef’s kiss. I’m curious to see how the larger fronts are stabilized since typical slab door/drawer fronts are veneered.

[@Karaon]

Correct, tho flutes are like rounded ribs that stick out, although in this situations I think it's also a valid name.

[@emceeboogieboots1608]

Yeah, that's a better term, I was trying to think of this myself knowing what louver means, at least here in Oz

[@xBris]

25:31 - Always love it when people use multiple coats of Rubio "Mono"coat. They really should ship that stuff with a big asterisk next to the name.

[@aarondyck6521]

So calming to watch the craftsmanship at work here

[@freethebirds3578]

A little too calming. I dozed off twice and had to rewatch it!

[@ajw148]

DUDE. YOOOOOO. Ive been watching so many cabinet videos because im gonna do it myself. But ive noticed everyone always do the same old thing, shakers and such. I wanna do either something similar to yours with louvers or parametric cabinet and drawer fronts. Good stuff man. Im loving this.

[@swathisukumar9855]

When you were fitting in the handles and putting in those extra effort to make that snug fit, I was just grinning at your craftsmanship and attention to detail! Love your work ♥️

[@MrSpleenboy]

You should make a wheely ladder (you know, the ones you get in old libraries) to get at those clamps and the other high up things 😃

[@MichaelAlm]

That thought has entered my mind. In fact Rockler makes a kit for it 😂

[@jamesgregsy]

Looks incredible, on the trash cans though: I would get smaller cans, it's going to be annoying to pull them out/pull out the bin liners, with them stuck against each other. I would prefer they hang freely on a mid section, so you can move them independently 😊

[@HobbieJ]

This. It was literally the only “miss” I’ve ever seen of his designs. Which hey, for the 4 years I’ve been watching, is an impressive ratio. I make far more misses than that 😂

[@MrKnotWright]

Did anyone else cringe when the chisel scratched the plywood finish?

[@MichaelAlm]

I did 😂

[@MrKnotWright]

@@MichaelAlm VERY impressive kitchen cabinets!! Awesome job!

[@j10001]

7:04

[@bluecurlygirl]

It's all coming along so well. Love the cabinets. That hardware is fab.

[@luakhurst208]

A sculpture background. It all makes sense now. Hallelujah for the arts. Chapeau Monsieur

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

The sound of thin oak strips being ripped on a table saw is terrific, in the true sense of the word!

[@diamondperidot]

I am enjoying your skills and the progress of the project.

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

Little jealous with your fit around the pipes and electrical box it is perfect I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that good apart from that the kitchen is looking stunning I love the sponge tray to its a brilliant idea. Thanks for always creating great content it’s always an easy watch

[@bobromero2485]

Love the cabinets and the finish. You’re a true artist. Great job 👏🏻

[@ellieboa]

Looking great so far!

[@greglamphier4430]

Tape on the router table is a great idea 🙏🏻

[@jtaylor8606]

That looks great, brilliant work!

[@cmclaren7]

Really, really nice work. This is going to be a lovely kitchen.

[@nomoretwitterhandles]

I absolutely LOVE how this turned out!! Side note, but because of your previous sponsorships with Milanote, I ended up giving it a try because I'm SO disorganized... and I love it! The reason I tried it is because the planner website I used to use was a bit clunky, and the support staff quit responding to customers years ago. Milanote has such a cute aesthetic and it has been a wonderful replacement! Your endorsements mean a lot to busy artists like me; you really seem to understand the importance of workflow. Thanks man!

[@LocustGroveWoodcraft208]

I'm sponsored by Velocity Screws...let's get you set up!

[@pinkytaylor5845]

Beautiful. It kind of reminds me of a 1920s train. Superb job.❤

[@matthysloedolff]

Your kitchen is turning out to definitely be the nicest looking kitchen I have ever seen.

[@MCsCreations]

Really amazing work, Michael! They look FANTASTIC in there! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@mac8179]

I love this series Michael!!

[@CorwinBos]

I really like the fronts of the drawers

[@mwest3583]

That is absolutely gorgeous. Nice job.

[@locomotioncreations]

Great video! Its coming along beautifully my friend.

[@sureshot311]

Beautiful work. Incredible attention to detail on nailing those cut outs. Haha. Thats some skill there.

[@georgiewanders]

Beautiful work 👏👏👏

[@Aprendiz-de-Marceneiro]

Beautiful work

[@j1ones11282]

When screwing into dense woods with questionable screws i try to wax the screw with some candle wax or paste wax and that really helps reduce the breaking of the screw.

[@this2ismyname]

And if it's not obvious, pre-drill the holes for the screws

[@Karaon]

basic soap works nice, so i keep a bar in the shop for that and many more uses

[@slugore]

Gorgeous. Love it!

[@billystack]

super nice Michael! great work, they lood fantastic!

[@3326jd]

nice work Mike.

[@HelyaRavn]

What an absolute dream of a kitchen you're building there 😍

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you!!

