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Required tools for building a cabinet.

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FractalWalk:

--- Quote from: Santoro on April 21, 2004, 10:27:48 am ---
Not required, but make it super-easy
Table Saw
Drill Press

--- End quote ---

I couldn't agree more. I put off buying these items until I realized that the time and headaches I would save far made up for the $150 it cost me to get them.  Even thought I got cheap versions, they have been indispensible tools. I wish I had bought them before I even started my project.

I would neve atempt to build a cab without the following (in order of importance):

Cordless drill (2 would be nice) w/driver bits
Router (template bit, laminate bit, straight bit, slot cutter)
Table Saw
Drill Press
Jig saw
Electrician's pliers
Dremel (mostly for cutting)

Many people substitute a circular saw for a table saw but in my experience it would at least double my project time and leave me with far less precise cuts.

BldnACab:
Certainly not for building, but comes in handy.

Wet/Dry Vac

MDF, what a mess!!!

<BldnACab>

NY_in_TX:
what everyone else said plus CLAMPS.

all shapes, all sizes, and as many as you can have

ny

DougHillman:
My observations

Circular saw vs. table saw:  I own both and have not yet used the table saw at all during the construction of the 2 projects I am currently working on, nor did I use it on my previous aborted attempt.   A straitedge clamped to the workpiece and a circular saw is MUCH more usable than trying to maneuver a 7' x 3' piece of wood on the table saw.  Not really any less precise either.  I will be using the table saw for the very precise cuts needed on the modular control panel I'm building, but these are smaller easily handleable pieces.  

Jigsaw:  If you're building a cabinet without any curves you could reasonably dispense with this.  

Router:  Theoretically, you could pretty much build your entire cabinet with just a good router.  It can be used to replace both a circular saw and a jigsaw as well as performing typical router jobs such as cutting the T-molding slot and CP cutouts.  It can do everything but drive the screws in.

Drill/driver:  Corded or a good cordless doesn't really matter.  Needed to predrill screw holes and for driving screws.  Also used to cut button & joystick holes.

Roto-Zip type rotary tool:  Marketed as somewhere between a router and a Dremel tool.  I'm surprised that no one has mentioned these before.  I've actually found that this is a complete replacement for a plunge or fixed base router.  My actual router now just stays attached to its table.  

Dremel tool:  While I think they're about the coolest thing ever, I've not used mine in cabinet construction yet.  Useful for touchup of cuts & holes I suppose.  

Drill press:  If you have one that'll fit the depth of your control panel, they're great for getting nice straight holes.  Not mandatory though.  If you're careful, you can do fine with a hole saw in a handheld drill.

I've got two cabinets nearly completed and used just a Roto-Zip, a 14v DeWalt cordless Circular Trim Saw, and a 14v Dewalt cordless drill/driver.


D  

Santoro:

--- Quote from: NY_in_TX on April 21, 2004, 03:10:15 pm ---what everyone else said plus CLAMPS.

--- End quote ---

Amen, I can't believe I forgot clamps!

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