Andrew Barss wrote:

TimR wrote:
: I am thinking of making my own kitchen flat panel doors...and refacing the
: cases. I have a good biscuit joiner and would like input on whether the
: biscuit techniques is strong enough for kitchen cabinet doors...or should I
: go with the traditional mortise and tenon assembly ?


I wouldn't hesitate to use biscuits. They're plenty strong
enough for this application.


I agree. Although my personal bias is in line with Swingman's, I think
you have the right practical answer.

Data point: I built a "doggie gate" from 5/4 SYP (heavy) that was 48"
long (much longer torque arm than the OP will have on kitchen
cabinets) that a 40-poind puppy liked to climb over (OP should shoot
anyone who hangs from his kitchen cabinet doors). And my customer and
wife was more interested in having it NOW than in my having a fun
woodworking project. So I built it with doubled #20 biscuits, and it
has held up just fine.

I'd challenge anyone to break a cabinet door built with biscuits,
while it is hanging on hinges. Unless you use a really heavy piano
hinge with long screws, my money is on the hinges giving out first.

RayV brings up an interesting article, though. Worth checking out for
additional info.

P.S. This weekend, I will chop the mortises for the M&T panel doors
for a cabinet I'm building. But it is more a neander thing than a
sense that I really NEED to.
--
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