How to build custom cabinetry | Crafted by NS Builders

In this episode of Crafted, a new series by NS Builders Ken DeCost and the shop crew pull back the curtain and show every detail from drawings to the completed cabinet. Our cabinetry process is what most would call "overkill" but we show you why our custom cabinetry is a superior product. We also show the everyday dynamic of working in a shop and the mistakes that happen. This is not your average how to video on cabinet making. Tune in!
In this video
Ken DeCost @kendecost on Instagram
James Letourneau @jamesatnsb on Instagram
Zach Grant @aheadred on Instagram
Ian Labiche @labiche_woodworks on Instagram
Nick Yost @theothernick.nsb on Instagram
Barney and Carey Co. @barneyandcarey on Instagram
Robert Bury Panels Inc.
Lamello P-14:
www.lamello.com/product/p-sys...
Check out our website: ns.builders/
Follow Nick Schiffer on Instagram: / nsbuilders
BTS & Clips: / nsbvideo
Connect on LinkedIN: / nsbuilders
Follow Nick on TikTok: / nsbuilders
How do we manage our projects from the big picture all the way down to the smallest detail?
Learn more here:
get.buildertrend.com/nsbuilders
Follow the project on Instagram:
#nsbcommave #nsbuilders #boston

[@NSBuilders]

If you enjoyed this how to be sure to watch our latest episode on custom interior doors kzbin.info/www/bejne/epXYXqKmnJt-aM0

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[@MaydaysCustomWoodworks]

Very well done. This was a strange video for me to watch... I had been a part time self employed pro woodworker for 8 years and now a full time woodworker for 2 years. I build my cabinets and doors and run my shop very much like you guys do but as a one man shop. This is kinda like getting a look into my future in 5 or 6 years. Very similar to how I'm planning on building my business. Great job! It was a pleasure to come into your shop and take a look

[@mrmikeybig7]

So wonderful to see the process from start to finish. Great job dudes!

[@5minutewoodworker143]

Love the inside look at the entire process!

[@JoeK0322]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the quality and pride you put in your work. I just wanted to share something I observed in this video that I thought would be helpful. You really don’t want to run a finished door across the jointer. You mention doing this “to re-square your door to have a flat edge to go off of”. The jointer will take your door style out of parallel. This will mirror itself now on the table saw when squaring up the door again. This will result in a square door that has styles out of parallel to one another and appears slightly skewed. This is why you face joint and edge joint a board first, then take it to the table saw to make parallel. This is also why you never joint both sides of a board, creating a wedge shape as a result. Overall amazing cabinets though. Just wanted to pass the information along incase it wasn’t something you though about. It’s best practice to use the table saw for fine tuning after assembly. 🍻

[@Misterprepper]

Total respect to the older carpenters that taught us younger guys but it’s nice to see younger guys mastering the craft, don’t see much of that anymore.

[@UnarmedZombie]

Amazing craftsmanship. I was surprised to find out you guys are like 30 minutes from where I live. Keep up the great work!

[@Takumi-San]

That kerf cut at the bottom, that's a small but make or break detail. Very classy feature in this instance.

[@NSBuilders]

Capri Corn felt the same way. Love getting creative with our team

[@35son]

thanks for the preview of my bucket list of my life

[@NSBuilders]

Glad we could help 🙂

[@gnusndn301]

Thank you for the detailed video it was great. As an old retired finish carpenter and cabinet maker I am glad to see the attention to quality still being done. Keep up the good work.

[@jarrodmiller5988]

More Ken and more cabinet building. Relatively new to cabinet building, and I scour every source I can for info about how to build the highest quality, this seems to be top.

[@stuartschnare152]

The attention to detail is amazing. True modern craftsmanship.

[@NSBuilders]

We're all about the details. Thank you Stuart!

[@davidbauman9409]

As a carpenter I truly appreciate ur hard work dat goes into this cabinet...d #1 is u pick out wood wit an eye on d wood grain...for me dats a big spiritual deal....most companies out for more production than quality....I just subscribed n wish I lived n Boston so I can I visit ur shop..wow...keep up d excellent work n videos u have a new student....we can never learn enough

[@stevenfoust3782]

Great craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing how a modern master does it.

