-
-
-
-
-
-
Lesson Plan
12 Video Lessons · 1H 58M
-
1. Course Overview
Your instructor, Ken, welcomes you to this cabinet making course, shares what you'll learn about cabinetry, and discusses how he began his career as a cabinet maker.
-
2. Anatomy
Learn the basic parts of a cabinet. Ken describes the cabinet box, face frame, and different types of joints and cabinet doors you'll see on your journey as a cabinet maker.
-
3. Hardware
Hinges, knobs, and drawer slides, oh my! Cabinet hardware choices are endless, and boil down to personal taste and budget. Ken takes you through a handful of options when choosing cabinet hardware.
-
4. Material Selection
Ken teaches you how to decide what materials to use for your cabinet box and cabinet door construction, how to inspect the wood you're considering, and how to care for it once it gets to your shop.
-
5. Building Cabinet Boxes: Rip Cuts and Cross Cuts
Working from a simple sketch, Ken shows you how to cut your sheet goods down to size to create the top, bottom, back, and sides of your cabinet case.
-
6. Building Cabinet Boxes: Dado Joinery
Learn how to prepare the pieces of your cabinet box for assembly using a simple dado stack in your table saw.
-
7. Building Cabinet Boxes: Box Assembly
Ken shows you how to assemble your cabinet box and troubleshoot a couple of common problems that might arise during assembly.
-
8. Building Cabinet Boxes: Edge Banding
Edge banding is the thin material that covers the edges of plywood on your cabinet to hide the exposed grain. You can edge band with a specialized machine, but here Ken shows you how to do it by hand.
-
9. Building Cabinet Doors: Sizing and Cutting
Ken teaches you how to measure and cut two cabinet door panels, and the right way to double check your work.
-
10. Building Cabinet Doors: Edge Banding
Cabinet doors need edge banding, too. Ken takes you through edge banding, trimming, and checking your measurements.
-
11. Building Cabinet Doors: Boring and Sanding
Ken shows you how to properly bore holes for hinges on your cabinet doors and sand them down so they're smooth to the touch.
-
12. Building Cabinet Doors: Adding Hardware
The final step in cabinet construction is adding your hardware and mounting the doors. Ken shows you how to put hinges on the cabinet, install the cabinet doors, and prep your cabinet for finishing.
Key Topics
-
Basic anatomy of a cabinet
-
How to make a cabinet box
-
How to make edge banding by hand
-
How to create a simple door panel
-
How to bore holes for hinges
-
How to double check work
5 stars
Overall rating of 33 students
-
5 out of 5
Nate Schwaab.,
Mar 24, 2022
Looking forward to the next course!
-
5 out of 5
Jesus Rodriguez.,
Nov 24, 2021
Thank you. Great stuff. I loved the detail and finesse.
-
5 out of 5
nick Fonseca.,
Jul 26, 2021
Very well explained. I felt like I could do exactly what you said i...
-
5 out of 5
Robert Cattani.,
Jul 18, 2021
Have built a lot of cabinets and still learned a few new tricks … g...
-
5 out of 5
Austin Vicknair.,
May 13, 2021
Do an advanced masterclass soon!
-
5 out of 5
Graham Clement.,
May 11, 2021
This course parallels with knowledge that I learned from a cabinet ...
-
5 out of 5
Scott W.,
Mar 07, 2021
Wasn't rushed through and great details
-
5 out of 5
John M.,
Feb 28, 2021
Very well laid out steps that anyone involved in the trades could learn from. Easily...
Read More... -
5 out of 5
Tyler S.,
Feb 21, 2021
Very detailed and thorough explanation of how and why things are done
-
5 out of 5
MacKenzie H.,
Mar 18, 2021
Love how detailed the videos are!
-
5 out of 5
Abdiel M.,
Feb 15, 2021
Ken covers the basics nicely in this class. Anyone who is a carpentry novice and interested in...
Read More... -
5 out of 5
Manuel E.,
Jan 24, 2021
It's easy to follow, the instructions are clear and the terminology is easy to understand even...
Read More... -
5 out of 5
Jason D.,
Feb 14, 2021
It went at a good pace and very informative.
-
5 out of 5
Richard E.,
Jan 31, 2021
I would recommend this to a friend that has never dabbled in cabinetry. I think even with a...
Read More... -
5 out of 5
Ernest C.,
Feb 16, 2021
I would cause it rocks it explains it so well especialy when you are sa beginner its such a...
Read More... -
5 out of 5
Orlando A.,
Mar 07, 2021
I recommend this class towards more of a career path then a weekend DIY person.
-
5 out of 5
Aaron R.,
Mar 08, 2021
I am a small business custom cabinet maker and am trying to give my employee another...
