Matt Estlea

The Cabinet

Want to follow exactly what I'm doing?

Optional plans and material packs are available to those who don’t want to draw their own design and instead replicate my processes and measurements exactly. For more info, read about the online school.

Project Overview

In this quick video, I will brief you on the project ahead so that you know what to expect and can get the most from this course. Many resources are available at your fingertips so don’t miss the opportunity to make the most of them!

Project Overview

You will learn:

Tool List

Unsure you have all the right tools for the project? This handy guide helps you choose not only the tools you need, but also gives my recommendations in order of preference. It also provides various options to suit different budgets.

Tool List

You will learn:

Pre-Machined Material Packs

Want to start this project on the right foot? Purchase pre-machined timber in a variety of materials here. Perfect for those who want to avoid the fuss and get stuck straight into the project!

Pre-Machined Material Packs

You will learn:

#1 How to Edge Joint the Panels

In this video, I will show you how to edge joint the side panels for the cabinet using a different method to what we covered in the dovetail box project.

#1 How to Edge Joint the Panels

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#2 How to Size the Panels

In this part, I will show you how to cut the rebate to accept the back panel. We’ll be covering a number of techniques to ensure you get the most from this lesson.

#2 How to Size the Panels

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#3 How to Cut the Half-Blind Dovetails

In this lesson, I show you how to layout and cut the lapped dovetails for the carcass joinery. This is a slightly different layout to a traditional dovetail and isn’t something to miss!

#3 How to Cut the Half-Blind Dovetails

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#4 How to Fit the Half-Blind Dovetails

In this lesson, I show you how to chisel the sockets and assemble the lapped dovetail. This step requires lots of patience and care in order to get right.

#4 How to Fit the Half-Blind Dovetails

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#5 How to Make the Drawer Runners

In this lesson, I show you how to make and fit the drawer runners at the base of the carcass. This is a fiddly task that introduces new skills to your arsenal.

#5 How to Make the Drawer Runners

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#6 How to Cut the Grooves and Rebates

In this lesson, I show you how to layout and cut the groove / dado within the inside of the cabinet carcass using both hand tool and power tool methods!

#6 How to Cut the Grooves and Rebates

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#7 Cutting the Shelf Rebates

In this lesson, I show you how to cut the tongue that is due to fit within the groove. To avoid a very unstable and wobbly shelf, it’s important to get a good fit here!

#7 Cutting the Shelf Rebates

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#8 Pre-Sanding the Cabinet

Before assembling the carcass, it’s important to pre-sand the faces and edges within the carcass. This makes it fair easier to gain access to the faces due to be sanded.

#8 Pre-Sanding the Cabinet

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#9 Gluing and Assembling the Cabinet

In this lesson, I show you how to glue the carcass to ensure it’s square. Because getting this step wrong will cause you a whole host of problems later down the line!

#9 Gluing and Assembling the Cabinet

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#10 How to Attach the Top and Bottom

In this lesson, I show you how to apply profiles to the edges of the top and bottom panels. As well as show you how to use pilot and clearance holes to screw them to the carcass.

#10 How to Attach the Top and Bottom

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#11 How to Attach the Back Panel

In this lesson, I show you how to attach the back panel. This will ensure the carcass stays rigid while we fit the door and drawer in later stages.

#11 How to Attach the Back Panel

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#12 Grooving the Door Components

In this lesson, we begin working on the door. I will show to how to size the components for a tight fit and prepare them to accept a panel.

#12 Grooving the Door Components

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#13 Mortising the Door Components

In this lesson, I show you how to cut the mortices for the frame and panel door. We are working on thin components here so attention to detail is key.

#13 Mortising the Door Components

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#14 Door Tenon Layout

In this lesson, I show you how to layout the tenons for the frame and panel doors. By the end of the lesson, you will be prepared to begin cutting and chiselling them to size.

#14 Door Tenon Layout

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#15 Cutting and Fitting Tenons

In this lesson, I will show you how to cut the tenons to size using a saw to remove the bulk of the waste, and a chisel to refine back to the lines. You will have a dry fitted frame by the end of the video.

#15 Cutting and Fitting Tenons

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#16 Fitting the Door Panel

Now that the frame is complete, it’s now time to fit a door panel. In this lesson I will discuss materials to be used and the different options available to you.

#16 Fitting the Door Panel

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#17 Gluing the Door

In this lesson, I will show you how to glue the door to ensure there are no visible gaps and is perfectly square after assembly. Because fitting a skewed door is painful!

#17 Gluing the Door

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#18 Fitting the Door

In this lesson, I show you how to accurately fit the door within the carcass to achieve an even shadow gap on all four edges. This will get you in the best position for hinging in the next lesson.

#18 Fitting the Door

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#19 Hinging the Door

In this lesson, I show you how to accurately hinge the door within the carcass. This is a very valuable skill to have and there is lots of supporting resources available here.

#19 Hinging the Door

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#20 Sizing the Drawer Components

Next, we are moving onto the drawer components. In this lesson, I will show you how to accurately size the components for a piston fit drawer.

#20 Sizing the Drawer Components

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#21 Cutting the Drawer Tails

In this video, we re-visit lapped dovetails and get the joinery cut for the front of the drawer. I will be detailing layout, cutting and fitting all in one video.

#21 Cutting the Drawer Tails

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#22 Fitting the Drawer Tails

In this lesson, I show you how to layout and cut a very odd set of dovetails that are commonly used on the back of traditionally constructed drawers.

#22 Fitting the Drawer Tails

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#23 Fitting the Drawer Base

In this video, I show you how to fit the drawer base. This will be made from solid wood so we need to ensure we leave enough room for movement.

#23 Fitting the Drawer Base

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#24 Pre-Sanding & Gluing the Drawer

In this video, I show you how to glue up the drawer to ensure all gaps have been closed and more importantly, it’s perfectly square.

#24 Pre-Sanding & Gluing the Drawer

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#25 Fitting the Drawer

How that the drawer has been glued, it’s time to fit it within the carcass. In this video, I show you how to achieve the highly sought after piston fit finish.

#24 Pre-Sanding & Gluing the Drawer

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#26 Door and Drawer Stops

In this lesson, I show you how to make and attach the drawer stops that prevent the drawer from disappearing into the carcass and getting stuck.

#26 Door and Drawer Stops

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#27 Making the Handles

In this lesson, I’ll show you how to create some delicate handles that compliment the design of the cabinet, rather than detract the attention away.

#27 Making the Handles

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#28 Sanding the Cabinet

In this lesson, I show you how to accurately sand the box to ensure no detail is lost and it remains crisp. Yet also achieve a finish that is soft and tactile to touch.

#28 Sanding the Cabinet

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#29 Finishing the Cabinet

In this lesson, I show you my process when it comes to finishing the cabinet carcass and the traditionally fitted door and drawer. Can you guess what finish I intent to use?

#29 Finishing the Cabinet

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#30 Summary

Now that the cabinet is completed, lets reflect back on all the different processes we carried out and the skills you have picked up along the way.

#30 Summary

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