Economy Cabinet Making with Melamine: How to Build Cabinets

Building cabinets and shelving units from double-sided Melamine sheets are perfect for many home renos and DIY projects and in this episode, I am showing one of the many versions that these kinds of cabinets can be made and while I have the Maksiwa Bander and Edger, I will use these rather than hand ironing the edging for this cabinetry.
You can, of course, use this method to build kitchen cabinets or any other types of DIY cabinets you need to make.

Economy Cabinet Making
0:00 - Intro
0:24 - Cutting double sided melamine on table saw
0:38 - Cutting melamine boards to length on mitre saw
0:53 - Checking all pre-cut boards
1:11 - Cutting dados in cabinet sides
1:54 - Setting up table saw
2:37 - Cutting the dado on the table saw
2:56 - Example of edge banding techniques
3:10 - Using the Maksiwa Edge Bander on MDF Melamine
3:33 - Trimming the edge banding on the Maksiwa Banding trimmer
4:05 - Types of joinery with melamine
5:03 - Air nailing cabinet sides to back
5:18 - Setting up jig to position shelving
5:37 - Putting the back on the cabinet (2 smaller pieces in this case)
6:18 - Air nailing the back on the cabinet
6:32 - Setting up the French cleat for the back of the cabinet
7:06 - Fastening the Cleat to the back of cabinet
7:15 - Conclusion and stills of finish cabinet installed (cramped quarters) link to using Maksiwa Edge Bander

[onisiforosonisiforou]

Many can do this things, but only few can make you enjoy watching them doing it !! Well done good job, good presentation and above all what i have seen a gentleman's character, thanks for sharing your work !!!

[leonarddavis]

I love the cleat system. I used it on my planter boxes. I can remove them for the winter and go right back up come spring.

[scottarnold]

Hi. Nice simple cabinet. I disagree with comments saying you need expensive power tools to make this. You just need a circular saw, an iron (for edge banding), glue, and melamine screws. I do have two comments, though. This comes from over 30 years of woodworking and cabinet making. Please remember to ALWAYS roll up your sleeves when using your table saw, router, etc. This is essential to shop safety. I saw at least one segment where you had your sleeves down to the wrists while using the table saw. The only other suggestion I have for others using a cleat system for hanging cabinets is to use 3/4 inch plywood for the mating cleats. It's much stronger than melamine. Thx.

[IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

How do you said it I want a career change, I want to be a cabinet maker. I just love the systematic nature of doing everything in order and keeping everything nice, neat and tidy. Plus finish carpentry is way better than rough carpentry, you don’t have to slum it so much.

[tomasgulas]

While back I was actually considering buying from closet company, they charged so much for such a little cabinet. Then I bought my own table saw, and have been doing these myself

[The-sign-of-Jonah]

My wife wants extra cupboards, so I'm watching some youtube tutorials to learn the basics... No fancy equipment. I think perfect planning is key here. Thanks

[thabisomashaba]

Thank you, ive been running a kitchen cabinet company and you have made my life and work much better wit the simplest of methods,

[bestelectronicmusicfromnew]

I just discovered some very nice solid plank cupboards from the 1950s. One of them is just knocked together with little nails through the middle of all the planks and side walls, it looks like a grid with 6'' by 12'' cubicles/pigeonholes. It's awesome because it's so strong and so easy to make and durable. ... The other is the same but bigger, and a router has been used to prepare little slots in the longer planks to place all the support deviders. I love the idea of working with solid wood that can be nailed throught the middle into grids. So cool. Thanks for the video!

[wb_finewoodworking]

That was a very simple build. The edge bander and trimmer are awesome tools but not something that I’d even need. I don’t do much edge banding.

[iancarter]

I love the cleat for hanging the units and of course, it’s portable too.

[WelshRabbit]

Stapling MDF is an accepted method for fixed cabinets, but for better joints, Confirmat screws were designed to hold in MDF and are much more durable, especially in furniture and where the product will be subjected to stress loads. I've made numerous pieces of MDF-based furniture and cabinetry using Confirmat screws. Even after handling by commercial movers in a cross-country move, they continue to survive just fine. Even my mobile router table-cabinet is still holding up nicely after 5 years of rugged use. The downside of Confirmat screws is they are much slower and require more skill and attention to use, and are more difficult to conceal (hence the need for those little screw caps). For that reason, you rarely see Confirmat screws in less expensive furniture and cabinets. By the way, Colin, nice build. The edge bander and trimmer are just the ticket.

[timcaron]

Great video Colin.  I have made a lot of cupboards and cabinets so you brought out some great points.  The support system you are using is called "French Cleet".  Rather than spend a lot of money on pegboard and hooks, this system can be used to support your Tools and hardware by making bins and brackets.  Just to let your viewers know about it.  Take care and be safe.   Tim

[kevinlamarr]

Thanks for saving me lots of money on my 84 Winnebago project! I don’t have to do the make fit thing with store bought cabinets. That’s a lot lighter material also.

[ryanelliot]

You know, every video I watch of yours I learn something new, thanks for the great videos!

[edwaggonersr.]

Nice build. For those of us who don't have the fancy edging machine we can buy pre-edged material a just about any home center.

[jerrydempsey]

I've decided to make a medicine cabinet from melamine so I reviewed your video again to refresh my memory. Thanks.

[JosephLorentzen]

My problem with MDF in a humid environment like a laundry room is the boards absorbing some moisture and then bowing. I find a either a internal frame or a facing attached to the MDF helps greatly with that problem.

[davee]

Big thanks from Australia. Some great tips there and given in a very pleasing and easy to understand manner. Looking forward to getting into my built-in jobs here in Sydney now! Cheers - Dave

[johnchan]

Wow, no wondered Y your wife asked U 2 make the cabinet. U do gr8 work. Thx 4 sharing on Utube.

[mattivirta]

edge band can glued in home whit flatiron, and edge band can cut whit cheap little hand router, plade were has bearing.