Cutting hole in stick-built cabinets for dishwasher - DIY?
Project Tackler
7 years ago
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Michael M
7 years agoProject Tackler
7 years agoRelated Discussions
How to take out one section of built-in-place custom cabinets
Comments (6)You asked: "what cutting tools do you have at your disposal -- router, cirular saw, reciprocating saw (Sawzall)?" Don't have a router but I would be able to borrow one if that's my best option. I do have a large circular saw, and I would love the excuse to get a small one if that would be a better choice. I'd also totally go for buying a sawzall if that's my best choice. Basically if you can give me an idea as to what is my best option, I'll make it happen. Here are the pics I just took. As you can see, we've repainted the cabinets since the first pics were taken. Also I didn't realize until I took these pics just how much dust and sawdust ended up in the cabinets from the big bathroom remodel we just did (shared wall and back of cabinets is not closed). Here is a front view just for orientation. The cut would need to go between the two sets of hinges, close to the outer edge of the right hinges: There is one solid piece of wood that goes horizontally across the top - you can see the line marking the bottom of that strip at just about the top of the drawer. Then the vertical piece between the two cabinets, where the hinges are located, is one solid piece down to the "floor" of the cabinets. Finally, there is another horizontal piece, which is mounted so that top of that piece is even with the "floor" of the cabinets. This next picture shows the detail of the inside of the cabinet we're removing: It appears as if the floor of the cabinets are one solid piece of plywood, and the wall between them is just one piece of plywood that is sitting on the floor/bottom. I can't see any screws/nails, but if I reach under the cabinets where that piece is located, I can feel what is probably a screw. I'm kinda presuming that I'll not be able to get this out without destroying it, so I'm prepared to put in a new "wall" here. It's not super clear in the pic (my camera doesn't take the best closeup) but there is an angled groove in the bottom front piece to either side of the verticle dividing piece. I know NOTHING of cabinetmaking, so I presume that's a chanel of some sort for some kind of connector (screw, whatever). Just for reference, here is the same basic area but from the opposite direction -- looking at it from the side of the cabinet that we'll be keeping (under the sink). Note that the board that divides the two cabinets is even with the one that we're taking out, and so will definitely be lost (or need to be moved) when we cut that cabinet out....See MoreHow much refrigerator should stick out from a built in cabinet?
Comments (27)I assume that if Peggymeeks' fridge sticks out 8", it can't be counter depth. Peggymeeks - can you provide us the model number of your fridge, or its dimensions? From your brief description, I am thinking you bought a full-depth fridge, but perhaps should have bought a counter-depth fridge, or a fridge not quite as deep as the one you have. Samsung is known for having spacious fridges, which also means their non-cabinet-depth fridges are deeper than most. Even their "cabinet-depth" fridges are deeper than other brands. A Samsung standard depth is about 34" deep, and a Samsung counter-depth is about 29" deep, which includes the doors....See MoreMinimum dishwasher cut-out???
Comments (8)I don't think that anyone will commit to telling you what the future might hold dishwasher size wise especially when it involves a hypothetical countertop and floor. If you end up with a space that is too short, you will end up having to do without a DW or finding some strange offbeat brand that does fit or, maybe, you'll just end up installing a dishwasher drawer and putting some kind of a cabinet in the space below it. Knowing what I know now about kitchens and cabinets I would want the most standard size of everything that I could find-it just isn't worth the aggravation dealing with the custom stuff. Unless you can afford the ultimate luxury custom stuff, which I cannot justify in a room that I will use every day...See MoreModify built-in frame faced 60 yo cabinet for corner sink install
Comments (5)@ci_lantro 1) smaller sink - NO. Clearly you don't cook. Or at least you never do dishes. Plus, I have no idea why you even suggested that to start with. I don't NEED to put a smaller sink there because there is already plenty of room for a full size sink. A "smaller" sink that is still big enough to manage a few dishes isn't going to give me more than a few inches of extra countertop space at most. The ONLY reason to go to a smaller single bowl sink would be if there isn't enough space at the corner for an angle-mounted full size sink. But I'm 90% sure that there is, without cutting into the drawer unit next to the fridge there. I may have to cut into the stile about 1/4" though. I'll know better when I get the existing countertop off. Angled wall cabinet is not a problem as it can easily be cut down - or rather "up", perhaps. Remember this is actual wood, not the MDF crap that is all anybody can afford these days. As I said in the OP "I may or may not have to shorten that corner cabinet where it would hang out over the new sink area." I know, it was super long, but that cabinet is not an issue. I can do the same to the wall cabinets to the right there as well, if necessary. If it's a problem, it is easily fixed. In fact regardless of what else I do, I WILL be semi deconstructing that cabinet anyway to install a lazy susan as it is virtually useless as-is. 3) CANNOT move the fridge as you say without losing ALL the upper cabinetry on the opposite side of the room. From the OP "The entire expanse of wall cabinets along the long wall is one big long open space inside, ditto the 8' of cabinets on the opposite wall." Plus, the fridge is WAY deeper than the dishwasher and would stick out too far there. I didn't post a pic of that but it is next to an exterior door and putting the fridge there would block the passage through there. That wasn't mentioned in the OP simply because the fact that there is a wall cabinet over there (single unit 8' long) precludes doing that already. 4) putting a corner sink over the current "dead space" is an excellent use of that space. Since "under the sink" is already pretty much dead space. But if I WERE going to replace cabinetry there is no way I would leave that "dead space" dead, I'd at least put in a lazy suzan corner cabinet. "Dead space" should NEVER be left "dead". Unfortunately the kitchen backs onto the bathroom there (the toilet is on the opposite side of that wall) or I would have seriously considered cutting into that wall (NOT a supporting wall) from the back and gaining access to that space that way. Honestly I think those L corners are the best place to put a sink with the least wastage. Plus that space all the way back in the corner is already too hard to reach when looked at in the context of "working" counter space. Currently it just collects kitchen "driftwood" until I get fed up and clear it out again. But it is PERFECT for putting dishwashing accoutrements behind an angle-mounted sink, that you only need to get at briefly while doing dishes. In fact if this works out I'll be making a triangular dish draining "rack" to go there with a dish draining mat under it. PERFECT for doing dishes and not taking up otherwise usable working countertop space!...See MoreAnnKH
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