How To Install PERFECT KITCHEN CABINETS (DIY GUIDE)

Hey Gang! In today's video we show you step by step how to install your cabinets in your home so they're plumb, level and square, anywhere! You don't need to invest a ton of money in installation tools to get a great result. With a little patience and plenty of measuring and planning, you'll have the best cabinets in the neighborhood.

Links to The Cool Stuff We Used in the Video!

Bessey Cabinet Face Frame Clamps

Klein Drop Point Blade

[terryspreier]

Stud Pack, I'm a senior citizen and probably will no longer do all the spectacular projects that you do. I watch almost every video that you make. You and your son are really fun to watch, and you are truly a master craftsman. You make me feel young again, and yes I find myself buying quite a few new tools that you show while working on your projects. My 25' x 40' shop is home for over 50 years of buying nice tools. Many of the early hand tools came from garage sales, farm auctions, and thrift stores. I love buying a $20 tool for only pennies on the dollar. Hopefully someday one of my grandchildren will find a treasure in all of this. May you and your family be blessed with good health and all that you need.

[nailbanger]

Love you guys! Just for the new DIYers watching this vid for the first time, there are a lot of different ways to install cabinets. There isn't any ONE correct way. But almost everyone ive worked with and seen on TV or YouTube take that important first step of finding the high point. Although they dont say it here, you also must ckeck about 22-24" out from the walls. A higher spot there can give you a rotten day!

[davidsmith-berw]

Hey guys, love your videos but in referencing those screws always use a number 10 or heavier...on the upper cabinets!!! number eights have no sheer strength and that's what's holding up all of that weight so always at least a number 10. If not, a 12 will be your best friend and you won't ever have to worry about those cabinets coming off of the wall. Just some insight from a 63-year-old finish carpenter who was in the trades for over 40 plus years!!!

[rusinjeff]

Been installing cabinets for 24 years your video will do fine for diy . I have many tips but one of the best one is that if the wall is crooked and your cabinet is level and you have a space between the top of the cabinet and the wall, before you put your screw in, put a shim in the gap so as you tighten the screw it doesn’t try to suck the back of the cabinet to close the gap and raise the front of your cabinet

[DewaltFanboy]

The trick with the screw and the prybar = Mind Blown! You guys are awesome!!! The "Protip" i tell people when installing the cabinets is that i like to do the bottom ones first. The reason for it is that the Stove kind of dictates where the uppers will go IF you have a Range/Microwave that will have to be directly over the Stove. IF you do the uppers first and for some reason your Stove location shifts (error in schematic or whatever), youre gonna have a fun time redoing the top ones and it will be even more costly if you put things like Filler panels/crown or what ever.

[arnoldoaguilar]

It's so satisfying to see a professional doing his work. Someone taking care of the details. Greetings from Mexico

[larrythimm]

Paul, thanks for showing the trouble that you had putting screws in under that island cabinet. We have all been there and it is good to see that even professionals have troubles at time. Thanks for all of the great tips in this video.

[victorvek]

From what my cabinet manufacturer told me, those GRK cabinet screws are only to attach cabinets to the wall. It’s recommended that you use the trim head GRK screws (#8, 2 1/2) to attach cabinet-to-cabinet. The cabinet screws used need to be countersunk to avoid impacting the hinge / door, etc. Plus, it’s visible.

[billmitchell]

Great video! Absolutely agree with you on using spacer boards for dishwasher, range spacing, etc. I also use the cabinet clamps. I can gang up to 4 cabinets together, on the floor, joint the back of the cabinets together with 1/2 spacer blocks and screws. Then install the gang of cabinets on the wall as one unit. Very fast.

I’ve been installing cabinets for 20+ years. When I’m looking for the highest point in a kitchen I use a story pole marked at 32 1/2” and 54”. This gives me the height of both upper and lower cabinets. I then use my laser to set the base cabinet line against the marks on the story pole. I put the story pole against the wall and then approximately 20” from the wall, out unto the kitchen, to insure there isn’t a hump in the floor. I note the dimensions as a move down the wall to find the highest spot in the kitchen. The laser is adjusted to the story pole line as as go. When all walls have been checked, the laser will be set to the highest point in the floor and I work off this line. The cabinet manufacturers I deal with with void the cabinet warranty if the cabinet is cut

[alwaysvacationing]

I drill the 1/8" hole thru both face frames but then redrill the first hole with a clearance hole equal to the diameter of the screw threads so the screw pulls the the face frames together. Luv your videos. You are a great educator.

[whitediver]

You're a great craftsman and video producer. Thank you for the tips, advice, and instructions.

[randykirby]

I've been a custom cabinet builder for over 30 years, I like the idea of the laser line. Modular cabinets are some of the hardest to set because of the way they are built . With hot melt glue and brad nails, or maybe thats just on the west coast. You guys rock

[hdot]

Thank you, I’m in the process redoing my kitchen and I’m 2 weeks out installing the cabinets this has really helped me how to . I will definitely hit replay when the time comes

[sweetpetuniafarm]

I enjoy your videos. You remind me of my Dad. I inherited many tools from him, my grandpa and many great uncles/cousins. We come from a long line of farmers and woodworkers and I am the only one that continues the tradition. I am quite proud of my handed-down tools. Most women search for perfect kitchens in their new home but I searched for the perfect garage/workshop. I was young when Dad died so I cannot remember all that he taught me and I turn to your videos for guidance. There are hundreds of other creators out there but only a handful that are enjoyable to watch and come back to and you guys are one of the best.

[lmurbua]

I love that you show how difficult and frustrating even the easiest things can be!!! Thank you for being real about it!!!

[NGinuity]

On the bottom of that island cabinet....If you've got a long travel like that and the screw isn't staying, put it on the bit, push a piece of blue tape over the screw end and fold the tape down the side of the bit. It will stay there and you can either yank it off once you get started or there will just be a small piece of tape stuck behind the screw head. Works well.

[joebinion]

I haven't even began to watch the video, and I'm so happy to see another one loving the multiple videos in a week.GOD BLESS YOU GUYS AND YOUR FAMILY'S

[TwilightxKnight]

Stud Pack, as a retired electrician and avid DIY'er I watch a lot of videos and yours are some of the best, most practical ones around. Thank you for all the work you do making our lives (re: work) easier, more efficient, and best of all, LOOKING GOOD!

[koogle]

Bought these face frame clamps. Great reasonably priced tool. I use trim head screws to screw face frames together from BOTH sides which I locate behind hinge mounts so they never show. When floor out of level beyond 1/4" (almost always) I use strips of 1/8" doorskins & 1/4" strips of ply when needed under my cabinets. I always snap out the entire cabinet layout on the wall AND the floor which locates everything for plumber & electrician. The layout I snap out includes thickness of carcass walls on wall & floor. This step may take an extra hr but is so worth it it show exact placement of any shim strips you later check with your lazer b4 placing ea cab & guides any register placement in your kick plate etc etc. A straight edge on the top of cab run & on front face (6 ft level) will give an even overhang on your countertop as well as show you exactly how much to shom between cabinets at the back to maintain that uniform plane on the front face of the whole run of cabs. Be sure you have handles chosen b4 determining overhang of countertop & measure that dishwasher as well. Fine home building did a detailed article on hangi g a fairly involved set of kitchen cabs that is worth googling. Always a great review/reference reading b4 your next project.

[rahkim]

bought that bessy tool it made the job so much easier. Thanks!!