Cabinetry: How to Build Raised Panel Doors
Step 1: Draw the plans
and double check all
measurements
and double check all
measurements
Step 2: Select the wood. Here I'm using
Red Oak, 3/4 inch
Red Oak, 3/4 inch
Step 3: Use Table Saw to Cut the Wood.
Some of the wider panels were made by
gluing 2 pieces side by side and then
sanding with a belt sander.
Some of the wider panels were made by
gluing 2 pieces side by side and then
sanding with a belt sander.
Various Router Bits
-on the left is the "Raised Panel Bit"
that makes the center piece of a door.
-In the center is a 1" Boring Bit to make
the cavity to accept the hinges.
-In the rear is one of the Rail & Style
bits that make the joint for the sides
and top of the door.
-In the right rear are the 1//16" and
1/4" Roundover Bits, followed by 1/2"
and 1/4" cutting bits
-in the front are 3/8" and 1" bits used
to make the grooves for opening the
doors
-on the left is the "Raised Panel Bit"
that makes the center piece of a door.
-In the center is a 1" Boring Bit to make
the cavity to accept the hinges.
-In the rear is one of the Rail & Style
bits that make the joint for the sides
and top of the door.
-In the right rear are the 1//16" and
1/4" Roundover Bits, followed by 1/2"
and 1/4" cutting bits
-in the front are 3/8" and 1" bits used
to make the grooves for opening the
doors
Router Table with Rail & Style Bit and
plastic "form". The "form" is used to
help set up the tool, more specifically
to set the exact height needed.
plastic "form". The "form" is used to
help set up the tool, more specifically
to set the exact height needed.
Step 4: Cut Rail and Style Grooves,
then Preassemble to check fit
then Preassemble to check fit
Step 5: With Doors
Pre-Assembled, check that Inner
piece will fit. Shave as necessary.
Pre-Assembled, check that Inner
piece will fit. Shave as necessary.
Step 6: Using Router on low speed and the big
Raised Panel bit, proceed to make a lot of mess
(note: I used a fan to keep the router cool during this
process)
Raised Panel bit, proceed to make a lot of mess
(note: I used a fan to keep the router cool during this
process)
Step 7: Glue and Assemble all parts.
After glue dries, sand the heck out of
everything. When working with Oak,
don't use anything finer than 100 sand
paper otherwise the pores in the wood
will close and the stain won't absorb well.
Once sanding is completed, pre-hang all
doors to make sure that the fit is right.
Sand or shave and then re-sand as
necessary. Once the hinges are set
perfectly, they do not need to be
removed from the face-frame. This way
when staining is done it will be easy to
re-install the doors.
After glue dries, sand the heck out of
everything. When working with Oak,
don't use anything finer than 100 sand
paper otherwise the pores in the wood
will close and the stain won't absorb well.
Once sanding is completed, pre-hang all
doors to make sure that the fit is right.
Sand or shave and then re-sand as
necessary. Once the hinges are set
perfectly, they do not need to be
removed from the face-frame. This way
when staining is done it will be easy to
re-install the doors.
Step 8: 2 Coats of Stain (I used "Golden Oak" by Minwax. Then 4 coats of Minwax High
Gloss PolyEurethane, wet sanding inbetween each coat with 400 sandpaper, and 800 on the
final sanding. Job complete.
Gloss PolyEurethane, wet sanding inbetween each coat with 400 sandpaper, and 800 on the
final sanding. Job complete.
