[LizT06]

We just started putting the boxes together for our small cottage kitchen that we will live in while the real house is constructed. I bought Applad White and have assembled 6 boxes. I have reread a few posts and noticed that I should be using a square to make sure the cabinets are racked. Oops - I didn't do that step and have glued and nailed the backs on. Is it common for the cabinets to be out of square even if they didn't look like it? I will check the base cabinets as I continue.

Also, I used a battery powered nail brad gun and I think it may be too forceful - either that or the nails we are using aren't correct. The nails went through the back. I didn't notice this until I flipped the cabinet on its side to install the hinge things and the back fell off. Is it the gun or should I look for a better nail? These don't seem to have much of a head on them.

Lastly, we are using wall cabinets on our island. I read that we have to drill the leg holes (1/2"?) - is the location vital if no other base cabinets will be next to them? We will use toekick on the fronts.

Liz

[GardenOfDarwin]

Liz....let's see.

Square...the back itself does a pretty good job of squaring things up. More than likely if your back is on straight the cabinet is square.

Nail gun...does it have a setting for the force used to set the nail? I'd be turning it down a bit if the nails are going all the way through the back.

Leg holes...if you are intending to attach the toekick, then yes the placement is important. I believe the measurement is 2 1/2" back from the edge of the cabinet, but I don't recall the measurement from the side which is important for weight-bearing. If noone else comes along with the right answer, I'll go take our toekick off and measure.

Susan

[LizT06]

I turned down the force of the nail gun to its lowest setting. We will try a cheaper electric one today.

I will be assembling base cabinets today and will check the leg hole measurements on them.

Now I just have to learn how to not have the nails go either to the inside or outside of the cabinet box. On my third try I got one just right....we'll see how it goes today.

Liz