Dowel pins or biscuits in your cabinets?

[Georgeandpat]

Just curious to know what others have done. When building your cabinets did you use dowel pins, biscuits, or anything on the butt joints? I just started my cabinets (Cubby plans) and really hadn't given it any prior thought but decided to use 3/8 inch dowel pins throughout. Perhaps this goes without saying but using them sure seems to help keep things square and strong. George.

[doug hodder]

I have tools for both. On the galley, I'm planning on using dowels, and epoxy for the framework. Dowels are harder to get centered up so that the framework is flat, but you don't have to work on how big of a biscuit and how deep. it's just my experience, but that is my plan. I also use a rail and stile cutter bit to cut the frames for the drawers and doors. they interlock and are bulletproof. Easy way for the professional look. the bits aren't cheap however, but I've got them so that is what I'm using. whatever you decide, put something in there to stop any movement from a failure from a glue joint. doug hodder

[Guest]

Hi George,
I try to stay away from butt joints.
I've always used dado and rabbet joints on my cabnetry, with lap joints on my face frames. On my drawers, I use dados and a locking dado on the drawer face.
Maybe one of these days I'll hve to see what all the fuss is about bicuit cutters and go buy one.
You might ask Norm on Tool Time. (Sorry)

[asianflava]

I switch back and forth between pocket screws and biscuits. I use pocket screws if I can't clamp it, the screw will draw them together.

[Denny Unfried]

I go along with Dean in Eureka using dadoes & rabbet joinery for aligning things. Easy to make with either table saw or router and straight edge.

I also used tongue/groove or breadboard edge to finish the exposed countertop.

Denny

[Larwyn]

I've used dado and rabbit joints extensively in the past (on other projects) and plan to use them on the td cabinets.

However, since the purchase of my Kraig Jig, pocket holes and screws are my new best friend....

[SteveH]

Dowel pins or biscuits in your cabinets?

I'm lazy......I did it all in plywood!

[ssrjim]

Just curious to know what others have done. When building your cabinets did you use dowel pins, biscuits, or anything on the butt joints? I just started my cabinets (Cubby plans) and really hadn't given it any prior thought but decided to use 3/8 inch dowel pins throughout. Perhaps this goes without saying but using them sure seems to help keep things square and strong. George.

I used screws, they are hidden so why not.

[TomS]

I'm using pocket screws.

[madjack]

I'm using pocket screws.

...Confucius said "he who pockets screws, get holes poked in leg"
madjack

[Georgeandpat]

Wow, Sounds like we have some real cabinet makers out there! I must say that I am surprised at how much I'm enjoying the cabinet work. It's been a while since I've done any serious woodworking but I feel that it is my favorite part of the project. Maybe it's because the emptiness of the tear changes so quickly at this point after months of looking at the same interior! George.

[Nick Taylor]

Normally I use biscuits for face frames but I wanted to try pocket screws when I built the cabinet for my Ken-Skill. They do take some practice and I'm not sure I'd use them again, especially on softwood (fir) that I used. They tended to split the ends of the rails. They did work great for the braces I used to tie the cabinet front to the rear wall of the trailer.



I bought some smaller face-frame biscuits for my next project and hoping my existing cutter will work with them.

Nick.