I'm looking to cut a 1/2" x 10" rectangle out of my kitchen cabinet frame to install a bracket for a microwave trim. The cabinet is already installed, and the rectangle cut needs to come off the bottom of the top section of the frame, which still has about 5 inches remaining above the cut. The frame is made of dense hardwood, so I'm debating whether to rent a jigsaw or an oscillating tool. Any suggestions on the best tool to use for this cut?
3 Answers
You could totally rent a jigsaw or even use a reciprocating saw if precision isn't super critical. I recently got an oscillating tool and I've found it surprisingly handy for these kinds of projects.
If there's space, a palm router with a templating bit will give you the cleanest cut. Just mark your lines and stick some thin scrap pieces on them with double-sided tape to create a template. Then, you can rout out the notch. If you need to, clean up any corners with a chisel. An oscillating tool could work too, but I’d still recommend using a template for better results.
An oscillating tool with a standard blade should handle the 10-inch cut just fine, and for the 1/2-inch section, try a narrow 3/8 blade. If you're worried about how it looks, clamp a board on the side you want to keep nice as a guide.
Thanks for the tips! I hadn't thought about using a router for a cleaner finish.