Red Seal Cabinetmaker cheat sheet

Workers Compensation coverage in most Canadian jurisdictions requires reporting a lost-time injury to the board within 3 days; serious incidents (fracture, amputation, unconsciousness) must be reported immediately.

Wood dust: ACGIH TLV-TWA for softwood dust is 5 mg/m³ (inhalable); hardwood dust is a confirmed carcinogen and many jurisdictions enforce 1 mg/m³ or lower for hardwoods such as oak and beech.

Silica from sanding fillers and MDF dust: MDF contains urea-formaldehyde resin; formaldehyde is a Group 1 carcinogen with a TLV-TWA of 0.1 ppm (ACGIH 0.3 ppm ceiling in some provinces).

Noise: 85 dBA Lex,8h triggers a hearing conservation program; 3 dB exchange rate means doubling of energy per 3 dB, so 88 dBA halves permissible exposure time.

Machine guarding: the point of operation, in-running nip points, rotating shafts, and flying chips must be guarded; a riving knife is required on table saws to prevent kickback.

Lockout/tagout: isolate all energy sources (electrical, pneumatic, gravity/kinetic) before blade changes; stored energy in raised arbors or clamps must be released and blocked.

WHMIS 2018 (GHS-aligned): labels require product identifier, hazard statements, pictograms, signal word, and supplier info; SDS sections 1-16, with section 8 giving exposure controls.

Spontaneous combustion risk: linseed-oil-soaked rags must be spread flat or stored in a sealed metal container with water; piles self-heat and ignite.

Fire extinguisher classes: A (ordinary combustibles/wood), B (flammable liquids/finishes), C (energized electrical); a multi-purpose ABC dry chemical is standard in cabinet shops.

First-angle projection places the top view below the front view; third-angle places the top view above the front view - North American shop drawings are typically third-angle.

A section view is identified by a cutting-plane line with arrows showing the direction of sight; hatching patterns distinguish different materials in the cut plane.

Scale: 1:10 means 1 drawing unit = 10 real units; a 1:10 detail drawn at 1:10 is read with a scale rule graduated in that ratio, not by measuring the paper.

Hidden lines are dashed and represent edges not visible in that view; center lines (long-short dashes) locate holes, radii, and axes of symmetry.

Tolerances: a nominal 24 in cabinet with ±1/16 in tolerance means acceptable width is 23-15/16 to 24-1/16 in; cumulative tolerances add along a run.

AISC/wood framing conventions: nominal 2x4 lumber is actually 1-1/2 x 3-1/2 in; nominal 1 in board is 3/4 in finished (S4S).

A bill of materials (BOM) and cut list must reconcile with the drawing; verify door, drawer, and opening sizes against appliance and hardware rough-in specs.

Elevation vs. plan: plan shows horizontal layout (wall runs, cabinet depths); elevation shows vertical heights (countertop at 36 in, upper cabinet bottom at 18 in above counter).

A change order must be documented in writing before fabrication; verbal changes are not enforceable and create disputes over scope and cost.

Moisture content (MC): kiln-dried lumber for interior millwork is typically 6-8%; equilibrium moisture content (EMC) at 68°F/45% RH is about 8.5%.

Wood movement: tangential movement is roughly twice radial; a flat-sawn board moves about 1/4 in per 12 in of width for a 4% MC change in most species.

Plywood grade: veneer core (VC) vs. medium-density fiberboard (MDF) core; shop-grade birch plywood has face and back veneer grades; exposure 1 is moisture-resistant glue.

Particleboard and MDF swell irreversibly when wetted; only exterior-rated (MR/Exposure 1) panels tolerate humidity, and MDF edges must be sealed before finishing.

Hardwood vs. softwood is botanical (angiosperm vs. gymnosperm), not hardness; balsa is a hardwood, and some softwoods (e.g., longleaf pine) are harder than basswood.

Janka hardness ranks wear surfaces: red oak ~1290 lbf, hard maple ~1450 lbf, walnut ~1010 lbf; select per traffic and finish durability.

