Making versus buying

[myxpykalix]

I have been working plans and prices on exterior and interior componnents of this house i'm going to be building and i want advice from you experts like Jim McGrew and Danny Ray and others who build things like bookcases, fireplace
mantles, cabinets and other componnents to get an idea on material costs for various projects.

How can i figure how much material i might need to do say a bookcase that might be (X) long and (X) tall. More to the point I assume you must work from some type of cutlist and plan? Do you draw up your plans and figure your material lists based on that?
Does anyone know if it truly is cheaper to make your own then buy?
I guess it might be somewhat sacreligious to buy premade cabinets and such when i have the shopbot at my disposal right?

[wegner81]

Jack
Over the years alot of custom cabinet makers come up with a formula to estimate their materials and labor. Depending on where you live and the market that is available. To make this short I feel as a custom guy there are very few pre-fab. or factory cabinets that can compare to custom made. If your house your working on will be a high end home or a rental property for someone would help me make my mind up. Everything has a place and time. I guess this might not be what you wanted to hear but thats my opinion. I hope this Helps. If you want any info. on custom pricing please e-mail and i will see if I can help. Kevin

[wberminio]

Jack

I use a design software that produces shopbot code for my cabinetry similar to ecabinets.This software also gives me drawer/door sizes,moulding ... and nesting so I know how many sheets of a particular material I need- the complete package from design to fabrication.If you really want to construct your own cabinetry, you must look into ecabinets and the SB link,or at least,Cabinet Parts Pro from Ryan.Ecabinets is a great program for an incredible price!
I wish the link was around 2 years ago!

Erminio

[cabnet636]

jack measure your kitchen or bookcase

wall to wall, floor to cieling, take a picture of it and email it to me and i may ask a few more questions then i will draw you a set of shopdrawings and help you work this with cabinetpartspro. at that point we will know how much material and list of components for costing in your area. be glad to help

i will say ryan has really worked on cabinetpartspro and it is an excellent piece of software. i have made mdf doors with the new nester as well.

jim

[cabnet636]

ps. the pride of building your own kitchen is well worth it!!

jim

[gene]

Jack
Time is also a factor, If you have time then build them yourself, not to mention you will have a better done job. When you order from someone else the extras are going to cost alot. I Have CCP also and its a very good value for the small price. Ryan is most helpful with the support to get it set up initally and then its easy to build from there.
If i can help let me know as well, hope all goes well. With Jim offering to help asking me would be like asking the grasshopper instead of the master.....

[magic]

You have another option

Have another shop make the bodies and you make the face frames. I would then order doors already made. The modern manufacturers make great solids that you can carve, if you want to.

[myxpykalix]

These are ALL good suggestions and advice. It will initially be a rental house however I feel that by making it nice i will attract the right type of tennant who will take care of it and want to stay longer. And i look at this as an opportunity to utilize my shopbot to be more creative and after all this is why i bought it in the first place.
Since i have never made kitchen cabinets and this was the last bookcase i made a good while ago. I made it from just crude drawings on a legal pad and measurements. This was made before i got my shopbot. You can't tell but the half columns on the sides are spiraled with that sears craft-mate or whatever it was called that you hand cranked. They turned out ok but obviously i can do better now.

6788

[gene]

If you can build that then you will not have a problem with cabinets. Just remember to allow enough space in the corners for the knobs on one door to clear the adjecent doors hardware especially if it is a stove door or dishwasher door.

[coach]

Nice bookcase Jack. I make and sell kitchen cabinets out of birch plywood and sell them for less than home depots cheapest cabinet. I make money too.
I use http://www.cabinets-plus.net/ for my cut list then make everything in part works.

I also use the same web site software for my door cut list.
I also am one of those grasshoppers, but will offer any assistance I can.

[wberminio]

Let me let you in a secret,Jack

Custom cabinets are basically boxes.If you have the time,go for it.Start with a bath and go from there.

[myxpykalix]

See, i knew there was a reason i liked you guys...(well all except whats-his-name, lol) because you're all so smart!
This is getting more exciting as i go along.

David thanks for the link i'll check that out and if anyone else has links, tips, suggestions please let me know.

[myxpykalix]

Hey Gene, i know what you mean about the "grasshopper versus the master" with Jim and it just so happens i found a picture of him....

6789

[cabnet636]

ahhhh sooooo

gene you gonna inflate my ego

[beacon14]

Hey Jim if that didn't inflate your ego, how about the article in October's WoodShop News about your chess pieces? (Page 46)

Congratulations.

[cabnet636]

thanks we kinda hit a home run with the chess pieces, thanks again

jim