[mishmish]

My DH accidentally put the bar with holes (that attaches to the corner piece) in the back instead of the front. Since he already screwed it in and those round cap screw things are one-way only, it seems our only option is to drill holes in the front bar so that he can attach the corner piece. BUT, it seems the holes are of different widths, depths, etc., so I am worried about doing this without a template. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get out of this mess?

Thanks so much!

	DH definition DH usually means Dear Husband (or, pick your own adjective starting with D).

[kelly]

Sorry- I'm not knowledgeable about the corner cabinet and can't visualize the issue- someone else out there who can answer this question?

Kelly

[Chuck]

I'm guessing you're talking about the 37" corner base cabinet.

Option #1 is to take the back off the piece - gently - and unlock the cam locks on the two rails and swap them out. Make sure you unlock the locks holding together the bottom of the cabinet as well. You don't need to pull the whole thing apart - just spread the sides enough so that the rails are freed, swap them, retighten the cam locks, and renail the back. The cam locks are NOT one way - they can be turned to open up the joint.

Option #2 would be to use the side to an unassembled base cabinet as a template. Put the assembled cabinet on its back, lay the side - holes facing up - on top of the cabinet, so that the top, bottom and back edges of the side align with the corresponding parts of the assembled cabinet. Find the drill bits of the proper diameter to match the two holes, and drill through the holes in the side and into the rail. You'll want to drill approx. 1/2" deep for the cam screw and approx. 1" deep for the dowel. Because you'll be covering the template/side with another cabinet or a cover panel, the holes you've just drilled through the side won't show, and I'll never tell.

In all honesty, Option #1 is the better way to go.

[mishmish]

thanks, Chuck, but the complicating factor is that DH already nailed the backing to the unit and was beginning to work on the corner piece when he noticed his mistake...is it possible to take out the back and do as you suggested?

Also, we have tried to get the cam locks undone before, but failed. Is there a secret? I know they turn counter as well as clock-wise, but it's the popping them out part that is hard.

thanks!

	DH definition DH usually means Dear Husband (or, pick your own adjective starting with D).

[Chuck]

The back will come off, but you need to be careful. If you have a piece of 2 x 4 or some similar material that you can bang on, use that, rather than banging on the back itself, as back is kind of delicate and easy to damage. You could also use a flat screw driver or small spackle knife as a pry bar and start with the nails in the top rail, then slowly and gently work your way down the sides. You don't need to take it off the bottom - you just need it to come off enough so that you can spread the sides enough to free the rail.

As for the cam locks, they don't have to come out - just unscrew them back to their original position and the screw will slip out of the lock.

One last thing - there will be nail holes in the front face of what used to be your back rail. Use a caulk - white or almond, depending on your cabinet color - to hide them. Remember only you will know these holes are there - they'll be hidden behind the door when it's closed. Even your old Aunt Ethel (you do have one of those, right?) won't notice.

[NBeth]

We did the same thing and I posted a few months ago to watch out that the two rails are different--very sorry you didn't see that! Maybe we can get that info added to the corner cab instructions posted here?

Anyway, we measured the matching piece very carefully about a million times to get the hole spacing, then drilled, crossed our fingers, and ta da! turned a back piece into a front piece! It can be done, just be careful

good luck, NB