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Installing Kitchen
Cabinets
Even beginning do-it-yourself'ers will find that installing
kitchen cabinets is do-it-yourself-able. With care, the results
can be as fine as any professional job. Here are some tips to
achieve that goal.
One thing professionals know that most others don't is what
tool makes the job easier. With kitchen cabinets there are more
choices than you'd suspect. Key to installing cabinets that are
level and secure, with low hassle, is to use a support system
of some kind.
Assuming you don't have two or three people who are willing to
stand and hold the cabinet in place for an hour or more, you'll
want a support or jack. The people take up more room anyway and
would just get in the way.
Everything from a standard car jack to specially designed jacks
have been used. A simple wooden T-shaped brace will do for some
jobs. The tool is nothing more than a horizontal member firmly
attached to a vertical one. The cabinet is placed on top and
the support wedged firmly underneath.
However, they can be subject to slipping, especially on slick
floors. Also, unless you use several, the cabinet may wobble or
tumble off. But they're inexpensive to make, tall and useful if
the base cabinets have not yet been installed.
If base cabinets are already in place, take advantage of them
and use a couple of short jacks with wide resting areas to
support the cabinet while you work. Even tall, metal stain
buckets topped by a thick phone book can serve, if you can make
the system stable enough.
With that problem solved, you'll next need to find studs (2 x 4
support beams) to screw the cabinets into. Never install
cabinets into drywall or wood panels alone. Most homes are
constructed with studs 16 inches apart. Use an inexpensive,
commercial stud finder to locate the first one. Measure 16
inches down the wall and search for the other stud. Try to find
the center of each stud for maximum benefit.
Mark the stud locations along a line on the wall with a pencil.
For easier installation, it might be worthwhile to pre-drill
support screw holes. Be sure to use a drill bit smaller than
the diameter of the screw.
Pre-drill any holes needed in the bottom of cabinets before
lifting into place. Those holes may be needed for wiring,
under-cabinet lighting fixtures, microwave ovens, paper-towel
racks, etc.
Make all the necessary measurements on both the wall and the
cabinet and hoist the cabinet into place. Set it securely on
the supports. You'll want at least 18 inches of clearance from
the countertop.
Using 3 inch support screws fasten the cabinet onto the studs,
through the trim or corners - not through the thin back wall,
if you can avoid it. Depending on the size, type and location
of the cabinet and studs that may not be possible.
For extra support, take a 1 inch thick x 2 inch tall strip of
wood at least a few inches wide and place under the bottom at a
stud position. Screw into place.
In theory, you could place the bottom strips first then set the
cabinet on top, making support easier. The difficulty is,
cabinet placement almost always requires fine adjustment after
they're hoisted. Once you screw in the supports you're locked
into position.
Install any needed door handle hardware last.
Congratulations! You just did it yourself.
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