This is why most people fail.

[@sarahbutcher6112]

I'm so glad I found your channel. I've built many things, but cabinets have been intimidating to me. You're a great teacher. I have the tools already, now to get the guts! 😂

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Awesome! Glad I could help 👍🏻

[@guybowers9094]

We hired a cabinet guy to build the cabinets for our kitchen remodel, but he skipped out on making our laundry room cabinets. I ended up buying a raised panel bit set and made them myself along with a set for our hallway, and I must say they came out pretty nice

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

That’s awesome 👏

[@andrewsullivanmusic]

Your cabinet series has given me the confidence to make my own. I’m handy/skilled in a lot of things but have never done cabinets. Just need to get a couple small jigs and a table saw and I’m ready to go! Thanks for these videos - lots of really good advice I haven’t seen elsewhere.

[@mpxz999]

Clamps. Clamps. CLAMPS. ALL THE SIZES ALL THE CLAMPS EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

[@Sebastopolmark]

All very valid points. Then when you are done, you can be proud of what you have accomplished. What I like about building projects myself if that you can make custom cabinets that fit my space, a drawer here and a door there. Thanks for the tips! !! !!!

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

I agree! Pure satisfaction when you step back and look at what you built 👍🏻

[@tommaxwell429]

When the time comes, something has to be done! It really is a pay yourself or pay someone else to do it. For me, I don't have $10K-$20K to update my small kitchen. So it is either particle board big box cabinets or build them myself. I'm also a bit OCD so I know I can always do them better than someone else! LOL!

[@charlesvickers4804]

I think cabinet building is a must learn prior to furniture and other finer crafts. Currently putting together tools again. Ten years ago while still working on the road, my shop was stolen , all of it ten thhousand all of it. Looking forward to getting back in the shop.

[@inmyimage1081]

Same thing happened to me but looking at the bright side I was able to get all modern tools 😊

[@tommaxwell429]

Good recommendations. Most likely if someone is even considering building they have addressed the budget and tool issues. Space? Many woodworkers work out of half a double garage or a single car garage or a small shed type shop. It can be done. Here is the deal on cost. When those particle board builder grade cabinets turn to sawdust and your Formica counter tops start sagging and are in danger of collapsing, something has to be done. Using Home Depot's cost estimator says about $400 a linear foot plus installation. So for a very small galley style kitchen 9x12, I was looking at $10,000 just for cabinets plus another $4000-$5000 for installation. I am doing the estimates on materials now, but I image I can get the materials (higher quality) for about $4000-$5000. That leaves $10,000 for whatever tools I might need and my labor. Yep it all comes out in the wash. If you are filthy rich and can afford to pay folks like East Carolina Woodworks to build and install your kitchen, then you probably aren't watching this video anyway, but if so, more power too you. I am sure your quality is top notch and your cabinets are beautiful, I just can't afford custom built cabinets. A lot of people are just not in a position to do so so they are left with installing big box prefab particle board cabinets (still expensive) or building themselves. My time is valuable but it will a fun family project and I can teach the sheltered ones in my extended family a bit about work, math, thinking, problem solving, cutting off fingers, etc. Memories....priceless!

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

I agree with a lot of what your saying. I recommend people to consider giving cabinets a try if your willing to learn! That’s the main reason I make my videos the way I do it’s to teach others 👍🏻 Its a passion of mine and I love sharing it with others. The main thing is time, even with all my tools and meticulous as I am a standard kitchen (10x10) would still take me about 4 weeks to complete! I also use to build everything in my house and fortunately I was able to save my profit and get a shop and better tools. I still learn new things to this day and I love it! Good luck on your build and I hope it turns out better than you imagine and you stand back and say I BUILT THAT! 🙌🏻

[@tommaxwell429]

Also a good plan and cut sheet really helps. You are right KZbinr's make it look simple but if one thinks they can just throw together some one and get a cabinet, they are kidding themselves. A well assembled cabinet takes some thinking, planning, and careful measurement. A piece that is a quarter inch too big or small can throw a cabinet out of wack pretty quickly. I recommend getting on the computer and learning sketchup or Fusion 360. Both have a free trial version. When you screw up a 100 times trying to make that cabinet with dados and rabbits and frames and cutouts turn out to be exactly 18, 24, 36 inches wide to fit in that space, you will then appreciate a good plan and a good cut sheet.

[@southstreetbarbecue7875]

We recently tackled replacing our countertops in our kitchen. One thing I didn't plan for was shoddy workmanship on the cabinets. They were literally just scrap wood frameworks put in place to hold up the counters, mount the doors to them and hold the drawers. There wasn't an even surface to be found. I spent the first weekend just leveling things enough to be able to install the new countertops. Now I'm watching videos on making my own cabinets because I'm a cheapskate. 😁

[@inmyimage1081]

You probably aren’t being a cheapskate in this instance, we checked costs for a cabinet reface for our RV last year and the doors along were outrageously expensive so I bought all the tools needed to make them for the same cost as just two or three of the doors doors, five if you count the planer I also bought. I did get my wood dirt cheap though from an auction, only paid $2 per board foot for soft maple 😊

[@matthewblair7630]

What are your thoughts on 1/2" maple plywood vs. 3/4? I've also favored the 3/4", but it's heavy, and the price has gone crazy. looking at store-bought cabinets, they seem to be 1/2" MDF, so it seems like 1/2" high end ply would be better than pre-fab. Looking at doing custom vanities and a linen cabinet in my master bath reno in ENC, love the channel!

[@bobs4718]

I see you have the Jessem stock guides on your table saw. I have what appears to be the same unisaw fence design with the aluminum channel. How did you accommodate these guides and could you possibly make a short video on how you built it? Or at least some pics showing it up close? Thanks!!!