[@Suzieq5446]

Very nice work.

[@jeffrice4347]

Beautiful Michael!!

[@whydoihavetoify]

That was an absolute pleasure to watch

[@tatertotlikesyou9214]

as someone who just started woodworking and chose a entertainment stand as my first big project i can confidently say, I HATE INSTALLING SLIDES

[@dota9280]

Nice customisation

[@danjones9589]

I was a cabinet maker in the 1980's and your method and finishing is very much like what we were doing. For some clients we could not use plywood for the larger panels. Instead we had to make up the panel from solid stock, taking pains to flip parts around to prevent warping. (Federal courts even specified solid stock make ups for library shelving!) I don't recall having any call backs on the make ups. Beautiful work. Would love the same in my own kitchen.

[@jatdesign4495]

I so feel milanote is valuable for contractor communication. I use sketchup to get the 3D images to convey what the blank box elevations show. I take more millwork design than I probably should lol

[@danielzana818]

The most cinematic kitchen reveal i've seen so far, nice work!

[@maxvoigt3946]

would recommend putting a metal lip, or an angle iron on the top inside corner of the bin drawer front. i have the same bin design, and we would tap things and knock that inside corner and damaged it. so we installed a piece of aluminium angle iron to protect it.

[@the_hunterghost9231]

great design and finish. well done

[@danlynch1154]

Really wondewrful!

[@bjornolson6527]

I was surprised how much the dried glue scraping tickled my ears 😂🎉😊 ~ 3:30

[@MathijsHeideveld86]

I was a little sceptical about the handles, but once I saw them all inset etc.... yeah that works... it works real well! definately worth the extra effort

[@PeteLogan101]

Superb..!

[@thegag64]

Nice cabinets!!! Not sure if anyone mentioned it but I’ve always used wax on the screws when dealing with white oak and other similar hardwoods. I enjoy all of your vids!!!!!

[@jewdd1989]

These are again stunning! Btw I built a 90% solid hickory vanity, still working on the drawers and doors and I went for a simple mid mod look for my 70’s house with my favorite integrated drawer pull holes. I love hickory but every screw snapped, broke into the hickory, also broke and snapped my drill bits so I bought two nice sets and those in the size I needed all broke as well! Going slow helped on occasion but it was a nightmare! Hickory cuts great on table-saws although definitely hard and dense but hates screws and drill bits. I was told to use soap or wax which I will when I get the drawers done but omg it was horrible! It ate more pocket hole screws than any other screw too, the only place I used pocket screws was for the bottom so if water ever leaked and ruined the one piece of ply I added then I was hoping to easily back them out but I just know the screws will snap drilling out

[@sandragee2864]

GORGEOUS!

[@scottiajohnston8025]

Sweet!

[@jasonl2095]

For my ground-up kitchen build I used the same "sponge tray" and my one regret was not building a "sacrificial face" for the hinges; I used the exact same ones you did, and I really felt the connection ended up weaker than I like. It will be a point of failure in the (relatively) near future. If I had installed a 1/2 thick strip of plywood on the hinges, then attached the door front to the plywood, I think it would have worked out MUCH nicer. But all in all, looks amazing! Thank you for the content!

[@dialog_box]

that thumbnail is so needlessly funny 😂

[@Triple_D__]

I just realized that lol thanks for pointing it out

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome job Michael! 😃👍🏼👊🏼

[@kevinf3641]

Looks awesome

[@MadeByMarylou]

So cute!

[@smileyvkj9384]

nice kitchen you’ve made!

[@louisnemick1939]

I like the cover you put on drawer if you mind I would use that my next project.

[@SHKEKEKE]

I installed the sponge hardware after cabinets installed! Smart doing it before countertops

[@MichaelAlm]

I can only imagine how challenging that is 😳

[@anonymouslyominous33]

Sweet cabinets dude

[@quietleaf]

Hell yea my favorite woodworking/homebuilding series rn

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you!!

[@onehandedmaker]

Great build Michael. One Handed Maker- Australia

[@ericheft6184]

Looks amazing. I like the black handles. Gives the front a little accent. I love the sponge tray. That is a great use of the space.

[@user-st6vv8om3m]

In a tiny kitchen, it would be incredibly useful to utilize the toe kick space, especially with the care that you built them. It is perfect as a drawer for baking sheets, pizza pans and trays. I have one in my kitchen and wish I had more.

[@FireAngelOfLondon]

Yeah, you are learning the same thing I did in the same way; be careful where you buy your screws because the available quality varies enormously. Nice project, inspiring to me as I approach time to start work on my own home.

[@jvmiller1995]

for those who do not understand why he scrapes the dried glue prior to using his thickness planner, is that lumps of hard glue will chip the blades of the planer. Not sure it will on indexable carbide but it will on HSS blades.

[@woodhound27]

Michael Nice cabinets. I have had to deal with red oak and white oak color difference in the past. if you pre-stain the red oak with Minwax Fruitwood you will not be able to tell the difference when your final finish is on. Keep up the good work.

