How to Build Faceless Kitchen Cabinets With European Hinges

Faceless cabinets, more commonly known as frameless or European style cabinets, are one of the simplest types of cabinet to build. Constructed from ¾-inch plywood or MDF these slab panel boxes are a great place to start in learning to build cabinets. Partnered with European style, or cup hinges, your doors will be fully adjustable lending themselves to a very forgiving design ideal for the do-it-yourselfer. You'll need a few common tools and a sheet of plywood or MDF to get started.

Things You'll Need

• 1 sheet ¾-inch plywood or MDF
• Table or circular saw with plywood blade
• Pin nailer and compressor or hammer and finish nails
• Wood glue
• Drill and 1 ¼-inch screws
• 1 pair of European style hinges
• Metal or plastic shelf pins

Instructions

Building the Cabinet

1. Cut the following parts from ¾ plywood or MDF to build a 24 by 24 inch wall unit: two bulkheads (side panels)12 by 24 inches; two pieces 12 by 22 ½ inches, one for the top, one for the bottom; one back 22 ½ by 22 ½ inches; one door 24 by 24 inches; two shelves 10 ¼ by 23 inches. Use a table saw if possible. Lay out all of the parts to make the most of your material. Use a circular saw for all crosscuts 12 inches or less, for safety.

2. Bore two rows of holes for shelf pins and hinge plates from top to bottom of the bulkheads--one 2 ¾ inches from the back edge and the other according to the manufacturer's backset for hinges. Space the holes according to the manufacturer's instructions .

3. Attach the two bulkheads to the bottom of the cabinet with nails and glue. It will be easiest if all parts are standing on their front edges to accommodate the back.

4. Add the top between the two bulkheads, directly opposite the bottom. Glue and nail it into place.

5. Add the back. It will fit snugly into the square opening provided by the other four parts. Use only a little glue along its edges to avoid a mess in the interior of the box. Tap the back into place until it is just flush with the back of the bulkheads. Nail it into place.

6. Predrill and add 1 ¼-inch screws through the bulkheads into the edges of both top and bottom at each corner. Add two or three screws along each edge of the back.

Add Door and Shelves

1. Pre-drill the cup and screw holes for the European hinge in the back of the door. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for dimensions. The holes are typically measured in metric and require a special bit available in most home centers or from Hafele.com. Use the template provided with your hinges and be sure to purchase hinges without nylon inserts, which require a specialized press to install.

2. Attach the hinge base plates to the insides of the bulkheads in the holes drilled previously. The hinges will snap onto these and can then be adjusted with a Phillips screwdriver to get proper function.

3. Add shelf pins at the desired heights in all four corners of your box and lay the shelves in place.

References

• Hafele; Euro/Cup Cabinet Door Hinges

Resources

• otally-free-woodworking-plans.com; Open Frameless Wall Cabinet Frames