NCCER Cabinetmaking flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Standard base cabinet depth

Base cabinets are typically 24 inches deep without a countertop. This depth accommodates standard countertops and plumbing, and matches most appliance depths for a flush kitchen layout.

Standard wall cabinet height

Wall cabinets are commonly 30 or 36 inches tall and start 18 inches above the countertop. This places the bottom edge 54 inches above the floor in a standard kitchen.

Toe kick dimensions

A toe kick is usually 4 inches high with a 3-inch setback. A 4-1/2 inch toe kick produces a 35-inch cabinet box when the finished cabinet height is 36-1/2 inches.

Cabinet reveal

Reveal is the gap between a door or drawer front and the cabinet frame. A 1/8 inch reveal is common for inset and overlay, while full overlay uses 3/16 to 1/4 inch.

Blind corner cabinet

A blind corner cabinet has one door and a blind side of 12 to 18 inches that extends into the corner. The door width plus the blind dimension must fit the available corner space.

Drawer box height

Drawer box height is measured from the bottom of the drawer side to its top edge. Common heights are 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 inches, chosen to fit the opening and slide.

3-4-5 square method

Measure 3 feet along one line and 4 feet along the perpendicular, then adjust until the diagonal is exactly 5 feet. This establishes a true 90-degree corner for layout.

Diagonal square check

Measure both diagonals of a rectangular cabinet box. If the two measurements are equal, the corners are square; a difference indicates the box is racked and must be adjusted.

Story pole

A story pole is a straight board marked with cabinet heights, countertop line, and wall cabinet line. It transfers consistent layout marks to the wall during installation.

Scribe allowance

Allow 1/8 to 1/4 inch when fitting cabinets to an uneven wall. The filler or scribe strip is ripped on site to match the largest gap and then planed to fit.

Metric conversion for inches

One inch equals 25.4 millimeters, one foot equals 304.8 millimeters, and one meter equals 39.37 inches. Convert measurements before ordering metric hardware or panels.

Cabinet width increments

Stock cabinet widths commonly range from 9 to 48 inches in 3-inch increments. Fillers close the remaining gaps at walls and corners during layout.

Plywood face grades

A-grade veneer is smooth and paint-ready, B has minor defects, and C and D show knots and splits. Cabinet backs often use a lower grade than the visible faces.

MDF properties

Medium-density fiberboard machines cleanly and holds paint well, but it swells when exposed to water. Keep MDF away from sinks, dishwashers, and other moisture sources.

European hinge cup bore

A concealed European cup hinge requires a 35 mm diameter cup bore, usually 12 to 13 mm deep, with a 3 to 6 mm edge distance from the door edge.

Drawer slide load rating

Drawer slides are rated by load, commonly 75, 100, or 150 pounds, and by extension type: three-quarter, full, or over-travel. Select the rating for the drawer's intended contents.

Shelf pin spacing

Shelf pin holes are commonly 5 mm or 1/4 inch in diameter and spaced 32 mm apart on a system line. They are usually set 37 mm from the front edge.

Confirmat screw

A confirmat screw is a 7 mm by 50 mm fastener designed for particleboard and MDF joinery. It requires a stepped pilot hole and provides strong pull-out resistance in cabinet boxes.

Melamine edgebanding

Melamine panels require edgebanding on exposed edges to seal the core and match the surface. PVC or melamine banding must match the panel thickness, commonly 18 mm or 3/4 inch.

Table saw blade height

Set the blade so the teeth clear the stock by about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. This reduces tear-out and exposure while keeping the cut efficient during through cuts.

Stacked dado set

A stacked dado set uses chippers and shims to cut grooves for shelves and cabinet bottoms. Test the width on scrap because stacked chippers can vary slightly.

Router feed direction

When hand-routing an outside edge, feed the router left to right so the bit rotation opposes the feed. This prevents climb cutting and loss of control.

Rabbet versus dado

A rabbet is an open-sided groove cut at the edge of a board, while a dado is a flat-bottomed groove cut across the grain. A groove runs with the grain.

Blade kerf allowance

Blade kerf is the width of material removed by the blade, commonly 1/8 inch. Subtract kerf from each cut when calculating parts from a sheet of plywood.

Hinge cup drilling depth

For a standard European hinge, bore the 35 mm cup about 12 to 13 mm deep. Use a drill press with a depth stop and a fence for repeatable results.

Box assembly sequence

Attach the bottom and fixed shelf to the gables with glue and confirmats, then install the back square, and finally attach the face frame. Check diagonals before fastening the back.

Wall cabinet line

Mark the wall cabinet line 54 inches above the floor for a standard 18-inch backsplash. Use a ledger board to support cabinets while fastening them to studs.

Shimming base cabinets

Set base cabinets to the highest point of the floor, shim low spots, and fasten through the back rail into studs. Trim shims flush after the cabinet is level and plumb.

Countertop expansion gap

Leave a 1/8 to 1/4 inch gap between the countertop and walls for expansion. Scribe the backsplash to the wall and fasten the top through cabinet rails, not the surface.

European hinge adjustment

European hinges adjust in three directions: side, height, and depth. Loosen the appropriate screw, shift the door, and retighten to align reveals and gaps.

Sanding grit sequence

Progress from 80 or 100 grit to 120, then 150 or 180, sanding with the grain. Do not skip more than one grit step, and raise the grain before water-based finishes.

Oily rag storage

Store oily rags from linseed oil and oil-based finishes in a listed metal container with a self-closing lid. Spontaneous combustion can occur if rags are left in a pile.