Essential Tools for Cabinetmaking

Notice in the side bar of my blog there is a box that is labelled "Cabinetmaking Tools". This is a list of tools, most of them absolutely necessary, for making cabinets. Today I'm going to highlight four of them.

Tape measure: I've gone over how to use it. Notice the tape measure I recommend is a specific brand. You don't need a specific brand, but I do happen to like these tape measures for their special features. It has a white writing tablet on the side which is very nice. It has a built in pencil sharpener (for standard #2 pencils. Don't use the big carpenter pencils.) It also has a spring in the clip that you use to put it on your pocket which makes it so much easier. Small features that help.

Drill: You might already have a drill. If you don't you will need one to build cabinets. I do recommend the Makita, but I personally own a Hitachi and a Ryobi which both work well. The brand is mostly a preference. The Lithiom-ion batteries are nice to have because the batteries hold a charge longer and are much lighter.

Miter Saw: Any kind of chop saw will work. You could even use a miter box and a hand saw, but for practicallity you can't beat the compound miter saw. It will cut your hardwood boards square at whatever length you need. It can also cut on an angle both ways (more on this later). There are several kinds though and there are limitations to the 10" non-sliding. It can only cut all the way through about a 6" board. Anything wider than that you would have to flip the board over and cut it again. Sliders can usually cut through at least 12" which is very nice when cutting the parts for the upper cabinets.

Table Saw: I have been trying to come up with an alternative to the table saw and I have come to the conclusion that there is not one really practical, safe alternative. I have come up with some alternatives that would make it so you don't need one to complete a cabinet project, but that involves other tools and/or other expenses (we'll get to that). The table saw is perhaps the most versatile tool in the cabinetmaker's shop. For a do-it-yourselfer is perhaps the most expensive. The one I have listed is a cabinet saw (named because it's top is mounted on a cabinet), and is listed solely because it is the table saw I would buy if I had the money. For a cabinet project you can get by with some contractor's saws, but I recommend a hybrid. You will at least need a ripping capcity of 24" to the right of the blade, but really you should have more like 36". If you don't get that you might as well not buy a table saw for cabinets.

So there you go. This is a start to the tools you need. Check out the complete list in the side bar. There may be other tools that make it more convenient. Let me know if you think I've left something out.