Building a laminate cabinet
Building a laminate cabinet for your home is a relatively easy task if you are focused on accomplishing the task. There are many places on the web to get plans, including Rockler and Popular Woodworking. A good source for information is Wood Web.
You can find 3/4 inch laminate at your local home improvement store. Menards usually has it priced lower than Lowes or Home Depot. Also it is easier to pick up there as well. If you desire, you can use precut laminate. Of course you are limited in the depth of cabinet to the choices that are offered. Which are 12", 18" and 24".
When you cut the laminate make sure you have a good sharp blade! A Freud carbide tip will work well, but there are others you can use. Use masking tape when you make a cut to help prevent chipping.
If you want shelves in the cabinet you can use standards for adjustable shelves. Otherwise you can cut dadoes for where you want shelves. Just make sure the standards start at the same place or your shelves will be crooked and will flop around. With dadoes make sure you have them exactly the same distance from the bottom or your shelf will be out of level. Make sure you dado out the sides so you can put a back in it.
On the edge of the laminate, you can use tape that you iron on or you can use wood and paint it. Lowes has Behr paint which would work really well. Just make sure whatever you use use a good quality paint so it will last longer.
If you need tools, some people go to the Tool Crib on Amazon, but Grizzly Tools is also a good source.
Laminate will take spills better and will last longer than wood, it also will stay brighter longer than wood. However if you are looking for something that would be an heirloom piece, I know one of the best cabinet makers in the country he can make a piece of wood furniture that would be the envy of friends and family. If you need tips or suggestions or assistance fixing something, let me know and I will help as best I can.
