WOODWORKING
Face-frame construction:
Depending on the style and function of your project, face-frames will be constructed differently. The elements,
however, remain the same: Stiles run vertically, top to bottom, and rails run inside the outside stiles. Intermediate
mullions vary.
The key to constructing a good face-frame is squaring. Regardless of the method you choose to assemble your
face-frame (mortise and tenon, dowels, pocket screws, etc.), make certain the corners are at 90 of one another. Two
methods for squaring a project are as follows. You may use a woodworking square (below left) and simply press
each edge of the tool into the corner of your frame. If each edge is flush to the wood, the corner is square. You may
also square a cabinet or face frame by measuring diagonally from corner to corner (below right). If the measurement
to each diagonal corner is equal, your object is square.
Attaching face-frames to the case:
Face-frames may be attached to a case in a number of different ways. From pocket screws or dados, to dowels or
nails, the choice is up to you; just have the method decided before you begin construction. Once you cut all of the
pieces of your cabinet and have dry clamped it together to insure proper fitting, you may begin with final assembly.
On a flat surface, build everything off of your face-frame. It is your “corner stone.” Being perfectly square, the face-
frame determines the rest of your case will be square as well. Below are some methods for mounting face-frames.
Biscuit
Spline
Nail gun
Unit IV: Cabinet Construction