[@zowyadoinbeb]

This video is fantastic. Thank you NSB!

[@blandry021]

Great craftsmanship and attention to detail, and being proud of the product your company puts out.

[@thaitichi]

These guys are setting the bar. I would be proud to work for a company like this. Keep up the great work!

[@brianpeterson3752]

Omg you guys are ridiculously good. Zero builders out here work this way.

[@andrewcullen3235]

Well it’s settled then, these lads win. Best in the game.

[@NSBuilders]

Appreciate the kind words Andrew 😃

[@512bb]

Truly impressed, you should all be very proud.

[@rajakorban8838]

Thank you for a great inside look. There’s no substitute to doing the job right.

[@Finefinishcabinetry]

You Guy’s are the real deal great job!

[@anthonysmith9410]

Over kill....great! Doing the minimum is just not excepted...thanks for a fantastic video Remember everyone......you get what you pay for....QUALITY AT ITS BEST!

[@MoGhotbi]

Master craftsmen at work.

[@tedrzz]

Wow top notch design and building...super inspiring!

[@ID-hz1ju]

Keeping true craftsmanship alive !

[@juanmallqui9309]

this has been such an inspiration, I am a homeowner but I love the idea of building my own furniture! I just bought myself the lamello zeta p2 and such a cool tool!

[@SgtZima]

INSANE level of quality, guys. Incredible work.

[@ArtByCater]

Boston Yea! Small shop maybe, but Great equipment and very skill employees. Nice grain match! Nice work Thanks Chuck

[@JRBardown]

Amazing quality. Attention to detail that could be straight out of Fine Woodworking magazine, in a commercial setting - which is impressive, cause we all know that pressure can lead to shortcuts. Obviously not the way NSB does things. 👌🏻👌🏻

[@Extrmach]

Well done guys!👍👍

[@Piperalpha81]

I wish I got to work out of a shop like yours. What a beautiful cabinet.

[@elonmusk8667]

Thank you I learned so much from just this video. I'm going to watch your other ones too.

[@joepeters240]

Brilliant work guys, glad I subscribed, keep it up!

[@stephenpettinger1]

Really high level. Nice job guys!

[@NSBuilders]

Thank you Stephen!

[@merleschmidt8772]

Enjoyed watching your video on the process you use to make doors and carcasses. I too have been messing with traditional and modern technology, Not everything is a Kreg, or Festool. I love that you incorporated the M&T connection of your door and drawer frames. We are down to essential services here only during the Covid 19, it looks like things are still happening there. Merle from Manitoba

[@TheUofastudent]

Love it !!!!

[@Shutupalready47]

More cabinet builds please!

[@jeremyhitchcock6001]

Fantastic video and attention to detail. Would love to see more out of the shop from NSB. Who makes the 3/8" groove tooling you all are using? How do the guys like the cope-eze sled? "We've been told it's overkill, doesn't matter, that's how we want to do it, that's how we're gonna build 'em" - loved that line. To that end check out a miter lock on the shaper for the corners/returns and parallel the sticks on the shaper with an outboard fence rather then table saw, no machine marks/burns.

[@NSBuilders]

Appreciate the feedback Jeremy and thank you for the tip!

[@joethebuilder2480]

Great film and editing work

[@jonesconrad1]

That kerf looks really good.

[@petee6476]

Wow!!!! This is the best video you guys have put out. I’ve already watched it several times. Great quality and craftsmanship. Excellent job.

[@NSBuilders]

Thanks, Pete really glad you enjoyed the video. More to come!

[@richkocher3330]

Very well done. I'm a stickler for detail. Your people are impressive

[@neildrachlen9149]

Love it❤️

[@dashriprock5720]

You guys do nice work. I have a suggestion on you frame and panel construction which is especially helpful with solid wood panels. I know you have spacers, but cut the corners off your panels, then there far less chance of accidently gluing your panel with glue run out.

[@tyoung7528]

Very Nice work! (That vanity cabinet alone probably cost more than my entire bathroom!)

[@BostonMark]

Nice shop👍

[@AmandaLaurelle]

Great footage! I feel like I could Join your team after watching this 😂

[@jayhilliard4365]

Very nice, well built and detailed. Would have liked to have seen cabinet from finisher

[@isaac_opeyemi]

Commitment to excellence.

