Modifying plastic coated cabinet doors
Gerald Fischer
wanted to order glass doors, of course these were rather expensive. I told
her that I could retro-fit glass into a panel door, and she believed me.
The cabinets were installed and I went to look at them. Oh boy, the doors
are white, pseudo panel doors and they seem to have some sort of heavy
plastic veneer that is laminated to MDF or other composite substrate.
Does anyone have any experience in cutting this type of door? Is it
possible to cut without destroying the covering, and does anyone have any
tips?
Thanx in advance,
Gerald Fischer - Metro Detroit
fingercutter
>
> The cabinets were installed and I went to look at them. Oh boy, the doors
> are white, pseudo panel doors and they seem to have some sort of heavy
> plastic veneer that is laminated to MDF or other composite substrate.
>
> Does anyone have any experience in cutting this type of door? Is it
> possible to cut without destroying the covering, and does anyone have any
> tips?
>
> Thanx in advance,
>
> Gerald Fischer - Metro Detroit
>
>
Gerald,
Not an answer to your question, but, some added info on the doors.
I have the same junk in my kitchen. The manufaturer is on my list of
people I would like to see sent to the gas chamber (also including anyone
who was remotely involved with building my house). Half of the laminate
yellowed within a year. The stuff chips and peels off. I haven't cut it,
but, have assumed that it would be too soft and not create a clean crisp
end.
I need to do SOMETHING to mine so please post any findings.
fingercutter
Larry Jaques
<ger...@fischer.name> spake the words:
>My daughter recently installed kitchen cabinets in her dining room. She
>wanted to order glass doors, of course these were rather expensive. I told
>her that I could retro-fit glass into a panel door, and she believed me.
It sounds as if you used to, too.
>The cabinets were installed and I went to look at them. Oh boy, the doors
>are white, pseudo panel doors and they seem to have some sort of heavy
>plastic veneer that is laminated to MDF or other composite substrate.
Melamine? Got pics? Post them on abpf.
>Does anyone have any experience in cutting this type of door? Is it
>possible to cut without destroying the covering, and does anyone have any
>tips?
Make new doors, in REAL wood, maybe?
------------------------------
REAL men don't need free plans
------------------------------
http://diversify.com REAL websites
SPeacock
Also, from your description, sounds like Melamime. You can do a google search
here on it. Several threads talk about cutting blades. There are 'special'
melamine blades made - delta makes one.
Alan Bierbaum
kitchens). Foil and plastic are heat bonded to mdf doors and are not
modifiable for glass inserts. You can buy new thermofoil doors ready for
your glass or buy/make wood doors for glass.
--
Alan Bierbaum
Web Site: http://www.calanb.com
Recent Project Page: http://www.calanb.com/recent.html
Workbench project: http://www.calanb.com/wbench.html
"Gerald Fischer" <ger...@fischer.name> wrote in message
news:ip2cnZpLAro...@comcast.com...
Bob
Sounds like you have RTF, or Rigid Thermo Foil, cabinets. To me, they
appear to be some sort of shrink wrap over MDF. I have the same junk
in my house, 8 years old and it's loosening around the wear edges of
the drawers and doors. Peeling up slowly, but still junk. I _don't_
have any experience in trying to cut or route it, but from my
experience with the wear any time you break the "foil" seal you're
looking at a fairly rapid deterioration of the covering. It rolls
back from the MDF like a dried out leaf....
Sorry I can't be of any more help... Instead of doing the work and
feeling bad later, maybe buy her a new face or two -- maybe a late
Christmas present? Rockler sells (sold??) them as part of their
custom cabinet program a couple years ago. Figured I'd just wait
until we either totally remodel the kitchen or sell the house....
Good luck.
Bob
"Gerald Fischer" <ger...@fischer.name> wrote in message news:<ip2cnZpLAro...@comcast.com>...