Read More... -
5 out of 5
Phil L.,
Jan 28, 2021
Great presentation. well put together.
-
5 out of 5
Victor R.,
Jan 19, 2021
great detail
-
5 out of 5
Chris N.,
Mar 07, 2021
Fantastic content with a great cinematic quality. Ken was knowledgeable and concise. Would...
Read More... -
5 out of 5
Scott D.,
Mar 07, 2021
Excellent overview of cabinet basics
-
5 out of 5
Benjamin H.,
Jan 27, 2021
Easy to follow instructions
-
4 out of 5
David Weir.,
Feb 05, 2022
Overall, this course was taught in a very thorough manner with lots...
-
4 out of 5
Ryan A.,
Feb 22, 2021
Very well developed and good speed for content delivery for introduction students.
-
4 out of 5
Nick R.,
Jan 25, 2021
This is a great beginners guide to cabinet building. Some good tips in there on strong joints...
Read More... -
4 out of 5
Chad L.,
Jan 27, 2021
There is a lot of assumed knowledge so if you're a beginner, it's not a good fit. I'dd like...
Read More... -
4 out of 5
Jason L.,
Feb 24, 2021
its good basic information.
-
4 out of 5
Jordan H.,
Jan 31, 2021
It is a great video for someone just getting into cabinet making. Ken does a great job of...
Read More... -
4 out of 5
Alexander B.,
Mar 09, 2021
instructor is so well spoken and perfectly succinct in his instruction.
-
4 out of 5
Kyle S.,
Jan 31, 2021
I would like to see more door and drawer assembly as well as face frame cabinetry and...
Read More... -
4 out of 5
Barret K.,
Jan 27, 2021
I would absolutely recommend to a friend. It is however geared more towards laymen. I would...
Read More... -
3 out of 5
Christopher Lambert.,
Aug 30, 2021
I believe I had higher expectations for this course. I figured for ...
-
3 out of 5
Nick M.,
Feb 18, 2021
I would recommend this class to anyone that was brand new to cabinet making because I think it...
Read More... -
3 out of 5
Jake S.,
Jan 14, 2021
I think it covers all of the basics of cabinet making which I think are essential, would have...
Read More... -
2 out of 5
Devin Fitzgerald.,
May 06, 2021
Very broad and basic. Would of loved to see stile and rail fabricat...
-
1 out of 5
Kenan Koops.,
Oct 21, 2021
I honestly thought i would get a lot more info
-
1 out of 5
matt Sjoerdsma.,
Apr 22, 2021
I understand that this course is labeled as introduction to cabinet...
Ken Decost
Director of Millwork at NS Builders
Your Instructor
Ken DeCost is a cabinet maker based in Boston, MA. Growing up in a family of tradesmen, Ken began to develop his carpentry skills from a young age. Over the last ten years he has honed his expertise in high end cabinet making. In 2017, he became the Director of Millwork for custom home builder, NS Builders. Here he has assembled a skilled team that aligns to his level of high standards and excellence. From traditional to ultra modern, complex curved work to hand stitched veneering, he continues to push the limits of perfection and craftsmanship.
Become Job Ready
This course will increase your knowledge for jobs like:
Cabinet Maker
Cabinet Installer
Cabinet Finisher
Carpenter
Millwork Installer
For more information on these roles, visit our career page .
Search for these jobs at:
Common Questions
-
What is MT Copeland?
MT Copeland helps you further your career in the building industry with expert-led online education that will make you a better, smarter tradesperson.
Our training courses give you a foundation in construction fundamentals and trade skills with real-world applications and best practices to help you grow on the job. -
What do courses include?
Online courses include professionally produced videos taught by leaders in the trades and supplementary learning material such as quizzes, assessments and downloadable materials to help you acquire new skills. Watch anywhere, always at your own pace. We keep lesson videos short so they’re easy to watch after work or on your lunch break. You can finish a course in one sitting, or space it out over a week or two.
-
How does the 30-day guarantee work?
If you’re not happy with a course, let us know within 30 days for a full refund. Our goal is to provide maximum value for your career. If we haven’t delivered on that promise, let us know.
-
Can you learn with MT Copeland outside of the u.s.?
Yes! You can take MT Copeland courses from anywhere in the world. Our courses are online, so if you have access to the Internet, you can watch our training videos. Courses are taught in English, with English captions and Spanish subtitles available.
-
Where did the name MT Copeland come from?
MT Copeland was named after a legendary educator who promoted the idea that training in a specific trade paired with a knowledge of general business principles opens up a whole new world of career possibilities. We believe in the same powerful combination of skills and knowledge.