[@jsabados]

Great video and quality work guys. I enjoyed watching this video. Ian - It's only a dado if it's cut across the grain. If it's with the grain, it's a groove. Don't feel bad, I used to call them dados too!

[@danpatrick5944]

This is perfection, I don’t care wha no one saids!,,,

[@SomeDumUsrName]

Very nice stuff man! Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a tooled-up shop like this. Sometimes not. I'm back and forth. I LOVE site building but don't like the new-construction environment in general. MUCH prefer remodel stuff. I much prefer the frequent change of setup and surroundings that site building offers.

[@nebulousJames12345]

nice budget build

[@prestonhoffman5695]

What is your typical rail and stile thickness? Also, what thickness do you typically but your rough sawn lumber at for your rail and stiles? Thanks for posting. Your stuff looks incredible.

[@sadeqadnan1271]

Great Actually all details and reasons have been mentioned. Just if you add the coating process it would be completely teaching course about how to create cabinet doors. Love it.

[@The-truth-is-valuable.]

You can take a damp cloth (preferrable cotton wool) and wipe the excess glue off while it is wet. And yes, you can scrape it and wipe it while it is setting up. Will save you lots of time later.

[@tonyalmeida40]

Fellow builder and PM for a fabrication shop. Absolutely outstanding work and progression towards such. Well done Gentlemen! Are you guys on CAD, RHINO, SKETCHUP? Seems like you rely on the builders vs the machines, more on the labor cost but lovely product. Keep it moving.

[@JRBardown]

Oh! Would also love some more details on that internal domino setup, 🤙🏻

[@daveklein2826]

Find the Festival channel on KZbin

[@philmckay9973]

nice to see ur "refreshed" mugs on hughtoob what you think of Bury's Garnica products?

[@subodai85]

Amazing to see the craftsmanship involved. I dread to think the cost of a unit like that though.

[@nena4215]

I’ve never noticed the wood grain until watching your channel.....you’ve ruined it...shoot, now I see flaws in everything! It is truly amazing how all the grain matches, that one thing makes all the difference in the world!!! Thank you, that was a good one!

[@NSBuilders]

Amber & Nena Dalydisanto I remember that day, I’ve never been the same since

[@limbutucristian2425]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nat2relic]

Dang-it, I another reason for me to invest in the Domino system. :)

[@pabloandreslopezcortes4328]

very good video and excellent work !! could you upload more videos of this style

[@NSBuilders]

We're in the process of bringing you more videos like this.

[@dariod2666]

Do you guys build cabinets for other jobs or only your own builds?

[@armanflint]

Damn, that vanity is a wet dream. I had to smoke a cigarette after watching this video, and I don't even smoke.

[@matthewmarello1347]

Dados are across the grain and grooves are with the grain. Generally width then length respectively. Otherwise very awesome work.

[@icyfresh12]

What computer program do you guys use

[@grandmadeeb1689]

What cad program do you use. Upgraded if possible.

[@NSBuilders]

How do you build cabinets in your area?

[@hellonoko]

Only the finest Home Depot and IKEA here.

[@martyfarrell9459]

Ourselves.

[@remicioreyes5019]

I build on-site

[@wags99999]

We would start with building the face frames, with a 1/2" dado in the back. The 1/2" sides would be dadoed to receive the floors tops and the backs..Glue and blind pinning them all. No fasteners on the exterior of any cabinet, and using 1/2" prefinished ply for the interiors. Final touch up sanding on face frames as needed...then onto staining and finishing. Extended stiles as needed for scribing. No face frame cabinets would be joined with biscuits (or dominos now) with back routed into the sides...all 3/4" material. Shelves on both styles were either metal standards or drilled depending on the job. I like the care you take to match grain and color. We are lucky that we always were able to obtain panel and solid lumber from the same source, always a wholesale supplier.

[@matthewhiebing3507]

Where do you buy the foam for you panels?

[@celticwoodworking8706]

Great video, but you guys need to invest in a push stick when your using the table saw.