Panel handling: stack flat on a level surface with stickers or full support to prevent bowing; store off the floor and away from direct heat and moisture.

Grain direction: rip cuts run with the grain; cross-grain cuts are made on a crosscut sled or miter gauge; veneer matching (book, slip, random) is decided before cutting.

Chisels: bevel angle for softwoods is ~25°, for hardwoods ~30°; sharpen with a flat back and a micro-bevel, and hone on a strop to remove the wire edge.

Hand plane setup: sole flatness within 0.002-0.003 in; chip breaker set 1/32 in or closer to the iron edge to prevent tear-out on figured wood.

Circular saw: blade tooth count and hook angle; a rip blade has 24T with a positive hook, a crosscut/plywood blade 40-80T with an ATB grind for cleaner cuts.

Router bits: 1/2 in shank handles larger profiles and deeper cuts with less chatter than 1/4 in; reduce speed for large-diameter bits (large bits are rated for lower RPM).

Drill/driver clutch settings limit torque to avoid stripping screws or splitting material; pilot hole diameter is roughly the shank diameter of the screw for hardwoods.

Power tool maintenance: check cords for damage, replace worn brushes, blow out motor vents, and keep blades sharp - a dull blade increases kickback risk and burn.

Battery platforms: voltage is nominal, not a direct measure of power; amp-hour rating determines runtime, and higher Ah packs deliver more current under load.

Nail gun safety: never point at a person, disconnect air before clearing jams, and use the sequential-trip (not bump-fire) mode for safety on site.

Table saw: blade height should be set just above the stock (about 1/8 in above the top of the cut); the riving knife and anti-kickback pawls must be in place for through cuts.

Table saw fence alignment: measure from the miter slot to the fence at the front and back; the fence should be parallel to the blade or open at the rear by 0.001-0.003 in to reduce binding.

Jointer: outfeed table must be level with the cutterhead knives at top dead center (TDC); typically set 0.001-0.003 in below TDC to prevent snipe.

Planer: snipe is caused by infeed/outfeed roller pressure and bed deflection; set bed rollers and use a sled for short stock; maximum depth of cut is typically 1/16 in per pass.

Band saw: blade tension, guide spacing (about 1/16 in above the work), and thrust bearing clearance (0.010-0.020 in) control drift; a wider blade resists drift for resawing.

Router table: feed direction against the rotation (right to left on a standard router table) - climb cutting is only safe with a power feeder or very light cuts.

Shapers and spindle moulders: use a power feeder, set the fence opening just wider than the stock, and check cutterhead RPM rating against spindle speed.

Dust collection: 4 in ducting supports about 400-500 CFM; 6 in ducting supports 800-1000 CFM; capture velocity at the hood should be at least 3,500-4,000 FPM for wood dust.

Rough milling sequence: face joint one face flat, edge joint one edge square to the face, plane to thickness, then rip to width - this preserves a true reference face and edge.

Dado width should match panel thickness within 1/64 in for a glue-ready fit; a plywood panel is nominally undersized (e.g., 3/4 in nominal measures 23/32 in).

Router speed formula: RPM = (cutting speed in SFM × 12) / (π × diameter in inches); typical router cutting speed is 12,000-18,000 SFM.

Chip load per tooth = feed rate / (RPM × number of teeth); for a 2-flute router bit at 20,000 RPM and 100 IPM, chip load is 0.0025 in.

Mortise-and-tenon: tenon thickness is typically 1/3 of the rail thickness; tenon length should be at least 1/2 the width of the mortised member for strength.

Dovetail layout: dovetail angle is typically 1:6 for softwoods and 1:8 for hardwoods; pin spacing is set with a divider or template.

Boring: Forstner bits for flat-bottomed holes; brad-point bits for accurate entry; hole diameter for a dowel should be 0.001-0.002 in larger than the dowel for a snug glue fit.

Sanding sequence: do not skip more than one grit step (e.g., 80 → 120 → 150 → 180); skipping steps leaves scratches that telegraph through finish.

