The Space Plug, a brilliant new device for all kitchen and shop fitters - Video

[Paul G]

I had no idea that it was typical to have that much of a void behind the cabinets in Europe. I haven't seen that  situation here in NA.

The space behind is used for pipework - the incoming water is relatively small but waste pipes can be 2" or so in diameter. The pipe fixings make them stand out a touch and so the space needs to be 2 1/2" to 3".

Peter

Sure do things different on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Very interesting. I can see the usefulness of that product in those circumstances. Here a few packs of shims takes care of it if the walls aren't horrendous.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Paul

Is that because your water in and waste out goes directly into the wall or floor and not run behind several cabinets?

Peter

 

[BrooksC]

Thank you so much Joe Adams. So glad to see that the EZ-Levels are a help to you.

God Bless,
Brooks Courtney, Pres
www.EZ-level.com
800-726-5550

 

[wow]

Hi Paul

Is that because your water in and waste out goes directly into the wall or floor and not run behind several cabinets?

Peter

I am not Paul, but yes - our DWV (Drain/Waste/Vent pipes run inside the wall, and water supply either comes up through the floor or in the wall as well. It is extremely rare to see a pipe run behind a cabinet. You DO sometimes see water and waste HOSES run through the sides of one cabinet into the next one, but this is typically lines from the dishwasher into the sink cabinet where they connect up to the plumbing that (as previously mentioned) comes out of the wall or through the floor.

 

[Paul G]

Hi Paul

Is that because your water in and waste out goes directly into the wall or floor and not run behind several cabinets?

Peter

Exactly. Just cut some holes for the pipes on the cabinets back panel and in it goes.

EDIT: I should add that my experience is limited to relatively newer construction in California (1950's and newer), the US is a big place with parts with much older construction so it's entirely possible there's situations like you're describing.

Here's a simple bathroom do-over I recently did as an example (sorry about the rotation, no idea how to fix via iphone)

 

[andy5405]

I've borrowed some pictures from the Kitchen Fitters Forum to show that Space Plugs have many uses. Here's Space Plugs solving a problem with a door lining and shower head installation.

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[attachimg=1]

 

[jmbfestool]

One of the things SpacePlugs also allow is a design change in the cabinets themselves.

Because of the way they're designed to be used, you don't need the cabinet sides to go all the way to the wall. So not only do you not have to cut holes in the sides of the cabinets for runs of piping/cables etc., but less material is used in the cabinet construction, saving not only the material costs themselves, but also reducing weight and thereby aiding positioning, shipping, handling, etc.

I'm not a professional installer, but I've seen photos of SpacePlugs used for so many different things already that I have a bag handy just in case. Just two examples - I've seen them used between the sides of cabinets and walls to provide solid fixings for cabinets needing scribed filler pieces and to precisely level a shower fixing quickly without having to resort to shims.

Great little things.

Now if we could just get them made in Festool green...  [big grin]

That's why I bought space plugs.

I wanted to change the design of the units I made to save material so I get more yield out of a sheet per unit.

I'm still trying to work out the best method of jointing units together  speed and cost.

I like the lamelo system but its expensive plus the fittings are expensive they can add at least £6 per unit cost.  Far to much.

Im liking tongue and groove method because no extra material cost.  Downside at the moment  need software to do this for me because its slow going drawing the parts myself to Cnc up.

Plus they would need clamping while the glue sets.

Here is a picture of first set of units I made differently with no sides stick out at the rear because ill be using space plugs instead.

 

[jmbfestool]

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]

 

[GarryMartin]

Here is a picture of first set of units I made differently with no sides stick out at the rear because ill be using space plugs instead.

You need to ask Santa for a lens cleaner for your phone!  [wink]

Do you mean the knock-down Lamello fittings like the below? I've always admired them for the low profile, but they are definitely a high-end product when it comes to kitchen cabinet construction.

[attachimg=1]

 

[promhandicam]

I've borrowed some pictures from the Kitchen Fitters Forum to show that Space Plugs have many uses. Here's Space Plugs solving a problem with a door lining and shower head installation.

I can see they might have some uses, but I certainly wouldn't try and fix a door lining with them as linings if not properly secured will have a tendancy to twist. To me that just looks like a bodge.

 

[jmbfestool]

Here is a picture of first set of units I made differently with no sides stick out at the rear because ill be using space plugs instead.

You need to ask Santa for a lens cleaner for your phone!  [wink]

Do you mean the knock-down Lamello fittings like the below? I've always admired them for the low profile, but they are definitely a high-end product when it comes to kitchen cabinet construction.

[attachimg=1]

Haahaa lol I can't the dirt on my iphone lens is behind the glass so I can't get to it unless I take my iphone apart again.  Can't be bothered lol

Yeah those are the fixings I am on about but they add alot of cost per unit. 

Plus not my Cnc friendly it will have to be an after process once the panels are cut so more time.

J

 

[GarryMartin]

Plus not my Cnc friendly it will have to be an after process once the panels are cut so more time.

The Rafix fixings are CNC friendly - have you discounted them?

To be honest, if you don't need knockdown, and you want to avoid clamping, wouldn't dowel/dominoes and Confirmat screws be the way to go?

 

[jmbfestool]

Plus not my Cnc friendly it will have to be an after process once the panels are cut so more time.

The Rafix fixings are CNC friendly - have you discounted them?

To be honest, if you don't need knockdown, and you want to avoid clamping, wouldn't dowel/dominoes and Confirmat screws be the way to go?

No not at all.  They do seem the best way to go for one process operation. 
From Cutting and machining the sheet to assembly  appose to using another tool doing more machining before assembling.   