[@daveklein2826]

They do just fine

[@screenwatcher6224]

Yeah you guys need a push stick for the table saw and paddle for the jointer

[@colinchesbrough5772]

😂😂. My first thought. One unlucky kickback, and he'll come up two and a half fingers shy.

[@diesel_inthemorning_2315]

What is the cost of a custom built cabinet like this?

[@nikfish1]

I would be curious about the ball park pricing on a piece like this. Seems like a lot of effort and time goes into it from a whole bunch of people.

[@hellonoko]

Have you considered using a cross dowel jig to make higher end knock down cabinets that could easily be repaired / reused?

[@kurtallen8754]

Why the Lamello rather than the Domino for the face frames? Do the Lamello connectors come apart by design?

[@shantanarain2841]

I actually like to see how you outsource your lumber and where is a bonus that place looked smoothly operated clean and efficient why would they not want future customers to see that

[@MattFormoso]

how much do you charge, that is a hell of a process for building doors

[@monicalavale]

I couldn't help but wonder how many hours a day you all work!! Only if I could get to work at a place like that...!! Would you hire somebody without woodworking experience?

[@user-se4wq6xi4h]

Why no guard with dust collection on the sliding saw?

[@pmelchman]

What was the final thickness? looks thick 7/8?

[@johnbilgrave3743]

Great workmanship. How thick are your doors, looks like 1.25 "

[@JOIHIINI]

That doesn't rlly add up tho cuz they're using a 3/8 mdf veneer in the middle, looks like anywhere from .25 to 3/8 reveal on either side but 3/8 would kind of be an unattractive reveal so I'd lean towards 7/8 to 1 inch. At very most tho 1 1/8

[@norikayrapetyan866]

Great work .I'm cabinet maker myself I would like to know how much you charge for a cabinet like that ?

[@alexjburkhardt]

Anyone questioning why custom cabinetry and quality workmanship costs multiple times more than box-store, off the shelf RTA products should be directed here. About to quit my job, move to Boston, and camp out for a job.

[@peterpumpkineater873]

What’s the lumber yard care if they are on camera seems like it would be good advertising

[@daveklein2826]

Their business, their rules

[@publicmail2]

Why do they not glue and allow inside panel to free float?

[@NSBuilders]

AD Electronic Teardowns expansion rates of materials. Less chance of cracking.

[@ironman-sp9fg]

How much did that vanity cost? So much labor time seems like went into it. $$$$

[@unitwoodworking5403]

👍👍

[@Agatsu13]

You guys cranking out a surfboard in the background there?

[@NSBuilders]

That’s James’

[@Largepapa2]

You should get the unique machine ball system and a stacked shaper with more than one spindle so you can keep your cutters on without the changeover time.

[@fankin6691]

What is wood fletching?

[@jonesconrad1]

First thing I noticed was the MacBook I wish a model that old was fast enough for me, so much nicer than the newer models

[@NSBuilders]

Conrad Jones we bought him a new one, but he refuses.

[@chrissleblanc]

A domino in a mortise and tennon overkill

[@daveklein2826]

Perfection

[@bs838]

9:52 hold up Also, since you're using plywood for the panels in the shaker doors, does it matter whether you glue them in or not?

[@daveklein2826]

They didn't glue

[@rapbisnar]

fam, how many videographers and editors you guys have to produce this many videos?

[@NSBuilders]

1

[@MrTupeloFlash]

I thought I was good......until this

[@limbutucristian2425]

I have the same question like many other. How much did you charge for it with all thoose forces involved?

[@limbutucristian2425]

Don't get me wrong, the build is spot on!!!

[@SAWimp1]

you guys like the cantek machinery?

[@SAWimp1]

theres good, and free, panel optimization and cutlist software for su.

[@NSBuilders]

So far so good. Price point is great and it’s on their smaller end of machines

[@SAWimp1]

@@NSBuilders i have their 14 inch straight line ripsaw and was a little skeptical at first but its turned out to be a great machine, 5 years no problems and runs smooth. considering getting some standard machines from them now.

[@jksvirsky8]

Why are holes always drilled in shop tables?

[@daveklein2826]

They are bench dog holes

[@jongriffith4293]

Well, my former man-crush, Ryan Reynolds, may need to be replaced by Nick Schiffer.