How to 101- Raised Panel Cabinet Doors
Skill Level: 2 of 5
Suggested Tools:
-Miter Saw- Could use a Skill Saw and Carpenters Square
-Table Saw- See Above plus Framing Square
-Drill Press- Hand Drill will work
-Biscuit Joiner with #20 Biscuits
-Router Table with 3/4hp :
Router plus 3 piece set of Panel Bits
-Hand held Router with Bit
-Palm Sander
-Clamps
-Glue
-Sharp Pencil
-I would highly recommend a dust collector as well
I start with the panel, Cut boards about 1 longer then needed (this does not need to be exact). Run then threw the Table Saw to square the edges. Dry fit them together, (alternating wood grain will give a more stable panel). Number the boards and
layout the biscuit locations, 3 per board about 4 in and one in the center. Glue it up, clamp and set aside.
Next is the Frame, Using 1x6 material cut the Rail and Stile blanks to exact length. Then rip them to width to get both pieces, this way they are exactly the same length. Use the Rail Bit to cut the ends of the top and bottom Rails, Change to the Stile
Bit and route one side of all four pieces. (Always keep the good face DOWN!!!!)
Take one Stile and lay out the hinges and drill. Much easier now then after the door is complete.
Back to the Panel, it is preferable to have a panel sled for the Table Saw at this point. Remove just enough material to make one end square then mark and cut to final length. Measure width of panel blank and subtract width of finished size, divide by 2 and on the Table Saw remove that amount from one side, measure to verify and cut to final width.
On the Router Table set the Panel Bit to height and move the fence in so only about 1/3rd of the bit is showing, dont try and do
it in one pass, your very expensive bit wont last long. I prefer a bit with a back cutter. Cut 1st third of ALL your panels,
rest fence to 2nd third and repeat and so on. (If using a very hard wood use more steps).
Now DRY fit it all together, the panel should have just a little wiggle room for expansion. Take
it apart and stain the Panel now otherwise you have a visable line when it shrinks in the Winter. For the glue up
ONLY glue the Rails to the Stiles no glue on the Panel, Clamp it up. Last step is to Route exterior profile. Now just
sand the frame, stain and hang.

I hope some of you find this helpful and interesting, Ive never tried to put this on paper before so if you see an omission, or you have suggestions please add them.
If you have a project you would like to share, please do so on a new Thread to keep it organized. Thanks,
Mickey

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