CNC for kitchen cabinets

[chriship]

Hi all,

I recently came across a youtube video detailing a kitchen build using a 'hobby' CNC router:

I'm keen to try this myself using the Aribabox's designs and am looking for CNC recommendations. Budget would be probably £3k but I'm fairly flexible with that. I'm happy to get a kit and build it myself if that is a better way to spend the money. Most of the designs seem to come with variations based on 800 x 1200 (2.6 x 4 ft), 1200 x 1200 (4 x 4 ft) and 1220 x 2440 (4 x 8 ft) CNC routers.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Phill05]

Welcome Chris, I would say if you have the time and ability to work to fine tolerances then have a go yourself, I found it so frustrating when a bought cnc did not do what I wanted and I decided to go it myself and make my own.

All the parts are readily available you just need to sit down and make a list of what you want to achieve, then draw-up a design to work to and make a list of parts, you can find others that have made cnc's and pinch some of their idea's.
There are some websites that people talk about how they made parts take a look and have a go.

It does not stop at the machine itself you need a good drawing/design package Cad-Cam to learn as well.
Any questions get back to me.

 

[chriship]

Welcome Chris, I would say if you have the time and ability to work to fine tolerances then have a go yourself, I found it so frustrating when a bought cnc did not do what I wanted and I decided to go it myself and make my own.

All the parts are readily available you just need to sit down and make a list of what you want to achieve, then draw-up a design to work to and make a list of parts, you can find others that have made cnc's and pinch some of their idea's.
There are some websites that people talk about how they made parts take a look and have a go.

It does not stop at the machine itself you need a good drawing/design package Cad-Cam to learn as well.
Any questions get back to me.

Thanks for the reply Phil.

My (in)ability to work to fine tolerances is exactly why I'm looking into CNC's. I've done a bit of woodwork but I'd not be confident doing a whole kitchen. I'm fairly comfortable with software and am assuming (possibly naively), that with the Aribabox designs I'll be able to just run them through the CNC and fit them together.

I'd be interested to know what difficulties you had with your CNC, that might help make up my mind.

 

[HOJ]

I presumed from your post this was to set yourself up making them to sell, I'm curious as to the financial benefit in the long run of spending £3K to just buy a machine to make A kitchen.

For that sort of money you would probably be getting close to buying a good track saw, an MFT type setup, a couple of battery drill/screwdrivers and most of the basic raw materials to make a kitchen and still have some change.

 

[chriship]

I presumed from your post this was to set yourself up making them to sell, I'm curious as to the financial benefit in the long run of spending £3K to just buy a machine to make A kitchen.

For that sort of money you would probably be getting close to buying a good track saw, an MFT type setup, a couple of battery drill/screwdrivers and most of the basic raw materials to make a kitchen and still have some change.

Ah yes sorry I should have confirmed this is for me to make my own kitchen. But I also have a quite a few bits of furniture I'd like to make also so it wouldn't be a one-time use. I also like the idea of being able to easily replace cabinets should I need to.

I'm not opposed to getting power tools instead and trying my hand at it if everyone thinks it's a better route. On the face of it, it just seems a lot simpler to use a CNC.

 

[Jester129]

To design, source the parts, then build a cnc machine certainly isn't 'simple'!!

 

[TomGW]

You’re probably not thinking of this level of a machine but worth a watch, of all 4 episodes, nevertheless.

 

[Ollie78]

Cnc machines are amazing and I would certainly advise you get one. But not for making a kitchen. You just need a track saw or something.
A kitchen is basically just a load of rectangles which can be cut very quickly with a track saw or a panel saw to very high accuracy.
To be honest, I would suggest buying the boxes from DIY kitchens or somewhere and custom build the doors or other parts to your requirements.
Spend the time and effort on the custom bits you can see.

I definitely think you should buy or build a CNC but not really for this job and not before you have done a lot of reading. Mycncuk and cnc zone have large build threads and advice sections.

If you have an "inability to work to fine tolerances" maybe building a CNC machine in not the best plan !!

Ollie

 

[Jamesc]

Have you looked into CNC cutting services. I have found that by the time you have sourced quality sheet material they can be very competative.
I found that sourcing some materials in small quantities near impossible as an individual, but easily ordered them cut and delivered in a few days.

 

[SimonStevensCanes]

To be perfectly honest, even if I owned a CNC I would get my local sheet goods supplier to perform the cuts on their beam saw. It's pretty cheap and way less hassle than dealing with full size boards. I did this when building a large built-in pantry and it was definitely the right call. Everything was at the exact dimensions specified, no tear out or other defects, all I had to do was pocket hole it together. Have a phone around for a plywood/sheet goods supplier near you with a beam saw.

 

[meccarroll]

Has this project got off the ground? the reason I ask is it was originally posted in May 13 2024.

I would def use a CNC to make kitchen components but you really need a CNC that can cope with 8' x 4' sheets otherwise you will be making a lot of toolpaths.

A track saw is maybe ok but a lot of setting up so slow, a panel saw is better but you can sometimes have a chip in melamine if you do not clean every bit of the machines sliding table (it can make vibrations which then result in chipping) so the best results are from a CNC which must be properly set up. To be honest I use both CNC and panel saw mainy because my CNC is not big enough to accomodate a 8' by 4' sheet.

 

[chriship]

Has this project got off the ground? the reason I ask is it was originally posted in May 13 2024.

I would def use a CNC to make kitchen components but you really need a CNC that can cope with 8' x 4' sheets otherwise you will be making a lot of toolpaths.

A track saw is maybe ok but a lot of setting up so slow, a panel saw is better but you can sometimes have a chip in melamine if you do not clean every bit of the machines sliding table (it can make vibrations which then result in chipping) so the best results are from a CNC which must be properly set up. To be honest I use both CNC and panel saw mainy because my CNC is not big enough to accomodate a 8' by 4' sheet.

