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How to Build Shaker Cabinets

Learn how to build a face frame and shaker doors for a cabinet box.

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  • Access to course material 7x24 during your subscription.
  • Train with a Pro

  • Spanish Subtitles Available

  • Mobile Access

  • 18 In-depth Lessons

  • Certificate of Completion

  • Practical Resources

Lesson Plan

18 Video Lessons · 2H 59M

  • 1. Introduction to Face Frame Cabinets and Shaker Doors

    Ken DeCost introduces you to the course and talks through what you’ll learn: how to build a face frame cabinet and how to make shaker cabinet doors.

  • 2. Calculating Dimensions to Size Your Cabinet Parts

    Looking closely at the drawings for the cabinet, Ken teaches you how to calculate dimensions for rails, stiles, and more. He also shares some tips for leaving gaps in the panels.

  • 3. Determining How Much Material You Need

    Now that you have your measurements, it’s time to calculate how much lumber you need. Ken walks you through how to find lumber quantities.

  • 4. Milling vs. Selecting Lumber

    Ken prefers to use rough-sawn lumber and mill it in the shop. In this lesson he explains why, and how to choose lumber of your own.

  • 5. Making Your First Cuts

    Where on a board you make your cuts impacts the shape of the working piece. Learn how to inspect your boards, make the right sized rough cuts, and fix common problems.

  • 6. Correcting Material Defects With a Jointer

    Learn Ken’s approach to fixing defects like bowing and curving using a woodworking jointer.

  • 7. Ripping Door Stock and Face Frames

    Here’s where the cabinet pieces really start to take shape. Ken shows you his technique for ripping door stock and face frame pieces.

  • 8. Dressing Boards on a Jointer

    The fine tuning continues. Learn how to use a jointer to make sure your lumber is perfectly flat and square.

  • 9. Milling to Thickness on a Planer

    Now that everything is squared up, it’s time to bring your boards to final dimensions (with a little bit of play for sanding, of course).

  • 10. Cutting Cabinet Doors

    Ken shows you how to cut parts for a 5 piece shaker door.

  • 11. Door Joinery

    Ken offers an in-depth look at how to shape your door pieces so they will fit together beautifully.

  • 12. Adding the Bead to Your Face Frame Stock

    A bead will give your face frame a simple, elegant aesthetic. Here, Ken shows you how to add a bead to the perimeter of your face frame.

  • 13. Cutting Jack Miters Into Face Frames

    A jack miter is half miter and half butt joint. Learn how to set up your saw, cut a few test pieces, and cut the perfect jack miter.

  • 14. Assembling Face Frames

    It’s time to put your face frame cabinet together. Ken teaches you how to sand, add pocket screws, assemble, and glue your face frames.

  • 15. Miter Folded Face Frame

    Learn to cut, prep, and glue the miter fold portion of your face frame so that it’s ready for final assembly.

  • 16. Prepping Door Panels for Assembly

    Ken teaches you how to cut your door panels, then prime and sand all of the door pieces in preparation for assembly.

  • 17. Assembling Shaker Cabinet Doors

    Learn to add spacers and glue your doors together, then clamp them properly so they stay straight while they dry.

  • 18. Trimming and Fitting Your Doors

    To finish your face frame cabinet, you just need to trim your side panels and doors, then fit them into the face frame. In this lesson, Ken shows you how.

Who it's for: This course is for experienced carpenters or millwork professionals. This course assumes you already know how to build a cabinet box.

Key Topics

  • Calculate dimensions and select lumber

  • Read cut lists and frame pieces to size

  • Learn how to cut jack miters

  • Miter wrap and fold techniques

  • Add beads to a face frame

  • Door prep assembly and finishing

4.7 Out of
5 stars

Overall rating of 3 students

Become Job Ready

This course will increase your knowledge for jobs like:

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Cabinet Maker

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Cabinet Installer

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Cabinet Finisher

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Carpenter

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Millwork Installer

For more information on these roles, visit our career page.

Search for these jobs at:

Team Pricing
> 6 seats
Save $5 per seat
$70 per seat

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.

  • 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.

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