Like many other handcrafts, cabinet-making requires the use of several intricate skills and techniques. The accuracy, precision, and skill that go into it can only be obtained from quality learning and constant practice. This is why we have dedicated and passionate instructors at the North American Trade Schools (NATS) to pass down their wealth of experience to willing learners. If you choose a cabinet making career, you’ll be interested in the woodworking techniques discussed in this article. 

Milling After Cabinet Making Training

Milling involves the conversion of rough lumber into symmetrical and precise work pieces, and it’s one of the most useful techniques you’ll learn during cabinet making training. It is the wood preparation process that begins with flattening one face of the board at the jointer and then smoothening the board’s opposite face at the planer. Next, you can make the board’s remaining edge true to the other by using a table saw and a chop saw.

Jointing

Jointing is the process when you smooth one face of the workpiece so you can reference it from that face whileTruing up the workpiece. During your journey through the cabinet making certificate program you will be shown the importance of good jointing techniques.

Planing

Planing is a surface-smoothing technique that rids the wood surface of any defects and excess material. You must learn to use a hand or electric planer to carry it out. When properly done, the lumber board will turn out with an even thickness across its required length. This is after you must have used the jointer to flatten one face of the board. 

Sawing

Sawing is unarguably one of the most important parts of cabinet making. Our cabinet making courses provide insights into how to use several sawing tools and the various techniques for handling them. These tools include the chop saw, handsaw, table saw, circular saw, and chainsaw, among other sawing tools used for different purposes and project types. The key to using some of these tools is maintaining the right posture to achieve maximum impact without endangering yourself. 

Drilling and Boring

While drilling creates holes in the wood, boring further enlarges the hole by removing excess material along the depth of the opening. Both processes will need precise control of the work tools to create openings with the right fit, and this requires adequate knowledge of the use of the proper drilling and boring tools and their accessories.

While using the drilling press, ensure the drill is at the correct speed, as drilling too fast can break the drill bit and create poorly machined holes. And while drilling in deep cuts, take out the drill at intervals to cool and clean the bit. 

Finishing

This is the last stage of the cabinet-making process. It involves a series of actions, including sanding, filing, and rendering, all of which are taken to add finishing touches to the cabinet. For the best results, start with coarse grit sandpaper and sand in the board’s grain direction to create a fine grit surface free of scratches. 

Top it off by applying thin coats of the selected finish across the entirety of the cabinet while looking out for joints and other hidden parts. Lightly sand on the cabinet surface before applying the topcoat, if necessary. 

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Cabinet making is fun and rewarding career path that allows you to use plenty of creative licenses. Many exciting decisions exist in this area, from the wood you choose to work with to the style your project emulates. 

During cabinet making training, you’ll learn about the different types of hardware you can use to add the finishing touches to your cabinets. Handles on cabinet doors are essential, as they contribute to everyday ease of use and present the perfect opportunity to make a significant style statement. Read on to learn what you should consider when choosing hardware for your cabinets once you begin your career. 

Know Different Hardware Styles After Cabinet Making Training

During cabinet making training and throughout your career, you’ll see and learn about a vast array of cabinet door handle styles. Knowing the characteristics of each style and what design components complement one another will help you make the right decision for your clients. Most cabinet hardware falls under one of the following style categories: 

• Contemporary: Sleek lines, a neutral colour palette, and simplicity are hallmarks of the contemporary style. If you’ve built cabinets for clients wanting a contemporary space, opt for something simple and streamlined. For example, linear bar handles are a trendy contemporary option to create a harmonious effect that your clients are sure to love.

• Traditional: There’s a reason why the traditional style has stood the test of time. The ornate details and curved shapes create a look best described as ‘fancy.’ This hardware style looks best in a space with plenty of opulent details and pays homage to antique decor. Traditional-styled cabinet door handles can be added to a modern space for an eclectic touch. 

• Rustic: The ‘farmhouse’ or rustic style has recently gained popularity among clients, particularly in kitchens. Rustic finishes tend to produce a homey look where simplicity is favoured with industrial details. Rustic hardware is simple but balanced, typically combining straight and curved lines. 

Remind Clients to Keep Comfort in Mind When it Comes to Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet doors can be closed and opened multiple times throughout the day, depending on their location. After Cabinet Making training, it’s important to remind clients to consider comfort in order to maximize the overall results of the project.

Providing clients with samples of each style are so they may test each handle’s feel and functionality will help them make the right decision. Ask them to pay close attention to how each handle feels in their hands, whether there are any imperfections in the material, and how easy (or difficult) it is to open a door with the handle. Comfort plays a significant role in the overall user experience of cobinet making jobs.

Help Clients Choose the Right Finish After Cabinet Making Training

The finish will likely be the most noticeable characteristic of the hardware your client chooses for their cabinets. While chrome and brushed nickel are some of the more common choices, there are many other options your clients can choose from.

Regarding kitchens and bathrooms, there’s a common belief that the hardware should match the faucet; however, this isn’t necessary. Simply make sure that clients know that the finishes of their hardware should compliment (not necessarily match) other finishes in the space.

Our Cabinet Making diploma program teaches students about the wood selection process, as well as how to read drawings, operate woodworking machines, and practice the arts of cabinet making. Hands-on training is a hallmark of our program, and our students are fully prepared to work on various cabinet making and installation projects with confidence and mastery. 

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Cabinetmaking and other construction projects require detailed plans to ensure that all key elements are in the right place, that the project is compliant with safety codes, and that it meets customer expectations. That’s where blueprints come in. They are two-dimensional technical drawings that illustrate the design of a project in detail. By looking at a blueprint, you should have a good idea of a project’s dimensions, materials, and the exact placement of each component. 

Without any experience in cabinet making or construction, blueprints may seem complex at first glance; however, with the right training, you can hone this essential skill and approach each project confidently. Read on for blueprint best practices you can keep in your arsenal throughout your training and career.

1. Always Begin With the Title Block 

The title block will stand out to you when you look at a blueprint after Cabinetmaking training. It contains basic introductory information that will come in handy throughout your project. That’s why it’s an excellent idea to look at the title block before you begin a project. In addition to the project name and number, this part of the blueprint contains contact information for the designer in case you spot an error or anything that needs further clarification. You’ll also see an index which is a reference list of all the drawings in the set of plans.

2. Study the Legend to Understand Your Project Fully 

Similar to what you would see on a map, the legend on a blueprint decodes the symbols found throughout a design to represent key components of the project. While there are universal symbols, there are also industry-specific symbols, and some companies even have their own custom symbols. Studying the legend right away will make it much easier to understand your blueprint since you’ll know exactly what each symbol represents. The legend may also contain the standard scale to give you a good idea of the project size. 

3. Pay Close Attention to the Notes 

When interpreting a blueprint after Cabinetmaking school, you’ll find that notes are often littered throughout a set of plans. For this reason, it’s wise to set time aside for a thorough reading of the entire project plan to ensure that you don’t miss any important specifications. As they study the notes in a blueprint, many experts make notes of their own with any questions and concerns about the design. It’s best to clarify any unknowns before getting started to ensure that no materials, power, or time are wasted.

4. Develop a Trained Eye in Cabinetmaking School 

As with most construction skills you’ll develop in training, and throughout your career, mastering blueprint interpretation will require a lot of practice. For this reason, you’ll want to choose a Cabinetmaking training program that provides ample opportunity to read and execute plans effectively. With time, you’ll develop a trained eye and reading blueprints will become second nature. With this skill set, which you’ll develop in our Cabinetmaking Diploma Program, you can go on to enjoy an exciting career in cabinetmaking and installation, store fixture making, architectural millwork, and more. 

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