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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Trimming the bottom of a kitchen cabinet

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Expert: - 4/23/2010


Question

Kitchen Cabinet
I just purchased a new fridge and of course it is too high to fit under the small cabinet that is above it.  The doors float on the cabinet, so they're not a problem, and luckily there is a 1 1/2 inch lip to work with on the bottom of the cabinet, which is 18 years old.  How can I trim off 1/2 inch?  Do I need to take the cabinet off the wall, which would be a big job since it is also connected to the other cabinets.  They are solid wood about 1" thick.  Thank-you.

Answer
Howard,

This isn't a really difficult fix, but you will need the correct tools to do it. Tools are the key.

You can cut that 1/2" off the cabinet with a router with a flush trimming bit, or a jigsaw (not quite as nice, since the jigsaw tends to wander) or even a handsaw. Since the cabinet is next to a corer, it's hard to get your tool to go tight into that corner, so you'll probably have to finish that corner cut by hand, with a handsaw.

You don't need to take the cabinet down, although doing so would make it much easier. The problem is - taking it down in the first place isn't so easy. At the very least, pull your fridge away to give yourself some working room.

A flush trimming bit with your router will give you a very straight cut, since the bearing would run along the underside of your cabinet. But it's a bit awkward to hold the router horizontal while you're cutting. If you're not skilled with a router, this may be hard to do.

So it depends on your skills. If you've for some tools and you're not intimidated by tackling something like this, I suggest a router, with a small handsaw to cut back into the corner you can't reach. If you don't have a router, then I suggest a jigsaw, but I'm sure you'll probably still need that handsaw to get into the corners.

Finally, if the cabinet has an applied faceframe (its usually a 1x2 nailed into place) - you might investigate to see if you can just take off that bottom piece of wood and cut it while it's off the cabinet. This might be harder to remove than it's worth, but it's worth a shot to see if it's possible.

OK, hope this helps. Good luck, write back if you need more help.


Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com  

Jamie Yocono

Expertise

Woodworker, Furniture designer/builder, industrial arts educator. Bachelor degree in Furniture Design, and journeyman carpenter, with a 4 year apprenticeship. Currently owner of custom furniture/cabinet shop in Las Vegas, NV. Can answer most woodworking questions EXCEPT those regarding repairs, refinishing, and antiques.

Experience

Bachelor in Furniture Design - Ohio University (1980) Journeyman Carpenter, Local 639 Adult educator - Developed adult education woodworking program for the University of Akron, and taught classes there for 9 years. Opened a private woodworking school in Las Vegas, NV and teach private and semi-private lessons. In 2011, I will begin teaching UNLV woodworking classes at my school. Sweet!

Organizations
Furniture Society

Publications
Tile Design and Installation Magazine (Article on inlaying tile into wood)

Education/Credentials
Journeyman Union Carpenter Bachelors degree in Furniture Design (Ohio University) College of Hard Knocks!

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