Beech Dowel Cabinets.
Beech dowel cabinets are the way that well made cabinets are made. Initially, the high-density Egger Mfc (Melamine Faced Chipboard) is cut to size through the panel saw. One needs to ensure that the sheets are cut oversized and then trimmed as there is tension within the board that can cause dimensional difficulties later down the process. Once the panels are of the exact size required for the piece, they are edged trough an edge-bander as seen on the left here.
With dimensioned and edged panels prepared, they are moved forward in the workshop to the drilling machine. 8mm holes are drilled in the sides and faces of the panels as necessary. Our Detel drilling machine uses three phase electricity and compressed air. The air is used to drive the presses that hold the piece in a very specific position, the three phase driller will drill up to 36 holes at a time to precession positions. The wooden clamps can be a bit of a bugger, I have caught my hand a number of times.
The prepared panels are glued and dowelled as they are assembled. A low moisture Pva glue is used on all dowels ensuring a permanent fixing that will never move or distort. The fixing is so strong that it is often the case that the joint is stronger than the Mfc board itself.
Once dimensioned, edged and drilled our beech dowel cabinet are placed in a cabinet press to ensure they are square and true; they remain in the press for about twenty minutes while the glue grabs. While in the press the operator can give the cabinet adjustment to ensure the front edges are flush. The cabinet leg stocks are fitted at this stage.
After pressing the cabinet is ready to fit up with the various contents; of which drawers are of course first.
Here at Martha Mockford, our Beech Dowel cabinets are made by people, with care and attention at every stage of the build. The finished cabinet above is not only a beautiful cabinet, it also sports a gable end left which will finish this kitchen nicely when the cabinet is placed at the left end of the kitchen design.