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Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine

3/16/16       
Andrew Member

I am testing the waters with 3/4 melamine construction. Since melamine is cheap, I bought a sheet and am loosely following danny proulx's assembly method.

My test wall cabinet is 30"x40". After cutting down the pieces, I realize now (even though I read about it), that this is going to be one heavy cabinet.

If I use a full 3/4 melamine back, I'm estimating 60-70lbs. Was considering switching to a 1/4 dado'ed back, with 3/4 nailers -- saving ~15lbs. But, would be more efficient using one material size and not worry about the dado. Could use a 1/2" or 5/8" back, but doesn't seem like weight savings are that significant.

Cabinet will be assembled with confirmat screws.

My question:

Outside of just the potential struggle of lifting the cabinets into place (would use a ledger to place them on before screwing in), is there any other issue with having such a heavy upper cabinet assuming you can screw properly into two studs?

Any thoughts from people who commonly build with full melamine boxes.

Thanks.

3/16/16       #2: Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine ...
Paul S

3/4 melamine backs.... I have done this on a number of jobs.....Using a CNC they are just nested with all the other cab parts....its a better yield of material.....But the weight is a bitch. Also the only way I could move them around after they were assembled was to cut pockets in the back so you had something to grab on to.

3/16/16       #3: Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine ...
Leo G

Use 5/8" all the way around.

3/17/16       #4: Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine ...
Tom G

While I use 3/4" prefinished plywood now , I have built many MCP cabinets in the past . I started out using 3/4" backs but found it hard to bridge over imperfections in the wall with a flush back and as others have mentioned they are heavy and hard to handle . I found switching to a 1/4" back in a dado and 3/4" hanging rails behind it made assembly easier also .

3/17/16       #5: Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine ...
Andrew Member

Thanks for your thoughts!

3/17/16       #6: Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine ...
Dave L

Most of my cabinets are built with nailers in front of a stapled on (full overlay) 1/4" back... Really big wall hung cabinets get a bottom nailer.


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3/17/16       #7: Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine ...
JeffD

That's not a lot of weight as long as you use proper installation screws and go into studs. Two installation screws will easily support several hundred pounds.

I use the solid backs as well and don't worry about unevenness in the walls. I fasten a run of boxes together, lift them onto dead men and fasten them using shims where needed. Quick, easy, and simple.

good luck,
JeffD

3/18/16       #8: Wall Cabinet Weight - 3/4 Melamine ...
Gerry

We do all vertical pieces 5/8" (gables and back) all horizontal pieces 3/4" (top bottom and shelving)

Backs are tenoned in on all sides top and bottom is doweled or confirmats.

Gerry


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