Ordering cabinet doors

[dlhunter]

Hey fellow craftsmen,
I've spent the last three years as a project manager for a small home builder but recently left the company and relocated. Now I'm trying to get things going with my own business as a finish carpenter which is where my real passion lies. That said I recently got a job constructing some small built ins for a customer. Most of it is basic but there are a few doors that are needed and honestly I've never made a door and don't want to start a new business by making doors that won't have longevity since I am inexperienced in making a door. My question is should I order the doors from an online company (if so any recommendations) or should I have a cabinet maker build them for me, or just dive in and give it my best shot? I gave the customer a very reasonable price and they have a lot more work they would like done so I want to make sure I deliver them a great product. Also they want inset doors which I've never done.
Thanks

[mike maines]

Giving local cabinetmakers work would be wise--be sure to explain to them what kind of work you do and that you'd like referals.

If you can't find a local guy you like, I've had great luck ordering from this place: http://walzcraft.com/.

[David Meiland]

I've built hundreds of cabinet doors and I avoid it when possible. Definitely find sources for doors, dovetail drawers, cabinet components, etc. It's not worth competing with the guys who have production setups.

[Chuck Kiser]

Giving local cabinetmakers work would be wise--be sure to explain to them what kind of work you do and that you'd like referals.

If you can't find a local guy you like, I've had great luck ordering from this place: http://walzcraft.com/.

I'll second what Mike said about Walzcraft. Great products and good customer service.

[Bob Kovacs]

There are plenty of online sources for doors, with Scherr's being one of the most popular. The key to inset doors is making sure the openings are perfect, as there's no room for error. Either create the openings first, and order the doors based on the final sizes of the openings, or have the doors ordered and in hand before making the openings.

One question with regard to "make or buy" would be the quantity, style and finish of the doors. If you're talking about two paint-grade flat doors with applied moldings, it'd be a no-brainer to just make them- if you're talking about 10 raised panel doors with elaborate edge treatments and a stained finish, you may want to have them made.

Dumb question- if you haven't figured out what you're doing about the doors yet, how did you firm up a price and ensure that you're not about to lose your shirt on the project?

[philthegreek]

cabinetdoorshop.com has good pricing.
What species are you looking for and what specifics asked by others earlier?
I'll second Bobs dumb question ;-)
Pricing can be all over the place but I'll venture an example for you. Hard maple, stain grade, unfinished, pre-bored for euro hinges, raised panel, cope and stick (not mitered); $13 to $32 per square foot. YMMV, but that gives you and idea.
Waltzcraft has really nice stuff and LOTS of options, but they are expensive.
Did you want to McDonalds-WOW them or Ruth Cris WOW them?

Phil

[Ottoman]

I'd find a local source. I've use Walzcraft twice. The customer service is great, but I was extremely disappointing in the quality. Each order had half the doors that were so poorly edged that they had to be thrown out.

[Mlandry]

I have had good luck with this place. http://lakesidemoulding.com/

Mike

[bjackson3]

Keystone door and drawer located near lancaster pa. Fast shipping, great service and fair pricing. Oh and great product too.

[dgbldr]

I would order them unfinished. Like Dave said, not worth competing with production shops, but you don't want to try to match your cabinet finish to a pre-finished door.

[okmrazor]

I've been in your shoes.

I've worked for a shop where we made our own doors. Great quality. Not that many profiles.

I've ordered (Keystone) in small batches when I was on my own. Very good customer service - lots of options.

I've been managing - design, sales, shop floor - a custom shop now for about 9 months. We used to make all our doors, but a year or so before I started the owner and president decided they wanted to outsource - more options, streamlined process.

From my perspective its got its pluses and minuses. I'm having some quality control issues with my inherited/current manufacturer (not Keystone as above, am happily in the process of comparison shopping with them now). Our current supplier is great in so many ways - snappy customer service, wide selection, good pricing, lead times, wood selection - sap - etc. I really LIKE dealing with them.

...I don't like the doors coming apart at the joints. My advice: order one or two, break 'em apart and check how much glue they use. I was amazed.

[mike maines]

As great as Walzcraft and other online places can be, I'd really consider looking around locally. When you're new in a place it can help get you going if you get your name out there. Cabinetmaking and finish carpentry are complimentary services--get in with a few guys and they will likely be able to feed you work.

[kreg McMahon]

dj,
http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2009/...ney-built-ins/

here is a link to an article some guy wrote who is on the forum sometimes.. check it out it is on builtins

[Bruce B]

dj,
http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2009/...ney-built-ins/

here is a link to an article some guy wrote who is on the forum sometimes.. check it out it is on builtins

Good one Kreg ! You got me ! LOL

God advice here on buying doors, especially if you need more than a few. Otherwise for paint grade just get a door making set of router bits for your router table and make them.

Cheers,

[mdannolfo]

If simple shaker style, and you are in PA, you can make them pretty quickly with a decent table saw and dado set. I use Bosch 4100 and Freud dado set. 1/2" birch plywood or mdf panels. Dado edges to 1/4. Poplar or maple styles and rails for paint grade dado 1/4" slot in them. Find a shop to finish for you or painter on site. Not hard, fun and good money.