Fixin' Up the Bungalow

La Bamba
I hunted down a source for vertical grain douglas fir plywood for our our kitchen cabinet project. So after about a month of procrastinating and a little bit of nice California weather, I took off after work to Phillips Plywood.

Photo from phillipsplywood.com

They are located in Pacoima. (Think Esau Morales, “Riiiiitchieeeeee!!!!!”). I called in my order and voila: $700 bucks lighter and thirty minutes later I was trucking home with 5 sheets of 3/4 and 3 sheets of 1/4. Nice place. Nice Staff. They even carry a a few tools and hardwood.

Lambada
So I got the vertical grain plywood laid horizontal onto some sawhorses Friday night, back into the car Saturday, and into the shop.
Cart o’ Plywood (Not Shown at Actual Size).

Kristin helped me wrestle the plywood onto the tablesaw. My teacher gave us a few pointers. And the forbiden dance began.

I manhandle the plywood.

I have never tangled with full sheets of 3/4 material on the table saw. I have a new respect for all you cabinetmakers. It is heavy and awkward. I had to trim it oversized and then rip it to final width twice with a flip in between to get clean edges.

Sangre
The 1/4″ stuff is Sharp! First blood!
My chance at hand model ruined. Sniff.
My teacher said it was the worst cut of any class he has taught. I felt honored but skeptical because I have seen a few wicked injuries in Sunday furniture class. (Random Orbit Sanders Gone Bad.)

Felicidad
We got all the parts for four cabinets ripped and then set up the crosscut sled.
Crosscut Master.
When the sawdust had settled we had all or our base cabinet parts cut including the backs.
Our car loaded with 40+ cabinet parts and a lot of scrap.

Now I will note that we spent about an hour remeasuring and planning out all of our cuts. We also had some backup wood. One thing we have learned: Mill or cut plenty of extra for setup and screwup.
A little preperado goes a long way: Our base cabinet drawings from Sketchup and cutlists.

– -John “Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it’s a joke.” www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

About The Author

Gizmodyne

Arts and Crafts influenced woodworker currently seeking old bungalows to restore in the Pasadena area. I design and build custom cabinets and built-ins. Also Stickley style furniture.