Woodworking Tips from Pop…

A Cabinet Makers Language

If you’re going to “Walk the Walk” you had better learn to “Talk the Talk”.

Over the years working with wood has evolved like everything else in our world. (Beyond simple comprehension). A cabinet mans’ vocabulary is no exception and can be one that is very confusing to the average greenhorn. Throw in a few overlap words like routers, biscuits, flutes, joints, and cabinet building just got a little trickier.

 It can take you from the depths of ordering the correct grade of lumber and sheet material to spraying, glazing, and lacquers all the way to the fastening of the wall man.

 I bet you’re not sure what a wall man is! Just hang in there and we’re going to explain it in detail.

Over the next several posts, we’re going to be talking about cabinet building lingo. So whether you’re building your own cabinetry or looking for a qualified professional, this information will help you in dealing with everybody you need to deal with on cabinet building and more.

We will cover all these in a little more detail as we progress!

Plywood: 4’x8’ Sheet material used in the building of the carcass and other projects. (Comes in ¼”, ½” and ¾” thickness).

Carcass: The skeleton framework of a cabinet or piece of furniture before face frames, doors and drawers or any other fitted parts.

Dado: a groove cut across the grain of board

Face frame: wood frame around carcass covering the raw edges of plywood.

European style: Cabinetry without wood face frames.

Toe kick: space on the bottom of a cabinet for your toes to fit under cabinet. (Typically used on kitchen cabinetry)

Base board: finished trim work located at bottom of the cabinet

Crown or cornice molding: finished trim work located at the top of the cabinet

Flutes: hollowed out groves in a pilaster that always runs vertical. (We do this with a router)

Stiles: Vertical members of doors and frames

Rails: horizontal members of doors and frames

Raised panel door: Five piece door system, 2 stiles, 2 rails and a panel in between

Wall man: screwed to the wall supports used in the fastening of cabinetry & mantels (typically 1×4)

Overlay: A term we typically use in the hanging of cabinet doors

Hardware: usually describes door hinges, knobs, drawer slides, etc.

Grommets: A plastic or metal ring used to conceal ruff edges.