Installing Cabinets Made Simple
With a little bit of preparation, and a general understanding of the objective, installing cabinets is really not a big deal!
Generally speaking, the objective is to get the cabinets securely attached to the building with level work surfaces. Ideally, the installation should ensure that work surfaces will stay level for many years, as well.
In most applications, cabinets will have a 3/4" hanging rail and the wall will be 1/2" drywall over studs. Install
2 x 6" blocking between studs during wall construction to make attachment of the cabinets significantly easier. Install base cabinets on blocking made of plywood strips rather than the standard 2 x 4" base to keep work
surfaces level as the structure ages. Plywood is dimensionally stable, whereas framing lumber can shrink
considerably as it dries out — as much as 3/16" in width!
Use #10 x 3" screws when attaching cabinets to wall studs, or use 2-1/2" long screws when attaching to
2 x 6" blocking. We carry several suitable fasteners for this purpose (but you already knew that, didn't you!). For a finished appearance without resorting to screw caps or plugs, the #10 x 3" truss head cabinet hanging screw is pre-finished with a nickel, white or almond head. The large bearing surface of a #10 x 3" Round Washer Head screw helps prevent crushing of the hanging strip, and the screws are available in a range of finishes. To match the cabinet interior more closely, our #10 flat heads can be driven flush and covered with plastic screw plugs, concealed beneath a compatibly colored snap cap,
or driven through a trim washer (which also increases the bearing area). Clear Zinc or Yellow Zinc plated or stainless steel screws are recommended for Kitchens and Baths to minimize discoloration.
The method used to fasten cabinet boxes together depends largely upon the type of cabinets used.
Face frames are generally joined by attaching the stiles together using #8 flat head steel screws. The screw should penetrate a minimum of 1" into the second stile. The hole may be plugged for a finished appearance. The “Pony” Cabinet Claw simplifies attaching face frame cabinets by drawing the cabinets together, and at the same time, draws the front stiles flush. Once the faces are flush and tight, simply predrill the pilot hole (7/64" to 1/8"),
flip the drill guide out of the way and drive the screw tight while the cabinets remain clamped in position.
European cabinet boxes are joined with two-piece, 5mm panel connecting screws which fit through predrilled 32mm system shelf pin holes on the inside of adjoining cabinets. Once the hole for attachment is selected, simply drill through with a 5mm bit, align the boxes, and slip the connectors in place.