cabinet door construction

mgbbob · Post by **mgbbob** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:12 pm

I have recently aquired a Shopsmith bicuit jointer and will be building a few test panel doors. I was considering a rail and stile joint but the biscuit looks a lot easeir and I don't need expensive router bits.

Any success storier using either type of connection or something else that works well. I plan on building about 20 kitchen cabinet doors with a panel insert.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 1:37 pm

I would use a stub tennon and groove to join the rails and stiles. The panel will sit in the groove. The corners will be really strong
Bill V

anmius · Post by **anmius** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 1:44 pm

I too prefer stub tenon and groove doors if I'm want a flat panel door. Some call it a "Shaker Style" door and it is currently in vogue. Plus, there is no need for biscuits or router bits. I've attached a simple plan if you are interested.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 2:15 pm

I have built cabinet door just about every way you can think of. I got a rail and stile bit set and to me that was easiest. Had to watch for tear out but the finish product was worth the cost of the router bit set.

I like biscuits but I don't use them like I once did. They almost seem like they are "the way we used to do it." method. As production shop type tools an bits become available and cheap enough I switch to them.

Rail and Stile router/shaper bit set is fast accurate and easy and almost fool proof. Once setup you can push wood through at surprising rate and cabinet doors become almost a no brainer.

mgbbob · Post by **mgbbob** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 3:36 pm

Hi, Did you purchase the adjustable Rail/Stile bits and if so what brand? In the short term I think I will try a couple of test doors with the stub tenon and biscuits.

Thanks,
Bob

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 3:52 pm

Since you already need to cut the groove for the panel, you might as well go the stub tenon route.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:24 pm

Since you don't want to spend for bit/bits that will have few future uses, I too recommend stub tenon frames for all of the reasons above.

mgbbob · Post by **mgbbob** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:40 pm

I am not opposed to buying the bits but the price tag for the adjustable ones did seem a bit much. I think i will try some use what I have solutions first and see what I and the commander and chief (wife) like.

Bob

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:31 pm

mgbbob wrote:Hi, Did you purchase the adjustable Rail/Stile bits and if so what brand? In the short term I think I will try a couple of test doors with the stub tenon and biscuits.

Thanks,
Bob

No I bought mine from Infinity that happens to be here in Tampa. They weren't adjustable as such you buy a matching set and they make all the cuts even the groove. Easy as pie. I got mine on closeout years ago and they have served me will.

Initial setup can be tricky but I created a jig that I keep that I can set the height perfectly in one try. The jig is nothing more than a block of wood cut by each bit after they were perfectly set up the first time. I set the block on my router table and adjust the bit to fit the wood block and I have a perfect setup. NO fuss no mess.

The bit are big and have a large cutting surface so the hold their edge really well. And being Infinity bits makes that even more true.

garys · Post by **garys** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:44 am

I've built a number of cabinet doors for my house and my garage. I bought the Shopsmith rail and stile bits. They make the job of making the frames easy. On the center panels, I've tried a number of different router bits, and even the table saw cutting an angle on the face of the panel. They all work.
The rail and stile bits make for easy assembly and simple fit with just a little wood glue.