Glue types: PVA (Type I waterproof, Type II water-resistant, Type III interior) - Type I is required for exterior or high-humidity applications; open time is typically 5-10 minutes.

Clamping pressure for PVA glue is roughly 100-250 psi; over-clamping starves the joint of glue; glue line should be 0.002-0.006 in thick and not starved.

Biscuit sizes: #0 (5/8 in), #10 (3/4 in), #20 (1 in); biscuit centerline depth should be set so the biscuit is fully hidden and the slot is centered in the stock thickness.

Dowel joints: use at least 2 dowels per joint, spaced to balance; dowel holes should be drilled 1/16 in deeper than the dowel length to allow for glue squeeze-out.

Frame-and-panel: the panel must float in a groove that is deeper than the panel expansion allowance; allow 1/8 in total movement for a 12 in wide panel.

Case assembly: check for square by measuring diagonals - equal diagonals mean square; a difference of 1/16 in over 24 in is about 0.15° out of square.

Pocket-hole joinery: screw length should be about 1/2 in less than the combined material thickness; coarse threads for softwoods, fine threads for hardwoods.

Dado and rabbet reinforcement: glue alone is weak in end grain; use mechanical fasteners (screws, dowels, biscuits) or a spline in end-grain joints.

Sanding grit progression: 80 → 120 → 150 → 180; do not exceed 220 before finish on most hardwoods - burnishing can prevent stain penetration.

Raised grain: water-based finishes and stains raise the grain; pre-raise with a damp sponge, let dry, and sand lightly with 220 before finishing.

Stain and finish compatibility: oil-based stains under water-based topcoats can be used if the stain is fully cured (24-48 h); test on scrap first.

Finish film thickness: a typical lacquer or polyurethane finish is 3-5 mils dry film; multiple thin coats (3-4) outperform one thick coat.

HVLP spray: gun distance 6-8 in, 50% overlap, and air pressure at the cap typically 8-10 psi; viscosity must be reduced to the gun's rating (often 20-30 seconds in a Zahn cup).

VOC regulations: many jurisdictions cap VOC content of architectural coatings (e.g., 250-350 g/L for clear wood finishes); waterborne finishes are typically 50-150 g/L.

Sanding sealer vs. sanding filler: sealer is a thin film that sands easily; filler (paste wood filler) fills open pores on oak, ash, and mahogany before topcoating.

Between-coat sanding: 220-320 grit removes nibs and dust; tack cloth removes dust; do not sand the final coat - it dulls sheen.

Cabinet installation: base cabinets are set level and shimmed at the wall; a 1/4 in shim under a 24 in cabinet changes the top 1/4 in - check with a 4 ft level.

Countertop height standard is 36 in finished; upper cabinet bottom is typically 18 in above the counter (54 in AFF); range hood clearance per manufacturer, often 24-30 in.

Hinge types: concealed European cup hinges (35 mm cup) with 3-way adjustment (side, height, depth); overlay vs. inset determines the door reveal.

Drawer slides: side-mount (3/4 extension) vs. under-mount (full extension, soft-close); load ratings (e.g., 75-100 lb) must match drawer use.

Fasteners into studs: use a stud finder and confirm with a small nail; cabinet screws should penetrate at least 1 in into framing; use GRK or structural screws for heavy uppers.

Door and drawer alignment: adjust hinges for a consistent 1/8 in reveal; check gaps top, bottom, and sides before final tightening.

Anchor selection: toggle bolts for hollow drywall (rated per bolt), lag screws into studs for heavy loads; never rely on drywall anchors for upper cabinets.

Hardware finish and function: soft-close mechanisms, dampers, and push-to-open latches require clearance behind the door; verify cabinet depth before ordering.

Case construction: sides, top, bottom, and back; a rabbeted or dadoed back adds rigidity; the back panel should be set in a groove or rabbet, not just nailed to the rear edge.

Face frame vs. frameless (European) construction: face frame adds 1-1/2 in to the opening width per side; frameless requires 32 mm system holes for hinges and shelf pins.

32 mm system: shelf pin holes are spaced on 32 mm centers (1.26 in) to align with European hinge and hardware standards.