[@MartyG1957]

that was a really good, informative video

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Glad you enjoyed 👍🏻

[@rcppop3090]

Ya man I am lucky enough to be able to afford to purchase the tools to set up a decent wood shop but time isn’t something I have to spare. Luckily I’m still busy pumping concrete everyday but I dream of making my own cabinetry! For me it’s therapeutic and extremely rewarding. The minute I decide to make a full time job I’m sure the love affair would die! I did that with automotive mechanics in my teens and early twenties now I cry at repairing my own cars haha

[@garynicoletti7182]

Straight forward and well thought out! Thank you for another great video and the explanation of each topic! Have you ever tried the Castle Pocket hole System?

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

I have not! I would love to upgrade my kreg but I love the fact when I hit the trigger it turns on every time. It’s a little workhorse at a lower price point 👍🏻 but trust me the thought has been there!

[@dougc78]

Great video thanks for sharing. Just discovered your channel and subscribed. Not sure if you've done this yet but I'd love to see a tutorial on building cabinets with more detail; sizes, workflow, etc.

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

There will be plenty more so stay tuned 👍🏻

[@jhunter2365]

I'm curious about things I don't often see discussed. I'd like to see some of the following covered, face frame over hang on sides and why. Also, do you connect multiple cabinets or why not? If you do, how to do it the correct way.

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

All great questions! Sounds like a future video 👍🏻

[@anthonytran9191]

Good advice

[@aksks762]

thanks so much for taking the time to make these videos and even more time to edit and upload them. you are a good teacher and very informative. at 61 years of age, i am getting a wild hair to build some cabinets for my son's house. and, who knows, i might just invest in a few tools to help me get started. when i retire, (if i ever can) i may just get a basic cabinet hobby. i have some tools already to get me started, but i don't have things like the pocket hole tool. i have a table saw, but it is a very old and not very big. can you recommend a beginners type table saw that would be effective? i am thinking of getting that kreg accu cut tool to go with a new cordless dewalt circular saw that i just bought. and, i was going to upgrade to a better mitre saw anyway. once again, thank you!!

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Glad you enjoy my videos! Far as a Tablesaw goes it really depends on what you want to spend. The delta contractor saw Lowes has for $699 is a great saw! I built plenty of cabinets with it 👍🏻

[@jimrosson6702]

Great tips

[@johnmuci9102]

Yep, it takes time, lots of it initially

[@jamestroy34]

I have everything I need to build the cabinets. But Baltic birch is outta the question. We don’t have it, and it’s like $160. We have 3/4” birch, oak and maple. Oak and maple are around $90. Birch is cheaper. My question is, I’ll be painting my cabinets a blue or green color. What plywood would you recommend that could save me money, yet not sacrifice quality? Thank you 😊

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

It really depends on the quality of the sheets. I’ve seen good birch and I’ve dealt with terrible birch lol. Most maple I get is the same and I always have consistent results! If it were me I would stick with maple 👍🏻

[@jamestroy34]

@@eastcarolinawoodworks Appreciate your input. And I agree with the birch being inconsistent

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

@@jamestroy34 no problem happy to help!

[@chrisbrossette]

Thanks!

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Wow man this is awesome! Truly blessed 😮 can’t thank you enough!!

[@chrisbrossette]

@@eastcarolinawoodworks Keep up the good videos, you are providing quality information to us average DIY guys and gals who want to become better.

[@NickMcEntee]

Our local big box store has maple, birch, and red oak but i believe it’s just a super thin veneer with a softer core. It called purebond by Columbia forest products. Have any experience with that or if it would work?

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

If I was going to just build a single vanity and would only need a few sheets I’d would probably just go with the big box stuff but if I was going to build all new kitchen cabinets I would buy from a supplier 👍🏻

[@tommaxwell429]

Yeah, they have it, but man it's expensive when compared to a hardwood supplier. Of course that assumes you have access to one an it is convenient. That $90 sheet of plywood at HD costs me $68 at the local supplier. Plus they are a family owned business.

[@preformancemustang]

Birch is $70 a sheet and maple is $128 a sheet from Atlantic veneer!

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Oh wow the birch quality isn’t the best at most places. I shy away from it when I can 👍🏻

[@tisdale36]

Is your shop floor epoxy?

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

No it’s not!

[@charlesviner1565]

👍

[@kubota33]

Hey KZbin star. Do you ever build cabinets with melamine? White or a maple melamine?

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

No I have personally have not! Most the time I’m replacing melamine cabinets…not saying they are bad they just don’t last as long 👍🏻

[@kubota33]

@@eastcarolinawoodworks There are different grades of melamine. Unfortunately some guys go cheap. Just like China plywood is not very good. I like using melamine and plastic laminate. I bought a kreg jig and never used it yet. Lol

[@claudiorazzetti8682]

@@eastcarolinawoodworks Thanks for answering my question , i was looking at that material for kitchen cabinets today at my local HD ,,

[@shtinsley4609]

There is something wrong with your plan link. It takes me to something else.

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Oh no I’m looking into now!

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

It should be working now! 👍🏻

[@shtinsley4609]

Yes it is working now. Thank you

[@thewoodshop69]

Why the loud as f music?

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Didn’t realize the music was that loud? I watch it on my phone and tv and it sounds normal to me? All levels are the same when I export so I’m not sure what your experiencing. Sorry it’s too loud 😞

[@Mistlethur]

wow!!

[@williamniven2021]

Why is there always terrible music on youtube videos? There is no need for music, I'm not here for that. What's it got to do with woodworking?

[@eastcarolinawoodworks]

Sorry you feel that way. I’ll keep that in mind moving forward z I appreciate your feedback 👍🏻

[@camaro6810]

example of a 10 min video that could have been 3

[@tommaxwell429]

Don't watch it!