Building my own Kitchen Cabinets: Questions

[sancho57]

I'm a custom cabinet maker and like Brice I haven't used glue in a cabinet for years. An added benefit is that they can be taken apart in a pinch. Its been a lifesaver a few times.

I was pretty darned adamant about using glue on my kiten cabinets and using dados etc. Then I saw Joe Fusco's (RIP) videos on U Tube and had some conversations with him, I starting buying festools and but jointing and screw my cabs together and havent looked back.

I have never had a failure due to no glue and only using screws. But like Brice said, you do need to buy and use good screws.

 

[sancho57]

I'm all for screws and butt joints.  Also, no glue, you don't need it.

Brice,  no glue, for realz?

Yeah, dead serious.  I like prefinished ply for cabinet boxes, so unless you're removing the finish at the joint the glue won't stick.  In my opinion the added time it takes to apply glue and clean up the squeeze out isn't worth what little additional strength that's gained.  You do have to use decent screws, meaning no drywall screws.   

I've always used glue on any cabinets I made, I agree, it's a mess not to mention a pain in the arse.  Hearing you say glue is not necessary makes me want to go build something!  I gotta try that.
Moving on to the screws, you mentioning drywall screws makes me think you're not using pocket screws.  If so, aren't you worried about screwing into end grain?

This is the method that I use.