In early 2020 I decided that I would update some aspects of my kitchen. It’s a galley kitchen, so of course it lacked a lot of counter space, the cabinets were not overly generous and I wanted to update the countertop and switch from an an old (and failing) electric range to a gas range, as well as update my refrigerator from the old hotpoint unit to a side by side french door refrigerator.

I decided to make the cabinets myself, which meant it was time to begin watching youTube videos, then to reserach and buy tools and materials and then . . . to begin experimenting.

I decided to use a track saw rather than buy a huge table saw, for which I didn’t have the appropriate power in the garage anyway. I chose to buy a Festool saw and also their domino jointing tool

First I made a prototype cabinet using ordinary plywood, where I made LOTS of mistakes Then I bought pre-finished Maple Plywood (furniture grade) to make the real cabinets. I used dual thickness plywood sheets and 2X4 for edges on top of saw horses for my workbench And cut the plywood into useful dimensions I bought 2 tracks for the track saw, so I could join them for longer cuts. I used a dust mask and safety glasses, and often hearing protection, when working The back of the first real cabinet I made. I routed channels in the sides to receive the back panel and screwed these stretchers in place (also mortice and tenon) to attach the cabinet to the wall. The upper stretchers are for the eventual countertop U used mortice and tenon joinery for the project, but also pocket screws and a few regular screws, where it made sense.

Of course I made jigs and mahogany face frames for the cabinets, too I was running out of space in the garage, so I began installing the cabinets as I had time. The old cabinets were like the one on the left I had to make the drawers, too. I used 3/4 inch material for the drawers, cutting these strips at the same time to make it easier Drawers are a pain, but at least you can make them exactly like you want them, and fit to your storage containers and such Doors are another project. I learned how to use the router on this project, too. I made a new sink cabinet, too. It’s extra strong because originally I was going to put a country kitchen sink in and it weighed 250 pounds, but I changed to this sink—I think it was the right decision. I also decided to switch to a gas stove (from electric). That added more work, including running a gas line (I hired a plumber for that), and putting in an external exhaust range hood (which I learned how to do myself). I also decided to change the refrigerator, to put a brushed stainless backsplash over the new stone backsplash, and to lone the walls around the range with stainless steel panels. Of course the kitchen had to continue to be a working kitchen through the whole project. One of my own ideas was to make this stainless panel that I could raise and lower to reduce the spatter. I put soapstone countertops in place because of the chemical, bacteriological and physical properties of soapstone (which is used in chemistry labs). I still need to make several cabinet doors and to change the kitchen floor and then install the toe kick. But everything works and I’m involved in other projects at the moment. I used a high quality, scrubbable Sherwood Williams paint (called Duration) for the walls.

In the end, I learned a LOT, had control over the cabinets and the kitchen, and had something interesting to do during the pandemic.