Custom matched built-in (aka, thankfully I have a ton of systainers)

[Jonhilgen]

This client wanted the built in on the right side to match the one on the left side.  The right side was built with having a TV sit on the countertop by the previous homeowner, which this client hated.  So, tear it out, build a new one, and put the new one in.

Unfortunately, when I built it I was under the impression that I am 15 years younger than I am now and I could just cut it to fit and muscle it in by myself.  Well, once I got the cabinet to the jobsite, and up a flight of stairs I came to the realization that I would have one heck of a time lifting it into place.  Not that it was too heavy, but it was just awkward enough that it would be nearly impossible to dead-lift it high enough so I could then get under it.

Enter the systainers...I had seen this done somewhere on the fog, and figured it was worth a shot.  So I "walked" it up my systainers, starting with one on the left, then one in the right, and so on until I ran out of evenly sized systainers.  Once I got it just under countertop height, it was easy to lift and beat into place (openings are always narrower at the front and require, ahem, persuasion to get them in if you want a tight fit once it falls back into said opening)

Jon
--spelling edits

 

[peter halle]

Did you reward your helpers with a shot? of Armor All?

Great looking project Jon!

Peter

 

[Jonhilgen]

You must have me confused with someone whose name rhymes with Brice. [big grin]

Thanks Peter!  Yes, that dark sys 1 on the top right stack is a Fogtainer...

 

[tiralie]

Jon:
Looks great.
How much gap is there between the stile/face frame and the wall if you have to allow for the narrowness of the front to the back?

I always add the face frame after so I can scribe, never thought of shoe horning a cabinet in. How did you do that?
Tim

 

[Jonhilgen]

Tim,  thanks!

There's about 3/4" overhang from the edge of the faceframe to the endpanel, but as far as cabinet width to opening width, no more than a 1/16 less overall.  So the trick is to push one side in first just enough to shoehorn it in.  But you have to commit!  It's a little sketchy sometimes because the fit can be so tight at first there's no going back.

As far as the measuring and cutting  process...I use a couple of tongue and groove pieces to spread into the opening to get accurate dimensions.  In this case, I was lucky in that the left side wall was perfectly plumb.  So all I had to do was cut that side straight, then take measurements every ten inches or so on the right side, mark those measurements on the left faceframe, join the marks with a pencil line, cut close to line with the ts55 (belt sand to the line) and voila.  The front of the opening was 48 5/8, but the cabinet faceframe at the top was 48 13/16... If this doesn't make sense, please let me know  Perfect fit.  Now when both walls are out plumb...

Usually, when I build large faceframe cabinets, I make a joint in the faceframe at the top, using a domino for alignment, so I can easily transport amd install them.  In this case, I was feeling stronger than usual when I built it.

Most of the time I install prefinished cabinets, so I've been forced to learn to do it this way so many times its just easier for me to do it this way.  Especially since I had these prefinished as well.

 

[mastercabman]

jon
Did you build the cabinet?  Or put it together from cabinets parts?
I'm having a hard time with the pictures you posted,i see beaded back panel but is that also a beaded face frame?
Nice work!

 

[Vindingo]

Very nice!  It looks like it has always been there.

A question which ties into another members post-  MDF or Plywood? 

 

[tiralie]

There's about 3/4" overhang from the edge of the faceframe to the endpanel, but as far as cabinet width to opening width, no more than a 1/16 less overall.  So the trick is to push one side in first just enough to shoehorn it in.  But you have to commit!  It's a little sketchy sometimes because the fit can be so tight at first there's no going back.

Jon:
Thanks, I got it.
Still can't do it. Scares the crap outta me when I try.
I always think I am gonna bust something, and I probably would.
I either apply the face frame after or cut the wallboard and then patch after. I just find it easier although it does take a bit more time.
Tim

 

[Jonhilgen]

jon
Did you build the cabinet?  Or put it together from cabinets parts?
I'm having a hard time with the pictures you posted,i see beaded back panel but is that also a beaded face frame?
Nice work!

Sorry for the crappy pictures, but yes, I built it amd had it finished to match (I'm just not set up to do finish work).
Yes, that's a beadboard mdf back, and a beaded faceframe.  My apologies to the purists out there, but its an applied bead on the faceframe...

Tim, I understand! 

Vindingo, thanks.  The cabinet is d3 maple ply, with a 1/4 beadboard back, but I do build quite a few cabinets out of mdf.  On some level, I knew that an mdf cabinet would have been too heavy, hence the plywood.  Sometimes its a budget issue 42.00 for plywood vs. 27.00 (roughly) for mdf.  That difference can add up real quick, and push a job out of budget for some clients.

Jon

 

[honeydoman]

Looks good. And. Bead board!!  Yep humping stuff up stairs sucks.  We're you at Gary's Katz roadshow couple weeks ago?  There

 

[Jonhilgen]

Kreg, I was asking myself "I wonder how long it will take Kreg to happen along this post and notice the beadboard?" [tongue]

No, I wasnt there.  Please don't tell me it was close to South Carolina....

Jon

 

[Jonhilgen]

Well yesterday I receved a call on my cell phone from a toll free number.  I usually just dump phone calls like these to voicemail, but this time I didn't.  Turns out it was Angies List following up on a "great review" given by this client! 

Anyone else gotten an Angies List review?  If so, is there a noticeable jump in leads? 

Jon

 

[tiralie]

Turns out it was Angies List following up on a "great review" given by this client! 

Congratulations! I am sure you deserve it.
Angie (sic) has never called me [wink]
Tim

 

[tbellemare]

Jon:

I've used Angie's list to find new sub's and was pleased with the results. I think it's likely to help.

Tom

 

[builderbob]

Jon, I had a client write a great review as well and I got the same call from Angie's list. I haven't gotten a single call from anyone that has seen my business profile etc. I have gotten more calls from Angie's list toll free to ask me to sign up for paid services that may help me get more leads. I haven't followed up on it, but I really don't know how much business is generated from their site...could be a gold mine!

Bob

 

[ericbuggeln]

I also had a client write me up on Angies List. In three years i have gotten three calls and they have all wound up being the biggest waste of my time of that particular year. This year i had the most out of touch with reality women referred to me by my tile guy. Halfway throught the interview she told me she used Angies List, by that time i was already heading for the door. We are in a recession and i wouldnt turn anyone down, but this women was intolerable. Suprisingly she was single. Whatever yoi do dont give them any money, Eric