How to Build Kitchen Cabinet Drawer Fronts
Building your own kitchen cabinet drawer fronts is an inexpensive way to spruce up the kitchen, even for a novice woodworker with basic skills. Drawer fronts may be attached to a four-sided box drawer or serve as the front of a three-sided box. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- ¾ inch thick hardwood
- Molding (optional)
- Table saw
- Router and bits
- Wood screws
- Drawer pull
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Wood glue
- Sander block or mini sander
- Stain or paint
- Polyurethane clear coat finish (optional)
Instructions
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1
Measure the outside of each drawer opening and add ½ inch on each side to overlap the edges.
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2
Cut the hardwood to size using a table saw.
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3
Use a router with a coping bit to create a recessed area for the molding trim if desired. Glue the mitered trim into the recessed edges and clamp in place until dry. Alternately, you may want to route out decorative grooves about 2 inches in around the edges of each drawer front.
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4
Use a sander block or a mini sander to sand all drawer fronts and edges smooth. Wipe off dust.
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5
Stain or paint drawer fronts. Allow to dry completely. Add a coat of polyurethane clear coat finish (optional) and allow to dry. For a durable finish with a high shine, sand lightly, wipe away dust and repeat for three to four total coats of finish.
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6
Attach each drawer front to a four sided box drawer by drilling pilot holes from the inside of the drawers through the backside of the new front, being careful not to drill all the way through. Use wood screws to attach the drawer fronts.
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7
Drill a hole or holes in the center of the drawer front through to the inside of the drawer to attach the drawer pull. Securely attach the drawer pull to the center of the drawer front.
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Tips & Warnings
If the original drawer front served as the fourth side of the drawer box, saw off the overhang edges to make a 4-sided box and attach the new fronts to the original fronts. This will add stability to the drawer construction and make future replacement easier.
Always wear protective eye gear when working with power tools. Pay attention to the grain of the wood when cutting. Make sure the grain of each kitchen cabinet drawer front runs in the same direction.
