Melamine Cabinets

[Gary Puckett]

Does anyone have a suggestion on assembling melamine cabinets. This is something I have never done, so I don't know if biscuits and glue would be enough ?


Gary

[Bryan J Tanner]

Gary

It depends on what you are doing. We use a variety of fixtures. From RTA cam and dowel, biscuits, to screw and stick on cap or just screw and an end panel.
We do a variety of product from kitchens through to RTA furniture.

What is it that you are making?

[Gary Puckett]

Just a small office, my concern is the end panels don't want any fasteners to show. Never used RTA fasteners, was wondering if biscuits would be strong enough

[Bryan J Tanner]

WIth that one I'd use a combination of biscuits and screws. Screw together the cabinets that aren't seen, purely because its quicker assembly, and biscuit the areas that need it only.

Hope this helps

[Bryan J Tanner]

For example, the only cabinet I'd buscuit in the attached job would be the RH side of the bottom shelf in the microwave cabinet. The rest would be screwed together. The panels then get screwed on from the inside of the cabinet..

[George Davidson]

Hi Gary
I us a Pocket Hole Machine

[Josh Rayburn]

Confirmat screws are the best thing ever invented for flake or MDF assembly. They are far stronger than any other fastener available, and they don't flare or crack the core of these materials when properly installed. I would recommend you find the best predrill bit you can get and spend the time predrilling - I've never regretted the extra few minutes it takes.
My two cents...

[Neville Bastian]

I guess you guys are looking at a non CNC angle. If you own a Thermwood the pocketing feature is really good. A pain to setup but once done pretty handy.

Before this we used Lamello's or biscuits. They have such a variety with wood, plastic and metal. Some designed to unclick if you pre assemble things. If the part is not going to be seen we say "screw it" lets screw it. Confirmat are good except being a big diameter you need to be exacting with your drilling and if using flake/ particleboard there is not much meat left for strength.
Regards
Neville

[Cesar Font]

95% of the jobs I do are melamine.
For 16mm chip board you can use #6 screws 2 inch long. (pre-drill with a regular drill bit) Fast , easy, very strong.
For 19mm chip board use #8 screws.

That is the best you can do, no need to buy any extra tools.

Biscuits and glue alone are not good enough, from experience they are weak on this material.

If you don't want the screws to show, you can use end panels (bottoms too), or cover caps, wichever is better for your particular job.

That is about all you can do with melamine. (if it is melamine on 3/4 MDF 19mm, you can also use dado joints and glue)

Or use bicuits only on the ends that will show.