I was just hoping I could find a more discrete method of fixing.

But everything more discreet seem to requires another machining process. 

So a lot more time.

I might give them a try see how solid they are etc.

I'm not wanting anything knock down once its up its up not my problem if clients want to dismantle it.

Thing is with dowels, dominos it's another process more time.  I don't mind for my self but like my mate asked me yesterday, he just wants me to make him some bespoke box units for some wardrobes he's going to do for a client and in flat pack is what he needs because they are full ceiling height units so and are made to measure.  So I wanna be able to do it as cheap as possible for him.  Its a budget custome build lol

 

[Deansocial]

I've borrowed some pictures from the Kitchen Fitters Forum to show that Space Plugs have many uses. Here's Space Plugs solving a problem with a door lining and shower head installation.

I can see they might have some uses, but I certainly wouldn't try and fix a door lining with them as linings if not properly secured will have a tendancy to twist. To me that just looks like a bodge.

I couldnt agree more, for a start need 2 rows of fixings. I did see this on kff but kept my gob shut i think

 

[Deansocial]

Rafix would be perfect for kitchen units because they are u der on top or behind the unit. That or just dowel and screw together as you will have decor end panels anyway.

Dont over complicate it

 

[andy5405]

Here's some pics of the first kitchen cabinets I have fixed using Space Plugs. The cabinets have solid tops and I was worried that the plugs were going to be awkward to fit having one hand in the cabinet and and one hand on top of it at the same time so to speak. I won't bore you with details but the short version is that it was easier than falling off a log. I also had batten behind the units to support the granite around the sink and hob cut-out. I thought that would complicate access for fitting too, again it would be harder to fall off a log.

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So here's my fist ever Space Plug fitted and like all new methods a lot of things became apparent once I had used them. Peter has pointed out a lot in his video and part of this kitchen had stud walls. Space Plugs certainly made life easier and I have never been happy trying to get a good fixing in plasterboard/drywall when drilling at an angle for L Brackets.

They also provide control of the cabinet levelling in another axis. The idea is that you use the plugs once the cabinets are in their final position and level but is very useful to have a fixing that is micro adjustable after fixing. Using L brackets the only way to adjust if necessary after fixing is to use packers which I have never found satisfactory. I also found that there is still scope for height adjustment after the Space Plug is fitted by perhaps a few mm. It does make the plug slightly skewed but it doesn't affect the strength or integrity of the fixing.

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I had one awkward cabinet to install, a stand alone 260w x 300d next to an integrated dishwasher space. I have a 600 spacer I use to help align appliance gaps and I screw it to the cabinet tops whilst I'm aligning. However with a cabinet like this I'm never sure that it will stay in perfect alignment after I have fixed it and removed the spacer.

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Well it turns out that with Space Plugs it wasn't a problem. Everybody that I have spoken to that uses Space Plugs says that you instantly find uses for them solving all sorts of problems once you actually have them in your toolbox. I used 3 plugs behind this cabinet with the middle screw hidden behind the centre shelf. It gave me absolute control over the positioning of the cabinet and made an awkward job really easy.

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The real proof is what happens when the spacer is removed. I unscrewed it and removed and the cabinet didn't move at all, it was absolutely rock solid. If I did need to adjust it Space Plugs would have made that very simple. Whilst it was in position I piloted two holes behind the hinges and removed the cabinet. This enabled me to drill and plug to the adjacent wall with normal screws and plugs. I then refixed using the Space Plugs and put two screws in behind the hinges. These last two screws weren't really necessary as the Space Plugs were enough to hold the cabinet but I always like a belt and braces solution.

[attachimg=5]

I would have to say that I would highly recommend that people try these out, they have loads of uses beyond fixing kitchen cabinets. I thought they were a good idea before I tried them and after trying them I think they are a brilliant idea and I will be ordering some more.

I see my initial Space Plug experience as very similar to owning my 1st TS55. I spent 3 years agonising over whether or not I would buy a TS55. I wanted one but couldn't justify the expense when I already had a cheaper workable solution in the form of a straight edge, a skill saw and a router to clean up the cuts. That's what I initially thought about Space Plugs too and I felt I had a cheaper workable solution in L brackets. If you are an SPD (Space Plug Doubter), as I once was, I recommend that you buy a 10 pack of each size. I would be absolutely gobsmacked if you don't have a Space Plug epiphany and become fully converted. You too will soon be telling all your work colleagues of all the innovative uses you have found for them.   

Space Plug Online Shop

 

[jmbfestool]

Me two. 

Made my cabinets with 15mm backs and using space plugs allowed me to fix where ever I want avoiding cables. 

I like the space plugs I'll be doing a key groove on my next set of units so I can slide the space plugs into and so no need to hold them

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[attachimg=1]

 

[promhandicam]

Here's some pics of the first kitchen cabinets I have fixed using Space Plugs. . . . .I recommend that you buy a 10 pack of each size. I would be absolutely gobsmacked if you don't have a Space Plug epiphany and become fully converted. You too will soon be telling all your work colleagues of all the innovative uses you have found for them.   

Space Plug Online Shop

They look good but they look even better if you buy from Folkstone Fittings - a lot cheaper than the above link and free shipping.

 

[andy5405]

It looks like my Space Plug and TS55 analogy was accurate. Here's the FFX page for a 50 pack of the smaller size. Look at the bottom where it says:

Customers who bought this item also bought

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FFX Space Plugs

 

[joiner1970]

Odd what's that FORGEFIX logo all about I've followed these space plugs for a while on the forums and never heard that company mentioned.