The following article is a comprehensive guide for both the DIY and professional introducing cabinet making tools that can be used in production and installation.
Technology is improving quickly, therefore manufacturers need to understand what tools for cabinet making are available when setting up a workshop, and have knowledge of industry innovations to continually improve their practices.
Hand tools
Hand tools have been utilized in construction throughout history. They date back to the earliest civilizations, and have been improved across time, continually advancing to meet the needs of modern day cabinet makers and craftsmen.
More traditional hand tools include hammers, saws, and chisels, and these are still used consistently as tools for cabinet making. Popular brands that manufacture tools for making cabinets include:
In a modern cabinet maker’s toolkit, you will find the following tools:
- Chisels
- Hammer and mallet
- Tape measure
- Laser level: such as the DEWALT DCLE34021 Cross Line Laser
- Scriber: used for shaping panels to walls and floors
- Combination square
- Rasps and files
- Clamps
- Utility knife
Power tools
Additionally, modern brands have utilized newer technologies and created hand held power tools, improving the efficiency and capabilities of portable hand tools.
These include powered drills, saws and tools for almost all applications. Major suppliers include:
Portable power tools allow a cabinet maker to both build and install cabinetry. The modern cabinet maker will probably be found using the following:
- Circular saw: for cutting materials
- Drills: assembling and installing cabinets with screws
- Multi-tool: commonly used in installation work for fine, hard to reach cutting
- Reciprocating saw: a powerful cutting tool commonly used for renovation and installation work
- Planer: removes small amounts of material, commonly used to fit panels and cabinets to walls and floors
- Angle grinder: various uses for both production and installation
- Nail gun: used for assembling cabinets and installation work
- Jig-saw: used for cutting shapes in panels, such as sink cut outs
Machinery
Common tools for building cabinetry units also come in the form of larger machinery that can be set up in workshop spaces for the processing of units. There are many kinds of static machinery, all effective tools for cabinet making. These include:
Panel saws
Panel saws are tools for cabinet making that are used to process the cutting of large sheets into carcass components. Many manufacturers retail panel saws in different shapes and sizes with varying features.
Felder makes the FORMAT 4 kappa series, such as the kappa 550.
Edge banders
Edgebanders are used to apply edge material to panels. These machines use heat and glue to apply edging material commonly made from PVC, ABS, or a wood veneer.
The Biesse Rover Edge Go S is an example of one of these machines.
Drilling machines
Drilling and insertion machines are tools for making cabinets which are utilized for the precise drilling of holes and insertion of hardware such as hinges, mounting plates and drawer systems.
Blum makes drilling machines for their hardware systems, the Blum MINIPRESS top being an example.
CNC machinery
CNC (computer numerical control) machinery has transformed the cabinet making industry and its processes in recent years. CNC machines are computer controlled, and automate the machining and processing of cabinet components.
There are multiple types of CNCs, each cabinet making factory should understand what each offers before investing. Having the right machine for your needs improves work efficiency and productivity, some different examples follow.
Nesting CNC machine
Nesting CNC machines are used for cutting cabinet components that are nested together on sheet materials. These cabinet making tools are ideal for the face machining of components while minimizing waste and maximising material usage.
scm is a leading manufacturer, the morbidelli x200 being a great example.
Pod and rail CNC machine
Also called a part by part CNC, these are similar to nesting CNC machines, except they use adjustable suction pods to hold in place individual cabinet parts.
They are great cabinet making tools that specialize in more complex shapes and drillings rather than just face machining.
An example of a pod and rail CNC machine is the EPICON 7135 CNC by HOLZHER.
CNC drilling machine
A CNC drilling machine, or drilling centre specifically focuses on high speed and precision drillings. This CNC machine does not nest or cut components like nesting CNC machinery; instead it handles more complex drilling actions and is convenient for cabinet makers using edge drillings combined with a panel saw or beam saw.
HUAHUA makes a versatile CNC drilling machine, an example is shown below.
CNC beam saw
When constructing units, a CNC beam saw can be used to efficiently cut sheet material into carcass components. Beam saws do not handle drillings, although they integrate into workflows with drilling machines and automate the batch cutting of unit components.
HOMAG makes the SAWTEQ S-300, a popular beam saw in the cabinet making industry.
Smart factory
A smart factory is the top end in cabinet making tools, and refers to machinery integration options which improve efficiency by automating processes and minimizing human labour.
Many options are available, these include automatic feeding of parts and panels into machinery and the distribution of panels around a factory.
Excitech makes a popular range of smart factory options, the Automatic Wood Nesting Machine with Robot for Panel Nesting option includes automatic labelling and sheet loading for CNC machinery.
Design to manufacturing software for cabinets
Wood Designer retails numerous software packages that are critical tools for making cabinets in any workshop.
This includes generating plans and cutting lists for utilization with hand and power tools, machinery and CNC applications.
Our software range includes:
- PolyBoard: a cabinet design software that integrates all hardware and manufacturing data, generating job plans, cutting lists and CNC files
- OptiNest: a nesting software for nesting CNCs that includes stock management and advanced label generation
- OptiCut: a professional cutting optimization software for beam and panel materials that integrates with panel saws, beam saws and other cutting tools
- VCarve Pro: a CAM software that integrates with our design software and thousands of CNC machines
If you want to speak to our technical team about how our software will be a critical cabinet making tool in your workshop, contact us today!
