Have you ever faced the frustration of a broken cabinet door? Scott from Saws on Skates shows us how to breathe new life into it with some simple tools and techniques. In this tutorial, Scott walks through the steps to repair a broken cabinet door, turning an eyesore into a functional piece of your home.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Wood glue
- Glue brush or an inexpensive artist brush
- Spacer balls
- Clamps
- Kreg R3 pocket hole jig
- Pocket hole screws
- Hardboard panel
- Sandpaper (optional)
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Scott begins by examining the cabinet door for any damage. The door’s rails and styles fit well, but the center panel was pushed out, breaking the groove that holds it in place. Understanding the structure is crucial for a successful repair.
Step 2: Understanding Solid Wood Panels
Solid wood panels are slightly smaller than the frame’s grooves to allow for expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity. This design prevents splitting and pushing against the frame. Spacer balls are used to hold the panel in position, allowing it to move with seasonal changes.
Step 3: Replacing Spacer Balls
Scott mentions that the spacer balls likely fell out when the door broke. He replaces them with some he had on hand from another project. This step is essential for ensuring the panel’s stability.
Step 4: Applying Glue
With the spacer balls replaced, Scott applies wood glue to the ends of the rails and spreads it evenly over the joint using a glue brush. He emphasizes not to apply glue to the groove, as this could prevent the panel from moving and might lead to cracking.
Step 5: Clamping the Frame
Clamping the frame is crucial but tricky because this is an inset door, meaning it sits inside the cabinet’s opening. Scott carefully positions the clamps to hold the frame together securely.
Step 6: Drilling Pocket Holes
Scott uses the Kreg R3 pocket hole jig to drill angled holes in the door’s rails. This method allows him to connect the rails to the styles with pocket hole screws, which adds strength to the repair.
Step 7: Attaching a Hardboard Panel
To address some flexing in the joint and damaged grooves, Scott chooses to attach a hardboard panel to the back of the door. This addition strengthens the door and improves its appearance.
Step 8: Final Touches
After completing the repair, Scott shows the final result. Janet, the owner, is thrilled with the repair, noting it fits perfectly and only required a touch-up with stain to look fantastic.
Conclusion
Scott’s step-by-step process demonstrates that a broken cabinet door can be revived with a bit of effort and the right tools.