Not yet tbh. I'm still trying to finish my shed to house the CNC to build the kitchen units

I still think I will get a basic CNC. Last time I looks it was between the Yeti Smartbench and the Carbide Shapeoko but I'll do more research once the shed is up (hopefully next week).

 

[meccarroll]

Not yet tbh. I'm still trying to finish my shed to house the CNC to build the kitchen units

I still think I will get a basic CNC. Last time I looks it was between the Yeti Smartbench and the Carbide Shapeoko but I'll do more research once the shed is up (hopefully next week).

Ok up to you but you need a good rigid frame for any real time saving machining and I would advise against the Yeti for what you require a CNC for. A Yeti might might be ok for light carving taking light cuts out of sheet material but for any real serious macining such as profiling cabinet I would look to a rigid machine.

I was in your shoes 4 years ago and thought a work bee was a good start but then covid arrived and my supply of parts dried up so I purchased a second hand steel framed CNC and since using it realise how important a rigid frame is to accurate CNC work.

All the best Mark

PS: My friend has an aluminium framed (Bolt together) CNC and said his machine would fall apart trying to do what my steel framed can.

 

[AutoDoc Williams]

it just seems a lot simpler to use a CNC.

That's what I thought too, but for panel jobs like what you're doing I'd be out in the driveway with a circular saw and a straightedge. I just finished a pantry cabinet for the missus and the only thing I used the CNC (Shapeoko 4XXL) for were the fronts of the internal drawers to

ensure consistent cuts with the curved parts. That being said, there are plenty other things that I use the CNC for, mostly, like this job for multiple copies of parts that need to be exact or any kind of router work that I know I'd muck up. If you end up with a Shapeoko CNC, and you have questions, let me know, and I'll do my best to help.

 

[chriship]

Thanks both. Good to hear that the Shapeoko is up to the job. I think Yeti have just gone into administration so a bit precarious there anyway.

I currently don't have a decent table saw so I'm still weighing up whether to go that route instead. If I do get a CNC it will be doing almost everything.

 

[Spectric]

I currently don't have a decent table saw

For cutting up full sheets then look at tracksaws and there is plenty of information to be found on the UKW. If you have the space and cash then a sliding panel saw is the best tool for the job but for many just the space required is to much.

 

[timbra]

I recently purchased a Yeti Smart Bench second hand and it is more than up to the job of pretty heavy work. It cut the below oak worktop. Yes they have gone into administration recently which may cause some issues of getting spares, but I’m hoping that Trend (who I think already have some investment in them) will take over.

 

[chriship]

I recently purchased a Yeti Smart Bench second hand and it is more than up to the job of pretty heavy work. It cut the below oak worktop. Yes they have gone into administration recently which may cause some issues of getting spares, but I’m hoping that Trend (who I think already have some investment in them) will take over.View attachment 188682View attachment 188683

Worktop looks great, nice work! How do you find the accuracy of the Smartbench? I felt it was rated quite low compared to other CNC machines, even hobby ones (+/- 0.5mm).

 

[timbra]

Worktop looks great, nice work! How do you find the accuracy of the Smartbench? I felt it was rated quite low compared to other CNC machines, even hobby ones (+/- 0.5mm).

So far, so good. They purposely don’t commit to a tighter tolerance than this because there are inherent factors in the design of smart bench which can reduce tolerance e.g the portable nature of it and how it runs on wheels. However, if you are diligent and keep it free of dust etc. I believe it is more than accurate for cabinetmaking. Plus, for me, it is a big benefit that I can fold it up and move it easily should I need to.

It’s the only 8x4 machine at this price point I believe.

 

[meccarroll]

Worktop looks great, nice work! How do you find the accuracy of the Smartbench? I felt it was rated quite low compared to other CNC machines, even hobby ones (+/- 0.5mm).

I am in the process of making a kitchen right now and have a CNC (Steel Frame so rigid) and a Panel saw with scoring blade.

I started out thinking I would use the CNC for most of the cutting drilling etc but ran into the problem of size, my CNC has a work area of 700mm wide by 1500 long so to use it:

1. I first have to cut down the sheet material to fit on the CNC.
2. I then have to devise a way of holding the panel down while I cut it out.
3. I can not cut right through the panel without using tabs to hold it in place otherwise the panel moves all over the place on the final cut and the bit destroys the panel.
4. Using tabs and hold downs means I have to oversize the material in the first place so I can hold it in place while machining so wasting material.

After I cut the smaller top units out on the CNC I decided to move over to the panel saw for cutting the sheets to size which worked out a lot better. Then once cut to size I put them on the CNC to do the drilling and grooving which seemed a better way to use my CNC. If I had a ridgid 8' x 4' CNC I would probably use that for the cutting too as they produce a very clean cut when using the right cutter.

I would say 0.5 mm is way off for a CNC especially if you are drilling holes that need to be in the correct position and correct size. I had to upgrade my collets from standard chinese ones to AA and AAA grade collets because to holes were just not accurate enough for my kitchen with standard collets (The standard collets produced holes about 0.1 to 0.2mm too large which gave a sloppy fit to shelf pins etc). If you don't have good quality collets then the bits you use will spin eccentrically. I have had my CNC for about three years and only noticed the problem with the collets when I needed to be really accurate. For V carving and other stuff I never noticed the problem with my chepo chinese collets but I did when drilling holes for my kitchen.

From what TIMBRA has said 8'x4' is brill but I'd want to test one out first by cutting melamine panels and drilling holes in a few offcuts first, it's something to think about.

Mark