Mike.C
Established Member
Congrats Martin, and to Mrs Martin too :lol:
WELL DONE, ANOTHER FUTURE WOODWORKER =D>
Cheers
Mike
WELL DONE, ANOTHER FUTURE WOODWORKER =D>
Cheers
Mike
Build or buy kitchen base units?
- Thread starter martlewis
- Start date
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Martin, congratulations to you both on the birth of your son.
I went down the 'make your own units' road. I went for MFC, which I bought through a local timber merchant, cost about £22/ sheet (8'x4'). I planned the layout and worked out the sizes of each part for the units. I used a program called Cutlist to optimise the layout for cutting...it cost about the same as one sheet of MFC, so well worth it. I got the whole kitchen out of 10 sheets (I had guestimated nearer 20 sheets) so not too expensive for materials. I have made frame and panel doors out of MDF and painted to suit the boss.
The downside...MFC is a pig to work with. Even with good tools it chips as soon as you look at it and the tools blunt quickly. It also takes longer than you estimate to build even one unit. If, like me you are short on time (and with a new baby you will be) and only get a Saturday or Sunday to work on the project, you may only get one unit or door made in a session.
I know you can get pre-edged MFC that is 570 mm wide, the depth of a base unit side, which makes it a bit easier and quicker but probably more expensive. All-in-all I would probably buy ready made units if I were to do it again, because it quickly goes from being fun to being a chore especially if you get questions from SWMBO as to why it is taking so long to get this 'simple' job done.
I went down the 'make your own units' road. I went for MFC, which I bought through a local timber merchant, cost about £22/ sheet (8'x4'). I planned the layout and worked out the sizes of each part for the units. I used a program called Cutlist to optimise the layout for cutting...it cost about the same as one sheet of MFC, so well worth it. I got the whole kitchen out of 10 sheets (I had guestimated nearer 20 sheets) so not too expensive for materials. I have made frame and panel doors out of MDF and painted to suit the boss.
The downside...MFC is a pig to work with. Even with good tools it chips as soon as you look at it and the tools blunt quickly. It also takes longer than you estimate to build even one unit. If, like me you are short on time (and with a new baby you will be) and only get a Saturday or Sunday to work on the project, you may only get one unit or door made in a session.
I know you can get pre-edged MFC that is 570 mm wide, the depth of a base unit side, which makes it a bit easier and quicker but probably more expensive. All-in-all I would probably buy ready made units if I were to do it again, because it quickly goes from being fun to being a chore especially if you get questions from SWMBO as to why it is taking so long to get this 'simple' job done.
Gill makes a very valid point about frame construction over slab construction. My first kitchen I built as frame construction, made the doors (solid mahogany) and the top was plywood with Formica sheet on top. There was however. no other option i.e. factory made units. Still proud of that kitchen 20 years on!
Ike
Ike
martlewis
Established Member
Finally posted the first rough sketches of the kitchen in the design forum if anyone wants to look and offer feedback, all welcome. SWMBO insists the worktops are wood which is going to be expensive but I daren't argue!!! The main length of worktop is quite deep, front to back, as it has to conceal washer/dryer. Is it likely that I'll find worktop extra wide, or has anyone advice on making my own and what wood to use?
Cheers.
Cheers.
SteveD
New member
I would go with Howdens to. Used them many times,good for the price.
Steve
Steve
You should be able to get away with a 650mm top. I have used these with free standing appliances and put doors in front, provided thereare no rigid pipes running accross the back.
900mm tops are also available off the shelf but a bit wasteful, the offcuts can make nice matching windowcills or floating shelves Just be careful picking them up as a 900x4100 top weighs a bit :wink:
I get mine from Richard Russel but there are other suppliers around the country.
You could also make your own, I have done it several times in the past from sawn timber but now I find it less hastle to buy in PAR boards and make them up from these or even have them completely made up but you are looking at £250+ per meter run for wide long boards rather than thin short staves that you get with off the shelf tops.
Jason
900mm tops are also available off the shelf but a bit wasteful, the offcuts can make nice matching windowcills or floating shelves Just be careful picking them up as a 900x4100 top weighs a bit :wink:
I get mine from Richard Russel but there are other suppliers around the country.
You could also make your own, I have done it several times in the past from sawn timber but now I find it less hastle to buy in PAR boards and make them up from these or even have them completely made up but you are looking at £250+ per meter run for wide long boards rather than thin short staves that you get with off the shelf tops.
Jason
