Hafele extrusions for cabinet door frames

[Packard]

I’ve been wanting to make two cabinets with glass doors and narrow black frames around the door.

For reasons of structural strength and hinge placement, about 1-1/2” is the narrowest that is feasible and I worry about the structural strength.

I see that Hafele sells prefinished aluminum extrusions (powder coated or anodized) that assemble just like aluminum picture frames.

I’ve mitered and assembled hundreds of aluminum picture frames.  I still have my dedicated picture frame miter machine (45 degree cuts are pre-set at the factory for greater accuracy).  The very pricey saw blade (about $200.00l in the mid 1980s) makes very clean cuts.  Since the material is prefinished, the precise cuts and clean cutoffs are essential.

Assembly is with corner brackets that slide into a channel in the rear and held in place with set screws.  The hinges also use that channel and can slide anywhere along the length of the molding.

When I was building picture frames, I could miter the molding, assemble the frame and cut the glass in under one hour.

A cabinet door from start to finish in one hour would be amazing. 

However the moldings are about 3 times the cost of picture frame moldings, the $0.25 corner brackets are now $3.00 to $12.00 each. 

But still, fast and easy.  Except I am not clear on what exactly to order. 

Has anyone used this system?

Here is the google search I used: https://www.google.com/search?q=haf...frames&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-m

 

[xedos]

This stuff is not made in the far east like your picture frame material prob. is.  It's going to cost more.  Hafele is not a "budget" option for anything really.

Have you talked with your rep ?  They should be able to advise you what to order or put you with the correct person at the shop.  I believe they will make the door for you if you provide the finish sizes for what you want.  I'm pretty sure they don't do powder coated colors in the classic series you linked though.  Used to just be two flavors of silver.  Their premium frame doors do come in colors, but require a precise hinge cutout that isn't exactly easy without a dedicated machine.

If I were looking for black thin frame doors - I'd be contacting Element Designs in Charlotte.  In the hour it takes you to cut/assemble one door, I can order an entire kitchen's worth and still have time leftover for another task. 

And lunch.

 

[Packard]

Thanks for the info.