Table and desk height: dining table 29-30 in, desk 29-30 in, counter 36 in, bar 42 in; seat height is typically 10-12 in below the tabletop.

Chair geometry: seat height 17-18 in, seat depth 15-18 in, back angle 5-10° from vertical for comfort; armrest height 8-10 in above the seat.

Drawer box construction: dovetail or box joint for strength; drawer bottom floats in a groove with 1/8 in clearance for seasonal movement.

Fixture fabrication: ADA-compliant counter height is 34 in max, knee clearance 27 in high, 30 in wide, 11-25 in deep; verify local code before fabrication.

Shop drawings: dimension to the nearest 1/16 in, note species, finish, and hardware; a cut list derived from the drawing prevents rework and material waste.

Mortise-and-tenon proportions: tenon thickness 1/3 of rail thickness, tenon width up to 5x tenon thickness, haunch the tenon to resist twisting.

Dovetail: through dovetails for case backs and boxes; half-blind for drawer fronts; sliding dovetails for shelving and carcass joints.

Biscuit joint strength: biscuits add alignment and some strength; for structural joints, use dowels, mortise-and-tenon, or domino tenons.

Glue surface prep: freshly machined surfaces glue better than sanded ones; remove dust and avoid burnished surfaces; glue within 24 h of machining.

Assembly squaring: use a diagonal check and a corner-to-corner measurement; clamp diagonally to pull a racked case square before the glue sets.

Case clamp pressure: distribute with cauls to prevent marring; over-clamping can starve joints and bow panels.

Fastener spacing: screws in a cabinet back or cleat should be spaced 6-8 in on center; pilot and countersink in hardwoods to prevent splitting.

Joinery for movement: breadboard ends, frame-and-panel, and floating shelves allow wood movement; cross-grain glue joints should be avoided or minimized.

Cut list optimization: account for kerf (typically 1/8 in for a 10 in blade) and trim allowance (1/2-1 in) on rough stock before final dimensioning.

Board foot formula: BF = (thickness in inches × width in inches × length in inches) / 144; a 1 in × 6 in × 8 ft board is 4 BF.

Linear feet vs. board feet: moulding and trim are priced by linear foot; lumber by board foot; convert using the cross-section area.

Grain matching: book-matched panels are mirrored; slip-matched panels are sequenced; random matching is cheapest and least consistent.

Veneer: 1/40 in to 1/8 in thick; substrate must be flat and sealed; use a vacuum press or caul for even pressure; avoid glue bleed-through on thin veneers.

Edge banding: PVC or wood veneer; apply with heat or contact cement; trim flush and file edges to avoid a sharp lip.

CNC nesting: sheet efficiency depends on part orientation and grain direction; parts must be rotated to match grain on the finished face.

Moisture check before machining: verify MC with a pin or pinless meter; machining wood outside 6-9% MC leads to movement and finish failure after installation.

Surface prep sequence: repair defects, sand through grits, remove dust with a tack cloth, then seal or stain; do not sand across grain with coarse grits.

Stain application: wipe on, wait, wipe off; open-grained woods (oak, ash) need paste wood filler for a smooth finish; test on scrap for color match.

Topcoat options: nitrocellulose lacquer (fast dry, low solids), conversion varnish (catalyzed, durable, for cabinets), polyurethane (durable, slower), waterborne (low VOC, clear).

Spray booth requirements: explosion-proof motors, adequate airflow (typically 100 FPM face velocity), and a fire-suppression system; never spray flammable finishes near an ignition source.

Film build: 3-5 mils dry film for cabinets; too thin leaves grain telegraphing, too thick leads to cracking and poor adhesion.

Cure time: waterborne finishes need 24-48 h before sanding between coats; catalyzed finishes have a pot life (often 4-8 h) that limits batch size.

Repair and touch-up: use a burn-in stick or matching lacquer for scratches; sanding a repair blends the sheen; always test on an inconspicuous area.

VOC and HAP limits: check local air-quality rules for spray operations; solvent-based finishes may require permits or add-on controls.