Kitchen cabinet doors - Redwood? Easy to work?

[Wouldchuk]

As a first project, I am looking at replacing some kitchen cabinet doors - I had planned to build a simple panel door using rail and style cutters on the router table to achieve the mouldings, straight forward mortice and tenon joinery again with the router/saw.

I will be giving these a painted finish, so grain is not important, but being a beginner, workability is!

I have had recommendations to use quality grade Redwood softwood, but was concerned as had read that this can be tricky to work with when using power tools - is this something I should heed, and if so, is there a better suggestion as to the material i should use?

This is for cabinets onboard a narrowboat so not a huge amount - three cupboard doors and around 6 drawer fronts. I had thought about using Beech?

Any suggestions gratefully receieved - along with rationale please as i am trying to learn!

 

[liam8223]

I would go for poplar (also called tulipwood) takes paint lovely

 

[Phil Sewell]

Any jobs I do that are going to be painted I use poplar. It works well with machine and hand tools.
P.

 

[Kev]

I would echo others.

Have just made my kitchen doors out of poplar/tulipwood and was amazed at a) how well it works and b) how good it sands and takes a finish. Wouldn't use anything else for this type of work now. Price is probably comparable with redwood as well I would have thought.

 

[Pond]

I don't know the answer but have another question pertinent to this.

Is 'cheap' softwood not very prone to knocks and scratches, therefore making it unsuitable for hard working kitchen facings?? What about stability, especially in a damp atmosphere aboard a boat?

These are questions, you understand, not opinions, as I know diddly about it :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I would use MRMDF, for workability and for the finish you will achieve when painting.

use these cutters http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Onl ... t_260.html

i would buy the top one where A) is 6mm then you can use 6mm mrmdf for you panels for a nice tight fit.

 

[George_N]

If you are painting, I'd go with Mark and use MDF. I would also make the frame with loose tenons (the same 6 mm MDF as the panels). The only router bit you need is a 1/4" straight bit to cut the grooves in the rails and stiles, including the ends of the rails. Simples.

 

[Deansocial]

poplar and mdf panels gets my vote

 

[Jacob]

I wouldn't use mdf for anything but firewood. Did you say boat? Wants to be nice hardwood - teak, iroko etc with good quality ply or solid panels.
Redwood tougher than tulip wood but tulip is good for paint and easiness.

 

[Shane]

Just a word of warning re redwood, it can move like bu**ery with changes in humidity

 

[milkman]

I'd go moisture resistant MDF or hardwood. Or ply?

I really like tulipwood but durable it isn't. And on narrowboats you end up knocking edges and corners all the time

 

[Wouldchuk]

Hmm...

Im not convinced on the redwood then for its potential difficulty in routing, and stability,

Poplar has benefits for the finishing and price, but may not be as durable...

Im not convinced about the moisture-resistant MDF - it may be easy to work with but again it isnt all that durable - being a tight space, through which we regularly bang and crash, i wouldnt want to be going to all that effort only for it to be dinged and scraped... and ive seen cupboards made out of MDF in the past which has 'blown' around the edges from damp and looks tatty (although recognise that these may not have been MR)

What would a suitable hardwood be - combining the ease of working (predominantly routing), durability and finish, at a reasonably price and not a total sin to paint...!!!??

 

[milkman]

You could still go MRMDF and glue/nail hardwood lippings on the vulnerable edges. Still going to be cheaper than hardwood throughout, more stable and feel less of a crime when you paint it! : )

 

[Shane]

What would a suitable hardwood be - combining the ease of working (predominantly routing), durability and finish, at a reasonably price and not a total sin to paint...!!!??

I would go for sapele, it's ok to work with, just watch for the alternating grain, and it takes paint well and has pretty good durability. Idigbo is probably the only cheaper hardwood but it's horrible to work with.

 

[Anonymous]

american white ash.

we are only talking a handful of doors.

MRMDF doesn't blow on the edges if it is sealed correctly.

 

[Shane]

If you use Ash make sure it is sealed properly is it is non durable/perishable and goes black/rots and swells if it gets too wet

 

[Warren]

Hi guys,.
great useful information shared about the designs and settings of Kitchen cabinet doors,.
I also want to choice about the Kitchen cabinet doors paint colours,.
what is your choice,.?