Rebuilding cupboards

swimmer_spe wrote:
In my TT, there are 2 cupboard I plan on rebuilding.

The first one, due to water damage, has some panels missing. water damage is fixed.

The second one had a microwave that I got rid of.

I do not want to use particle board. I plan on using plywood.

So;

For the front/side panels, what thickness is the minimum I can use?
For the doors, what is the minimum thickness I can use?
For the shelf, what is the minimum thickness I can use?

Or, can I use the same thickness for all, and what is that thickness? I was thinking 1/4", but I am not sure if that is too thin for other parts.

If you don't want to be doing it again in the near future, 3/4" components will handle the use a lot better.

Since your only doing two cabinets Id use 3/4 for the cabinets because you can drill out 1/2 in deep holes for shelf pins for the adjustable shelfs. 3/4 ply is also nice because it makes easy work of installing a face frame using a kreg jig or glue and nails. For the back you can use 1/2 ply so you can screw anywhere on it to attach to wall or just use 3/4 cleats. I think you could get buy with 1/2 in ply for shelfs unless your going to have allot of weight on them. I don't no what your doors look like but mine have a 3/4 thick frame with a 1/4 inch panel .If I rebuilt a hole set of cabinets for a RV I would never build like this because it would add way two much weight.

mat60 wrote:
Since your only doing two cabinets Id use 3/4 for the cabinets because you can drill out 1/2 in deep holes for shelf pins for the adjustable shelfs. 3/4 ply is also nice because it makes easy work of installing a face frame using a kreg jig or glue and nails. For the back you can use 1/2 ply so you can screw anywhere on it to attach to wall or just use 3/4 cleats. I think you could get buy with 1/2 in ply for shelfs unless your going to have allot of weight on them. I don't no what your doors look like but mine have a 3/4 thick frame with a 1/4 inch panel .If I rebuilt a hole set of cabinets for a RV I would never build like this because it would add way two much weight.

I do not plan to move the shelves. I planned to use 1/2 square doweling,

I am also thinking of weight.

Than I don't see a problem with the 1/2 in ply to save weight. I was trying to make it easy. I like adjustable shelfs and my TT has none so by the time I add them the weight is going up anyway. How are you planning to install a face frame ?

mat60 wrote:
Than I don't see a problem with the 1/2 in ply to save weight. I was trying to make it easy. I like adjustable shelfs and my TT has none so by the time I add them the weight is going up anyway. How are you planning to install a face frame ?

I was planning on just using the existing opening for the old microwave.

Anyway I can help let me no. If you can post pics even better..Mark

I used quarter inch baltic birch ply -- it has held up well for eight years of very rough travel, 60 to 90 nights a year. Really heavy plywood will stress the supports and the joinery, due to the bouncing of the vehicle. Here is a link to the project -- scroll down a little and you will find the details:

Cabinets

profdant139 wrote:
I used quarter inch baltic birch ply -- it has held up well for eight years of very rough travel, 60 to 90 nights a year. Really heavy plywood will stress the supports and the joinery, due to the bouncing of the vehicle. Here is a link to the project -- scroll down a little and you will find the details:

Cabinets

So, the thinner plywood might be best? What about those doors? What thickness is the doors?

Looks like 1/4 in double ply doors and shelfs.

A lot depends on how you build the cabinet and how long the unsupported shelf is to support the weight of what goes on it. IOW, if you're building a 36"L cabinet with unsupported shelf and plan to stack canned food in it, use a 3/4" shelf. If you have a 24"L cabinet and wish to throw plastic plates and napkins on it, a 1/2" shelf would be adequate.

I am building more stuff, lately, with the "many small pieces correctly placed" school of thought than building with larger components and panels.

Here is the microwave cabinet in my TT:


I later added a door on the left hand side