How to Cut a Cabinet

Measure the area you'll place the cabinet to ensure that you cut pieces that will fit properly. Place the measuring tape horizontally along the wall to measure the length of the cabinet. Place the measuring tape in a vertical fashion on the wall to measure the height of the cabinet. Place the measuring tape on the wall, so it extends out toward you. This will measure the depth of the cabinet. Write the three measurements down with a pencil and paper.

Place the plywood sheet down, so you can easily draw on it. With the pencil, ruler and measuring tape in hand, draw two cabinet side panels measuring the height by the depth. Use the measurements collected in the previous step to draw the rectangles.

Draw two additional pieces measuring the depth by the width minus an inch. For example, if the depth measurement is 10 inches and the original width is 15 inches, the two pieces just drawn should measure 10 inches by 14 inches.

Draw two identical pieces that will serve as the back panel and front door of the cabinet. The pieces should measure the width by the height.

Place the plywood sheets on a woodworking table. Line the plywood board up, so the part you are cutting is hanging off the edge of the table. Use the jigsaw to cut the pieces out, one side at a time. The jigsaw allows you to cut in the speed of your choice, while you have full control over the cuts. Repeat this step until you have cut out all of the pieces drawn in steps 2 through 4.

Take one freshly cut piece in one hand and the sandpaper in another. In a left-to-right motion, smooth the edges of the saw-cut sides, so no splinters or cracks are visible. The cabinet pieces are now cut and ready for assembly.