For the rest of us who NEED to start from scratch,  here are some instructions.

Please note:  We are not professionals.  We do what works for us.  Please keep that in mind thanks.

•  3/4 inch cabinet grade pine plywood (For the Door)
• 1 x 2 inch select pine (Trim)
• Wood Glue (We use Elmers.)
• 1 inch Brad Nails (To hold in place while drying.)
• Table Saw, Power Saw, and Miter Saw (You can rent these for a day or buy them and remodel your whole house.)

Measure Measure and Measure again.

Measure your opening for your cabinet door.  We allowed an 1/8 inch gap (on all sides) between the door and the opening. If you are having trouble understanding go look at a hardware store and look at their cabinets.  Studying other s work will give insight and understanding.

For a totally frugal project call around and get prices for wood.  Cabinet wood varies from place to place.  Even when you do find an inexpensive price look at each piece of wood.  Some could be warped or split in shipping.  We had to really seek  good material on our last shopping trip.

Cutting the Wood

There are two ways to cut wood.

1. With the grain (Ripping)
2. Against the grain (Cross-cut)

• The clamp .  It can act like as an extra hand.

• A chalk box that makes a blue chalk line.  It makes perfect lines with a pop of string.  I love playing with these things!

•  A circular saw.  This tool can be used for so many other projects.  If you are a DIYer it would be worth the expense to add one to your collection.

•  An extra 1 x 2 board.  It also serves as a guide or fence when cutting a straight line.

  Now it is time to cut.  You might want to measure one more time.  I mean it.  It is NOT wasting time to be sure.

Using your measurements start cutting the wood.  Plan ahead to get the most out of your wood.  It is like scrapbooking.  Use the sheets of wood to get the most doors possible.  You can use a sheet of paper to practice on if needed.

Sometimes we used our table saw and sometimes we used our circular saw depending on the size of the sheet of wood.

Are you still wanting to know more?  Stay with us.

Now your door needs some trim. There are different thoughts on trim.

• Buy it pre-made.
• Be adventurous and make your own.  (We are in this group.)  This is for the more experienced wood cutters.  Once you master this you are a star!

Make a notch in your wood to fit around the door.  That is an easy sentence to write but not so easy to make.  If you are unsure of this process, please, please, please ask questions at your local hardware store.  Mistakes can cost a lot of money.

To make trim for one door:

•  Use a table saw blade to cut a 1 x 2 x 8   1 inch deep and 3/8 inch wide – cut 2 boards with the board being vertical.
• Then set the table saw blade to cut 3/8 inch deep and 1/2 inch wide cut the same 2 boards while they are laying flat.

Attaching the trim:

• We use wood glue to fasten the trim and finishing nails to attach the trim to your naked door.