Building kitchen units

[morfa]

So I've been planning on buying a few kitchen units without doors so that I can make my own doors to go on them. Mainly cause I enjoy it. I'd like to get the kitchen moving, so I don't mind buying a couple of units for the sink area just to get that part of it all done. Ideally I'd rather have units that are wood not MFC with placcy veneer on them. However there I've not had much luck finding somewhere that will sell me a few (oak or poplar) units with out doors. I don't really want to have to spend £400 a unit only to get rid of the door. Also I'd prefer to buy British if possible and would like the units to be made in the UK (yeah, I know I'm a) difficult and b) crazy).

Anyone know of anywhere?

Alternatively are there any folks on here who would be interested in the job? I'm in South Wales, so bonus points if you're near by.

Or if you were going to make your own wooden carcasses yourself what would be an easy way of making them? I'm mainly a handtools person and the idea of spending hours planing and cutting the joints doesn't appeal (especially as I've got a lot of other stuff on). I could get the local yard to do all the planing for me. But I wouldn't mind buying a power tool or two to make the job easy. I have a drill, circular saw and a 1/4" router currently.

Or am I just being daft and should just buy a couple of carcasses from Wickes, beef them up a bit and carry on with my plan of making my own doors.

 

[Racers]

Buy the carcases make nice doors.

Pete

 

[Steve Maskery]

When I revamp my kitchen, I shall buy the best carcases I can get (by taking advice from the guys on here who do it for a living) and then make my own doors.
S

 

[Berncarpenter]

So I've been planning on buying a few kitchen units without doors so that I can make my own doors to go on them. Mainly cause I enjoy it. I'd like to get the kitchen moving, so I don't mind buying a couple of units for the sink area just to get that part of it all done. Ideally I'd rather have units that are wood not MFC with placcy veneer on them. However there I've not had much luck finding somewhere that will sell me a few (oak or poplar) units with out doors. I don't really want to have to spend £400 a unit only to get rid of the door. Also I'd prefer to buy British if possible and would like the units to be made in the UK (yeah, I know I'm a) difficult and b) crazy).

Anyone know of anywhere?

Alternatively are there any folks on here who would be interested in the job? I'm in South Wales, so bonus points if you're near by.

Or if you were going to make your own wooden carcasses yourself what would be an easy way of making them? I'm mainly a handtools person and the idea of spending hours planing and cutting the joints doesn't appeal (especially as I've got a lot of other stuff on). I could get the local yard to do all the planing for me. But I wouldn't mind buying a power tool or two to make the job easy. I have a drill, circular saw and a 1/4" router currently.

Or am I just being daft and should just buy a couple of carcasses from Wickes, beef them up a bit and carry on with my plan of making my own doors.

Hi Morfa
I would be able to help you out if you wanted me to.I only live 5 miles from Bridgend and could either make you some units or machine some stuff up for you to put together yourself? Things are very busy at the moment with clients wanting there jobs done before Christmas but if you can wait until the hols or the new year that would be ok.

Cheers Bern.

 

[tomatwark]

Most of the solid units you see on the internet are made from laminated pine boards.

You can also buy this in Oak and Poplar as well.

A lot of folks will tell you that solid wood is the best way forward, but there downsides like having to lacquer it and also with timber movement if it gets damp and expands or dries out and splits.

I make my units in what ever the customer wants but always point out the pitfalls of each material, the fronts being made the same way for each design.

The difference in material cost can mean the customer being able to afford a kitchen from me or not.

My pricing for units start with MFC, then Veneered Board , then Birch Ply, then solid wood .

At the end of the day it is the fronts, the way the doors and drawers work and look, internal fitments etc and not what the units are made of that most people look at.

A good quality MFC ( Egger or Kronospan ), is alot more durable than 2 pack lacquer and if the units are made properly is just as strong.

As you are doing it yourself I would look at birch ply as an option as it is a lot better than solid wood for units, and looks the part.

Tom

 

[gregmcateer]

We used these guys -

http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/gbu0-display/base_cabinets.html

Very helpful. Good prices, IMHO. Can be with or without doors. Piece of p"ss self-assembly cabinets.

HTH

Greg