[@mattelias721]

Floating toe kicks... this is the way. Great video. I think your louver concept is perfect and adds a lot visually as well as tying the various elements together. Watching you chamfer those thin edges made me nervous, because routing is like the forward pass: three things can happen, and only one of them is good. My final thought to this comment is, whoever makes those plastic shims you use must absolutely love you because you're clearly keeping them in business.

[@JUST4FUN97]

now I want to build a kitchen myself :o

[@JonPominville-vz4oy]

Beautiful cabs. A thought. If you tape the edging and then nail it, you simply fill the hole in the tape created by the nail gun. Then pull the tape off the route and sand.

[@andrewweighill-richards5231]

Hardware manufacturers' screws are best used for testing your trash cans. I always upgrade to Spax screws because, as my father used to say, when a shelf falls down, nobody asks how much the screws cost, only who put them in?

[@larrydugan1441]

Very nice work

[@tinyfluffs]

For the screws, I recommend looking into the hardness of them. Class 10.9 or 12.9 steel with a nickel or zinc coating are my preferred over stainless. A bit more pricey, but overall you're less likely to strip the head over 304 stainless. Lovely build though!

[@lsdave]

Do you ever have issues with drawer fronts warping after you cut them out of large panel glue ups? Essentially tension being released in the wood? or do you order a specific type of sawn lumber for drawer fronts?

[@fredflickinger643]

Nice job! I hope that veneer plywood doesn't warp on you!

[@CrosshairLunchbox]

That's insane

[@rik4010]

Hey, using a little bit of grease for the screws help a lot...my dad did it with the screw ruffling in his hair...

[@ericathefae]

It looks gorgeous! The only thing that bothers me is the colour difference between the sink doors and the neighbouring cabinet. Would it be possible to correct that after the topcoat has been applied?

[@motc4944]

Gotta admit...I'm super impressed with the underside cutouts

[@asbruns]

Beautiful! I'm sorry if I missed it, but what kind of counter top are you going with?

[@waregeeksny]

Next time, tape the area around the broken fastener, then tighten the drill check around the broken fastener. Put the drill in reverse, Voila. It works nine out of ten times. You can put a little electric tape for grip. Also, for hardwood, use some soap on the threads, less torque on the cheap fasteners, and fewer breaks.

[@chrisp.76]

I have the same handles for my cabinets but in satin nickel. They catch all sorts of crumbs and get finger prints on them. This is probably because my counter should stick out further than the handles. Not planned well on my part.

[@mikedurkee7296]

Just WOW!!!! You should be very proud, pleased, excited! Wonder what the cost of that cabinet work would cost if you had it done... yikes!

[@danvillarreal1]

Duuuude! 👏

[@AlexSwavely]

@30:50 if you bevel the edge of your board your scribe will fit better. Doesn't need by much, 5 degrees is plenty. (old finish carpenter's trick)

[@nickbrutanna9973]

One alternative to wax is to use liquid soap. Note that this _might_ act as a "screw-lock" over time (Not sure... the screws certainly did not come out easily in the one case where I needed it, *but* they were also in the wood for about 10y before the disassembly, so, it might just be that the screws were eaten up by corrosion by that time), but I've done it when I had issues with screws snapping off when going into something, and it certainly greatly reduces the tendency to snap off.

[@helderlage]

Fantastic work, as always... the door handles would have been more harmonious if they had been at the top, not on the sides, but BRAVO for the final result.

[@resulavsar2606]

Will you be putting a white oak facade/panel onto the fridge door that you'll use? personally I think that would just look super clean but of course it is your house. thumbs up the great design overall of your kitchen a love it to bits didnt realise white oak could look that good.

[@steveferguson1232]

Micheal, this kitchen is fabulous. For a small kitchen, you have utilized every square inch of it. And that is very hard to plan out. I like you, only use separate toe kicks. I don’t understand why cabinet makers use integrated toe kicks, they are hard to set each cabinet and they just don’t look good. Was a cabinet and furniture maker for many, many years and your kitchen would be beautiful in the most expensive home out there

[@esixx17]

Pre drill oak and use fine threat screws with a drill not an impact gun

[@1981chrisjones]

@MichaelAlm First off let me congratulate you on a great job with attention to detail. Usually in kitchens the grain runs vertically in the 1000's of kitchens I worked in the past (family business). Is there a reason why you decided to go with the wood grain running horizontally?

[@moehoward01]

Don't hurt your arm patting yourself on the back there, Mike! 😁

[@ClaireDanaherWoodworking-co4tn]

Great work, Michael! What's that light you used when you mounted the drawer slides in the cabinet (20:30)?

[@KLONDIKEpsychic]

Great work! (If I hit the lottery, I'm hiring you at whatever price you ask! LOL)

[@the_hunterghost9231]

u have to use an impact drill for the screws in the drawers front, with the setting to the lowest torque.