I'm a complete newbie to cabinet making and I'm trying to wrap my head around the different joinery techniques available, especially the hierarchies within cabinet joinery. Lately, I've seen a lot of talk about pocket screws, but I've learned how to make boxes using 2 shoulder rabbet joints and 1/4" plywood backs, and I'd love to dive deeper into that method. However, I'm struggling to find tutorials or resources that teach cabinets using this joint style.
I have a pocket hole jig from Harbor Freight, but since I feel competent with rabbet joints, I'd like to improve my skills with them. I understand that there's a difference between a box and a cabinet carcass—sometimes, cabinets don't need backs or tops, just the stretchers to hold the shape. I'm curious if anyone has tips or techniques when it comes to designing and building cabinets like this. Also, I'm aware that experimenting can be costly due to the price of wood these days!
2 Answers
You’re right—there's no hierarchy in joinery, just various types that fit different needs. Generally, you start with understanding the loads your cabinets will handle and from there, the right joints will often suggest themselves. If you want to practice your skills, consider using cheaper wood for testing your techniques before diving into more expensive projects.
When it comes to joinery for cabinets, there’s really no strict hierarchy—just different techniques suited for various situations. Some methods are more traditional and can be a bit time-consuming, while others, like pocket holes, are faster and often used in production settings. In my own experience, I made kitchen and bath cabinets using Baltic Birch and cherry, saving a ton compared to hiring a cabinet shop. What matters most is how accurately you cut and assemble your pieces. So whether you use screws or dovetails or other methods, as long as you measure twice and assemble with care, your cabinets will last!
So, just to clarify, the reason I can’t find much on 2 shoulder rabbet joints for cabinets is that there are easier and clearer options like pocket holes, right?